ArdorComm Media Group

Contact Us
Thursday, July 30, 2026 9:28 AM
logo
Menu
logo

Education Community

Nearly 24,000 Students Move to Himachal Government Schools After CBSE Adoption; State Plans 330 New PG Medical Seats

/ Education Community

Around 24,000 students have transferred from private institutions to government schools across Himachal Pradesh during the current academic year, following the state’s implementation of the CBSE curriculum in public schools. The state government said the students have enrolled in nearly 150 government schools, reflecting growing confidence in the quality of public education. Addressing a public event in Nagrota Bagwan, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the education sector. He said government schools are expected to witness a comprehensive transformation over the next two to four years through continued reforms aimed at enhancing teaching standards and learning outcomes. The Chief Minister also announced a major expansion of postgraduate medical education in the state. The government has proposed 330 additional PG medical seats across government medical colleges, including 100 seats at Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (RPGMC), Tanda. The initiative is intended to address the shortage of specialist doctors and improve access to quality healthcare. Alongside increasing medical seats, the state is investing in modernising healthcare infrastructure. Advanced medical equipment is being installed in government hospitals and medical colleges, including RPGMC Tanda, to ensure patients receive specialised treatment within the state instead of travelling elsewhere. According to the Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in India to introduce robotic surgery in the government healthcare system. He added that 3 Tesla MRI scanners are being installed in all government medical colleges, with the technology already operational at IGMC Shimla and the Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialities (AIMSS), Chamiyana. District and regional hospitals are also being equipped with 1.5 Tesla MRI scanners, PET scanners, CT scanners, advanced cancer treatment facilities, and upgraded medical equipment. The announcements were made during the Chief Minister’s visit to Nagrota Bagwan, where he reviewed various developmental projects in the region. Source: Indian Express

Nearly 24,000 Students Move to Himachal Government Schools After CBSE Adoption; State Plans 330 New PG Medical Seats Read More »

Pralhad Joshi Assumes Charge as Education Minister After Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation

/ Education Community

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has been entrusted with the additional charge of the Ministry of Education after Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down from the post amid mounting protests over alleged examination paper leaks. Speaking to reporters after taking charge, Joshi expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the responsibility. He said he accepted the role with humility and highlighted the achievements of the Modi government over the past 12 years, adding that he would work with a strong sense of duty in his new assignment. Pradhan’s resignation came after weeks of nationwide demonstrations led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which had demanded his resignation over the government’s handling of the examination paper leak controversy. Following the resignation, the CJP announced the immediate withdrawal of its protest movement. Supporters gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar were asked to disperse after the government agreed to the group’s key demands. The decision was announced during a joint press conference addressed by CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, along with Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh. According to the CJP, the government has assured that all police cases registered against protesting students will be withdrawn and that no future action will be taken against them. The government has also agreed to provide the maximum compensation permissible under existing rules to the families of students who died by suicide in connection with the NEET paper leak controversy. Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation was the principal demand of the protesters, and its acceptance paved the way for the suspension of the agitation. Source: NDTV  

Pralhad Joshi Assumes Charge as Education Minister After Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation Read More »

India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns Amid Nationwide Student Protests Over Exam Paper Leaks

/ Education Community

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday following weeks of nationwide student protests demanding accountability over a series of alleged examination paper leaks. His resignation marks a significant development in one of the largest youth-led protest movements seen in India in recent years. In a statement shared on X, Pradhan said he had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing the ongoing unrest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and across the country. He stated that his decision was aimed at preventing what he described as “anti-national forces” from exploiting the situation. Pradhan also expressed respect for the aspirations of young people and said he did not want students to become entangled in legal disputes instead of focusing on their education and careers. The protests were spearheaded by the satirical student-led group Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which celebrated the resignation as a victory for democracy. Speaking to supporters at Jantar Mantar, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke declared the movement successful, while the organisation posted on X that “Cockroaches won… Democracy won!” Despite the minister’s resignation, the CJP said its campaign is not over. The group has reiterated three key demands: ₹1 crore in compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide, protection from legal action for all protest participants, and a public apology from Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force over the handling of demonstrations. The protests intensified after clashes earlier this week, during which police used baton charges, tear gas, and reportedly pellet guns to disperse demonstrators marching towards Parliament. Several students were injured in the confrontations, further fuelling public anger. Government representatives had initiated talks with protest leaders on Friday, with another round of discussions scheduled for Saturday. It remains uncertain whether those negotiations will proceed following Pradhan’s resignation. Before the resignation, the central government had announced plans to establish fast-track courts for examination paper leak cases and introduce stricter anti-cheating legislation in an effort to restore confidence in the country’s examination system. The demonstrations have become a broader expression of frustration among India’s youth over issues such as unemployment, corruption, transparency, and government accountability. Source: Al Jazeera

