India, Sept. 17 -- India has chosen to protect part of its tax revenue for education. Indeed, an important commitment. However, the latest parliamentary data invite a second question: once money is raised for education, does it reach the system at the time when schools can use it best?

On August 10, 2026, the Ministry of Education told the Lok Sabha that the education share of the Health and Education Cess was Rs 63,252.86 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 65,890.50 crore in 2025-26. It also reported utilisation of Rs 40,900 crore and Rs 48,049.09 crore through the Prarambhik Shiksha Kosh, and Rs 11,162.60 crore and Rs 10,314.31 crore through the Madhyamik and Uchchatar Shiksha Kosh.

These numbers need care. The gap between annual collections and...