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CBSE Releases Class 12 Special Exam Timetable for Students in West Asian Countries

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the timetable for Class 12 special board examinations for students in West Asian countries. The date sheet is available on the board’s official website, cbse.gov.in. The examinations will be conducted from October 23 to October 28, 2026, for students who are dissatisfied with the marks awarded under the special assessment scheme introduced after the cancellation of regular examinations amid the prevailing conflict in the region. Earlier, CBSE cancelled Class 12 board examinations for 40 subjects, including 20 academic papers, across seven West Asian countries: Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The decision was taken in view of the prevailing war situation, according to examination controller Sanyam Bhardwaj. On March 27, the board introduced an assessment scheme outlining how results would be calculated for affected candidates. The results of regular Class 12 students in the region were subsequently declared on May 13, alongside those of candidates in India and other countries. Under the scheme, students unhappy with their results were given an opportunity to appear for examinations in subjects whose papers had previously been cancelled. Last month, eligible candidates were asked to submit examination forms for the subjects in which they wished to appear. CBSE Class 12 Special Exam Timetable 2026 The subject-wise examination schedule for students appearing in the special board examinations is provided below. Subject Exam Date Exam Timing Political Science October 23, 2026 10:30 am to 1:30 pm Economics October 23, 2026 10:30 am to 1:30 pm Mathematics October 23, 2026 10:30 am to 1:30 pm Applied Mathematics October 23, 2026 10:30 am to 1:30 pm Psychology October 24, 2026 10:30 am to 1:30 pm Business Studies October 24, 2026 10:30 am to 1:30 pm Physical Activity Trainer October 24, 2026 10:30 am to 1:30 pm Biology October 26, 2026 10:30 am to 1:30 pm Information Technology October 26, 2026 10:30 am to 1:30 pm Marketing October 26, 2026 10:30 am to 1:30 pm Multimedia October 26, 2026 10:30 am to 1:30 pm Artificial Intelligence October 26, 2026 10:30 am to 1:30 pm Home Science October 27, 2026 10:30 am to 1:30 pm Informatics Practices October 27, 2026 10:30 am to 1:30 pm Computer Science October 27, 2026 10:30 am to 1:30 pm English Core October 28, 2026 10:30 am to 1:30 pm Admit Cards Released; Results to Replace Earlier Performance CBSE has also issued admit cards for the special examinations, which will be held at designated centres in the participating countries. According to Bhardwaj, one examination centre has been established in each country based on the List of Candidates (LOC) submitted by students. The board has clarified that the result of the special examination will be treated as final and will replace the candidate’s earlier performance. Students appearing for the examinations are advised to check the official date sheet and admit card details carefully before their respective papers. Source: PTI  

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IIT Roorkee, University of Calgary Join Hands for Joint Doctoral Degree Programme

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has partnered with the University of Calgary (UCalgary) in Canada to introduce a Joint Doctoral Degree Programme (JDDP), aimed at expanding international research collaboration and academic exchange. The agreement was signed during a ceremony in Calgary, establishing a framework for both institutions to work together on advanced research and the development of technologies addressing global challenges. The programme will focus on key areas, including sustainable development, clean energy, the circular economy, water and wastewater management, critical minerals and semiconductor-related technologies. Through the initiative, doctoral scholars will benefit from joint supervision, interdisciplinary research opportunities and access to the academic infrastructure and research facilities of both universities. The partnership also aims to bridge the gap between research and real-world applications by encouraging innovation, entrepreneurship and technology commercialisation. IIT Roorkee Director KK Pant said the collaboration would open new avenues for interdisciplinary research, nurture globally competitive doctoral scholars and support efforts to address pressing societal and industrial challenges. University of Calgary Provost Sandra Davidson said the partnership would advance research collaboration while enabling doctoral students and faculty members from both institutions to explore new ideas, exchange knowledge and work together on significant research questions. Source: Indian Express

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IIT Delhi, I4C and Amazon Launch ‘Raksham’ AI Cybersecurity Hackathon

