Vinay Kumar Swamy, Country Head – Pearson India

‘’The Budget 2025 marks a significant step toward strengthening India’s education and skilling ecosystem. The establishment of National Centers of Excellence for skilling and the investment in AI-driven learning reflect the government’s commitment to preparing the workforce for a dynamic global economy. At Pearson, we believe that access to quality learning, continuous upskilling and education are fundamental to unlocking opportunities for individuals and businesses alike.

The expansion of digital infrastructure in government schools and the focus on multilingual digital content will play a crucial role in making education more inclusive and accessible, ensuring that students and aspirants across India can build future-ready skills. These initiatives will also enhance the relevance and accessibility of learning content for Indian learners.

We look forward to working with the ecosystem to drive innovation, bridge skill gaps, empower learners and nurture a workforce that will help to achieve the Government’s vision for Viksit Bharat and Sabka Vikas.”

Chirashree Ghosh, National Coordinator, FORCES (Forum for Creches and Child Care Services

“The Union Budget 2025 announcement of the increase in allocation for Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is a welcome step towards strengthening early childhood care in India. With 32.1% of children under 5 years being underweight, enhanced nutrition support is a vital parameter for their development. This enhanced funding will help create comprehensive childcare support systems. Following the government’s push for increasing women’s economic participation and the expanding gig economy, such infrastructure is crucial for enabling them to fully engage in the workforce and pursue livelihood opportunities.”

Dhaval Ajmera, Director, Ajmera Realty & Infra India Ltd, on Reaction to the Union Budget

Union Budget 2025 is a liquidity focused, offering significant relief to the middle class while maintaining a strong focus on infrastructure and real estate. With tax slab rationalization, increased disposable income and less compliance burden, it puts more money in the hands of common man, thus boosting both spending appetite and encouraging investment patterns for the general public.

The ₹11 lakh crore capital expenditure push will accelerate infrastructure development, along with the Urban Challenge Fund which reinforces urban transformation, boosting development and creation of newer micro-markets for the real estate sector. Along with this, the introduction of SWAMIH 2.0 with ₹15,000 crore allocated for 1 lakh housing units strengthens the real estate sector.

Key reforms like TDS and TCS simplification increase in the TDS limit on rent and the allowance of two self-occupied properties instead of one will leave more money in the hands of the consumer, thereby boosting consumption. Additionally, extending the investment timeline for AIF Category I & II until 2030 supports long-term capital formation. Overall, the budget also covers the key engines of development across sectors, MSMEs, investment, and exports, ensuring sustained economic momentum.

Abhijit Zaveri, Founder and Director, Career Mosaic

The Union Budget 2025 takes significant strides toward making international education more accessible and strengthening India’s position as a global knowledge hub. The removal of Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on education-related remittances through loans is a crucial step in easing financial constraints for students and families. This measure will not only encourage more aspirants to pursue world-class education abroad but also reinforce India’s role as one of the largest contributors to global student mobility.

International universities are increasingly recognizing India as a pivotal market, both for student recruitment and institutional collaborations. As more universities seek to establish a stronger presence in India, policy measures that facilitate seamless student mobility and cross-border academic partnerships will be critical in shaping the future of higher education.

The establishment of five National Centers of Excellence for Skilling, in collaboration with global experts, is a forward-thinking initiative that aligns education with the evolving demands of the global job market. The growing interplay between education, technology, and employability underscores the need for a more integrated approach to global learning pathways. Continued collaboration between governments, academic institutions, and industry stakeholders will be essential in ensuring Indian students are not only future-ready but also positioned to lead in a rapidly changing world.

Anish Srikrishna, CEO, TimesPro

The Education Budget 2025 represents a pivotal moment in our nation’s journey towards fostering a future-ready workforce through strategic investments in education, skill development and technological research. The establishment of AI Centres of Excellence and the expansion of IITs mark a significant step toward positioning India as a global leader in technology and innovation. These initiatives, coupled with 10,000 fellowships for technological research in IITs and IISc, will not only strengthen India’s academic and research ecosystem but also equip students with cutting-edge skills required for emerging industries. Additionally, the expansion of medical education with 75,000 new seats will play a crucial role in addressing the growing demand for healthcare professionals and strengthening the country’s healthcare infrastructure.

