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Lok Sabha Clears Enhanced Education Budget; Dharmendra Pradhan Says Higher Education Funding Up 78%

/ Education Community

The Lok Sabha on Thursday approved the demands for grants of the Ministry of Education, with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighting a significant rise in budgetary allocations for the sector over the past decade. He stated that India’s education spending has increased from ₹4.3 lakh crore in 2013-14 to ₹9.19 lakh crore at present, underlining the government’s commitment to building a strong knowledge-driven economy by 2047. Replying to the discussion in the House, Pradhan said quality education remains central to India’s vision of becoming a 30-trillion-dollar economy. He noted that the budget allocation for higher education has witnessed a 78% increase since 2013-14. The minister emphasized that the government has focused on ensuring education is accessible, equitable, affordable, accountable, and of high quality. He highlighted the expansion of higher education institutions across the country, including IITs and IIMs. According to him, the number of universities has risen from 760 in 2014-15 to 1,168 currently. Pradhan also spoke about the PM JANMAN scheme, aimed at improving educational access for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). He said the Centre plans to construct 500 hostels for tribal students under the initiative, with work already underway on 119 hostels. He further stated that the government is actively promoting Indian Sign Language and strengthening inclusive education measures. Highlighting women’s representation in education, the minister pointed out that Aligarh Muslim University has appointed its first woman Vice-Chancellor. He also mentioned an increase in the number of female teachers in schools. Opening the debate, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya said India has witnessed major improvements in educational infrastructure and quality over the last decade. He added that this year’s Union Budget places special emphasis on youth skill development, employment generation, and self-reliance, targeting skill training for nearly four crore young people. Surya noted that the higher education department’s budget has increased from ₹26,750 crore in 2013-14 to more than ₹47,000 crore now. Opposition members, however, raised concerns over vacancies and the quality of education. Congress MP Mohammad Jawed highlighted that nearly 4.8 lakh teaching positions in schools and over 61,000 posts in central universities remain vacant. TMC MPs Pratima Mondal and Sougata Roy criticized the government’s education policies, alleging inadequate focus on skill development and declining higher education standards. Roy also expressed concern over the growing number of Indian students pursuing higher studies abroad, citing that nearly 8.96 lakh students left the country last year. RLP leader Hanuman Beniwal demanded strict action against the “coaching mafia” and raised concerns over repeated paper leak incidents. MPs including Asaduddin Owaisi, Malvinder Singh Kang, Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, Priya Saroj, Sambit Patra, and Kanimozhi also participated in the discussion before the House adjourned for the day. Source: News on AIR

Lok Sabha Clears Enhanced Education Budget; Dharmendra Pradhan Says Higher Education Funding Up 78% Read More »

CBSE to Refund Students After Technical Glitches Disrupt Class 12 Post-Result Applications

/ Education Community

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that students who were charged incorrectly during the Class 12 post-result application process will receive refunds following technical issues on the portal. The move comes after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan sought a detailed report from the board over complaints related to server failures, payment gateway disruptions, and operational lapses faced by students during the re-evaluation and verification process. According to CBSE, technical glitches on May 21 and 22 led to irregular fee deductions while students were applying for scanned copies of their evaluated answer sheets. In some cases, students were charged more than the prescribed fee, while others were billed lower amounts. The board clarified that students who paid excess charges will automatically receive refunds through the same payment mode used during the transaction. Candidates who were charged less than the required amount will be contacted separately regarding the balance payment, if necessary. CBSE also assured students that scanned copies of answer books will still be provided in all affected cases without requiring fresh applications. Earlier, the board had acknowledged that exceptionally high traffic on the portal caused temporary technical disruptions during peak hours. It stated that corrective measures, including extending deadlines and implementing technical fixes, are being carried out to ease the process for students and parents. CBSE further urged students not to panic, emphasizing that the verification and re-evaluation system is designed to address genuine concerns in a transparent and structured manner. Source: PTI  

CBSE to Refund Students After Technical Glitches Disrupt Class 12 Post-Result Applications Read More »

NEET-UG 2026: NTA Opens Portal for Fee Refund; Candidates Can Submit Bank Details Till May 27

