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Jamia Millia Islamia Opens Applications for Short-Term AI and Digital Skill Courses

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Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has announced the launch of a fresh batch of short-term, skill-oriented certificate courses focused on artificial intelligence, cyber security, and digital technologies. Applications are now open for the offline programmes, which aim to strengthen employability and entrepreneurial capabilities among students, job seekers, and aspiring entrepreneurs. The courses are being offered through the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at JMI, in partnership with the Tech Mahindra Foundation. Delivered under the Smart Academy for Digital Technologies and Entrepreneurship, the programmes are designed to equip learners with practical, industry-relevant digital skills and a foundation in entrepreneurship. According to the university, the Smart Academy follows a blended approach that combines classroom instruction with hands-on training. Participants will receive mentoring from subject experts and gain exposure to real-world industry practices, enabling them to pursue roles in the digital economy or explore self-employment and startup opportunities. The newly introduced short-term courses include Digital Entrepreneurship, UI/UX Design, Advanced Digital Marketing, and AI-Driven Data Analysis. Each programme runs for a duration of three months and is open to candidates who have completed Class 12 or an equivalent qualification. In terms of fees, the Digital Entrepreneurship course is priced at Rs 3,050, while the UI/UX Design programme costs Rs 12,600. The Advanced Digital Marketing and AI-Driven Data Analysis courses are each available at a fee of Rs 10,500. JMI stated that the initiative is aligned with its broader objective of promoting innovation, skill development, and self-reliance, while preparing learners for opportunities in digital media, design, data analytics, and technology-driven services within India’s expanding digital and startup ecosystem. Source: Indian Express

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India Adds Over 77,000 Medical Seats in Six Years to Strengthen Healthcare Workforce

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India has significantly expanded its medical education capacity over the past six years, adding 48,563 undergraduate (MBBS) seats and 29,080 postgraduate (MD/MS) seats between the 2020–21 and 2025–26 academic years, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed the Rajya Sabha. In a written response to an unstarred question, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel said the expansion was carried out based on recommendations from the National Medical Commission (NMC), with a focus on addressing doctor shortages, particularly in underserved and remote regions. Data presented in Parliament shows a consistent year-on-year rise in MBBS seats, beginning with 2,963 additions in 2020–21. This was followed by 8,790 seats in 2021–22, 7,398 in 2022–23, 9,652 in 2023–24, and 8,641 in 2024–25. The largest annual increase came in 2025–26, with 11,119 new MBBS seats, taking the six-year total to 48,563. Postgraduate medical education also witnessed steady growth. PG seats increased by 4,983 in 2020–21 and 4,705 in 2021–22, before adding 2,874 seats in 2022–23. The momentum picked up again with 4,713 seats in 2023–24 and 4,186 in 2024–25. The highest single-year rise of 7,619 PG seats was recorded in 2025–26, bringing the cumulative increase to 29,080 seats. In addition, the Centre has approved the creation of 10,023 more medical seats under centrally sponsored schemes in government medical colleges between 2025–26 and 2028–29, further boosting capacity. The ministry said the expanded intake has contributed to improving the doctor-to-population ratio across several states, including Rajasthan, while also making medical education more accessible to Indian students and reducing the need to study abroad.   To address concerns over quality, the government noted that the NMC has implemented robust regulatory measures, such as the Minimum Standards Requirements, Graduate Medical Education Regulations 2023, Maintenance of Standards of Medical Education Regulations 2023, and the Competency-Based Medical Education Curriculum Guidelines 2024, to ensure academic and clinical standards are maintained despite rapid expansion. Source: Indian Express  

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Gujarat CM Disburses ₹370 Crore in Scholarships to Over 13 Lakh Students via DBT

