In News:

Announced in the Union Budget 2025–26, the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme is a major initiative to provide digital textbooks and learning materials in multiple Indian languages for school and university students.

Key Features:

• Digital Access: Study resources will be made available in digital formats via platforms such as DIKSHA, e-PG Pathshala, and the National Digital Library of India.
• Target Groups: Students in schools, colleges, and universities affiliated with UGC, AICTE, and other regulatory bodies.
• Focus Areas: STEM, social sciences, humanities, and commerce; with a special emphasis on technical education in Indian languages.
• Use of Technology: AI-based tools will support automated translation, voice-assisted learning, and customized content.
• Alignment with NEP 2020: Promotes multilingualism and regional language education, as envisioned in the National Education Policy.

Complementary Initiative – ASMITA (Augmenting Study Materials in Indian Languages)

• Aims to develop 22,000 textbooks in Indian languages over the next five years.
• Jointly led by UGC and the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti under the Ministry of Education.
• Thirteen nodal universities will coordinate content development, supported by regional institutions.
• SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) have been developed for translation, writing, editing, review, plagiarism checks, and publication.

Budgetary Allocations and Educational Infrastructure

Highest-Ever Allocation for School Education: ?78,572 crore

• 16.28% rise over revised estimates of 2024–25.
• ?9,503 crore allocated to Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (?776 crore hike).
• Plan to set up 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in government schools to foster innovation and scientific thinking.
• BharatNet Project to ensure broadband access in all government secondary schools within three years.

Higher Education Allocation: ?50,077.95 crore

• Covers central universities, IITs, and centrally sponsored schemes.
• Budget for centrally sponsored schemes like PM-USHA and RUSA increased to ?1,815 crore.
• Student financial aid raised to ?2,160 crore.

Boost to IIT Infrastructure:

• Additional infrastructure for five IITs established after 2014, accommodating 6,500 more students.
• Expansion of hostel and academic facilities at IIT Patna.

Artificial Intelligence in Education

• Announcement of a Centre of Excellence in AI for Education with an outlay of ?500 crore.
• Objective: Reduce disparities, improve efficiency, and ensure equitable access to high-quality education using AI technologies.