Budget Reaction: Education Sector Embraces Digital & Skill Growth

Omar Chihane, Global General Manager, TOEFL, ETS:

The Union Budget 2026 reinforces a clear emphasis on employability, skills relevance, and international competitiveness within India’s education strategy. Measures such as the reduction in TCS on overseas education remittances and the renewed focus on globally aligned higher education signal a recognition that talent mobility and global readiness are becoming integral to national growth.

As careers become increasingly international and technology reshapes how work is performed, preparing students for cross-border academic and professional environments is critical. This goes beyond technical capability to include communication and the ability to operate confidently in diverse, global settings — areas where internationally trusted benchmarks provide institutions and employers with a shared, credible measure of readiness.

A workforce that combines specialized skills with globally recognized standards is better positioned to participate in the global knowledge economy. The Budget’s direction supports the development of such an ecosystem, strengthening India’s role not only as a contributor of global talent but also as an emerging destination for international education engagement.