The launch of five National Centres for Excellence in Skilling, in collaboration with global partners, will ensure India’s youth are equipped with industry-relevant expertise. The rollout of 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs and initiatives like the Bharatiya Bhasha Pushtak scheme further exemplify a forward-looking strategy that aligns seamlessly with the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat.’ At TimesPro, we view these strategic interventions as more than policy measures; they are the foundation of a dynamic learning ecosystem that will redefine education and skill development in India. By nurturing innovation and ensuring adaptability in the face of rapid technological advancements, we are paving the way for a knowledge-driven future and strengthening the nation’s global competitiveness.

Sripal Jain, CA, CPA, Co-Founder and Global Instructor, Simandhar Education

The Union Budget 2025-26 is a forward-thinking roadmap that strengthens India’s education and workforce ecosystem while empowering professionals with greater financial flexibility. The government’s decision to raise the tax-free income slab to ₹12 lakh is a transformative move, ensuring working professionals to invest in upskilling and global certifications.

Additionally, the government’s sustained emphasis on technology integration in learning and significant investments in digital infrastructure are key steps toward equipping students with future-ready skills. These initiatives align well with global trends in education and workforce development, ensuring India’s workforce remains competitive in an evolving job market.

As India’s prominence in finance and accounting continues to grow, there is a clear opportunity to build a globally competitive workforce. The increasing recognition of international professional qualifications highlights the importance of aligning education with industry needs, especially for those seeking alternative pathways to global careers. The government’s focus on strengthening skill-based learning and expanding career opportunities will be crucial in ensuring India remains a major contributor to the global financial and accounting sectors.

While the budget’s focus on digital skilling and AI-driven education provides a solid foundation for building an adaptive and innovative workforce, the next step should involve a deeper integration of application-based learning. This will enable students to harness these technologies effectively in real-world scenarios. As India moves towards becoming a global leader in education and professional skill development, we look forward to continued policy support that enhances global mobility, facilitates access to internationally recognized qualifications, and empowers students to compete on the world stage. The government’s commitment to skill-driven education will be pivotal in shaping a knowledge-driven economy, and we are optimistic about the positive impact these initiatives will have in the years ahead.

Niranjan Nayak, MD, Delta Electronics India

The Union Budget 2025-26 lays down a strong foundation for India to transition towards becoming a sustainable, technology-driven, and self-reliant economy. The emphasis of the government on green energy, EV infrastructure, AI-led innovation, and digital transformation closely resonates with Delta’s aim to deliver energy-efficient, smart solutions that power the future.

This would place India on further accelerated net-zero emission paths and spur technological leadership for the country simultaneously. Higher penetration of clean mobility will be facilitated through investments in modernising smart grids and EV charging infrastructure.

Delta is placed to help since it leads the market for an EV charging and power solution. The PLI incentives for R&D and manufacturing under the scheme will further cement India’s position as a world manufacturing hub.

Delta continues to utilize its prowess in industrial automation, power electronics, and smart infrastructure for contribution to the development of India. We are hopeful that together with industry stakeholders and policymakers, these budgetary allocations will take on a shape where the vision is turned into an actual path leading to a sustainable, digitally empowered, and future-ready India.

Arun Balasubramanian, VP & MD, India & South Asia, UiPath

“The 500-crore budget allocation for establishing a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for education will give a much-needed boost to India’s educational and technological ecosystem. We are also glad to see that five National Centres of Excellence for Skilling will be established to pave the way for youth towards global opportunities. This will be beneficial in driving innovation, raising the quality of education and improving employability in the long run.

The announcement of the DeepTech Fund of Funds and 10K fellowships for advanced research at IITs & IISc will be crucial in building a robust R&D ecosystem in India. The government’s proposal for a national guidance framework and boosting infrastructure development will help accelerate GCCs growth in emerging tier 2 cities, thereby increasing employment and boosting urban development.

