1-Feb-2018: Rs. 1, 00, 000 Crore initiative to drive research and infrastructure over the next four years

Expressing concern over the quality of education, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Shri Arun Jaitley has said that education will be treated in a holistic manner from pre-nursery to Class XII. Presenting the General Budget 2018-19 in Parliament, the Finance Minister expressed the Government’s resolve to increase the digital intensity in education.  “The Government proposes to gradually move away from ‘‘black board’’ to ‘‘digital board,’’ he said.  The Finance Minister underlined that a district-wise strategy for improving the quality of education is also being prepared. Emphasising the need to step up investment in research and related infrastructure in leading educational institutions, the Finance Minister announced the proposal to launch a major initiative named “Revitalising Infrastructure and Systems in Education (RISE)”. Over the next four years, a total of Rs. 1, 00, 000 crore will be invested in the initiative.

Under Prime Minister’s Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme, 1,000 best B.Tech. students will be identified from premier institutions each year and facilities will be provided to them to undertake Ph.D. in IITs and IISc with an attractive fellowship.

For best quality education to the tribal children in their own environment, it has been decided that by the year 2022, every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons, will have an Eklavya Model Residential School. Ekalavya schools will be treated at par with Navodaya Vidyalayas and will have special facilities for preserving local art and culture, besides providing training in sports and skill development.

18 new Schools of Planning & Architecture (SPAs) will also be established in IITs and NITs as autonomous schools.