India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns Amid Nationwide Student Protests Over Exam Paper Leaks Read More »

Delhi Named World’s Most Affordable Student City in QS Best Student Cities 2027; Mumbai Tops Indian Rankings

/ Education Community

Delhi has been recognised as the world’s most affordable destination for students in the QS Best Student Cities 2027 rankings, while Mumbai emerged as India’s highest-ranked student city by climbing to 91st place globally. Released on Wednesday by global higher education analytics firm QS Quacquarelli Symonds, the annual rankings evaluate 150 cities worldwide based on six key parameters: university quality, employer activity, affordability, desirability, student mix and student view. Globally, Seoul retained the top position with a perfect overall score of 100, followed by Tokyo in second and London in third. Melbourne secured fourth place, while Munich and Sydney shared the fifth spot. The global top 10 also featured Paris, Berlin, Vienna and Zurich, with Singapore, Beijing and Kuala Lumpur ranking just outside the top 10. Among Indian cities, Mumbai improved seven places from 98th to 91st, becoming the country’s best-performing student destination with an overall score of 61.8. The city performed particularly well in employer activity and affordability, ranking 34th and 12th globally in those categories, respectively. Delhi entered the global top 100 by moving up from 104th to 99th place with an overall score of 60.3. The national capital earned the highest affordability score worldwide (93.9), making it the most affordable city for students globally. According to QS, the average annual tuition fee for international students in Delhi is around US$2,700 (approximately ₹2.6 lakh). Delhi also ranked 29th globally in employer activity, highlighting strong career opportunities for graduates. Bengaluru slipped six positions to joint 114th with an overall score of 56.0. QS attributed part of the decline to comparatively higher international tuition fees, averaging around US$5,400 annually, the highest among the four Indian cities included in the rankings. Meanwhile, Chennai recorded a modest improvement, climbing from 128th to 123rd place with an overall score of 54.0. World’s Top 10 Student Cities 2027 Seoul, South Korea Tokyo, Japan London, United Kingdom Melbourne, Australia Munich, Germany (Joint) Sydney, Australia (Joint) Paris, France Berlin, Germany Vienna, Austria Zurich, Switzerland QS stated that the Best Student Cities rankings are based on 23 performance indicators grouped under six broad categories: university quality, employer activity, affordability, desirability, student mix and student view. To qualify, a city must have a population exceeding 250,000 and host at least two universities featured in the QS World University Rankings. Source: Indian Express  

Delhi Named World’s Most Affordable Student City in QS Best Student Cities 2027; Mumbai Tops Indian Rankings Read More »

VTU Partners with Google to Boost AI, Cloud and Cybersecurity Skills for Engineering Students

/ Education Community

Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) has signed a strategic academic partnership with Google LLC to equip engineering students across Karnataka with industry-focused skills, practical learning opportunities and enhanced career readiness. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Bengaluru by VTU Vice-Chancellor Prof. S. Vidyashankar and Sanjay Jain, Head of Google for Education India. Under the collaboration, students will receive training in high-demand domains such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, data science and cybersecurity. The initiative will also focus on faculty development, helping educators strengthen their expertise while aligning academic programs with evolving industry expectations. Highlighting the significance of the partnership, Prof. Vidyashankar said VTU, which is affiliated with 220 engineering colleges and serves nearly 300,000 students, is committed to ensuring graduates are job-ready from day one. He noted that collaborations with leading technology companies will help bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry requirements. Sanjay Jain said Google aims to support both students and faculty through practical skill development and employment-oriented training. He added that the programme will introduce learning models aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) and State Education Policy (SEP), enabling participants to use AI more effectively and prepare for future workplace demands. Alongside Google, VTU also announced partnerships with Qualcomm, Bharat Skills Institute Foundation and Simulation Enabled Experiential Learning (SEEL) to further strengthen technical education. Qualcomm, through its subsidiary Stem Lore Innovators LLP, will offer long-term training in AI, embedded systems, product prototyping and the Internet of Things (IoT), while also establishing a Centre of Excellence in Edge AI. The Bharat Skills Institute Foundation plans to develop a Centre of Excellence in phases with an investment of ₹20 crore, focusing on skill-based education and workforce development. Meanwhile, SEEL will introduce a cloud-based digital learning platform that enables students to perform laboratory exercises remotely. The platform will provide access to scientific and technical software, GATE preparation resources, previous years’ question papers, mock tests, AI-powered interview practice, more than 1,900 industry projects and internship opportunities, along with webinars, workshops and expert-led sessions for engineering and MBA students. Source: Indian Express  

VTU Partners with Google to Boost AI, Cloud and Cybersecurity Skills for Engineering Students Read More »

India Achieves Historic Four Gold Medals at International Chemistry Olympiad 2026; JEE Advanced AIR 2 Among Winners