/ Education Community

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has activated a dedicated portal for NEET-UG 2026 aspirants to submit their bank account information for the refund of examination fees after the cancellation of the medical entrance exam earlier this month. According to an official notice released on Friday, candidates can access the refund facility by logging into the NEET-UG 2026 registration portal with their application credentials. The portal will remain open from May 22 to May 27, 2026, till 11:50 PM. Students are required to provide essential banking details such as account holder name, account number, IFSC code, and bank name to facilitate the refund process. The NTA has also given candidates the option to upload a scanned copy of a cancelled cheque to avoid any discrepancies in account information. The agency clarified that once the bank details are submitted, no modifications will be permitted later. Candidates have additionally been advised not to raise any chargeback requests related to the NEET-UG 2026 application fee. NEET-UG 2026, conducted on May 3, was cancelled amid allegations of irregularities and malpractice in the examination process. Following the controversy, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that the re-examination will now take place on June 21, 2026. The NTA had earlier confirmed that no fresh examination fee would be charged for the re-test and that the fees already paid by candidates would be refunded. Source: PTI  

NEET-UG 2026: NTA Opens Portal for Fee Refund; Candidates Can Submit Bank Details Till May 27 Read More »

Parliamentary Panel to Examine NTA Reforms, NEET-UG Paper Leak Allegations

/ Education Community

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports is set to review the reforms proposed for the National Testing Agency (NTA) and discuss the alleged NEET-UG paper leak during a meeting scheduled for May 21. According to a Rajya Sabha notice, the panel will assess the implementation status of the K. Radhakrishnan Committee recommendations on NTA reforms and receive updates on the ongoing probe into the NEET-UG controversy. The committee, chaired by senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, has called upon Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi and NTA Chairperson Pradeep Kumar Joshi to appear before the panel for detailed deliberations. The NTA had cancelled the NEET-UG examination conducted on May 3 following allegations of irregularities and paper leak claims. Around 23 lakh aspirants had registered for the nationwide medical entrance examination. The agency stated that reports regarding suspected malpractice surfaced on May 7, four days after the exam. Earlier this month, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that the NEET-UG re-examination will be conducted on June 21. He also confirmed that from next year onwards, the medical entrance test will shift to a computer-based format. Apart from the examination-related discussions, the parliamentary panel will also hold consultations on the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence in education and ways to improve student employability. Representatives from Anthropic India, Pratham, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Infosys and Indian Institute of Technology Madras are expected to participate in the discussions. Source: The Hindu  

Parliamentary Panel to Examine NTA Reforms, NEET-UG Paper Leak Allegations Read More »

Dharmendra Pradhan Directs ‘Foolproof’ Conduct of NEET-UG Re-Exam Amid Tightened Security

/ Education Community

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday reviewed the preparations for the upcoming NEET-UG re-examination and instructed officials to ensure the test is conducted in a completely secure, transparent, and error-free manner. During a high-level review meeting, the minister stressed that all shortcomings and lapses identified during the earlier examination process must be thoroughly addressed to restore the integrity of the medical entrance examination. Officials said Pradhan emphasised that the re-exam should be carried out under strict security arrangements with seamless coordination at every level. He also directed authorities to organise coordination meetings with district magistrates and superintendents of police across states to strengthen monitoring and execution of exam-related arrangements. Highlighting the importance of maintaining vigilance at examination centres, the minister asked officials to ensure that security measures remain uncompromised. He also called for adequate facilities for students, including transportation support, drinking water, and other essential amenities. The National Testing Agency had earlier cancelled the NEET-UG examination conducted on May 3 following allegations of irregularities and malpractice. Pradhan had announced that the re-examination will now be held on June 21. He also stated that from next year, the NEET-UG exam will be conducted in a computer-based format to enhance transparency and prevent future discrepancies. Source: PTI

Dharmendra Pradhan Directs ‘Foolproof’ Conduct of NEET-UG Re-Exam Amid Tightened Security Read More »

