As the Union Budget 2025 approaches, stakeholders in India’s higher education sector are voicing their expectations and suggestions to address pressing challenges and position the nation’s academic institutions on the global stage. Key leaders in the field have highlighted the need for increased investment, policy reforms, and innovative strategies to drive the growth and competitiveness of Indian universities.
Vishal Anand, Founder and Pro Chancellor of Shoolini University, emphasised the importance of prioritising research and intellectual property in the upcoming Budget. “These two categories should be included as part of Corporate CSR fund deployment to accelerate India’s research journey. Education and research capital expenditure could be classified under priority lending, with a focus on 25-year long-term financing for universities as national assets and subsidised lending rates,” he suggested. Anand believes that such initiatives would not only boost private investment but also enable Indian universities to compete globally. Additionally, he called for allowing the education sector to operate under a for-profit model, which could enhance capital infusion and overall efficiency.

Another crucial area of concern is accessibility to higher education for students. “Collateral-free education loans for students could enable higher enrolment numbers in a young nation like ours, which currently struggles with sub-30% levels,” Anand pointed out. This would address a significant barrier to higher education and potentially unlock India’s demographic dividend.
Praveen K. Pula, President and Chancellor of Woxsen University, highlighted the need for greater fiscal allocation towards innovation-driven research and skill-based learning. “The need of the hour is greater fiscal allocation towards innovation-driven research, skill-based learning, and global partnerships to enhance the competitiveness of Indian universities on a global scale,” he remarked. Pula also acknowledged the government’s commendable focus on primary and secondary education in previous years but stressed the urgency of strengthening higher education to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy.

Pula underlined the importance of fostering industry-academia collaboration and promoting technological adoption. “We hope the government will prioritise policies that foster industry-academia collaboration, promote technological adoption, and ensure equitable access to quality higher education for students across all strata,” he stated. Such measures, he argued, would empower universities to build a skilled workforce and drive India’s economic growth.
With the higher education sector playing a pivotal role in shaping India’s future, experts agree that strategic investments and reforms in the upcoming Budget could serve as a catalyst for long-term growth and transformation. From incentivising research and innovation to ensuring equitable access and global competitiveness, the sector is hopeful for decisive action to realise its full potential.