<p>Kerala Budget 2026 boosts education with free degree courses, student insurance, AI kits, mid-day meals, and school upgrades. ASHA, Anganwadi, and Literacy Preraks get raises. MEDISEP 2.0 expands healthcare coverage.</p><img><p>- Student Insurance: Accident life insurance for students from class 1 to 12, with Rs 15 crore allocated.</p><p>- AI Education: 20,000 more robotic kits for schools; Rs 38.50 crore for KITE.</p><img><p>- Food & Uniforms: Rs 410.66 cr for mid-day meals & Rs 150.34 cr for free uniforms.</p><p>- School Upgrades: Rs 167 cr for infrastructure.</p><p>- Special Package: Rs 60 cr for tribal schools.</p><img><p>Big news for college students in the budget. Arts and Science degree studies are now free in Kerala. Previously, free education was only provided up to the 12th grade.</p><img><p>Relief for ASHA workers. A Rs 1000 honorarium increase was announced for ASHA and Anganwadi workers. Anganwadi helpers get a Rs 500 raise, and Literacy Preraks get a Rs 1000 raise.</p><img><p>Rs 1000 crore is allocated for the employment guarantee scheme. The Finance Minister criticized the central policy, stating Kerala will implement the scheme flawlessly with extra funds.</p><img><p>A new MEDISEP-style medical insurance plan for retired government and cooperative employees was announced. It will also cover workers in public sector and cooperative institutions.</p><img><p>The budget offers free treatment for the first five days to all road accident victims. This will be available in government and select private hospitals, with Rs 15 crore allocated.</p><img><p>MEDISEP 2.0 starts from February 1. The scheme for government employees will now include more benefits and more hospitals, offering enhanced coverage and accessibility for all.</p>