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Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced the transfer of more than ₹370 crore in scholarship assistance to over 13 lakh students through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in Gandhinagar. The financial support was provided under four key state education schemes—Namo Lakshmi Yojana, Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana, Mukhyamantri Gyan Sadhana Merit Scholarship Yojana, and Mukhyamantri Gyan Setu Merit Scholarship Yojana. The event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Education Minister Pradyuman Vaja, and Minister of State for Education Rivabaa Jadeja. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Patel highlighted the significant progress Gujarat’s education sector has made over the last two-and-a-half decades under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the vision of providing uninterrupted access to education from kindergarten to postgraduate level is steadily being realised. Special emphasis, he added, has been placed on girls’ education through initiatives like Namo Lakshmi Yojana and Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana, aimed at ensuring continued participation of girls in secondary and higher secondary education. Recalling Prime Minister Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister from 2001, Patel said his hands-on efforts—such as personally visiting villages to promote girls’ education and auctioning gifts received during his tenure to fund educational initiatives—set new standards nationwide. These efforts, combined with programmes like Shala Praveshotsav and Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav, helped reduce the girls’ dropout rate from 37 percent to less than two percent. The Chief Minister also outlined the expansion of educational infrastructure in the state. Village schools offering science streams have increased to 2,834, while the number of colleges has grown from 775 in 2001 to over 3,200 today. Engineering colleges have risen from 139 to 288, and medical seats have expanded from 1,175 to more than 7,000. Additionally, over 24,000 girls pursuing medical education have benefited from the Mukhyamantri Kanya Kelavani Nidhi Yojana. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said the ₹370 crore disbursed on the day forms part of a larger commitment, with the state having provided more than ₹1,332 crore in assistance to over 13.5 lakh students so far. Congratulating the Chief Minister on completing three years of his second term, he praised his people-centric leadership and strong focus on education. Sanghavi noted that the Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana was launched to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent students from opting for the science stream, especially as Gujarat continues to attract major industrial investments. Education Minister Pradyuman Vaja stated that Gujarat’s investment in education is aimed at building a strong foundation for a Viksit Gujarat and a Viksit Bharat. He said these schemes are opening new opportunities and aspirations for students across the state. Sharing scheme-wise details, he said the Namo Lakshmi Yojana has so far disbursed ₹1,033 crore to 10.49 lakh girls, leading to a 73 percent increase in attendance and a 13.59 percent rise in enrolment in Class 12. Under the Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana, ₹151.84 crore has been provided to 1.5 lakh students, resulting in a 6.34 percent increase in science stream enrolment. The Mukhyamantri Gyan Sadhana Merit Scholarship Yojana has extended ₹86.14 crore to 50,000 students, while the Mukhyamantri Gyan Setu Merit Scholarship Yojana has provided ₹61.27 crore to 60,000 students, promoting merit-based and quality education. Minister of State for Education Rivabaa Jadeja described the programme as a landmark moment, reaffirming that education remains the most effective tool for social transformation. She said the state government is committed to ensuring quality education, strengthening infrastructure, promoting girls’ education, reducing dropout rates, and supporting the holistic development of students to prepare them for a brighter future. Source: PTI

Gujarat CM Disburses ₹370 Crore in Scholarships to Over 13 Lakh Students via DBT Read More »

Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026 Registration Begins: Chance to Meet PM Modi in January; Website and Key Dates

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The Ministry of Education has opened registrations for the ninth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC), the Prime Minister’s annual interaction with students, parents and teachers on tackling exam pressure and preparing effectively. The 2026 edition will take place in January, and applications can be submitted online until January 11, 2026. What is Pariksha Pe Charcha? Pariksha Pe Charcha is a core component of the government’s ‘Exam Warriors’ movement, aimed at easing exam stress and encouraging healthy, confident learning habits. The programme allows students, educators and parents from across India to engage directly with the Prime Minister on issues such as exam anxiety, time management, mental wellness and preparation strategies for board and competitive exams. It also serves as a nationwide guidance platform, fostering a positive mindset toward examinations. Registration Details for PPC 2026 Registration for PPC 2026 is live on the MyGov Innovate portal. Last date to apply: January 11, 2026 Eligible participants include: — Students of Classes 6–12 — Teachers from recognised institutions — Parents or guardians of school students How to Register for Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026 Visit the official PPC 2026 page on MyGov Innovate: innovateindia1.mygov.in/ppc-2026 Click on ‘Participate Now’ Select your category (Student/Teacher/Parent) Log in or create a MyGov account using email or mobile number Complete the quiz/activity assigned to your category Fill out the registration form and submit your entry Students may also upload a question for the Prime Minister to answer during the event PPC Login: Accessing Your Dashboard Participants can log in to the MyGov portal to: — View their submissions — Track quiz/activity status — Download participation certificates — Receive updates on shortlisting and event information Submitting a Question to PM Modi: Guidelines Students can submit original, concise questions that follow the rules: — Format: Clear and relevant — Word limit: Around 500 characters — Languages: English or any Indian language available on MyGov Creative and meaningful questions may be featured during the live interaction. Important Dates & What’s Next? — Registration ends: January 11, 2026 — Event: January 2026 (exact date to be announced) After submission, entries go through a screening process. Selected students, parents and teachers may be invited to attend the event or associated activities. Digital participation certificates will be available through MyGov. PPC 2025 witnessed 3.53 crore valid registrations, reflecting growing nationwide engagement. Source: Indian Express

Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026 Registration Begins: Chance to Meet PM Modi in January; Website and Key Dates Read More »

Karnataka to Set Up House Panel to Ease Rules for Private School Recognition

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The Karnataka government has decided to establish a House committee to review and recommend relaxations to the rules governing the initial recognition and renewal of private aided and unaided schools. School Education and Literacy Minister S. Madhu Bangarappa announced the move in the Legislative Council after members highlighted the challenges faced by institutions due to stringent regulations. He said the committee would study the issue in depth and submit a report, based on which the government will take a final call. Bangarappa assured that no private school would face difficulties during the interim period before the committee is formed and its recommendations implemented. Responding to allegations that some officials were demanding bribes for renewing school recognition, the minister acknowledged that efforts to shift the process online had not been fully successful. He warned that strict disciplinary action would be taken against any officials found engaging in corruption. Council members urged the government to act swiftly, citing widespread malpractice and stressing the need to immediately relax the rules and set up the House committee. Source: PTI  

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IIT Roorkee Releases JEE Advanced 2026 Eligibility Rules; Exam Scheduled for May 17

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IIT Roorkee has officially announced the eligibility criteria and key dates for JEE Advanced 2026. Only the top 2,50,000 performers from the JEE Main 2026 BE/BTech paper will qualify, based on a fixed category-wise distribution. The exam will be conducted on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Under Criterion A1, candidates must rank within the top 2.5 lakh across categories: 40.5% OPEN, 10% GEN-EWS, 27% OBC-NCL, 15% SC and 7.5% ST, with an additional 5% PwD horizontal reservation in each group. IIT Roorkee noted that totals may slightly exceed 2.5 lakh if ranks are tied. Foreign national categories OCI/PIO (I) will be treated strictly under OPEN, without access to reservation benefits except PwD where applicable. Age limits require candidates to be born on or after October 1, 2001, with a five-year relaxation for SC/ST/PwD. Candidates may attempt JEE Advanced only twice in two consecutive years. For Class XII eligibility, students must have appeared for the first time in 2025 or 2026 with PCM as compulsory subjects. IIT Roorkee clarified that any declared board result—regardless of exam mode—counts as an appearance. Students who appeared in 2024 or earlier are ineligible, except for the special case where boards released results for the 2023–24 session on or after June 18, 2024, making those candidates eligible. Source: Indian Express

IIT Roorkee Releases JEE Advanced 2026 Eligibility Rules; Exam Scheduled for May 17 Read More »

Chile Moves to Ban Smartphone Use in Classrooms to Reduce Distractions and Improve Learning

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Chile has approved a new law that will prohibit the use of smartphones and other smart devices during class hours in elementary and middle schools, joining a growing list of countries taking action to curb digital distractions among young students. The ban, set to take effect next year, is aimed at reducing the negative effects of screen use and refocusing attention on in-person learning. The measure aligns Chile with nations such as France, Brazil, Hungary, the Netherlands and China, all of which have implemented varying levels of restrictions on phone use in schools. Education Minister Nicolás Cataldo celebrated the decision, saying the country is moving toward “a cultural change” that encourages children to reconnect face-to-face, socialise during breaks, and rebuild their attention spans for better academic outcomes. While the Senate had already supported the phone ban earlier in principle, the legislation underwent further adjustments before being put to a final vote in the lower house on Tuesday. Lawmakers overwhelmingly backed the updated version, which bans smartphone use during lessons except in emergencies or for approved educational purposes. The bill will now be sent to President Gabriel Boric for his signature before becoming national policy in time for the 2026 school year. Growing concerns around youth mental health have fuelled calls for such restrictions. Parents and teachers across Chile have long argued that excessive smartphone use hinders both academic performance and emotional development. A school in Santiago successfully piloted a program earlier this year that blocked mobile signals, adding momentum to the nationwide push. Recent data from an OECD international study supports these concerns, revealing that more than half of Chilean students reported that digital devices disrupted their learning. Source: AP

