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Friday, July 11, 2025 5:11 AM

Education Community

NCERT and Canva Partner to Offer Free Digital Certification Courses for Indian Educators

In a move aimed at empowering educators with 21st-century teaching skills, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has entered into a strategic partnership with Canva, a global visual communication platform. The collaboration will roll out three self-paced, online certification courses for school teachers across India—completely free of charge. These courses, designed to enhance digital fluency, creative instruction, and collaborative teaching practices, will be hosted on DIKSHA, the Ministry of Education’s flagship digital learning platform. To ensure inclusivity, they will also be televised via PM eVidya’s DTH channels, making the training accessible even in areas with limited or no internet access. The programme will be offered in multiple Indian languages to promote nationwide participation. Teachers participating in the training will explore Canva for Education’s features to create interactive lesson plans, visually engaging presentations, infographics, and a variety of educational content. The programme also includes exposure to collaborative pedagogies and artificial intelligence (AI) tools that can elevate classroom learning. Successful participants will receive joint certification from NCERT and Canva. As per the MoU, Canva will provide complimentary access to its educational suite and contribute to developing customized instructional resources. Meanwhile, NCERT will ensure the content aligns with India’s national curriculum framework and is tailored for regional relevance. This initiative supports the goals outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, particularly around visual learning, critical thinking, and design-centric pedagogy. Teachers will also receive guidance on leveraging AI tools to boost classroom engagement and optimize lesson delivery. With over 500 integrated educational tools and apps—including games, translation aids, worksheets, and subject-specific infographics—Canva for Education is positioned as a comprehensive platform for modern teaching. Its AI-powered features simplify content creation, enabling teachers to plan and execute lessons more efficiently. Canva’s statement highlighted that its education arm saw remarkable growth in 2024, onboarding over 25 million students and teachers globally, with its total education community surpassing 100 million users. Teacher usage on the platform surged by 50%, while student engagement more than doubled, fueled by tools like Dream Lab that empower educators to create customized visual content. This collaboration marks a significant step towards digital empowerment in Indian classrooms, equipping teachers with the tools and training to thrive in a technology-integrated learning environment. Source: Indian Express

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UGC NET 2025 June Session: NTA Releases Provisional Answer Keys, Objection Window Open Till July 8

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has published the provisional answer keys for the UGC NET 2025 June session. Candidates who appeared for the exam can now access their answer scripts and responses by visiting the official website: ugcnet.nta.ac.in. To log in, applicants must enter their application number, date of birth, and Captcha code. The UGC NET June session exams were conducted from June 25 to 29 for aspirants aiming for eligibility in Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professorship, or PhD admissions across Indian institutions. Steps to Check and Challenge UGC NET 2025 Provisional Answer Key: Go to the official NTA UGC NET website – ugcnet.nta.ac.in Log in using your application number, date of birth, and Captcha code Download the NTA’s provisional answer key and your recorded responses Cross-verify your responses using the provided question ID To raise objections, select the disputed answer, upload supporting documents in PDF format Pay the challenge fee and download the receipt for reference Candidates wishing to contest any answer must pay a non-refundable processing fee of ₹200 per question. The objection window is open from July 6 to July 8 until 5 PM, and the fee payment must also be completed by the same deadline via Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. Objections submitted without payment or through other means will not be entertained. A panel of subject experts will review all challenges. If any correction is found valid, the answer key will be updated accordingly, and the final results will reflect those changes. However, individual candidates will not receive notifications regarding the acceptance or rejection of their objections. The decision of the expert committee will be considered final. Stay tuned to the official NTA portal for the final answer key and result updates. Source: Indian Express

UGC NET 2025 June Session: NTA Releases Provisional Answer Keys, Objection Window Open Till July 8 Read More »

