The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) presented its education Budget for the year 2026-27 on February 25. The total outlay for the education budget was Rs 4,248.08 crore, marking a significant increase from Rs 3,674 crore allocated in 2025–26. The capital expenditure is pegged at Rs 490 crore, compared to Rs 411.30 crore last year, which was later revised to Rs 386.78 crore. The budget includes Mission SAFAL to Drive Holistic Development, teacher training, library upgrades, Meritorious Student Assistance, digital push for classrooms, and other student welfare schemes.
Mission SAFAL to Drive Holistic Development:
Building on the rollout of Mission SAMPURN under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 for the 2025–26 academic year, the BMC has announced the launch of Mission SAFAL in the forthcoming term. The new initiative is designed to blend co-curricular activities with classroom instruction, promoting the overall and balanced development of students. According to the civic administration, sustained efforts under NEP 2020 have produced positive outcomes so far, and Mission SAFAL is expected to consolidate and enhance these achievements through innovative and student-centric educational measures.
Budget Allocations and Key Initiatives:
Teacher Training (Rs 2.40 crore): Special training sessions will be organised to familiarise educators with the revised curriculum and contemporary teaching practices in line with the National Education Policy 2020, strengthening classroom delivery and learning outcomes.
Library Upgradation (Rs 5 crore): School libraries will be modernised with the addition of academic resources and competitive examination books, alongside infrastructural improvements aimed at encouraging a stronger reading culture among students.
Meritorious Student Assistance (Rs 19 lakh): High-achieving Class 10 students from BMC-run schools affiliated with boards such as CBSE, ICSE, IB and Cambridge, who score above 90 per cent, will receive financial support of Rs 25,000 or reimbursement of tuition fees, whichever is higher.
Cultural and Co-Curricular Activities:
To encourage artistic growth among students, the BMC has earmarked dedicated funds for strengthening music education. An allocation of Rs 1 crore for primary schools and Rs 35 lakh for secondary schools will be used to purchase instruments such as harmoniums, tablas, keyboards and sound systems. A one-day field camp will also be organised for music teachers to enhance their skills and engagement. In addition, Road Safety Patrol (RSP) activities involving 9,480 students and disaster management training for Classes 6 to 10 will continue, with a total provision of Rs 17 lakh set aside for these initiatives.
Digital Push in Classrooms
The civic body has outlined a series of technology-driven measures to strengthen digital learning in schools. Astronomical laboratories will be expanded to 40 additional schools with an allocation of Rs 3 crore. As part of efforts to promote digital access, 19,317 tablets will be distributed to Class 9 students, backed by a combined provision of Rs 21.83 crore. Gamified learning applications will also be introduced to make lessons more interactive and engaging. Furthermore, the rollout of digital classrooms will continue across 7,953 classrooms in 1,203 schools, supported by a combined allocation of Rs 24.46 crore. The ‘Jaadui Pitara’ knowledge box programme for primary classes will also be scaled up with a budgetary outlay of Rs 2 crore.
Infrastructure and Safety Measures
The BMC has set aside Rs 340 crore to strengthen school infrastructure, covering repairs, modernisation and reconstruction projects. Of the 72 works currently underway, 57 are slated for completion by March 2026. To bolster security on campuses, an additional Rs 42 crore has been earmarked for the installation of CCTV systems across schools.
Student Welfare Schemes
Under its welfare initiatives, Rs 150.57 crore has been allocated for the procurement of free scholastic materials for the next two academic years. The Free BEST Bus Service scheme, backed by Rs 8.70 crore, has already enabled more than 9,600 students to avail complimentary travel through ‘Chalo Cards’. Grants to private aided schools include Rs 450 crore towards salaries and Rs 240 crore for pension payments.
State Government Grants and Pending Dues
The civic body anticipates receiving Rs 643.80 crore as a 50 per cent grant for primary education and Rs 246.08 crore towards secondary education salaries from the state government. However, it has pointed out that outstanding dues of Rs 7,241.38 crore are yet to be released, with follow-up efforts currently in progress.
Budget Overview
The total education budget stands at Rs 4,248.08 crore, comprising Rs 3,758.08 crore in revenue expenditure and Rs 490 crore in capital expenditure.