Given the rapid evolution of technological advancements, the government’s emphasis on regulations is crucial to encourage their ethical and safe use. With these commitments, India will soon truly be Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) and solidify its position as a global leader in technology and innovations.”

CA Kunal Pasari, Assistant Professor, School of Commerce, NMIMS Chandigarh

The Union Budget 2025-26 brings significant relief to the middle class, with the new tax regime offering zero tax liability for incomes up to ₹12 lakh, benefiting approximately 1.5 crore taxpayers. The revised tax slabs, with rates ranging from 5% to 30%, are expected to provide an additional ₹80,000 annually to taxpayers earning ₹12 lakh. This measure, combined with the standard deduction of ₹75,000 for salaried individuals, is projected to boost disposable income by ₹1 lakh crore. The proposal to introduce a direct tax code in the current budget session is also a welcome move.

Additionally, the budget aims to simplify compliance by increasing TDS thresholds to ₹1 lakh for senior citizens and ₹6 lakh for rent, reducing the burden on small taxpayers. These reforms, along with the extension of the startup tax holiday to 2030, reflect a progressive approach toward fostering economic growth and improving the ease of doing business.
From the perspective of the education industry, the establishment of ATAL Tinkering Labs and the provision of broadband services to all rural schools will encourage ideation and creativity among students. Furthermore, the allocation of ₹500 crores to the Centre for Excellence in Artificial Intelligence underscores the government’s commitment to AI adoption and innovation.

Dr. Naimitya Sharma, School of Commerce, Narsee Monjee, Chandigarh

“Economic Survey for the current year tabled yesterday had generated expectations of the Union Budget delivering deep economic reforms to take India’s investment rate beyond the current level of 30-31 percent of the GDP for the past few years. To become a developed country by 2047, India needs to grow upwards of 7 to 8 percent continuously for a few decades. To spur Private Investment growth the government in the Union Budget 2025 has placed its bets on invigorating MSME sector and Startup ecosystem. MSME is promised to be supported by a credit guarantee scheme, credit support in times of financial crisis and extension of limit on Mudra loans, along with provision for improving various physical and digital infrastructure supporting MSME production and exports. To promote the start-up ecosystem, Angel tax has been abolished for all classes of investors, Rs 1000 crore has been allocated for start-ups in the space sector.

Entrepreneurial energies of youth are being addressed by provision of financial support of 5 lakhs for first time entrepreneurs. Beyond growth concerns, the government in the Union Budget presented today has focused on Agriculture, Skill Development and Inclusive Growth as top three priority areas for delivering the ‘Viksit Bharat’ project. There has been an allocation of 1.52 lakh crore for agriculture and allied sectors. Focus in Agriculture is on HYVs, natural farming, and Digital Public infrastructure. With respect to Skilling, focus is on providing support to employers to incorporate the skills of more and more young people. It is heartening to see that to facilitate higher participation of women in the workforce, there is focus provided on creating working women hostels, creches, women-specific skilling programs and market access to women SHG enterprises. Government has recognized the need to provide support to private higher education institutions as more and more students are expected to pass through private institutions.

There is provision made for financial support for loans up to 10 lakhs for higher education in domestic institutions to be provided to youth who have not been eligible for any benefit under government schemes and policies. To further improve the ability of the private higher education sector, the government may choose to extend benefits of the PM Fellowship scheme to these institutions along with making these institutions a strategic beneficiary of Rs 20000 crore allocated to implement private sector driven Research, Development and Innovation initiatives. For Inclusive growth, there has been provision made for balanced regional industrial development via specific extensions of Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor, Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor, Hyderabad-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor. Further inclusive measures include, provision for Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan for covering 63,000 villages benefitting 5 crore tribal people and 100 branches of India Post Payment Bank to be set up in the North East region and total allocation of 3 lakhs crore for schemes benefiting women.”