NIOS Class 10 Results 2025 Declared for April Session; 62.72% Students Pass

The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) has released the Class 10 results for the April 2025 session on June 30. Students who appeared for the exams can now access their scorecards by visiting the official NIOS websites — nios.ac.in and results.nios.ac.in. Results can be downloaded using the student’s enrolment number and captcha code. According to data shared by NIOS, 1,06,082 students registered for the April 2025 Class 10 exams. Among them, 1,02,495 learners had registered in at least five subjects, making them eligible for certification. Of those, 89,847 students appeared for the exams, and 56,350 passed, leading to an overall pass percentage of 62.72%. Gender-wise performance revealed that female students performed slightly better, achieving a pass rate of 63.32%, while male students recorded a 62.31% success rate. The NIOS Class 10 examinations for the April-May session began on April 9 with the Entrepreneurship paper and concluded on May 19 with subjects like Carnatic Sangeet, Employability Skills, and Sanskrit Sahitya. Last year, the Class 10 results were declared on June 27. How to Check NIOS Class 10 Results 2025 Visit the official NIOS results portal: results.nios.ac.in Click on the ‘Admission’ tab and proceed to the student portal Go to the ‘Exam & Result’ section Select ‘Result’ and click on the link to check results Enter your enrolment number and security code View, download, and print your scorecard for future reference Grievance Redressal and Re-evaluation Students unsatisfied with their results or facing discrepancies can raise concerns via the student portal at sdmis.nios.ac.in within 30 days of the result announcement. A 15-day window for rechecking and re-evaluation will begin on July 2, 2025. For additional queries, students may email: rcell@nios.ac.in. Notably, Class 12 results were released earlier on June 20. NIOS Strengthens Inclusive Education with New Agreement In a significant move to promote inclusive education, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) signed a tripartite agreement with NIOS and NCERT. The collaboration, supported by Union Ministers Virendra Kumar and Dharmendra Pradhan, aims to revise and adapt educational content in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, making it more accessible, inclusive, and relevant for learners with disabilities. The agreement will focus on curriculum reform and pedagogical innovation to ensure that students with disabilities are fully integrated into mainstream education. Source: Indian Express

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CUET UG 2025 Results Awaited: Over 13.5 Lakh Candidates Anxiously Wait for Scores

More than 13.5 lakh students who took the Common University Entrance Test for Undergraduate admissions (CUET UG) 2025 are eagerly awaiting their results. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) between May 13 and June 4, the CUET UG results are expected to be released soon, although no official date has been confirmed yet. Once declared, candidates can access their scorecards on the official website – cuet.nta.nic.in. The final answer key, which forms the basis for result compilation, will be released alongside the results. It’s important to note that no objections regarding the answer key will be accepted after the results are published. Earlier, NTA had issued the provisional answer key on June 17, and students were allowed to submit their objections until June 20. Following the declaration of results, participating universities and institutions will prepare their individual merit lists and conduct counselling sessions based on the CUET UG 2025 scores. This year saw significant changes to the CUET UG format. The exam was held entirely in computer-based mode (CBT) and featured three distinct sections: Section 1 tested proficiency in 13 languages Section 2 covered 23 domain-specific subjects Section 3 assessed general aptitude The paper comprised objective-type multiple-choice questions. Notably, the accountancy paper saw a revised pattern to better align the questions with the official syllabus. In comparison, CUET UG 2024 was conducted in a mixed mode (CBT and offline) for around 13.48 lakh candidates, with results declared on July 28. In 2023, the results were announced on July 15, while the 2022 results were declared much later on September 15. With the exam changes in place and the number of candidates rising, the CUET UG 2025 results remain one of the most anticipated announcements for students seeking undergraduate admissions this year. Source: Indian Express

CUET UG 2025 Results Awaited: Over 13.5 Lakh Candidates Anxiously Wait for Scores Read More »

CBSE Mandates First Board Exam for Class 10; Introduces Optional Second Attempt in Select Subjects

