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Delhi Govt to Conduct Social Audit of Schools Under Samagra Shiksha for 2025-26

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The Delhi government has announced a comprehensive social audit of its government schools for the 2025–26 academic year under the Samagra Shiksha scheme. The initiative aims to ensure that all provisions and student entitlements guaranteed by the Right to Education (RTE) Act are delivered promptly and fairly. According to a circular issued by the Directorate of Education, around 60% of government schools across Delhi will be covered under this audit, which will be carried out in line with the revised guidelines of the Ministry of Education, Government of India. A total budget allocation of ₹3.73 crore has been approved for the exercise. The selected institution—preferably a university, college, or technical institute with a NAAC rating of B+ or higher—will be tasked with training social auditors, conducting on-site inspections, compiling reports, and uploading findings to the designated online platform. Preference will be given to Delhi’s State Administrative University for leading the process. The audit will examine whether schools are fulfilling the mandates of the RTE Act and Samagra Shiksha, focusing on areas such as classroom infrastructure, sanitation facilities, drinking water availability, electricity, and student safety—particularly that of girls. It will also assess enrolment, attendance, and retention rates, along with the inclusion of children with special needs. Parents, teachers, and community representatives will be actively involved in evaluating school performance to provide a grassroots-level perspective. Officials stated that the social audit will help uncover challenges not visible through routine monitoring and guide the government in taking corrective measures where needed. Launched in 2018, Samagra Shiksha is a centrally sponsored scheme that integrates three earlier programmes—Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, and Teacher Education—and aligns them with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The initiative also supports the Delhi government’s “zero-tolerance” approach toward lapses in student safety and aims to strengthen accountability in school administration. Source: PTI

Delhi Govt to Conduct Social Audit of Schools Under Samagra Shiksha for 2025-26 Read More »

Over 1 Lakh Single-Teacher Schools Educate 33 Lakh Students Across India: Education Ministry

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Over 33 lakh students in India are studying in more than one lakh schools run by a single teacher, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Education. Andhra Pradesh tops the list in terms of the number of such schools, while Uttar Pradesh records the highest student enrolment. As per statistics for the academic year 2024–25, India has 1,04,125 single-teacher schools catering to 33,76,769 students — averaging around 34 students per school. This figure highlights ongoing challenges in meeting the Right to Education (RTE) Act norms, which prescribe a pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) of 30:1 for primary grades (I–V) and 35:1 for upper primary levels (VI–VIII). Andhra Pradesh leads with 12,912 single-teacher schools, followed by Uttar Pradesh (9,508), Jharkhand (9,172), Maharashtra (8,152), Karnataka (7,349), and both Madhya Pradesh and Lakshadweep (7,217 each). States like West Bengal (6,482), Rajasthan (6,117), Chhattisgarh (5,973), and Telangana (5,001) also feature prominently on the list. In contrast, Delhi has only nine such schools, while Puducherry, Ladakh, Chandigarh, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu report none. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have just four. In terms of student enrolment, Uttar Pradesh leads with 6,24,327 students studying in single-teacher schools, followed by Jharkhand (4,36,480), West Bengal (2,35,494), Madhya Pradesh (2,29,095), Karnataka (2,23,142), Andhra Pradesh (1,97,113), and Rajasthan (1,72,071). Interestingly, Delhi and Chandigarh, despite having very few such schools, record the highest average student strength per school — 808 and 1,222 respectively. On the other hand, regions like Ladakh (59), Mizoram (70), Meghalaya (73), and Himachal Pradesh (82) have some of the lowest averages. A senior official from the Ministry explained that the government is working to enhance learning outcomes and improve the efficiency of resource use by merging under-enrolled schools — a process known as “rationalisation.” “Single-teacher schools limit the scope of effective teaching and learning. The government is redeploying teachers from non-operational schools to ensure adequate staff availability in single-teacher schools,” the official said. The number of single-teacher schools has seen a steady decline, dropping from 1,18,190 in 2022–23 to 1,10,971 in 2023–24 — a reduction of nearly six percent. Source: PTI  

