Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that Siksha Mitras, along with the dependent family members of teachers and education staff, would now be entitled to a cashless medical treatment facility worth up to Rs 5 lakh. The announcement was made on Thursday while he addressed the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly during discussions on the state Budget for the financial year 2026–27. Alongside this healthcare benefit, the chief minister revealed a substantial increase in the monthly honorarium provided to Shiksha Mitras and instructors, describing the decision as part of a broader effort to strengthen the education sector and improve welfare support for contractual education workers. The Budget also outlines significant investments aimed at upgrading educational infrastructure, promoting digital learning, and advancing the adoption of emerging technologies across the state.
During his response in the Assembly, Yogi Adityanath stated that beginning in April this year, Shiksha Mitras would receive a monthly honorarium of Rs 18,000, while instructors would be paid Rs 17,000 per month. In addition to the salary enhancement, both groups, along with dependent family members of teachers and staff, will receive cashless medical coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh. The move is intended to provide long-awaited financial stability and social security benefits to thousands of contractual workers who play an important role in the state’s education system.
The decision represents a major increase in compensation, as Shiksha Mitras currently receive Rs 10,000 per month and instructors Rs 9,000. The revised honorarium therefore results in an increment of Rs 8,000 for each category. Government estimates suggest that approximately 1.43 lakh Shiksha Mitras and nearly 25,000 instructors across Uttar Pradesh will benefit directly from the revised pay structure and healthcare coverage, making it one of the largest welfare measures introduced for education workers in recent years.
Beyond employee welfare, the state Budget includes extensive allocations for improving school infrastructure and expanding access to quality education. A provision of Rs 580 crore has been set aside for establishing Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas in development blocks where such institutions are not yet operational. These schools primarily aim to provide educational opportunities to girls belonging to economically weaker, backward, and extremely backward communities, thereby promoting inclusive education and reducing gender disparities in schooling.
The government has also allocated Rs 300 crore for maintenance and repair work following safety audits conducted in schools across the state. Additionally, Rs 2,382 crore has been earmarked for Chief Minister Composite Schools to strengthen integrated education facilities. To encourage digital learning and modern teaching practices, another Rs 300 crore has been designated for setting up smart classrooms in primary schools, enabling students to access technology-driven educational resources at an early stage.
In the area of secondary and higher education, the government plans to further enhance infrastructure and extracurricular opportunities. Under Project Alankar, schools will receive improved infrastructure and upgraded sports facilities, while PM SHRI schools will see the construction of additional buildings to accommodate growing educational needs. A separate allocation of Rs 300 crore has been made to distribute sanitary napkins to girl students, a measure aimed at improving school attendance, promoting hygiene awareness, and supporting adolescent health among female students.
Highlighting achievements in higher education, the chief minister noted that six state universities have achieved A++ accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), reflecting improvements in academic quality and institutional standards. The number of NAAC-accredited institutions in Uttar Pradesh has increased significantly from 95 to 158, while the number of institutions included in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings has also risen from 32 to 158. Innovation indicators have shown progress as well, with patent filings in the state reaching 5,677, of which around 350 have already been granted.
Addressing developments in the information technology and electronics sector, Yogi Adityanath stated that Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a major manufacturing hub, producing approximately 55 per cent of the country’s smartphones and nearly 60 per cent of electronic components. He further announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for a semiconductor fabrication unit in Gautam Buddha Nagar on February 21. The state government is actively working to attract semiconductor-related investments worth Rs 32,196 crore, signaling a strong push toward high-tech manufacturing and industrial growth. Software exports from the state have also witnessed significant expansion, increasing from Rs 15,000 crore in 2015–16 to nearly Rs 75,000–80,000 crore at present.
Focusing on future-ready skills and technological advancement, the chief minister announced an allocation of Rs 100 crore dedicated to virtual reality–based skill development initiatives. The government aims to train approximately 25 lakh young people in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality, and extended reality. Plans also include establishing an Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence and creating U-Hubs in Lucknow and Gautam Buddha Nagar to promote innovation, support startups, and encourage entrepreneurship among youth.
According to the chief minister, these initiatives collectively demonstrate the ongoing transformation of Uttar Pradesh into a knowledge-driven, technology-enabled economy. He emphasized that the government’s strategy combines welfare-oriented policies with long-term investments in education, innovation, and skill development to ensure sustainable growth and improved opportunities for future generations.
