Parliamentary Panel Calls for Increased Education Spending, Flags NEP-2020 Target Shortfall New Delhi: A parliamentary committee has expressed concern over the "underwhelming" allocation for higher education and recommended raising education spending to 6% of GDP, as envisioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, chaired by Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, presented its 381st action-taken report on June 16, 2026.
The report, which reviewed the 364th report on Demands for Grants (2025-26) for the Department of Higher Education, was submitted to Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan.
The panel highlighted that the percentage increase in budget estimates for higher education in 2025-26 compared to 2024-25 was lower than the previous year.
It recommended an 8% to 10% budget increase to account for inflation and maintain current standards in higher education spending. The report emphasized that adequate resources are essential for implementing NEP-2020 and described current allocations as insufficient.
The committee also noted a lack of significant growth in the gross enrolment ratio of males and females between 2018 and 2023, which it said was necessary for improving employment opportunities and human resource development.
It urged the government to align expenditure with NEP-2020's long-term target of achieving 6% of GDP spending on education by 2035.
NewsDarpan
Read the full story