Budget 2026: Experts call for shift from intent to execution to build globally competitive education system
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As preparations gather pace for the Union Budget 2026–27, education and skilling experts are calling for a decisive shift from policy intent to on-ground execution, with greater emphasis on quality, global credibility, and measurable student outcomes.
On the need of building a globally competitive education, Omar Chihane, Global General Manager, TOEFL, ETS, said, “As India looks ahead to the Union Budget 2026–27, the focus must shift from intent to execution in building a globally competitive education and skills ecosystem.”
He said, “Priority should be given to embedding globally benchmarked language proficiency and skills assessments across secondary and higher education, so students are internationally prepared well before graduation.”
Targeted investments in assessments, scholarships, and global exchange programmes can help position India as a global education and assessment hub, according to Chihane.
Need for reforms
Experts also stressed the importance of ensuring that reforms are inclusive and benefit institutions across all sizes.
January 2026
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Prof. P S Sastry, Dean and Distinguished Professor at Vidyashilp University, said, “Even modest, well-structured funding for small research projects and basic lab infrastructure can make a decisive difference.” He warned that without such support, “capable institutions and regional talent risk being inadvertently disadvantaged.”
On the skilling front, Pushkar Saran of TOEIC, ETS, pointed out that “India’s skilling challenge today is not about scale, but about workplace readiness and credibility.”
He noted that “workplace communication, particularly in English, has become a decisive employability factor,” especially as global demand for Indian professionals continues to rise.
Critical gaps in student guidance
Student guidance and informed choice were also flagged as critical gaps.
Ganesh Kohli, Founder of the IC3 Movement, said, “Career and academic guidance must be recognised as core educational infrastructure rather than an optional service.” Strengthening counselling at the school level will help students align learning with aspirations early, he added.
From an internationalisation perspective, Tripti Maheshwari of Student Circus said, “Budget 2026 becomes a decisive moment to shift from policy intent to on-ground delivery.” She highlighted that “international students increasingly choose destinations based on employability, industry linkages and post-study career prospects.”
Echoing this, Aritra Ghosal of OneStep Global said, “Attracting international students is only the first step; what truly matters is whether institutions can deliver recognised qualifications, research exposure and credible career pathways at scale.”