6% education budget will be a reality soon: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday, speaking at the IIMUN 15th anniversary event in Mumbai, said he was confident that India would soon achieve the long-standing goal of allocating 6 per cent of its GDP to education.

Bhagwat's remarks echoed a demand that has been reiterated by several education commissions and policy documents over the decades. "We support a 6 per cent allocation of GDP for education. It will become a reality soon," he said.

At present, the Centre's expenditure on education stands at around Rs 1.3 lakh crore, accounting for about 2.5-2.6 per cent of the Union Budget.

While education's share of the overall Budget has declined over the years, the actual allocation in absolute terms has increased. Meanwhile, the combined spending by the Centre and states on education is estimated at around 4.1 per cent of GDP, still short of the long-standing target of 6 per cent.

Highlighting the importance of education in nation-building, Bhagwat also said spending on education should be viewed as an investment in the country's future rather than as an



expenditure.

He said quality education must remain accessible and should nurture responsible and capable citizens.

Addressing students and young participants at the event, Bhagwat underlined the need for an education system that not only imparts knowledge but also builds character, values and a sense of responsibility towards society.

"Education should contribute to the making of responsible citizens," he said.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, commenting on the recent Gen Z protests, highlighted the importance of such protests in a democracy and vouched for the rights of young people. He said, "Gen Z has the right to protest."

The target of allocating 6 per cent of GDP to education has been recommended by multiple national education policies over the years, including the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which calls for a major increase in public investment in the sector to improve access, equity and quality.

Bhagwat's remarks at the IIMUN event centred on this long-standing target, the role of education in nation-building, and the need for education to remain accessible and value-based.