New Delhi: The Union Budget 2026–27, presented in Parliament by Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Ms Nirmala Sitharaman, places strong emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies as key enablers of the government’s second Kartavya – fulfilling the aspirations of citizens and building their capacity to become active partners in India’s journey towards prosperity.
The Budget recognises that technology adoption must be inclusive, benefiting farmers, youth seeking new skills, women in STEM fields, and Divyangjan by expanding access to opportunities and improving productivity across sectors.
‘Bharat-VISTAAR’: Multilingual AI Tool to Transform Agriculture
One of the key announcements in the Budget is ‘Bharat-VISTAAR’ (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources)—a multilingual AI-powered platform aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and farmer decision-making.
The proposed system will integrate:
- AgriStack portals
- ICAR’s package of agricultural practices
- Advanced AI systems
Through this integration, Bharat-VISTAAR will provide customised advisory support to farmers, helping them reduce risk, optimise inputs, and make informed decisions. The initiative is expected to improve farm productivity, lower uncertainty related to weather and markets, and strengthen resilience in the agricultural sector.
Boost to India’s Orange Economy: AVGC Content Creator Labs
Acknowledging the rapid growth of India’s Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) sector -an integral part of the Orange Economy – the Budget announced a major capacity-building initiative.
The AVGC industry is projected to require nearly 2 million skilled professionals by 2030. To meet this demand, the Budget proposes:
- Establishment of AVGC Content Creator Labs in 15,000 secondary schools
- Setup of similar labs in 500 colleges
These labs will be developed with support from the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), Mumbai, and will focus on nurturing creative talent, digital storytelling, gaming, and visual design skills among students at an early stage.
New National Institute of Design for Eastern India
To further strengthen design education and innovation, the Union Budget proposes setting up a new National Institute of Design (NID) in the eastern region of India.
This initiative acknowledges the rapid expansion of India’s design industry and aims to:
- Enhance access to world-class design education in eastern India
- Promote regional development
- Support India’s growing role in global design, manufacturing, and creative services
The new NID is expected to serve as a hub for innovation, research, and industry collaboration.
Education to Employment: High-Powered Committee to Assess AI Impact on Jobs
Recognising the transformative impact of AI and emerging technologies on employment and skill requirements, the Budget proposes the formation of a High-Powered ‘Education to Employment and Enterprise’ Standing Committee.
The committee will:
- Assess the impact of AI and emerging technologies on jobs
- Identify future skill requirements
- Recommend measures to align education, skilling, and entrepreneurship with evolving industry needs
This initiative aims to ensure that India’s workforce remains future-ready and globally competitive.
Strong Backing for Research and Emerging Technologies
The Union Budget 2026–27 reiterates the government’s commitment to supporting new technologies through continued investments in:
- AI Mission
- National Quantum Mission
- Anusandhan National Research Fund
- Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund
These initiatives collectively aim to foster innovation, promote advanced research, and strengthen India’s position in cutting-edge technologies.
