Education and skill development are investments towards the growth of any country. From various forums such as ASSOCHAM and EPSI; we have been stressing upon education, employability and entrepreneurship as the pillars that could lead the Indian economy towards a higher trajectory. 


We thank Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman for accepting our recommendations and for a greater focus on these three core areas in her Union Budget of 2019. The establishment of a ‘National Research Foundation’ to fund and coordinate research is a positive step towards strengthening the overall research eco-system in the country, while reducing duplication of effort and expenditure. 


We also thank her for accepting our recommendation to comprehensively reform the regulatory systems of higher education for promoting greater autonomy and focus on academic outcomes. The draft legislation for setting up Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) is a welcome step.


From several forums, the industry and academia had been jointly suggesting major reforms to make India the global hub of higher education. It is heartening to note that due emphasis has been given to these in the Union Budget 2019. The new National Education Policy with a focus on transforming India’s higher education system to global standards and the “Study in India” shall give impetus to the sector and the economy, as a whole. 


Skilling for future jobs has been an area of concern.  The suggestion of a deeper focus on new-age skills in schools such as robotics and Artificial Intelligence shall definitely help in improving the skill sets of the next generation of leaders.  


The National Sports Education Board for development of sportspersons under the Khelo India program is a thoughtful plan to identify and nurture achievers from a young age. 

Dr. Prashant Bhalla
Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council for Education
Treasurer, Education Promotion Society for India
President, Manav Rachna Educational Institutions