The Economic Times

'Merit must have a home': When a fathers pain pushed FM Sitharaman to prioritise girls hostels in Budget 2026

Education Budget 2026: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said a personal experience inspired the Union Budget 202627s focus on expanding girls hostels, stressing that merit must have a home. The budget allocates Rs 1.39 lakh crore to education, with major increases for higher education and digital learning infrastructure, aimed at empowering young people and women.