The Haryana government unveiled its Budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year on Monday, with a strong emphasis on education and welfare schemes for soldiers and their families. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented the Rs 2.05 lakh crore Budget in the state assembly, announcing several initiatives aimed at boosting education, skill development, and support for armed forces personnel.
Scholarships for Martyrs’ Children
A key highlight of the Budget is a new scholarship scheme for the children of martyred soldiers and paramilitary personnel. Under this scheme, students in Classes 6 to 12 will receive Rs 60,000 annually. Those pursuing diploma or graduation courses will get Rs 72,000 per year, while postgraduate students will be awarded Rs 96,000 annually.
Focus on Education and Language
In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, a third language will be introduced for students in Classes 9 and 10 starting next fiscal year. The government also plans to establish armed forces preparatory institutes in Charkhi Dadri, Hisar, and Yamunanagar. Additionally, new Model Sanskriti Schools will be set up across the state, ensuring one school within every 10-kilometer radius.
To improve language education, the French government has pledged to support teacher training programs for French language instruction in government schools. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) will soon be signed to formalize this collaboration.
Support for Soldiers and Ex-Servicemen
The Budget introduced a dedicated helpline for soldiers and paramilitary personnel to address their needs and concerns. For ex-servicemen, the “Veer Udaan Yojana” will provide training to 2,000 individuals to help them secure employment. The government also announced plans to build a Sainik Sangrahalaya (military museum) in Rewari to honor the contributions of armed forces personnel.
Promoting STEM and Research
To address the low enrollment of girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses, the government will launch the Kalpana Chawla Scholarship Scheme. Under this, girls pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in science and engineering will receive an honorarium of up to Rs 1 lakh annually. Additionally, tuition fees will be waived for girls from families with an income below Rs 3 lakh who are pursuing BSc courses in government colleges.
A Haryana State Research Fund will also be established with an initial allocation of Rs 20 crore to encourage research by students and teachers in colleges and universities.
Encouraging Mathematical Excellence
Concerned about the lack of participation in math olympiads, the government announced an annual math olympiad for students in Classes 10 to 12. Winners will receive honorariums of Rs 1 lakh, Rs 51,000, and Rs 25,000 for first, second, and third positions, respectively.
Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
To bridge the gap between education and employment, the Budget introduced several skill development initiatives. The “Mukhyamantri Yuva Kaushal Samman Yojana” will provide internship opportunities to 2,000 final-year graduate and postgraduate students in reputed companies, offering them a monthly honorarium of Rs 10,000.
Entrepreneurship competitions will be organized in every district starting from the 2025-26 academic session. Selected teams will receive Rs 1 lakh to develop their business ideas. Additionally, the “Mukhyamantri Kaushal Padak Samman Vijeta” initiative aims to promote vocational education and skill development among the youth.
Engaging Officers in Education
In a unique move, first and second-class officers from every department will be required to visit government schools monthly. They will spend two to three hours interacting with students, discussing departmental projects, and providing career guidance.
Conclusion
The Haryana Budget 2025-26 reflects the state government’s commitment to education, skill development, and the welfare of armed forces personnel. With a focus on scholarships, research, and practical skill-building, the Budget aims to empower students and youth while honoring the sacrifices of soldiers and their families.
