Ranchi: The All India Students Association (AISA) has expressed concern over the allocation for the education sector in the 2026–27 Budget presented by the Government of Jharkhand. The organization stated that out of the total budget outlay of ₹1,58,560 crore, an allocation of ₹18,815 crore (approximately 11.9 percent) for education is inadequate in view of the state’s growing needs.
AISA further pointed out that the share earmarked for higher education—only about 1.6 percent of the total budget—is insufficient to ensure long-term, knowledge-driven development in the state.
According to the student body, there has been no substantial increase in scholarships, hostel assistance, and targeted schemes for students from marginalized and disadvantaged communities. This, it said, may adversely affect access to higher education for first-generation learners and students from rural backgrounds.
While welcoming the announcement of new educational institutions, AISA emphasized the urgent need to strengthen existing universities and colleges, many of which face acute shortages of faculty, inadequate infrastructure, limited laboratory and library facilities, and insufficient research support. Without a concrete investment plan to address these issues, mere announcements may not lead to meaningful improvement in the quality of education.
The organization also stressed the importance of strengthening skill-based education and employment-linked training programmes to ensure better social and economic returns from the education system.
AISA has urged the government to treat education as a public right, substantially enhance public investment in the sector, expand student assistance schemes, and ensure a quality, accessible, and publicly funded education system for the youth of the state.
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