ArdorComm Media Group

Contact Us
Thursday, October 30, 2025 2:21 AM
logo
Menu
logo

Education Community

University of Queensland and IIT Delhi invite applications for Joint PhD Programme – July 2026 intake

Leave a Comment / / Education Community

The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), has opened Expressions of Interest (EoI) for its Joint Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programme, set to begin in July 2026. This unique initiative enables research scholars to pursue doctoral studies under the joint supervision of faculty from both UQ and IIT Delhi, providing them exposure to two world-class academic and research ecosystems. As part of the programme, students will spend one year at UQ’s Brisbane campus and three years at IIT Delhi, gaining valuable international research experience. Participants will benefit from fellowships, travel grants, and relocation assistance, along with access to the extensive academic infrastructure and research facilities of both institutions. Upon successful completion, scholars will be awarded a joint PhD degree from UQ and IIT Delhi. Applications are open to candidates from diverse fields including Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Interested applicants can submit their EoIs online at uqiitd.org/study until 7 pm (IST) on Wednesday, 7 January 2026. To guide prospective applicants, two online information sessions are scheduled — the first on November 11, 2025 (registration: shorturl.at/QQoIe) and the second on December 10, 2025 (registration: shorturl.at/vjVp1). These sessions will provide detailed insights into the programme structure, eligibility criteria, and application procedure. The UQ–IITD Research Academy accepts applications twice annually — the first round in February for the July intake, and the second round in September for the January intake of the following year. In the previous admission cycle, all enrolled PhD candidates were granted scholarships covering up to four years of full-time study. Additionally, the Academy has partnered with The Weir Group to advance research in slurry transportation through a dedicated PhD project. For complete details on eligibility, scholarships, and submission guidelines, applicants can visit the official website: uqiitd.org. Source: Indian Express

University of Queensland and IIT Delhi invite applications for Joint PhD Programme – July 2026 intake Read More »

Nearly 8,000 Indian Schools Have No Students but 20,000 Teachers on Payroll

Leave a Comment / / Education Community

In a startling revelation, official data shows that nearly 8,000 schools across India recorded zero student enrolments during the 2024–25 academic year, despite having over 20,000 teachers on their payrolls. West Bengal leads the list with the highest number of schools without students (3,812) and 17,965 teachers still employed in them. According to the Ministry of Education’s latest statistics, 7,993 schools across the country had no enrolments, marking an improvement from 12,954 such schools the previous year. Telangana ranked second with 2,245 schools having no students and 1,016 teachers, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 463 schools and 223 teachers. Interestingly, Haryana, Maharashtra, Goa, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura reported no schools with zero enrolments. The same was true for Union Territories such as Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Daman and Diu, and Chandigarh, along with Delhi. A senior education ministry official said that since school education is a state subject, respective governments have been advised to tackle the issue by merging underutilized schools to make better use of infrastructure and staff resources. In Uttar Pradesh, 81 schools had no enrolments. The UP Board has already begun the process of revoking recognition for institutions that have not recorded any admissions for three consecutive years. The data also highlights another pressing issue — the existence of over 1 lakh single-teacher schools across India, catering to more than 33 lakh students. Andhra Pradesh leads in the number of such schools, followed by Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Lakshadweep. However, in terms of student enrolment, Uttar Pradesh tops the list, followed by Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh. Notably, the count of single-teacher schools dropped by nearly 6%, from 1,18,190 in 2022–23 to 1,10,971 in 2023–24, signaling gradual progress toward teacher rationalization. Source: PTI 

Nearly 8,000 Indian Schools Have No Students but 20,000 Teachers on Payroll Read More »

NMC Approves 10,650 New MBBS Seats, 41 New Medical Colleges Across India

Leave a Comment / / Education Community

In a major boost to India’s healthcare education landscape, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved 10,650 additional MBBS seats for the 2024–25 academic session, along with the establishment of 41 new medical colleges nationwide. This development aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day 2024 commitment to create 75,000 new medical seats within five years, aimed at strengthening the country’s medical education and healthcare capacity. With these new additions, India now has a total of 816 medical colleges offering approximately 1,37,600 MBBS seats, including those under Institutes of National Importance (INIs). According to Dr. Abhijat Sheth, Chairperson of the NMC, the commission reviewed 170 proposals for seat expansion — 41 from government institutions and 129 from private colleges — ultimately approving the new capacity of 10,650 seats. The commission has also received over 3,500 applications for new and renewed postgraduate (PG) medical seats, with expectations of adding around 5,000 new PG seats, taking the national total to about 67,000. In total, the combined increase in UG and PG medical seats this year is projected to be nearly 15,000. Although the approval and counselling process experienced slight delays, NMC officials have assured that all procedures will conclude as per the designated timelines. A comprehensive blueprint for the upcoming academic year — including schedules for accreditation, examinations, and seat matrix approval — will be released soon. The application portal for 2025–26 is slated to open in early November. In a notable first, all appeals against the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) decisions were resolved without court intervention, reflecting greater efficiency in regulatory procedures. Dr. Sheth further revealed that the NMC is working to integrate clinical research into the MBBS curriculum through a proposed collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). This initiative aims to build stronger research infrastructure and encourage medical students to engage in clinical innovation and applied learning. These reforms represent a transformative step in India’s journey toward enhancing medical education quality, healthcare accessibility, and workforce readiness, in line with the government’s broader vision of a healthier, self-reliant India. Source: Indian Express

NMC Approves 10,650 New MBBS Seats, 41 New Medical Colleges Across India Read More »

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

Leave a Comment / / Education Community
ardorcomm news

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

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

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

Leave a Comment / / Education Community
ardorcomm news

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

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

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

Leave a Comment / / Education Community
ardorcomm news

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

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

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

Leave a Comment / / Education Community
ardorcomm news

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

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

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

Leave a Comment / / Education Community
ardorcomm news

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

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

NCERT Opens Admissions for Diploma in Guidance and Counselling 2026

Leave a Comment / / Education Community
ardorcomm news

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

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

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

Leave a Comment / / Education Community
ardorcomm news

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

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