Bhubaneswar: Three leaders from the SAI International Education Group have welcomed the Union Budget 2026–27, presented today by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, for its strong emphasis on research, education, and technology-driven growth. The group described the budget as a forward-looking roadmap that aligns India’s innovation, learning, and AI initiatives with long-term socio-economic goals.
The Director of Research and Innovation at SAI International Education Group, Vikram Aditya Sahoo, called the budget “a strong and welcome signal that research and innovation are at the heart of India’s future growth and leadership.” He welcomed the continued support for the Anusandhan National Research Fund and the emphasis on industry–academia collaboration, noting that it would help ensure research leads to scalable solutions, technological autonomy, and tangible economic outcomes.
Sahoo particularly praised initiatives in medical and health research, including a nationwide biopharma clinical trials network and the creation of regional medical hubs integrating education, research, and healthcare. The expansion of AYUSH research—including the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre at Jamnagar and new All India Institutes of Ayurveda—was described as a significant step toward evidence-based integration of traditional knowledge with modern science.
He also highlighted investments in scientific infrastructure such as the National Large Solar Telescope, National Large Optical–Infrared Telescope, Himalayan Chandra Telescope, and COSMOS-2 Planetarium. According to Sahoo, these upgrades would not only advance research but also provide students with experiential learning opportunities, fostering a culture of inquiry, interdisciplinary learning, and innovation. “The allocation of Rs 20,000 crore for carbon capture research and the focus on assistive technology R&D signal a commitment to sustainability and social relevance in research,” he added.
Similarly, the Director of New Age Learning at SAI International Education Group, Vishal Aditya Sahoo, described the budget’s education focus as “a decisive shift from degree-centric learning to outcome-driven, future-ready education.” He welcomed the creation of a High-Powered Education-to-Employment and Enterprise Standing Committee, which aims to align curricula with industry needs, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship.
The proposal to establish five University Townships along industrial and logistics corridors was termed “revolutionary,” as it would bring together universities, research institutions, skill development centres, and residential spaces, bridging the gap between academia and industry. Vishal also highlighted initiatives to enhance inclusivity, such as the establishment of one girls’ hostel for STEM institutions in every district, which could significantly increase the participation and retention of young women in technical fields.
In the healthcare sector, the planned expansion of allied health professional institutions—adding 100,000 professionals over five years—and new skilling programmes for caregivers were highlighted as progressive steps. Vishal further noted the budget’s support for creativity and design through AVGC labs in schools, a new National Institute of Design in Eastern India, and the National Destination Digital Knowledge Grid, all aimed at opening opportunities in design, tourism, culture, and technology.
On the technology front, Advisor for Tech & Innovation at SAI International Education Group, Vijisha Sahoo, stated that AI “is much more than an efficiency enabler; it is a powerful governance and productivity multiplier.” She emphasised that the government’s support for initiatives such as the IndiaAI Mission, Anusandhan National Research Fund, Research, Development, and Innovation Fund, and the National Quantum Mission would strengthen India’s AI ecosystem, promote homegrown capabilities, and ensure innovation aligns with national priorities.
Vijisha highlighted the role of AI in workforce transformation, noting that the Education-to-Employment and Enterprise Standing Committee would assess AI’s impact on employment and emerging skill needs. She added, “Projects such as Bharat-VISTAAR, which provide multilingual, customised advice to farmers, and AI-enabled assistive devices for Divyangjans demonstrate how technology can improve accessibility, independence, and quality of life.”
She concluded that, when combined with education and skill development, AI could become “a force for inclusive growth, enabling individuals, communities, and institutions to fully engage with India’s future as a resilient and technology-driven nation.”
Experts from SAI International Education Group unanimously hailed the Union Budget 2026–27 as a forward-looking blueprint that aligns India’s research, education, and technology policies with long-term socio-economic goals. The budget’s focus on innovation, inclusive education, and AI-driven governance reflects a vision aimed at preparing India for global leadership by 2047.
