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| Photo Credit: S. GOPAKUMAR
In a landmark move, the Kerala government has announced free education up to the graduate level in the State.
The announcement, made by Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal in the Kerala Budget on Thursday, marks a major expansion of the State’s education policy. The reform will make degree education in Arts and Science colleges free for students. Until now, free education in the State was available up to the Plus Two (Class 12) level.
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The Budget also delves into the issue of students going abroad or outside the State for higher education and skill training. The government has pegged the estimated annual outflow due to the trend at ₹8,000 crore.
In a bid to address the scenario, the Budget proposes the establishment of a ‘Global School’ in Kerala. The institution will focus on modern technologies, vocational education and skill development, with special emphasis on Techno-Economics and Future Technologies. An amount of ₹10 crore has been earmarked as the State share for the primary activities of the project.
It has also been proposed to strengthen the linkage between higher education research institutions and local self-governments to improve the technical expertise in developmental projects. An amount of ₹10 crore per year has been allocated to each District Planning Committee for the purpose.
To ensure that accommodation does not become a barrier to education, a public hostel scheme for students of government colleges will be launched. The project will be implemented in Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kozhikode in the first phase. An allocation of ₹10 crore has been made for preliminary activities.
Student support schemes have also been strengthened. Full-time PhD scholars registered in universities and other higher education institutions without other fellowships will receive ₹15,000 per month. An overall allocation of ₹38.76 crore has been made for scholarships and fellowships, including the Chief Minister’s Student Excellence Award and Kerala Research Fellowship.
Highlighting the progress made in the sector since 2016–17, the Budget states that Kerala’s higher education institutions continue to perform strongly at the national level. An allocation of ₹851.46 crore has been made for implementing the recommendations of the Higher Education Commission and the four-year undergraduate programme (FYUGP). This marks an increase of ₹67.95 crore (or 8.67%) over the previous year.
A total of ₹259.09 crore has been allocated for strengthening university activities under the Higher Education department.
The Technical Education sector has been allocated ₹295 crore, while additional funds have been earmarked for Centres of Excellence, digital university management under K-REAP, science popularisation initiatives, law colleges, skill development programmes and infrastructure development in government colleges.
Published – January 29, 2026 02:03 pm IST