CBSE Mandates Three-Language Formula for Class 9 Students from 2026

/ Education Community

In a significant policy shift aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that the three-language formula will become compulsory for Class 9 students starting July 1, 2026. Under the revised framework, students must study three languages, with at least two being native Indian languages. The move comes just a month after CBSE introduced its updated school curriculum for the 2026-27 academic session, where the third language requirement had initially been made mandatory only for students entering Class 6. However, the Board has now accelerated the implementation process by extending the rule to the secondary level immediately. According to the latest CBSE circular, students opting for a foreign language can choose it only if their other two languages are Indian languages. Alternatively, foreign languages may be studied as a fourth optional language. In schools where English is the medium of instruction, English will count as the non-Indian language, effectively limiting the possibility of another foreign language within the mandatory three-language structure. CBSE stated that the decision was taken to align its curriculum with the newly released NCERT syllabus for Class 9. As part of a transitional arrangement, students entering Class 9 in 2026 will study third-language textbooks designed for the Class 6 level, while Class 10 students in 2027 will use Class 7-level material for the same subject. To reduce academic pressure, the Board clarified that the third language (R3) will not be included in the Class 10 board examinations. Instead, assessments will remain entirely internal and school-based, though students’ performance in the subject will still appear on their CBSE certificates. The Board also assured parents and schools that no student will be prevented from appearing for the Class 10 board exams due to the third language requirement. Addressing concerns over teacher availability, CBSE has permitted schools to utilize teachers from other subjects who possess adequate language proficiency. Schools may also adopt inter-school collaborations, virtual teaching methods, or hire retired educators to support implementation. Institutions have been instructed to update their language offerings on the OASIS portal by June 30. Additionally, special relaxations have been provided for children with special needs, foreign nationals, and CBSE-affiliated schools located abroad, allowing greater flexibility in adopting the policy. The National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023, developed in line with NEP 2020, recommends that students study a third language from Classes 6 to 10 to encourage multilingual learning and strengthen Indian languages. Source: Indian Express

CBSE Mandates Three-Language Formula for Class 9 Students from 2026 Read More »

CBSE Class 12 Result 2026 Declared: Pass Percentage Falls to 85.20%, Girls Outshine Boys

/ Education Community

The Central Board of Secondary Education has officially announced the Class 12 board examination results for 2026 on May 13. Students who appeared for the Senior Secondary examinations can now access their marksheets through the official result portals. This year, the overall pass percentage stands at 85.20%, reflecting a decline of 3.19 percentage points compared to 2025, when the pass rate was 88.39%. Performance Overview A total of 17,80,365 students had registered for the examinations, while 17,68,968 candidates appeared. Out of these, 15,07,109 students successfully cleared the exams. Major Highlights Overall pass percentage recorded at 85.20% Girls performed better than boys by 6.73 percentage points Thiruvananthapuram emerged as the top-performing region with a 95.62% pass rate Prayagraj reported the lowest regional pass percentage at 72.43% Official Websites to Check Results Students can access their Class 12 results through: results.cbse.nic.in cbse.gov.in digilocker.gov.in umang.gov.in Steps to Download CBSE Class 12 Result 2026 Visit the official CBSE result portal. Click on Senior Secondary School Examination (Class XII) 2026. Enter roll number, school number, admit card ID, date of birth, and security pin. Submit the details. Download the marksheet for future reference. Alternative Result Access Options To avoid website traffic congestion, students can also use: DigiLocker for digital marksheets UMANG App for mobile access CBSE Grading System A1: Top one-eighth of passed students A2: Next one-eighth B1 to D2: Subsequent performance brackets E: Failed candidates Students are advised to verify all details on their marksheet carefully and keep a copy for admission and future academic processes.

CBSE Class 12 Result 2026 Declared: Pass Percentage Falls to 85.20%, Girls Outshine Boys Read More »

NEET-UG 2026 Cancelled Over Paper Leak Row; Fresh Exam to Be Held, CBI Probe Ordered

/ Education Community

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3 after allegations of a question paper leak surfaced. A fresh examination will now be held on new dates, which will be announced later through official channels. In an official statement released on Tuesday, May 12, the NTA said the decision was taken with the approval of the Government of India to ensure fairness, transparency, and confidence in the country’s examination system. According to the agency, inputs reviewed in coordination with central authorities and findings shared by law enforcement agencies led to the cancellation of the medical entrance test. The revised schedule for the re-exam and admit card release will be communicated soon. The controversy began after reports emerged that a “guess paper” circulated before the exam allegedly contained several questions similar to those in the actual test paper. Following these claims, the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) launched an investigation into possible irregularities. Rajasthan Police SOG Additional Director General Vishal Bansal said officials are examining whether the circulation of the material was linked to an organised network. The Central Government has also referred the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a detailed probe. The NTA stated it will provide complete cooperation and share all records required for the investigation. Meanwhile, protests erupted in New Delhi, where members of the National Students’ Union of India demonstrated near Shastri Bhawan demanding accountability over the alleged leak. The NTA admitted that re-conducting the examination would cause inconvenience and stress to students and their families, but maintained that protecting the credibility of the national examination system was the top priority. Source: The Hindu

