How Elections could Shape the Future of Education in India

Education is one of the most important pedestals in a society as it helps in shaping the future. As a country with the highest youth population in the world, it is vital to know what the who’s who of our nation is planning, to mold the academic part with their upcoming agendas and promises. 

Did you know that education has always been the kid who gets picked last when it comes to budget allocation? If that surprised you then prepare to be shocked. 

Let’s take a deep dive down the memory lane from the 1950s to the 2020s 

Between the 1950s to 1970s, the overall budget allocated for education was between 1.5 - 2%  in the 1980s - 4.42%,  2000s - 3.14%,  2010s - 3 - 4%, and  2020’s 4.64% (according to Indexmundi, Knoema, World Bank data, and encyclopedia.Britannica)

During these 7 decades of India’s freedom the government was changed 5 times and so were the reforms related to education. Even though we can’t predict who is going to take the throne in the 2024 General Elections, we can still analyze what two of the most significant parties (BJP and Congress) have to offer in the academic sector. 

Manifesto Review 

BJP 

- Establishing new institutions of higher education.

- Using technology for access to quality education 

- Ensuring quality school education 

- Ensuring future-ready youth 

- Implementing One Nation, One Student ID. 

- Expanding Skills Training for Youth 

Congress 

- New Education Policy Review 

- STEM Education 

- Revive Education Loan Program 

- Write Off Education Loans

- Enhance Digital Learning 

- Opening more Government Community Colleges

Both BJP and Congress are promising big things to students, parents, and educators. It will be enthralling to see if these are actual agendas or just empty promises once the seat is taken.