/ Education Community

India delivered its finest-ever performance at the 58th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) 2026, securing four gold medals and finishing joint first in the overall standings alongside China, Vietnam, and an individual participant from Russia. The prestigious global competition was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from July 10 to 19, bringing together 363 students from 93 countries. According to the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), this marks India’s best result in its 27 appearances at the International Chemistry Olympiad. The four Indian students who earned gold medals are Debadatta Priyadarshi from Bhubaneswar, Odisha; Harshit Singhal from Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab; Kabeer Chhillar from Delhi; and Sandeep Kuchi from Hyderabad, Telangana. Among the standout performers, Kabeer Chhillar had already gained national recognition by securing All India Rank (AIR) 2 in JEE Advanced 2026, scoring 329 out of 360, just one mark behind the topper. He had also achieved a perfect 100 percentile in JEE Main 2026, highlighting his exceptional academic accomplishments before representing India at the global chemistry competition. India’s remarkable success at the Chemistry Olympiad follows another stellar international achievement earlier this month, when the country’s team won five gold medals at the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026, reinforcing India’s growing prominence in global science competitions. The Indian Chemistry team was guided by Head Mentor Prof. Subhajit Bandyopadhyay of IISER Kolkata and Mentor Dr. Indrani Das Sen of HBCSE. The delegation also included Scientific Observers Dr. Anubendu Adhikary from IIT Kharagpur and Dr. Jayasree Gopalakrishnan of NES Ratnam College, Mumbai. HBCSE credited the National Steering Committee on Science Olympiads, teacher organizations, and several subject experts for their contributions to the Olympiad programme. The institute also noted that the national science Olympiad initiative receives financial support from the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST). Source:  Indian Express

India Achieves Historic Four Gold Medals at International Chemistry Olympiad 2026; JEE Advanced AIR 2 Among Winners Read More »

India Tops International Physics Olympiad 2026 as All Five Participants Win Gold Medals

/ Education Community

India delivered an outstanding performance at the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026, with all five members of its national team securing gold medals. The achievement placed India in the joint first position alongside China, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Korea, and Taiwan at the prestigious global competition, held in Bucaramanga, Colombia. This year’s Olympiad featured 381 students representing 87 countries. According to the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), a constituent unit of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), this marks India’s 27th appearance at the International Physics Olympiad. The country has maintained an impressive record over the past decade, with every Indian participant returning home with either a gold or silver medal. India’s Gold Medal Winners The five students who brought home gold medals are: Kanishk Jain – Pune, Maharashtra Riddhesh Anant Bendale – Indore, Madhya Pradesh Rishit Garg – Dwarka, New Delhi Shresth Suraiya – Mumbai, Maharashtra Svarit Joshi – Ahmedabad, Gujarat The Indian delegation was led by Prof. Anwesh Mazumdar from HBCSE-TIFR and Dr. Leena Joshi of St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. The team was supported by scientific observers Prof. Ananda Dasgupta of IISER Kolkata and Ms. Nisha Kelkar from Gogate-Joglekar College. Before competing internationally, the students underwent intensive preparation under the Physics Olympiad Cell at HBCSE. Their training included specialized orientation sessions and pre-departure camps conducted by experienced faculty members and Olympiad mentors. The International Physics Olympiad is regarded as one of the most prestigious science competitions for secondary school students worldwide, testing participants through challenging theoretical and experimental physics examinations. India’s clean sweep of gold medals in the 2026 edition further strengthens its reputation as one of the world’s leading performers in international science Olympiads. Source: Indian Express

India Tops International Physics Olympiad 2026 as All Five Participants Win Gold Medals Read More »

Delhi University Receives Over 1.9 Lakh UG Applications; First CSAS Seat Allotment on July 16

