BMC education budget 2026: Rs 4,248 crore boost for AI labs and student welfare

Representation pic/istock

The BMC has set aside Rs 4248 crore for education in 2026-27, increasing spending on student welfare, infrastructure and curriculum reforms for over 3 lakh civic school students, while also continuing awareness drives on child safety and substance abuse.

Students attend school on the first day of its reopening. Pic/Getty Images

"This budget focuses on the holistic development of students… creating AI labs and curriculum for civic-school students has long been a dream project," said Education Committee chairperson Rajeshree Shirwadkar. She added that boosting enrolment in Marathi-medium schools remains a key focus.

What's new this year?

Rs 25,000
Cash aid for top-performing civic school students

Std V-VIII
Eco-warrior climate curriculum rollout

Std IX
Added to educational tours

Citywide
Teacher training ahead of NEP rollout

Libraries
Upgrades + competitive exam books

Sports, music, and therapy
Fresh equipment for schools and Divyang students

Infrastructure push

55 schools
Astronomy labs already active

+40 labs
Planned next year

28,470 desks
44,938 chairs
Furniture procurement underway

53 schools
Repair work ongoing; 47 finishing by March

19 schools
Reconstruction/new buildings; 10 finishing by March

Civic school system in numbers

Students across BMC schools
3+ lakh

Primary schools
2.76 lakh students
7453 teachers

Secondary schools
34,311 students
1177 teachers

Special schools
19 schools
845 students

Other-board schools
21 schools (CBSE: 18, ICSE:1, IGCSE:1, IB:1)
13,316 students

Safety and awareness drives

>> Citywide campaigns
POCSO awareness programmes

>> Anti-drug initiatives
Ongoing student sensitisation drives