The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, in partnership with the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) and Amazon, has launched ‘Raksham’, a national-level AI cybersecurity hackathon aimed at developing technology-driven solutions to emerging online threats. Organised by IIT Delhi’s student technical clubs, Aries IITD and Dev Club, the hackathon invites undergraduate and postgraduate engineering students from across India to develop AI-powered prototypes addressing challenges such as deepfakes, voice-cloning scams and online fraud. Registration and concept submissions are open until October 12, with students eligible to participate in teams of two to four members. Participating teams will be evaluated on factors including technical architecture, practical feasibility, responsible use of AI and the potential of their solutions to address cyber threats affecting millions of Indians. The top 30 teams will advance to a 48-hour in-person finale at IIT Delhi on October 24 and 25. During the finale, participants will build, test and demonstrate their prototypes before a jury comprising experts from academia, industry and the cybersecurity sector. According to IIT Delhi, high-impact projects and winning teams will also have an opportunity to showcase their innovations at Amazon Sambhav 2026. The hackathon comes as digital transactions and online activity typically increase during the festive shopping season, creating additional opportunities for cybercriminals to target consumers through scams and fraudulent schemes. IIT Delhi said the initiative will also strengthen the ongoing collaboration between the institute, I4C and Amazon under the #ScamSmartIndia initiative, with a focus on developing practical solutions to counter evolving forms of cybercrime. Source: Indian Express  

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AICTE Releases IIC 7.0 Ratings, Announces Results of Innovation Challenges

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has released the annual performance and star ratings for the Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) 7.0 for the academic year 2024-25, recognising institutions for their efforts to foster innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship across campuses. The ratings were announced by AICTE Chairman Yogesh Singh and Member Secretary Shyama Rath through a post on X. The IIC ratings assess the performance of AICTE-affiliated institutions in promoting innovation-driven activities among students and faculty members. AICTE Chairman Prof. Yogesh Singh and Member Secretary Prof. @rath_shyama announced two significant milestones in India’s innovation ecosystem: 🔹 Annual Performance & Star Ratings of Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) 7.0 for the Academic Year 2024–25, recognising institutions for their efforts in nurturing innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. 🔹 2nd Round Results of YUKTI Innovation Challenge (YIC) and AICTE Productization Fellowship (APF) 2025, showcasing promising ideas and innovations with the potential to move from concept to meaningful solutions. These initiatives reflect AICTE’s continued commitment to building a culture where innovation goes beyond ideas—towards solutions that create real value for society. Congratulations to all the institutions, innovators, faculty members and students whose dedication continues to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem. #AICTE #Innovation #IIC #IIC70 #YUKTI #YIC2025 #APF2025 #InnovationEcosystem #Entrepreneurship #HigherEducation #ViksitBharat — AICTE (@AICTE_INDIA) October 6, 2026 Alongside the IIC ratings, AICTE also declared the second-round results of the YUKTI Innovation Challenge (YIC) and the AICTE Productization Fellowship (APF) 2025. Both initiatives are aimed at identifying promising student innovations and helping innovators move their ideas beyond the conceptual stage towards practical applications and market-oriented solutions. AICTE said these initiatives form part of its broader efforts to strengthen the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in higher education. The council also congratulated participating institutions, faculty members, students and innovators for their contributions to advancing India’s innovation landscape. Source: AICTE   

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Education Ministry Approves Five Centres of Excellence for Classical Indian Languages

