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India Emerging as Global Innovation Powerhouse, Says Dharmendra Pradhan at Bharat Innovates Pre-Summit

/ Education Community

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted India’s growing stature as a global innovation hub while addressing the concluding session of the Bharat Innovates Deep-Tech Pre-Summit held at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. During the event, the minister engaged in roundtable discussions with investors, industry leaders, and academic experts. He noted that the pre-summit serves as a precursor to Bharat Innovates 2026, scheduled to take place in Nice. The discussions focused on advancing deep-tech innovation, strengthening collaboration between academia and industry, and enhancing India’s startup ecosystem. Pradhan emphasised the importance of sustained funding for emerging ventures to help them scale, foster innovation, and promote research-driven entrepreneurship. He reiterated that Bharat Innovates aims to showcase India’s research and development capabilities on the global stage while facilitating international collaborations and unlocking investment opportunities. Underscoring India’s potential, he stated that the country is well-positioned to develop scalable and cost-effective solutions not only for domestic needs but also for the Global South. He described the initiative as a dynamic platform that brings together ideas, talent, and resources to accelerate innovation and deepen industry-academia partnerships. On the sidelines of the summit, Pradhan chaired a roundtable attended by around 175 investors and industry stakeholders. He also interacted with innovators working across key sectors such as energy, climate and sustainability, semiconductors, space and defence, healthcare, biotechnology, advanced computing, mobility, and smart cities. The pre-summit saw participation from 137 deep-tech startups selected from over 1,186 applications across the country. These startups showcased innovations in areas including artificial intelligence, advanced materials, clean technology, and next-generation manufacturing, drawing strong interest from investors. The event also enabled meaningful engagement between startups, venture capital firms, and industry representatives, paving the way for collaboration, commercialisation, and global expansion. Prominent dignitaries present included K. Radhakrishnan, Vineet Joshi, Abhay Karandikar, and Shireesh Kedare. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to innovation, Pradhan stressed the need to translate research ideas into market-ready solutions that create real-world impact. He expressed confidence that the innovations showcased at the pre-summit would significantly contribute to strengthening India’s position as a global leader in technology and entrepreneurship. The Bharat Innovates Deep-Tech Pre-Summit marks an important milestone in India’s innovation journey, with selected startups set to represent the country’s deep-tech ecosystem at the international event in France in 2026. Source: DD News 

India Emerging as Global Innovation Powerhouse, Says Dharmendra Pradhan at Bharat Innovates Pre-Summit Read More »

Rajnath Singh Unveils 100 New Sainik Schools, Boosts NCC Strength to 20 Lakh Cadets

/ Education Community

Rajnath Singh has announced a major expansion of India’s military-style education ecosystem, revealing plans to establish 100 new Sainik Schools under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The announcement was made during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Sainik School Ghorakhal. In a parallel move, the Defence Minister also confirmed that the strength of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) will be increased from 17 lakh to 20 lakh cadets. This expansion aims to bring an additional three lakh युवाओं into a structured framework that emphasizes discipline, leadership, and civic responsibility. Highlighting the vision behind the decision, Singh noted that the expansion is not merely about numbers but about shaping future citizens equipped with strong values essential for nation-building. He further emphasized that Sainik Schools are not limited to preparing students for armed forces careers. Instead, they play a broader role in nurturing leadership qualities, resilience, and a sense of responsibility that can benefit multiple sectors. A key highlight of his address was the growing inclusion of girls in Sainik Schools. Singh praised the performance of girl cadets, stating that their achievements have effectively dispelled any doubts about their capabilities. Reinforcing the message of gender equality, he asserted that daughters are excelling alongside sons across all fields. The announcements reflect a continued push by the government to strengthen youth development initiatives while fostering leadership and inclusivity at the grassroots level. Source: PTI  

Rajnath Singh Unveils 100 New Sainik Schools, Boosts NCC Strength to 20 Lakh Cadets Read More »

Delhi University Introduces ‘Coffee with VC’ to Strengthen Student-Administration Dialogue

