Delhi budget: 16.5% more for higher & tech edu, but allocation for key institutes cut

New Delhi: Delhi govt has earmarked Rs 720 crore for higher and technical education in its 2026-27 budget — an increase of around 16.5% from last financial year’s allocation of Rs 618 crore.The allotment constitutes about 3.7% of the total education outlay of Rs 19,326 crore, which continues to receive the largest share of the overall Delhi budget.Despite the increase in allocation for higher and technical education, several key institutes and heads have seen cuts. The Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) has recorded the steepest decline, with its allocation reduced by about Rs 105 crore. Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT) has seen a sharp drop of Rs 32.5 crore, while Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University’s (DSEU) funding has been cut by Rs 30 crore. Delhi Technological University (DTU) and Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (IGDTUW) have also witnessed a Rs 12-crore and Rs 1.5-crore reduction, respectively.The allocation for Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University (DPSRU) remains unchanged.In contrast, the College of Art has had a modest increase of around Rs 60 lakh. Incubation centres have emerged as the only major gainer, with the funding rising by about Rs 7.6 crore. Presenting the Budget, chief minister Rekha Gupta said govt is focusing on skill development and employment-oriented training to transform Delhi’s youth from “job seekers to job creators”. As part of this push, govt plans to develop Centres of Excellence across Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in Jahangirpuri, Dheerpur, Shahdara, Narela and Nand Nagri.Govt will also expand ITI infrastructure in Shahdara, Pusa and Jail Road, while Rs 100 crore has been set aside for infrastructure development, including construction of new buildings at G B Pant Institute of Technology and polytechnics.In a major infrastructure push, govt has announced plans to develop an integrated Education City in Narela, with Rs 1,350 crore allocated for land acquisition. Expansion of Ambedkar University has also been proposed.To promote innovation and entrepreneurship, Gupta said govt will introduce a startup and incubation policy aimed at building an “innovative ecosystem” for the youth. A talent hunt policy will also be launched with an allocation of Rs 10 crore.Among other announcements, Rs 10 crore has been earmarked for the development of National Law University, while Rs 50 crore has been allocated for sports infrastructure, including hostels, playgrounds and swimming pools. Govt has also proposed setting up common digital libraries accessible 24x7.The budget has also introduced Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana, replacing the 2008 Ladli scheme, with Rs 128 crore allocated to provide financial incentives linked to girls’ education, including Rs 1.2 lakh in support to each eligible student upon completion of graduation.