Over 1 Lakh Single-Teacher Schools Educate 33 Lakh Students Across India: Education Ministry Read More »

Education Ministry Urges Schools to Adopt UPI for Fee Payments Under Digital Transformation Drive

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In a major push toward digital governance, the Union Ministry of Education has urged states and educational bodies to integrate the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system for school fee collection. The initiative aims to enhance transparency, improve efficiency, and simplify the payment process for parents. In an official communication, the Department of School Education and Literacy advised states and affiliated institutions to adopt secure digital payment systems such as UPI, mobile wallets, and internet banking. This reform is part of the government’s broader digital transformation agenda in the education sector, ensuring smoother administrative operations and reducing dependency on cash transactions. The directive also extends to national education bodies, including the CBSE, NCERT, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), encouraging them to implement digital platforms for admission and examination fee submissions. According to the ministry, transitioning to digital payments brings multiple benefits—parents can pay from the comfort of their homes, ensuring greater convenience and transparency in transactions. The move is also expected to foster financial literacy among stakeholders and strengthen the culture of digital payments in educational institutions. The Education Ministry emphasized that this step marks a key milestone in aligning school-level administration with India’s vision of a digitally empowered society. Source: PTI

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Higher Education Secretary Reviews Cleanliness Initiatives, Monitors Progress Under Special Campaign 5.0

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Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi on Wednesday carried out a detailed inspection of the Ministry of Education’s offices at Shastri Bhawan, reviewing cleanliness standards and assessing progress under the Special Campaign 5.0. According to officials, the inspection aimed to evaluate ongoing efforts to enhance workplace hygiene, streamline office operations, and promote efficient record and space management. The campaign’s implementation phase, running from October 2 to 31, focuses on resolving pending issues such as MP and PMO references, inter-ministerial communications, public grievances, and Parliamentary assurances. Participating departments are required to report their progress daily. The preparatory phase of the campaign was held between September 15 and 30, during which officials, heads of centrally funded institutions, and representatives from UGC and AICTE were urged to set measurable goals, identify pending cases, and earmark focus areas for cleanliness and digitalisation. Special emphasis has been placed on the disposal of outdated files, e-waste management, and office beautification. The ministry aims to surpass the achievements of Special Campaign 4.0 by enhancing digital processes, accelerating record disposal, and promoting eco-friendly practices across departments. Source: PTI

Higher Education Secretary Reviews Cleanliness Initiatives, Monitors Progress Under Special Campaign 5.0 Read More »

Delhi Govt, SCERT to Train 100 Teachers in AI for Personalised Learning & Smart Assessments

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In a step towards building future-ready classrooms, the Delhi government and the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) will train 100 school teachers in using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to personalise learning and enhance classroom assessments. The two-day hands-on training, scheduled for October 8 and 9, will be conducted under the ‘AI-Mediated Classroom Project’, a special initiative aimed at helping teachers integrate AI technologies into daily teaching and administrative tasks. According to SCERT, the project will be rolled out in two phases. In the first phase, 100 Computer Science teachers from 50 government schools will participate in capacity-building sessions. These teachers will later serve as master trainers, guiding their peers in effectively using AI in education. The second phase will extend the training to subject teachers of Mathematics, Science, English, Hindi, and Social Science for Classes 6 and 9. Each selected school will nominate three teachers from each subject—making 15 participants per school—to undergo the training. An SCERT official noted that the initiative is designed not only to enhance classroom learning but also to assist teachers in non-teaching tasks such as preparing PowerPoint presentations, generating ideas for extracurricular activities, and editing visuals. AI tools like ‘Napkin’ (for generating images from text) and ‘Gamma’ (for quickly creating presentations) are among the applications to be introduced during the sessions. The official added that follow-up sessions and feedback collection will ensure teachers effectively apply these tools in real classrooms. With over 1,075 government schools, 16,633 teachers, and 8.24 lakh students in Delhi, the project aims to make teaching more efficient, interactive, and digitally advanced. “This initiative aligns with our vision to empower educators with 21st-century skills and strengthen digital learning ecosystems across schools,” SCERT said in its circular. Source: PTI

