Over the past decade, India's education sector has faced severe budget cuts, raising concerns about the future of public education. In 2013-14, the Ministry of Education's budget was 4% of the total Union Budget. Shockingly, in 2024-25, it has dropped below 2%, highlighting the government's shrinking investment in education. While no political party has made this a major election issue, the consequences are dire. The privatization of education has accelerated under the BJP government, with corporate interests benefiting at the expense of marginalized communities. According to the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO), 34% of students moving to private schools cited poor teaching quality in government schools, while others reported a lack of basic facilities. Data from The Indian Express reveals that 75% of students in public primary schools belong to OBC (45%), SC (19%), and ST (11%) communities, yet these schools remain underfunded and neglected. In higher education, the situation is equally grim. Revised estimates for higher education in 2023-24 stood at ₹57,245 crore, but the 2024-25 budget slashed it by 17% to ₹47,620 crore. Meanwhile, caste-based discrimination is rising in IITs and IIMs, with over 13,500 OBC, SC, and ST students dropping out in recent years. The shift from direct government grants to loan-based funding (through HEFA and MUSK) is forcing institutions to increase fees, making education unaffordable for lower-income students. With 40% of universities now private, and public funding declining, the government's agenda appears clear: weaken public education, push students into expensive private institutions, and limit opportunities for marginalized communities. Is this a deliberate attempt to curb social mobility? Watch this episode of Facts & Figures to find out!