The Ministry of Education has approved the establishment of five Centres of Excellence dedicated to the study and preservation of classical Assamese, Bengali, Pali, Prakrit and Marathi, officials said. The centres will focus on strengthening academic research, digitising linguistic resources and preserving, promoting and disseminating the rich literary and cultural heritage associated with these languages. The Centres of Excellence will be established at five institutions across the country. Tezpur University in Assam will host the centre for Assamese, while Visva-Bharati University will undertake studies related to Bengali. The Central University of Odisha will house the Centre of Excellence for Pali, the Central University of Gujarat will focus on Prakrit, and the Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute in Pune will host the centre dedicated to Marathi. Welcoming the initiative, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi highlighted the significance of the Pali centre at the Central University of Odisha. He said the initiative would strengthen the study, preservation and promotion of Pali, which has played an important role in India’s intellectual, spiritual and cultural traditions. The proposed centres are expected to create stronger academic ecosystems around the five classical languages through research, digital preservation and wider dissemination of linguistic and cultural knowledge. The initiative marks an institutional effort to support the preservation of India’s diverse linguistic heritage while creating greater opportunities for scholarly research and education in classical languages. Source: PTI

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India, France Explore IIT Campus in Nice, Expand Higher Education Cooperation

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi held talks with France’s Minister for Higher Education, Research and Space, Philippe Baptiste, on Monday, focusing on strengthening cooperation between the two countries in education, research and innovation. During the meeting, Joshi proposed exploring the establishment of an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus in Nice, while also discussing ways to build on the momentum of Bharat Innovates 2026. The two ministers discussed expanding mobility opportunities for students, faculty and researchers, along with strengthening institutional partnerships and creating more avenues for joint academic programmes and research collaborations. The discussions also covered the revision of the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications (MRQ) agreement between India and France. Both sides explored greater cooperation in areas including life sciences, social sciences and humanities, as well as the exchange of best practices in digital education and the use of technology to improve access to quality learning. French higher education institutions were also encouraged to consider setting up branch campuses in India, including in Gujarat’s GIFT City and locations with a significant presence of French companies that require skilled technical professionals. The meeting further highlighted ongoing collaborations through initiatives such as SPARC, GIAN and the Franco-Indian Campus in Life Sciences and Health, with both countries seeking to deepen academic and research ties. Source: PTI

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Mandeep K Bhandari Appointed New CBSE Chairperson

Senior IAS officer Mandeep K Bhandari, a 2001-batch officer of the AGMUT cadre, has been appointed as the new chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Bhandari will succeed Lokhande Prashant Sitaram, who had been holding additional charge of the CBSE chairperson’s post following the transfer of Rahul Singh by the Centre on June 2. Singh’s transfer came amid controversy surrounding the board’s On-Screen Marking system. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved Bhandari’s appointment, according to an order issued by the Ministry of Personnel. Bhandari is currently serving as Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. His appointment comes at a time when CBSE is undertaking several technology-driven reforms in examinations and assessment processes. In another senior-level appointment in the education ministry, 2001-batch AGMUT cadre IAS officer Ankita Mishra Bundela has been appointed as Additional Secretary in the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education. Bundela is currently serving as Additional Secretary in the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. She will take charge of her new role as part of the latest administrative changes approved by the Centre. Source: Indian Express

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Over 3 Lakh Students Join Bihar Vidya Sathi App, 73% From Rural Areas

More than three lakh students have enrolled on the Bihar Vidya Sathi app within a month of its launch, with nearly 73 per cent of registered users coming from rural areas, Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari said. The minister made the remarks during a review meeting at the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) auditorium, where officials discussed the board’s functioning, examination preparations, vocational education and measures to support students’ academic and career progression. The meeting reviewed plans to make examinations more technology-driven, transparent and secure. Officials also discussed integrating students’ APAAR IDs with face identification systems and ensuring their effective implementation at examination centres. Tiwari stressed the importance of making vocational education more closely aligned with employment opportunities and emerging technological requirements. He directed officials to increase awareness among students and review older trades and courses that have lost relevance. Modern skill-based programmes such as animation design, artificial intelligence, mobile repairing, robotics, electrical and electronics were suggested as areas that could provide students with more relevant career opportunities. The meeting also examined measures to support meritorious students. The board is considering sending letters to students who secure first division in Classes 10 and 12 to encourage them towards further educational opportunities. Officials also discussed simplifying the admission process for talented students seeking entry to Simultala Residential School. Tiwari further emphasised the need to promote Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and industrial training as viable career pathways. Reducing school dropouts was another key focus. Officials explored ways to reconnect students who discontinue their education after Class 10 with further studies or skill-based training up to Class 12 and beyond. The possibility of introducing financial incentives to encourage students to continue their education was also discussed. The BSEB review further covered the timely declaration of results for computer-based tests (CBTs). Officials examined technology-enabled examination systems that could improve efficiency and transparency while ensuring that results are announced within the stipulated timelines. Source: Indian Express

