Rajasthan Budget 2026: 10 Major Announcements for Students – New Exam Agency, ₹20,000 Laptop Voucher, Free Uniforms & More

Jaipur: The Rajasthan government unveiled its Budget 2026-27 on February 11, with a strong focus on education, skill development, and youth empowerment. Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Diya Kumari announced several student-centric initiatives, including a new examination agency, laptop vouchers, free school uniforms, and programs to enhance employability and vocational skills.

Here are 10 key highlights from the Rajasthan Budget 2026 for students and youth:

1. Self-Employment Scheme: 30,000 youth will receive interest-free loans of up to ₹10 lakh. Minority students pursuing vocational and technical education under the Minority Finance & Development Cooperative Corporation will get a 2% rebate on interest for timely repayment.
2. New Exam Agency: The Rajasthan State Testing Agency (RSTA) will be established on the lines of the National Testing Agency (NTA) to conduct competitive exams and ensure transparency, aiming to eliminate paper leaks and malpractices.
3. Dream Program for College Students: A Dream Program will benefit 50,000 college students, providing exposure and skill development opportunities.
4. Foreign Language Teaching Program: Students will receive training in foreign languages such as English, Japanese, and Korean, currently benefitting 1,000 youth.
5. Skills Development & Techno Hubs: Every district will have techno hubs developed in partnership with industries at a cost of ₹30 crore, along with an outcome-based impact model for skill development. Fields like hospitality, IT, and healthcare will prepare 1,000 youth for global opportunities. A Major Shaitan Singh Skill Development Center will be set up in Jodhpur.
6. Laptop Voucher for Meritorious Students: Top-performing students of Class 10 and 12 board exams will receive an e-voucher worth ₹20,000 for purchasing laptops.
7. Free School Uniforms: 40 lakh students from Classes 1 to 8 will get free school uniforms at a total cost of ₹250 crore.
8. Modernization of 400 Schools: ₹1,000 crore will be spent to modernize 400 schools with career counseling, smart boards, video conferencing facilities, and building-age learning aids.
9. Increased Scholarships for Martyrs’ Children: Scholarships for children of martyrs and permanently disabled soldiers have been increased to ₹2,500 per year for students from Classes 1 to 12, up from the previous ₹2,160 and ₹1,200.
10. “Magic Kit” Scheme (Jadui Pitara): ₹323 crore will be allocated to improve school environments, with a focus on sports and holistic education, giving students better learning experiences.

Additionally, under the New Education Policy 2020, the Rajasthan government will expand the Vocational Education Program from 4,019 schools to an additional 500 schools by next year. An amount of ₹51.10 crore will be spent on essential resources, training, equipment, and experts for these schools.

Finance Minister Diya Kumari emphasized that the budget aims to make students self-reliant, skilled, and globally competitive, while ensuring quality education and modern infrastructure across the state.