/ Education Community

In a bid to promote open communication with students, the University of Delhi has rolled out a new initiative titled “Coffee with the Vice-Chancellor.” The programme aims to create an informal platform where students can directly engage with university leadership and share their perspectives. The first session, held on Monday evening, saw Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh interact with a group of 10 students from Miranda House. During the discussion, he encouraged students to view Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a supportive tool rather than something to depend on entirely. Emphasising a balanced approach, he advised students to use AI to enhance their capabilities, not control them. Addressing concerns around technological advancements, Singh acknowledged that new innovations often bring uncertainty but stressed the importance of adapting and making the most of such developments. Highlighting India’s progress, including achievements like the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), he pointed out the country’s rapid transformation and vast potential for future growth. He also spoke about the purpose of education while responding to queries on Value Addition Courses (VACs) and Skill Enhancement Courses (SECs). According to him, education should go beyond academics and focus on building responsible individuals with strong ethical values and a sense of national responsibility. On the topic of students’ roles in today’s world, the Vice-Chancellor remarked that the 21st century offers both significant opportunities and challenges. Referring to India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047, he underscored the need for talented and driven youth, particularly encouraging the role of young women in nation-building. Additionally, Singh highlighted efforts being made to enhance campus safety, including the installation of CCTV systems across university premises. The session was moderated by South Campus Director Rani Abbi, who noted that the initiative is designed to give students a voice and enable meaningful interaction with university leadership. Officials indicated that more such sessions are planned in the near future. Source: PTI

Delhi University Introduces ‘Coffee with VC’ to Strengthen Student-Administration Dialogue Read More »

Over 13,700 Teaching Vacancies in KVs and Navodaya Schools, Govt Assures Ongoing Recruitment Efforts

/ Education Community

India’s central school systems — Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) — are currently facing a significant shortage of teaching staff, with over 13,700 positions lying vacant, the Ministry of Education informed Parliament. Responding to a written query in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary revealed that 8,618 vacancies exist in KVs, while JNVs account for an additional 5,083 unfilled posts, taking the total deficit to 13,701. The minister attributed the shortfall to a range of factors, including the expansion of new schools, retirements, resignations, promotions, transfers, and institutional upgrades, all of which continuously generate new vacancies. He emphasized that recruitment is an ongoing process carried out in accordance with established rules, with efforts underway to fill positions as quickly as possible. In the meantime, both KVs and JNVs are relying on contractual teachers to ensure that academic activities continue without disruption. Chaudhary also reassured that despite the staffing gaps, student performance and academic standards remain stable, as reflected in consistent examination outcomes. Source: Indian Express  

Over 13,700 Teaching Vacancies in KVs and Navodaya Schools, Govt Assures Ongoing Recruitment Efforts Read More »

CBSE Cancels Class 12 Board Exams in Middle East Amid Security Concerns

/ Education Community

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has cancelled the Class 12 board examinations scheduled between March and April 2026 for students appearing from several Middle Eastern countries. The decision was announced through an official circular issued on March 15 after reviewing the feasibility of conducting the exams in the region. The cancellation applies to CBSE-affiliated schools in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. According to the board, all Class 12 examinations scheduled from March 16 to April 10, 2026, in these countries will no longer be conducted. CBSE also clarified that examinations which had earlier been postponed through circulars issued on March 1, March 3, March 5, March 7, and March 9 have now been officially cancelled. The board stated that the process for evaluating students and declaring the results will be announced separately at a later date. The circular was issued by Dr. Sanyam Bhardwaj, Controller of Examinations at CBSE, and addressed to principals of all CBSE-affiliated schools in the Middle East. Copies of the notice were also sent to Indian ambassadors in the seven affected countries, the Consul General of India in Dubai, and the Director of the CBSE Regional Office and Centre of Excellence in Dubai. Earlier in March, CBSE had initially postponed the Class 10 and Class 12 examinations scheduled for March 2 and March 3 in the Middle East region through a circular dated March 1. A subsequent notice issued on March 3 further postponed the March 5 and March 6 exams, stating that the board would review the situation and take further decisions regarding examinations scheduled from March 7 onwards. Meanwhile, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has also cancelled the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) and Indian School Certificate (ISC) examinations scheduled at all centres in the UAE. Confirming the development, CISCE Chief Executive and Secretary Dr. Joseph Emmanuel said that the results of affected students will be determined through an alternative assessment method, with detailed evaluation guidelines to be announced later. He added that the results for these students will be declared alongside those of students appearing for the exams in India. The cancellations come amid the ongoing security situation in the Middle East. The UAE government has also announced an early start to the spring break for schools and universities, placing students and staff on vacation from March 9 to March 22. Source: Indian Express  

CBSE Cancels Class 12 Board Exams in Middle East Amid Security Concerns Read More »

NCERT Launches ‘Kaveri’ as New Class 9 English Textbook with Focus on Indian Writers