Delhi Govt, SCERT to Train 100 Teachers in AI for Personalised Learning & Smart Assessments Read More »

NCERT Opens Admissions for Diploma in Guidance and Counselling 2026

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The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has announced the commencement of admissions for its Diploma Course in Guidance and Counselling (DCGC) for the 2026 academic session. This specialised programme is aimed at strengthening the skills of teachers, school heads, and educational professionals in providing effective mental health and career guidance to students. The diploma will be offered in a blended learning format, combining distance education with in-person training sessions. Interested applicants can access the online application form and detailed prospectus on the official NCERT website — ncert.nic.in. The deadline for submitting applications is November 5, 2025. Course Structure The year-long course will be conducted in three stages: Phase I (January–June 2026): Six months of distance learning.  Phase II (July–September 2026): Three months of face-to-face training at designated study centres.  Phase III (October–December 2026): A three-month internship in the participant’s home city or workplace. Eligibility Eligible applicants include teachers, teacher educators, school administrators, and untrained guidance personnel. Candidates must hold a postgraduate degree in Psychology, Education, Social Work, Child Development, or Special Education. Preference will be given to individuals with at least one year of relevant experience. The minimum qualifying marks are 50%, with a 5% relaxation for SC/ST candidates. Course Fee Central government deputed candidates: ₹19,500 State/UT government deputed candidates: ₹6,000 Private candidates: ₹30,000 Boarding and lodging costs during the contact programme will be borne by participants, though accommodation facilities will be available for outstation candidates. Study Centres and Selection Admissions will be offered at DEPFE, NCERT (New Delhi) and the Regional Institutes of Education located in Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Mysuru, and Shillong, with an intake of 50 candidates per centre. Selection will be based on a multi-stage process, including document screening, an essay test, and a personal interview. Applicants are required to attach self-attested copies of academic qualifications and experience certificates along with their application. Source: Indian Express  

NCERT Opens Admissions for Diploma in Guidance and Counselling 2026 Read More »

Centre to Reconsider Difficulty Level of JEE Main, NEET UG Exams

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The Central Government is considering a review of the difficulty levels of entrance exams like JEE Main and NEET UG to ensure they align more closely with the Class 12 curriculum, thereby reducing students’ dependence on coaching institutes, according to official sources. An expert panel set up in June by the Ministry of Education is currently studying the issue. Headed by Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, the nine-member committee is analysing whether the exams reflect the school syllabus or are disproportionately tougher, which many parents and coaching faculty believe fuels the coaching culture. The committee is also tasked with identifying gaps in the schooling system that drive students toward coaching centres, including rote-learning practices, lack of focus on critical thinking and analytical skills, and limited exposure to innovation. Additionally, it is evaluating career awareness among students and parents, the dominance of a few elite institutions, and the effectiveness of career counselling services in schools and colleges. Apart from senior officials from the Ministry of Education, the panel includes representatives from IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, NIT Trichy, NCERT, CBSE, and principals of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Navodaya Vidyalaya, and a private school. The move follows mounting concerns over student stress, suicides, fire hazards, and poor infrastructure at coaching institutes. Based on the panel’s findings, the government may recommend restructuring the difficulty levels of entrance exams to reduce excessive reliance on coaching centres. Source: PTI

Centre to Reconsider Difficulty Level of JEE Main, NEET UG Exams Read More »

JEE Main 2026 Registration to Begin in October; NTA Advises Students to Update Aadhaar and Certificates

