Union Budget 2026: Girls’ Hostel in Every District, Five University Townships Announced

In the Union Budget 2026,  Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the establishment of girls’ hostels in every district along with five new university townships, aiming to improve access to higher education, safety, and student infrastructure across India.

During her budget speech in Parliament, FM Nirmala Sitharaman announced that girls' hostels will be established in every district and five new townships will be set up.

While presenting the Union Budget 2026, FM Sitharaman said as part of increased investment in the higher education sector, the government proposes several measures to establish new institutes, university townships, girls' hostels, and telescope infrastructure.

"I propose multiple steps towards setting up new institutes, university townships, girls' hostel and telescope infrastructure facilities in the investment in the higher education sector. A girls' hostel will be built in every district of the country," the Finance Minister said. Highlighting the challenges faced by women students in science and technology disciplines, Sitharaman said that girls face difficulties due to prolonged hours of study and laboratory work.

"In higher education, STEM institutions, prolonged hours of study and laboratory work pose some challenges for female students. Through our scheme, one girls' hostel will be established in every district to promote astrophysics and astronomy via immersive experiences," she said.

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The Finance Minister said the proposed hostels would help ensure safe and accessible accommodation for women pursuing higher studies, thereby improving enrolment and retention in advanced scientific disciplines.

Additionally, Sitharaman further mentioned that the government will support States, through a challenge route, in creating 5 University Townships in the vicinity of major industrial and logistic corridors. These planned academic zones will host multiple universities, colleges, research institutions, skill centres and residential complexes.

(With ANI inputs)