/ Education Community

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced a new Class 9 English textbook titled Kaveri, bringing a stronger focus on Indian authors and the integration of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS). The textbook has been developed in line with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 (NCF-SE 2023) and will replace the earlier English textbooks Beehive and Moments. Unlike the previous curriculum used between 2006–07 and 2025–26 — which featured 29 texts with a larger share of international authors — the new book contains 16 carefully selected pieces that give equal space to Indian and global writers. Of the 16 texts included, eight are written by Indian authors. The Indian contributors featured in the anthology include renowned figures such as poet Subramania Bharati, author Sudha Murty, Naga writer Temsula Ao, Assamese novelist Mitra Phukan, and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The book begins with a story from Murty’s 2004 collection How I Taught My Grandmother to Read and Other Stories. The international section features works by American poet David Roth, English poet Charles Swain, children’s author Bryanna T. Perkins, poet Robert Langley, writer Maya Anthony, and Singapore-based author Irene Chua. The compilation also includes an anonymous poem titled Gifts of Grace: Honouring Our Vocations and a feature based on an interview with Paralympic champion Deepa Malik, highlighting her journey and achievements. According to officials, the revision also reduces the number of textbooks for the subject from two to one, while streamlining the syllabus by cutting the total number of texts from 29 to 16. The move aims to make the curriculum more balanced and manageable while ensuring equal representation of Indian and international literary voices. Source: PTI

NCERT Launches ‘Kaveri’ as New Class 9 English Textbook with Focus on Indian Writers Read More »

UPSC Releases Cut-Off Marks for Civil Services Examination 2025

/ Education Community

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official cut-off marks for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025 across the preliminary, mains and final stages. The announcement was made on March 9 following the declaration of the final results earlier this month. For the preliminary examination, the cut-off for candidates in the General category has been set at 92.66 marks in General Studies (GS) Paper 1. The cut-off for other categories stands at 89.34 for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), 92.00 for Other Backward Classes (OBC), 84.00 for Scheduled Castes (SC), and 82.66 for Scheduled Tribes (ST). Candidates in the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) categories recorded cut-offs ranging from 76.66 to 40.66 marks, depending on the specific disability category. The PwBD category includes candidates with disabilities such as locomotor impairment, blindness or low vision, hearing impairment, and multiple disabilities. UPSC clarified that the prelims cut-off is determined solely based on GS Paper 1, while GS Paper 2 (CSAT) is qualifying in nature and requires candidates to secure at least 33 per cent marks. For the Mains examination, the minimum marks required to qualify for the interview stage were 739 for General, 706 for EWS, 717 for OBC, 700 for SC, and 694 for ST candidates. In the final stage, which combines marks from the Mains examination and the Personality Test, the final cut-off was 963 for the General category, 926 for EWS, 931 for OBC, 905 for SC, and 902 for ST. Overall, 958 candidates have been recommended for appointment to prestigious services including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other central services. UPSC also stated that the detailed marks of candidates will be published on its official website within 15 days of the result declaration, by March 20. Source: Indian Express

UPSC Releases Cut-Off Marks for Civil Services Examination 2025 Read More »

Delhi Govt to Open Online Admissions for 12 Special Schools from March 9

/ Education Community

The Delhi Directorate of Education has announced that the online admission process for 12 government and government-aided special schools will begin on March 9 for the current academic session. The registration window will remain open until March 17. The admission process will cover classes from Nursery to Class 10 and Class 12 in special schools managed by the department. After completing the online registration, parents and guardians will need to visit the respective schools to submit and verify the required documents between March 18 and March 23 during working hours. According to officials, the allotment of schools to registered applicants will take place on April 1 based on seat availability, and the entire admission process will be completed by April 2. If applications for any class exceed the available seats, the selection will be carried out through a draw of lots. If required, the draw will be conducted on March 24 at 11 AM in the presence of school management committee members and parents. Following the document verification and draw process, school heads will submit the final list of selected students to the Inclusive Education Branch headquarters on March 25. If seats remain vacant after the first round of allotment, children placed on the waiting list will be admitted between April 3 and April 5 according to their position. The 12 special schools offer specialised learning support and facilities for children with disabilities, including those with visual impairments and intellectual disabilities. Admissions will follow specific eligibility criteria related to age limits and disability categories as defined in the department’s guidelines. Source: Indian Express

Delhi Govt to Open Online Admissions for 12 Special Schools from March 9 Read More »