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The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced that the registration process for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 will begin in October. The exam, as in previous years, will be conducted in two phases — the first in January 2026 and the second in April 2026. In its latest notification dated September 29, the NTA urged candidates to ensure that their Aadhaar details, category certificates (EWS/SC/ST/OBC-NCL), and UDID cards (for PwD candidates) are valid and updated before filling the application form. This step is intended to prevent application errors, document mismatches, or rejections during the admission process. The advisory emphasized that the Aadhaar card must accurately reflect the candidate’s name, date of birth (as per Class 10 records), address, photograph, and father’s name. PwD candidates are also required to renew or update their disability certificates as per norms. Reserved category aspirants must verify that their documents are in line with the latest guidelines. Candidates planning to appear for JEE Main 2026 are advised to follow updates on the official NTA portal (nta.ac.in) and the JEE Main website (jeemain.nta.nic.in) for detailed instructions, city intimation slips, and other exam-related notices. In 2025, the January session of JEE Main was held between January 22–30, while the April session took place from April 2–8. Registration last year began on January 2, followed by the release of the exam city intimation slip. Source: Indian Express

JEE Main 2026 Registration to Begin in October; NTA Advises Students to Update Aadhaar and Certificates Read More »

NCERT to Handle Equivalence of Class 10 & 12 Certificates Across All Boards

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The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) will now be responsible for granting equivalence to Class 10 and Class 12 certificates issued by various school education boards across India. This equivalence will be applicable for admissions to higher education institutions as well as recruitment in government jobs, according to an official announcement on Friday. The Department of School Education and Literacy, under the Ministry of Education, has published the notification in the e-Gazette. This move replaces the earlier notification of November 15, 2021, which had entrusted the task to the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). The responsibility will now be carried out by NCERT through its National Assessment Centre—Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development (PARAKH)—set up under the provisions of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. According to the ministry, this institutional mechanism will ensure that the process of granting equivalence is conducted with academic rigour while upholding the highest educational standards. The system will apply to all school boards established by the central and state governments, statutory bodies, or recognised institutions. Importantly, the equivalence granted by NCERT will be valid nationwide, ensuring inter-board parity and enabling seamless student mobility across school education boards. Source: PTI    

NCERT to Handle Equivalence of Class 10 & 12 Certificates Across All Boards Read More »

Cabinet clears Phase 3 of medical college upgradation scheme, set to create 10,000+ new MBBS & PG seats

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The Union Cabinet has approved the launch of Phase 3 of the centrally sponsored scheme aimed at expanding medical education infrastructure. Over the next three years, the scheme will add 5,023 undergraduate (MBBS) seats and 5,000 postgraduate (PG) seats in government medical colleges and institutes, with a budgetary outlay of ₹15,034 crore. This move is part of the government’s larger vision of creating 75,000 new medical seats within five years, as announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget. In earlier phases, the Centre supported the addition of 4,977 MBBS seats across 83 colleges at a cost of ₹5,972 crore, and 4,058 PG seats in 72 colleges with an allocation of ₹1,498 crore. Phase 2 provided ₹4,478 crore to increase 4,000 seats in 65 institutions. Currently, India has around 1.2 lakh MBBS seats and 74,306 PG seats — a sharp rise from 2014 levels of 51,328 MBBS and 31,185 PG seats. With over 20 lakh aspirants appearing annually for NEET, the demand for medical education remains extremely high. The expansion also aims to encourage students to pursue studies in India instead of seeking education abroad, an issue highlighted during disruptions caused by the pandemic in China, course recognition issues in the Philippines, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. However, the rapid increase has also brought challenges. A shortage of qualified faculty has persisted across many institutions. To address this, the National Medical Commission (NMC) introduced measures like Aadhaar-based biometric attendance, live CCTV monitoring, and permitted Diplomate of National Board (DNB) doctors to serve as faculty. Additionally, the age limit for teachers’ appointments was raised. Another concern has been the surge of new seats in private colleges where fees are often prohibitively expensive. Although NMC tried to regulate private medical college fees in 2022, implementation has been limited so far. Source: Indian Express

Cabinet clears Phase 3 of medical college upgradation scheme, set to create 10,000+ new MBBS & PG seats Read More »