Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post-budget webinar, laid out a vision for India’s growth centered around investing in people, the economy, and innovation. Addressing stakeholders through video conferencing, he emphasized that this year’s budget serves as a blueprint for India’s future, balancing industrial and infrastructure development with human capital investment.
Highlighting the importance of education, skill development, and healthcare, the Prime Minister noted that India’s education system is undergoing a historic transformation. He pointed to major initiatives such as the National Education Policy, the expansion of IITs, digitization of textbooks in 22 Indian languages, and the integration of AI in education. These reforms, he said, are designed to equip India’s youth with the skills and knowledge needed to compete on a global scale.
Since 2014, over three crore young people have received skill training, and now, plans are in place to upgrade 1,000 ITI institutes and establish five centers of excellence. To ensure better industry-academia collaboration, the government has launched the PM-Internship scheme, offering students practical learning opportunities. The Prime Minister urged industries to participate actively in this initiative, ensuring that India’s youth are job-ready in an increasingly competitive world.
Healthcare was another key focus area, with an announcement of 10,000 additional medical seats and a target of 75,000 new seats in the next five years. Telemedicine facilities are being expanded in primary health centers, and digital healthcare infrastructure is being strengthened. By introducing day-care cancer centers and improving access to medical services, the government aims to bring quality healthcare to every corner of the country, creating new job opportunities in the process.
Discussing India’s economic future, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for planned urbanization as India’s urban population is expected to reach 900 million by 2047. To address this, an Urban Challenge Fund of ₹1 lakh crore has been set up to drive infrastructure, governance, and financial sustainability while boosting private investment. He called upon real estate developers and industries to contribute to sustainable urban mobility, digital integration, and climate resilience planning.
Tourism emerged as a crucial sector for job creation, with plans to develop 50 destinations across the country. Giving infrastructure status to hotels in these locations will make tourism more accessible while generating employment. The government is also expanding the Mudra scheme to support home-stay businesses, positioning India as a global tourism and wellness hub. Through campaigns like ‘Heal in India’ and ‘Land of the Buddha,’ the country aims to attract international visitors while strengthening its domestic tourism sector.
The Prime Minister stressed the role of innovation in India’s growth story, particularly in artificial intelligence. The government has allocated ₹500 crore for AI-driven education and research, along with the establishment of a National Large Language Model to enhance AI capabilities. A corpus fund of ₹1 lakh crore has also been earmarked to boost research and innovation, particularly in emerging technologies. With India now ranking as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, new initiatives such as the Deep Tech Fund and 10,000 research fellowships in IITs and IISc aim to drive cutting-edge advancements.
Another major announcement was the Gyan Bharatam Mission, which seeks to digitally preserve India’s rich manuscript heritage. Over one crore manuscripts will be digitized to create a national repository, allowing scholars and researchers worldwide to explore India’s historical and traditional knowledge. Additionally, a National Gene Bank is being set up to safeguard plant genetic resources, ensuring food security for future generations.
Reflecting on India’s economic progress, the Prime Minister cited recent IMF observations, noting that between 2015 and 2025, India’s economy grew by an impressive 66%, making it a $3.8 trillion economy. He expressed confidence that India is on the path to becoming a $5 trillion economy, urging stakeholders to focus on effective implementation of budget announcements.
The Prime Minister concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to collaborative governance, emphasizing the importance of public participation in shaping and executing policies. By working together, he said, India can realize the aspirations of 1.4 billion people and build a future defined by progress, opportunity, and innovation.