Starting from the academic year 2026, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will implement a dual-board exam system for Class 10 students, with the first exam being mandatory for all. The second exam will serve as an optional chance for students to improve their scores, but only in up to three subjects from science, mathematics, social science, and the two language papers. Previously, CBSE allowed students to reappear for improvement in just two subjects. Under the new framework, that number increases to three, offering more flexibility while still maintaining academic discipline. CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh explained that making the first exam compulsory and restricting the second exam to three subjects is meant to encourage students to treat the initial attempt seriously. He emphasized that the second exam is not an alternative, but an “additional opportunity” for enhancement. If a student skips three or more subjects in the first round, they will not be eligible for the second attempt and will have to reappear the following year under the ‘essential repeat’ category. However, exceptions will be made for students in winter-affected regions like Ladakh, parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Himachal Pradesh. These students can opt to appear only for the second set of exams, as heavy snowfall may hinder participation in the February session. The timeline for the two exams is as follows: the first board exam will be conducted from mid-February, with results declared in April. Based on their performance, students can choose to take the second exam in May, and the best scores from either attempt will be considered final. The second round results are expected by June 30, a shift from the earlier system where improvement results were released in August. Students who fail to clear the first exam will be able to appear in the second round as ‘compartment’ candidates. This two-exam system may eventually be extended to Class 12 as well, with similar timelines to ensure college admission deadlines are met. Earlier this year, CBSE had released a draft proposal for this policy and sought public opinion. According to Singh, 64% of students expressed support for the new format. Notably, the initial draft had not made the first exam compulsory or set a cap on the number of subjects for the second attempt — both key changes in the final version. Source: Indian Express

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COMEDK UGET 2025: Round 1 Counselling Registration Deadline Extended to June 30

The Consortium of Medical, Engineering, and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK) has announced an extension for the Round 1 counselling registration deadline for the Undergraduate Entrance Test (UGET) 2025. Candidates can now register and upload required documents for the first round of counselling until June 30 at 11:00 am through the official portal – comedk.org. According to the latest notification, July 12 is the revised cut-off date for completing document verification. The seat allotment results for Round 1 will be released based on candidate merit, seat preferences, and availability. The COMEDK UGET 2025 was conducted in two phases – on May 10 and May 25. The second phase was arranged for candidates whose exam centers were impacted due to Operation Sindoor-related issues and potential power disruptions. COMEDK UGET 2025 Counselling: Key Details The counselling process is fully online and includes: Registration Choice filling Seat allotment Confirmation of seat Payment of fees To participate, candidates must keep the following documents ready: COMEDK application form UGET 2025 rank card Hall ticket Fee payment receipt Valid ID proof Class 10 or 12 marksheet 12th/2nd PUC admit card Reserved category candidates are required to upload appropriate documents, such as SC/ST/OBC certificates or OCI/PIO documentation. Additionally, a VTU eligibility certificate is mandatory for some categories. Steps to Register for Round 1 Counselling: Visit comedk.org Log in with your credentials and choose the counselling registration option Verify personal details and pay the counselling registration fee Upload all required documents (files must be under 1 MB each) Submit the form to complete the process Once successfully submitted, candidates will receive a seat allotment letter and a fee payment receipt, after which they must report to their allotted institutions as per the announced schedule. Candidates are advised to complete the registration well before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues. Source: Indian Express  

COMEDK UGET 2025: Round 1 Counselling Registration Deadline Extended to June 30 Read More »

Govt Forms Panel to Probe Coaching Dependency and Fairness of Entrance Exams

The Ministry of Education has constituted a nine-member committee to investigate the growing dependence of students on coaching centres, the phenomenon of ‘dummy schools,’ and the integrity and fairness of competitive entrance exams like JEE and NEET, officials confirmed. Chaired by Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, the committee will delve into systemic shortcomings within the school education framework that push students towards coaching hubs. The panel will examine the limited emphasis on critical thinking, analytical reasoning, innovation, and conceptual understanding in traditional schooling — factors that fuel rote learning and, in turn, coaching culture. One major concern to be addressed is the rise of ‘dummy schools’ — institutions where students enroll merely for board exam eligibility while devoting their full attention to intensive coaching. These setups allow aspirants to bypass classroom learning altogether, focusing solely on entrance exam preparation. Many also exploit state domicile criteria through such enrollments to gain regional admission advantages, such as eligibility for the Delhi state quota in medical colleges. “The committee will study how dummy schools undermine formal education and promote exclusive dependence on coaching. It will recommend ways to address this growing issue,” a senior ministry official said. The panel will also scrutinize the current model of entrance exams to assess their fairness and relevance in the context of mainstream schooling. It will investigate whether the absence of formative assessments and a weak focus on concept clarity in school systems are inadvertently supporting the proliferation of coaching institutes. Another key focus area is the imbalance between the rising demand for quality higher education and the limited seats available in top institutions — a gap that often drives students toward costly and stressful coaching environments. The panel’s mandate also includes evaluating students’ and parents’ awareness of diverse career opportunities beyond elite engineering and medical colleges. It aims to assess the status of career counselling mechanisms in schools and recommend strategies to enhance career guidance systems nationwide. Alongside Vineet Joshi, the committee comprises the CBSE chairperson, joint secretaries from the school and higher education ministries, representatives from IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, NIT Trichy, NCERT, and principals from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Navodaya Vidyalaya, and a private school. This initiative follows increasing concerns over the coaching industry’s practices, including rising student suicides, fire hazards, inadequate infrastructure, and questionable teaching methods. The government hopes the panel’s findings will lead to more balanced, student-centric reforms in education and examination systems. Source: PTI

