In a significant boost to women’s education and safety, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in Parliament that the Union Budget 2026–27 includes a plan to establish girls’ hostels in every district of the country. The initiative is aimed at supporting female students who face challenges in accessing higher education due to distance, affordability, or lack of safe accommodation.
The hostels will be developed under viability gap funding (VGF) and other support mechanisms to ensure that girls, especially from rural and semi‑urban areas, have secure and conducive living spaces while pursuing studies. Officials say this is expected to improve enrolment and retention rates among women students, particularly those undertaking STEM and higher education programmes.
The women’s hostel scheme is part of a broader set of social and educational infrastructure measures in Budget 2026, including the setting up of university townships, enhanced skill and creative programmes in schools and colleges, and initiatives to support women entrepreneurs.