Education, AI, and healthcare at core of Budget vision: PM Modi

NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi Wednesday stressed on the importance of quicker implementation of Budget provisions on the ground to make its benefits reach more people. Speaking at the post-Budget webinar on employment, which was attended by key ministers, bureaucrats and policymakers, Modi said the 2025 Budget was a 'blueprint for India's future'.

The PM highlighted the Budget's balanced focus on infrastructure, industries, and human capital, identifying education, skill development, and healthcare as pillars of progress.

He cited key initiatives like National Education Policy, digital learning in 22 Indian languages, and AI integration. "Due to these efforts, India's education system is now aligning with the needs and parameters of the 21st-century world."

Since 2014, over 30 million youth have received skill training. Govt plans to upgrade 1,000 ITIs and establish five Centres of Excellence. Modi called for stronger industry-academia collaboration. "Educational institutions and industries must understand and fulfil each other's needs. Young people should get exposure to the rapidly changing world, practical learning platforms, and real-world experiences," he said.

The healthcare sector will see 10,000 new medical seats, with a target of 75,000 in five years, expansion of telemedicine facilities to all primary health centres and the creation of daycare cancers centres in all districts.

"Imagine the huge transformation this will bring to people's lives and the many new employment opportunities it will create for youth," Modi said. He also called for the stakeholders to invest in promoting health tourism.

"We should also use the full potential of yoga and wellness tourism. We also have a lot of scope in education tourism. I would like there to be detailed discussions, and we should move forward in this direction with a strong roadmap," the PM said.

With cities projected to house 900 million people by 2047, Modi stressed on planning and organised development. "We have initiated an Urban Challenge Fund of Rs 1 lakh crore, focusing on governance, infrastructure, and financial sustainability."

Meanwhile, AI is set to transform the economy, with Rs 500 crore allocated for AI-driven education and research. "AI alone has the potential to contribute trillions of rupees to India's economy," Modi said, adding that a Rs 1 lakh crore corpus fund has been approved for deep tech and emerging sectors.

Reaffirming his govt's participatory approach to budgeting, he stated, "Over the past few years, we have broken the tradition of merely announcing budgets. We engage with stakeholders before, during, and after budget formation, ensuring effective implementation."


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