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Centre, NIOS, and NCERT Join Hands to Advance Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities

In a significant move to promote inclusive education, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) has entered into a tripartite agreement with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). The agreement, signed in the presence of Union Ministers Virendra Kumar and Dharmendra Pradhan, aims to create an enabling educational environment for children with disabilities by aligning with the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This strategic collaboration will focus on revamping curriculum and learning materials to ensure they are accessible, inclusive, and tailored to the needs of learners with disabilities. NCERT will play a key role in modifying textbooks and curricular content to reflect these values. As part of the agreement, NIOS will grant recognition to special schools operated by NGOs under the Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS), designating them as Special Accredited Institutions for Education of the Disabled (SAIEDs). These institutions will offer a broad spectrum of academic and vocational education—from foundational levels to senior secondary—supported by NIOS in terms of admissions, exams, study materials, and necessary accommodations during assessments. Union Minister Virendra Kumar highlighted the initiative as a step toward realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of inclusive growth, emphasizing that every child, regardless of ability, should have the opportunity to receive quality education. “This MoU affirms that inclusive education is not a luxury but a fundamental right,” he said. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan underscored the broader societal impact of inclusive education. “Creating a just and empathetic society begins with our schools. NEP 2020 is a progressive framework guiding us, and in the coming year, we are also prioritising infrastructure like accessible toilets to help reduce dropout rates,” he noted. DEPwD Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal reiterated the commitment to widen access for students with disabilities, including facilitating their entry into premier institutions such as IITs and IIMs. He also praised NIOS for its innovative step of introducing Indian Sign Language as a subject at the secondary level. Echoing the vision, Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, stated that the ultimate mission is to ensure every child with a disability is able to complete their schooling and access equal opportunities in higher education and beyond. Source: PTI

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UPSC CSE Mains 2025 Registration Opens for Prelims Qualifiers; Apply by June 25

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially opened the application window for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) Mains 2025. Only those candidates who successfully cleared the preliminary examination are eligible to apply. This year, 14,161 aspirants made it through the Prelims stage and can now move forward by registering for the Mains via the official portal — upsconline.nic.in. The deadline to submit the Detailed Application Form (DAF) is June 25, 2025. The UPSC CSE Mains is scheduled to begin on August 22, and the written examinations will conclude within five days. The application fee for General category candidates is ₹200, while candidates from SC, ST, PwBD categories, as well as female applicants, are exempt from payment. How to Apply for UPSC CSE Mains 2025: Visit the official websites — upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in. Log in using your registration ID and password from the Prelims stage. Fill in personal information like name, date of birth, category, etc. Provide academic qualifications and upload the corresponding documents. Submit employment details (if any), including job title, organization, and responsibilities. Indicate your service preferences by arranging them in the desired order. Enter additional details such as hobbies, achievements, and extracurricular involvement. Upload required documents, including a recent photo, signature, and government-issued photo ID. Review the form carefully, pay the fee (if applicable), and submit the application. Candidates can also update specific accessibility-related details such as requirements for a scribe, assistive tools, or large-print materials. In case of a name change, a gazette notification can be uploaded for verification. The Prelims result list is now available on the UPSC website, although the results of four candidates have been withheld due to ongoing legal matters. UPSC has also announced that the marks, cutoff scores, and answer keys for the Preliminary exam will be released only after the entire selection process, including both the CSE and Indian Forest Service exams, is complete and final results are published. Source: Indian Express

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