Govt Makes 150 Hours of On-the-Job Training Mandatory for ITI Trainees Under Craftsmen Training Scheme

/ Education Community

The Centre has made it compulsory for Industrial Training Institute (ITI) students enrolled under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) to complete 150 hours of structured on-the-job training (OJT) or a group project, as per fresh guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Training (DGT). The DGT operates under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Until now, ITI trainees primarily received practical instruction within campus workshops, working with tools and machinery available at their institutes. While this approach ensured foundational skills, it often limited exposure to modern industrial technologies and real-time workplace practices. Consequently, many trainees required additional hands-on training after entering the job market. To bridge this gap and align vocational education with industry demands, the DGT has restructured CTS qualifications in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. As part of the reforms, the annual training duration has been reduced from 1,600 hours to 1,200 hours. Additionally, a mandatory 150-hour OJT or group project component has been introduced to ensure practical industry exposure. Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary termed the move a significant reform aimed at strengthening vocational education. He emphasised that classroom instruction alone is insufficient in a rapidly evolving industrial environment, and that real workplace experience is essential to build competence, confidence and professionalism among trainees. The initiative is also expected to deepen collaboration between industries and ITIs. Under the new guidelines, trainees will be eligible for OJT or project work only after completing at least three months of institutional training. The industry training will be conducted under the supervision of mentors, with regular performance assessments. The OJT component will also be integrated into a future data-driven grading framework. For students enrolled under the Dual System of Training (DST) mode, mandatory project work will replace OJT, as they already receive industry exposure during their course. Launched in 1950, the Craftsmen Training Scheme remains a key pillar of India’s vocational training ecosystem. The newly introduced OJT mandate aims to enhance employability, align skills with industry standards, and ensure smoother workforce integration for ITI graduates. Source: PTI

Govt Makes 150 Hours of On-the-Job Training Mandatory for ITI Trainees Under Craftsmen Training Scheme Read More »

Over 1.2 Lakh Students Receive Degrees at Delhi University’s 102nd Convocation

/ Education Community

The University of Delhi conferred degrees upon more than 1.2 lakh students during its 102nd convocation ceremony held on February 28. The event was graced by Vice President C P Radhakrishnan as the chief guest, while Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh presided over the proceedings. In a symbolic gesture marking the university’s digital transition, the Vice President released the students’ digital degrees at the click of a button. According to the Vice-Chancellor, a total of 1,20,408 degrees were awarded this year. Among them, 50,780 degrees were presented to regular students — 24,748 men and 26,032 women. Additionally, 5,008 degrees were awarded to students of the Non-Collegiate Women’s Education Board (NCWEB) and 64,620 to learners from the School of Open Learning (SOL). Overall, 59,435 male and 60,973 female students received degrees at the ceremony. The university also granted 734 PhD degrees, including 385 to women and 349 to men. The Faculty of Arts accounted for the highest number of doctoral awards at 236, followed by Science with 139 and Social Sciences with 119. In recognition of academic excellence, 132 gold and silver medals and awards were distributed. Undergraduate and postgraduate students received 112 gold medals and one silver medal, along with 19 prize certificates. The total degrees awarded comprised 1,09,003 undergraduate students, 11,362 postgraduate students, and 43 students from the four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP), covering regular, NCWEB, and SOL categories. The VC also announced the awarding of 20 ‘centenary chance’ degrees, a special initiative introduced during the university’s 100th year to enable former students to complete their academic programmes. Addressing the gathering, Vice President Radhakrishnan described the graduating students as key contributors to the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat.’ He emphasised that universities must promote research and innovation rooted in Indian contexts while maintaining global competitiveness. Highlighting gender representation, he noted that women accounted for over 70 per cent of this year’s gold medallists. Reflecting on the institution’s growth, the Vice President remarked that Delhi University began with just three colleges, two faculties, eight departments, and 750 students. Today, it boasts 16 faculties, 86 departments, 90 colleges, 20 halls and hostels, more than 30 centres and institutes, 34 libraries, and a student strength exceeding six lakh. Commenting on the intense competition for admission, he shared that seats are filled promptly, with cut-off marks often reaching as high as 98 per cent. While acknowledging DU’s standing among India’s premier institutions, he urged the university to aim higher in global rankings — aspiring to break into the top 300, then 200, and eventually the top 100 universities worldwide, with the long-term goal of becoming the world’s leading university. Source: Indian Express

Over 1.2 Lakh Students Receive Degrees at Delhi University’s 102nd Convocation Read More »