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CBSE to Conduct Fresh Class 12 Exams for West Asia Students After Cancelled Papers

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will conduct fresh Class 12 examinations for students in West Asian countries whose board exams were cancelled amid the prevailing war situation, officials said. The decision will apply to candidates whose results were prepared under a special assessment scheme introduced after examinations were cancelled in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. CBSE had cancelled examinations in 40 subjects across these seven countries, including 20 academic subjects. The board introduced an assessment scheme on March 27 to prepare the results of affected students. Results for regular candidates were announced on May 13 along with Class 12 results for students in India and other countries. Results for private candidates from the affected countries were declared subsequently under the same scheme. According to CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj, the assessment scheme provided an opportunity for students dissatisfied with their results to appear for examinations in subjects that could not be conducted earlier. CBSE has now decided to offer this examination opportunity to all eligible Class 12 candidates whose results were declared under the special assessment arrangement. Students will be allowed to appear for subjects of their choice from among the 40 papers that were previously cancelled. The board said the result of the fresh examination will be treated as final and will replace the candidate’s earlier performance. The examination schedule and datesheet will be announced after the completion of the form-submission process. Eligible students will have to submit their examination forms directly, and no examination fee will be charged. The existing examination centres will remain unchanged. CBSE also clarified that there will be no post-result declaration facility for these examinations. Source: PTI

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Delhi Students to Take Part in Sewa Sankalp Reel Contest, 100-Day Innovation Challenge

Delhi Students

The Directorate of Education, Delhi, has launched a month-long ‘Sewa Sankalp Abhiyan’ encouraging school students to engage with themes of public service, civic responsibility and nation-building through creative competitions. As part of the campaign, students from Delhi government schools will participate in the “Meri Seva, Mera Sankalp” reel-making competition, with entries invited on themes including people’s participation in nation-building, cleanliness, environmental protection, civic responsibility, assistance to senior citizens and vulnerable groups, and respect for public property and national symbols. The initiative also seeks to encourage students to reflect on their role in building a ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’. The campaign, running from September 17 to October 17, will also feature drawing and speech competitions. The drawing contest will have categories for students aged 5-12 and 12-18, while the speech competition will be open to Classes 10 to 12 in Hindi and English. School-level competitions will be conducted between September 17 and October 17, followed by district-level competitions and exhibitions from October 8 to 10. The state-level exhibition, competition and felicitation programme are scheduled for October 12 and 13. The campaign has been organised to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday and highlight the journey of public service over the past 25 years. Meanwhile, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood has launched the ‘Seva-First Innovation Challenge 2026’ at Delhi Technological University (DTU), aimed at encouraging young innovators to develop technology-based solutions to pressing social and community challenges. The 100-day challenge offers a Rs 2 crore prize pool along with mentorship and government support. It will bring together students, start-ups, industry participants, schools, ITIs and polytechnics from Haryana, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh and Ladakh, with DTU serving as the central university. The challenge will focus on areas such as agriculture, waste management, education and rural development. Participants will identify local and national problems, develop innovative concepts, build prototypes, validate their solutions and explore avenues for practical implementation. Addressing participants at DTU, Sood said the initiative was based on the idea of using innovation as a form of public service. He cited challenges faced by farmers and issues related to clean energy and agriculture as examples where young innovators could develop practical solutions. The Delhi government has said it will provide handholding support, while promising ideas will receive mentorship and potential funding through the state’s start-up ecosystem and existing policies. Source: PTI  

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