NEET-UG 2026 Cancelled Over Paper Leak Row; Fresh Exam to Be Held, CBI Probe Ordered Read More »

CBSE Introduces Digital Answer Sheet Evaluation Ahead of Class 12 Results 2026

/ Education Community

As lakhs of students wait for the Central Board of Secondary Education Class 12 Results 2026, the board’s newly launched On-Screen Marking (OSM) system has emerged as a major talking point. Introduced in February this year, the digital evaluation process replaces the traditional physical answer sheet checking model with a technology-driven system aimed at faster, cleaner and more accurate assessments. During initial discussions with educators from nearly 31,000 schools, CBSE officials described the new process as a “no touch, no dust” method, highlighting the move away from manual handling of paper scripts. Under the OSM model, scanned answer sheets are assigned digitally to evaluators, who assess them through the board’s dedicated portal. Many educators admitted there was hesitation in the beginning, as teachers adapted to screen-based marking. However, after orientation sessions and training, most evaluators gradually adjusted to the new workflow. The biggest expectation from the digital shift is quicker result processing. According to CBSE officials, the new system compresses evaluation timelines significantly. Earlier, the checking process often stretched close to two months, but this year regional centres were expected to complete evaluations in nearly nine days, compared to the earlier twelve-day cycle. The portal also brings several accuracy-focused features. It does not allow submission unless every question has been checked or marked not applicable. It automatically removes totalling errors, keeps track of marking history, and can even flag answers written in unusual sequences. Still, the first year of implementation has not been without challenges. Some teachers reported blurred scanned copies, slow-loading answer sheets, and occasional server issues. Others said revised marking instructions during the process required already checked scripts to be reopened, slowing progress in some cases. Educators also noted that daily workloads remained similar, with teachers checking up to 25 answer sheets between 8 am and 4 pm. However, unlike the old system, answer sheets cannot be redistributed among evaluators, making the allocation process more rigid. Infrastructure gaps remain another concern. While some schools had strong internet connectivity and adequate computer labs, others may struggle with digital readiness. Teachers also pointed out increased screen exposure, leading to eye strain during long correction hours. Despite these hurdles, many school leaders believe the OSM rollout is a positive step. They feel the system will become more efficient in the coming years as teachers gain familiarity with digital correction methods. Although the board has not yet confirmed the Class 12 result date, many believe the removal of physical transport delays and automated processing could help speed up declaration timelines, even if this year’s announcement window remains close to previous years. Source: Indian Express

CBSE Introduces Digital Answer Sheet Evaluation Ahead of Class 12 Results 2026 Read More »

IISc Bengaluru Launches Three New BTech Courses for 2026; Admissions Through JEE Advanced

/ Education Community

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru has announced the introduction of three new BTech programmes for the 2026 academic year, expanding its undergraduate engineering offerings. Admission to these newly launched courses will be based on JEE Advanced 2026 scores, followed by participation in JoSAA counselling. The newly introduced programmes are BTech in Materials Science and Engineering, BTech in Mechanics and Computing, and BTech in Aerospace Engineering. Until now, IISc has been offering two undergraduate programmes — Bachelor of Science (Research) and BTech in Mathematics and Computing. Students seeking admission to the existing BTech Mathematics and Computing course were selected through JEE Advanced via the institute’s own admission portal. According to IISc, the new courses have been developed to prepare future engineers capable of driving innovation, research, and technological development in interdisciplinary and emerging sectors. The curriculum will focus on a strong academic foundation during the initial semesters, integrating engineering fundamentals with mathematics, science, and advanced computational techniques. The institute added that graduates from these programmes are expected to gain analytical, technical, and practical expertise that will make them valuable to global industries, academia, and research organisations. Meanwhile, IIT Roorkee is conducting JEE Advanced 2026, which is scheduled to take place on May 17, 2026. To qualify for JEE Advanced 2026, candidates must rank among the top 2.5 lakh successful students in the JEE Main 2026 BE/BTech paper. Applicants should be born on or after October 1, 2001, with relaxations applicable for reserved categories. Students can attempt JEE Advanced a maximum of two times in two consecutive years and must have first appeared for their Class 12 or equivalent examination in either 2025 or 2026 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as mandatory subjects. Source: Indian Express

IISc Bengaluru Launches Three New BTech Courses for 2026; Admissions Through JEE Advanced Read More »