/ Education Community

Delhi University (DU) has recorded an overwhelming response for undergraduate admissions for the 2026–27 academic session, with more than 1.90 lakh students registering through the Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS). According to the university, 1,90,645 applicants have completed registration, while 1,64,098 candidates have successfully finished Phase II by submitting their programme and college preferences. The university has set 11:59 pm on July 11 as the final deadline for both registration and preference submission. A one-time correction window, opened on July 10, also remains available until the same deadline, allowing applicants to rectify errors in their submitted details following requests from students. The UG admission process began on June 26, while Phase II, covering subject mapping and preference selection, commenced on July 3. University officials have advised candidates to carefully verify their programme and college choices before the deadline, as preferences will be automatically locked once the window closes. For the current admission cycle, DU is offering 73 undergraduate programmes across 69 colleges and departments, with a total intake of 71,624 seats. Students can choose from nearly 150 BA programme combinations, and the complete seat matrix is available on the university’s official website. Admissions under supernumerary categories, including sports and extracurricular activities, will also follow the preference-based allocation process. The first CSAS seat allocation list is scheduled to be published on July 16. After accepting an allotted seat and paying the admission fee, candidates can either confirm their admission or opt for an upgrade in subsequent rounds. Those seeking upgrades will have the opportunity to reorder their higher preferences before the next allocation. To simplify fee payments, Delhi University has introduced a virtual wallet system, enabling automatic adjustment of fees if a candidate is upgraded to a different programme or college, eliminating the need for multiple payments. The university plans to complete two rounds of undergraduate admissions before the new academic session begins on July 28. On the postgraduate front, DU released the third allocation list for two-year PG programmes, including performance-based courses such as MFA, B.P.Ed, M.P.Ed, and Music, on July 10. The latest round includes 1,765 fresh allocations, comprising 1,551 regular PG admissions and 214 performance-based admissions, while 5,848 candidates have already confirmed their seats. Additionally, 8,823 candidates have applied for the university’s one-year postgraduate programmes designed for students graduating under the UGCF 2022 framework aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. DU also continues its BTech admissions through the second allocation list, while the first spot admission round for its five-year integrated law programmes has been announced with 18 vacant seats available. Source: Indian Express

Delhi University Receives Over 1.9 Lakh UG Applications; First CSAS Seat Allotment on July 16 Read More »

Private Universities Drive India’s Higher Education Expansion, Growing Three Times Faster Than Public Institutions Over a Decade

/ Education Community

India’s higher education landscape has witnessed a major transformation over the past decade, with private universities emerging as the primary drivers of institutional growth. According to the Ministry of Education’s All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023-24, the number of private universities increased from 219 in 2013-14 to 546 in 2023-24, registering a remarkable 149.3% growth. In comparison, government universities rose from 504 to 733 during the same period, reflecting a comparatively modest 45.4% increase. Overall, the total number of universities in the country climbed from 723 to 1,279, marking a 76.9% rise over the decade. The data indicates that private universities expanded at more than three times the pace of their government counterparts. At the state level, Gujarat recorded the highest increase in private universities, adding 51 institutions to reach 67 private universities in 2023-24, overtaking Rajasthan, which now has 57. Madhya Pradesh followed with 52 private universities, while Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra reported 45 and 42, respectively. Government universities, however, continued to maintain a strong presence across the country. Uttar Pradesh remained the leading state in terms of public universities, increasing its count from 35 to 58, followed by Karnataka, which expanded from 32 to 51 government institutions. Despite the rapid rise in private universities, public institutions continue to educate the majority of university students. Government university enrolment increased from 51.9 lakh students in 2013-14 to 73.9 lakh in 2023-24, although their share of total enrolment declined from 81.3% to 68.1% over the decade. Private universities, on the other hand, recorded a much sharper increase in student numbers. Enrolment nearly tripled from 11.9 lakh to 34.6 lakh students, representing a 191.8% growth. Their share of total university enrolment rose from 18.6% in 2013-14 to 31.9% in 2023-24, highlighting their growing role in India’s higher education ecosystem. The AISHE findings also point to broader progress in higher education participation. India’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for the 18–23 age group improved from 23.0 in 2013-14 to 30.0 in 2023-24. Female participation continued to outpace that of males, with the female GER reaching 31.2, compared to the male GER of 28.9, marking the seventh consecutive year in which women recorded a higher enrolment ratio. Source: Indian Express  

Private Universities Drive India’s Higher Education Expansion, Growing Three Times Faster Than Public Institutions Over a Decade Read More »

IIM Bangalore to Establish First Overseas Campus in Indonesia, Expanding India’s Higher Education Footprint in ASEAN

/ Education Community

In a significant step towards strengthening academic ties between India and Indonesia, the Indian government has announced that the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore will set up its first international campus in Indonesia. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi following bilateral discussions with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during Modi’s official visit to the country. The proposed campus is expected to cater not only to Indonesian students but also to learners from across the ASEAN region, further enhancing India’s educational outreach in Southeast Asia. Alongside the education initiative, India and Indonesia signed several agreements aimed at deepening collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI), telecommunications, digital public infrastructure, startups, and innovation. Both leaders emphasised promoting technology-driven partnerships and creating greater opportunities for young innovators from both nations. The two countries also agreed to broaden cooperation in the space sector through joint research, technology exchange, and capacity-building initiatives, reinforcing their long-standing strategic partnership. The Indonesia campus marks another milestone in the global expansion of Indian management education. It follows the international debut of Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, which became the first IIM to establish a full-fledged overseas campus in Dubai. Inaugurated in September 2025 at Dubai International Academic City, the campus currently offers a one-year full-time MBA programme for experienced professionals, reflecting India’s growing ambition to internationalise its higher education institutions. Source: Indian Express

IIM Bangalore to Establish First Overseas Campus in Indonesia, Expanding India’s Higher Education Footprint in ASEAN Read More »