A Historic Reform in Higher Education – Kerala 2026

In his budget speech, Finance Minister K. N. Balagopal unveiled the ambitious plan to extend the state’s free education framework to undergraduate Arts and Science degree programs. This policy means that students enrolling in bachelor’s courses such as B.A. and B.Sc. in government and government-aided institutions will no longer need to pay tuition fees — a first for any Indian state. The decision is expected to reduce the financial burden on families and open doors to countless aspiring graduates.

Beyond Tuition: Strengthening Student Support Systems

The budget also outlines several complementary measures to enhance the overall educational ecosystem:

• Accident and Insurance Coverage: An insurance scheme for students from Classes 1 to 12 has been introduced to provide added security and support for young learners.

Innovation and Future-Ready Education

The budget doesn’t just stop at free tuition. It also proposes the establishment of a “Global School”, a forward-looking institute focused on modern technologies, vocational training and futuristic skill development areas such as techno-economics and future technologies. This initiative aims to blend traditional academic learning with real-world skills that are increasingly valuable in the global job market.

Broader Budget Context

While the spotlight rightly falls on this transformative education reform, the Kerala Budget 2026–27 also includes provisions across sectors such as welfare, social security, infrastructure and public insurance. It underscores the government’s intent to balance progressive social policies with economic prudence.

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Anticipated Impact

Kerala’s move is not just a policy change — it’s a visionary investment in human capital. By easing financial barriers to higher education, the state is likely to see a surge in enrolments, improved social mobility and a more skilled workforce. For many students from economically weaker backgrounds, this can be a life-changing opportunity.

This reform positions Kerala as a trailblazer in India’s education landscape, setting a benchmark for other states to rethink access to affordable higher education.

SRM Students held 3rd Place at HackSecureX International Hackathon 2026

The winning team comprised Rajat Kumar Singh and Shruthi Bhagawan, third-year B.Tech students in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) and active members of Next Tech Lab (NTL), the university’s flagship student-led innovation and research ecosystem. Representing SRM University-AP on an international stage, the duo competed against some of the brightest young minds from across the world.

The HackSecureX International Hackathon 2026 was organised in collaboration with several globally reputed institutions, including the University of Texas at El Paso (USA), University of Piraeus (Greece), University of South Florida (USA), and SUNY Polytechnic Institute (USA). The event attracted significant international participation, with over 280 shortlisted teams from 14 countries, making the competition both intense and highly selective.

Aligned with the hackathon theme “Code. Comply. Conquer.”, participants were challenged to develop innovative solutions at the intersection of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cyber law. Rajat and Shruthi stood out by presenting a solution that addressed a real-world issue often overlooked in the digital ecosystem user awareness and understanding of privacy policies.

The system identifies key aspects such as types of user data collected, intended data usage, third-party sharing practices, and applicable legal frameworks, including regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). By simplifying dense legal language into accessible summaries, Privy empowers users to make informed decisions while encouraging organisations to adopt more transparent data practices.

The global jury commended the team for the solution’s practical relevance, clarity of design, and strong alignment with regulatory compliance requirements. Their effort was recognised with a cash award of USD 250 along with an official Winner’s Certificate, further validating the impact and quality of their work.

Reflecting on the achievement, Rajat Kumar Singh shared that the team deliberately chose to focus on a problem that affects millions of users daily but rarely receives adequate attention. Rather than building superficial technical complexity, they emphasised accuracy, usability, and real-world applicability, which resonated strongly with the hackathon’s evaluation criteria. He also noted that the team plans to further develop Privy into a scalable and deployable solution that organisations can seamlessly integrate into their digital workflows to enhance accountability in data privacy practices.

Shruthi Bhagawan attributed the success to rigorous hands-on preparation in cybersecurity concepts, HackSecureX International Hackathon 2026, strong team collaboration, and continuous mentorship from Next Tech Lab. She highlighted that the hackathon experience reinforced her aspiration to work at the convergence of AI, cybersecurity, and cyber law, creating solutions that foster digital trust and user empowerment in an increasingly data-driven world.

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This accomplishment reflects the innovation-driven culture and academic excellence nurtured at SRM University-AP. Through platforms like Next Tech Lab, students are encouraged to tackle complex global challenges, collaborate across disciplines, and gain exposure to international research and development ecosystems.

By securing a top position at the HackSecureX International Hackathon 2026, SRM University-AP students have not only brought pride to the institution but also reaffirmed its growing reputation as a hub for cutting-edge technology education and impactful innovation on the global stage.