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Delhi Government Rolls Out Free Coaching for 2,200 Top Government School Students

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The Delhi government has launched a free professional coaching initiative for 2,200 high-achieving government school students to prepare for competitive exams such as JEE, NEET, CLAT, CA, and CUET, under the Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Vidya Shakti Mission, announced Education Minister Ashish Sood. The mission seeks to nurture students’ ambitions, promote emotional well-being, and transform schools in the capital into future-ready learning spaces, according to an official statement issued on Monday. Allocated Rs 21 crore in the budget, the scheme reserves 50 seats per course for female students in JEE, NEET, CLAT, and CA Foundation. For CUET-UG, 1,000 seats are available, including 150 specifically for girls. Coaching will be delivered through accredited institutes such as Aakash Institute, Narayana Academy, KD Campus, and Ravindra Institute. Students will benefit from classroom teaching, live online sessions, study materials, and test preparation support scheduled after school hours and during weekends. Minister Sood hailed the program as a milestone in Delhi’s public education landscape. He noted that over 62,000 students appeared for CET-2025 on October 30, with counselling completed and in-person classes starting from November 26, 2025. Stressing the significance of emotionally safe learning environments, Sood added that education extends beyond academic scores to include mental well-being, dignity, and human values. The government is also advancing AI-enabled classrooms and human-centred education systems to provide genuinely equal opportunities for all students. Highlighting the merit-based essence of the initiative, the minister described the Vidya Shakti Mission as a movement dedicated to empowering talent, safeguarding mental wellness, and unlocking academic potential at the grassroots level. Source: PTI 

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IIM Indore releases PGP 2026–28 admission criteria; increases weightage for Class 12 scores and PI

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The Indian Institute of Management Indore has announced the admission policy for its flagship two-year PGP programme for the 2026–28 cohort, introducing notable shifts in evaluation weightages. The institute will continue with its three-tier selection system, factoring in CAT 2025 performance, academic records from Classes 10 and 12, work experience, and scores in the personal interview (PI). To be considered, applicants must appear for CAT 2025 and clear both the sectional and overall percentile benchmarks. For General and EWS candidates, the minimum overall requirement is 90 percentile, with 80 percentile in each section. The cut-off is 80 percentile for NC-OBC, and 60, 45 and 45 percentile for SC, ST and PwD applicants, respectively. At the shortlisting stage, Class 12 marks remain a major determinant, carrying 25% weightage, while Class 10 marks contribute 10%. CAT sectional scores make up 55% of the composite score, with 3% allotted for work experience and 7 marks for diversity. Shortlisted candidates will receive interview calls in January 2026, with offline interviews planned across Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Indore, Kolkata, and Mumbai. The institute has kept the option open for conducting interviews online if required. For the final admissions list, the PI holds the highest influence with 45% weightage. CAT sectional scores carry 40%, while Class 10 and 12 scores add 5% each. A 5-mark diversity factor is also included. Importantly, meeting cut-offs alone does not ensure selection—candidates must achieve minimum performance standards in every PI parameter to qualify. The institute will adhere to the Government of India’s reservation norms: 27% NC-OBC, 15% SC, 7.5% ST, up to 10% EWS, and 5% PwD. All candidates, regardless of category, must still achieve the minimum performance thresholds set by IIM Indore. For students whose Class 10 or 12 results were altered due to COVID-era board evaluation policies, score weightages will be proportionally reassigned to other components such as CAT sectional scores and available board marks. The institute has also clarified that the admission process may be updated in line with any new government or institutional guidelines. Source: Indian Express

IIM Indore releases PGP 2026–28 admission criteria; increases weightage for Class 12 scores and PI Read More »

Government to Support 100 Engineering Colleges with ₹1 Crore Each for Quantum Research Labs

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The Centre will extend financial assistance of ₹1 crore each to 100 engineering colleges to establish quantum research laboratories aimed at strengthening undergraduate minor programmes, according to Department of Science and Technology (DST) Secretary Prof Abhay Karandikar. Speaking at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay on Monday, he revealed that over 500 proposals have already been submitted, from which the final 100 institutions will be chosen. Prof Karandikar also announced that the DST plans to create a specialised quantum algorithms technical group to enhance capacity building, aid start-ups, and accelerate research and technological development in the quantum domain. He highlighted the significant strides made under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems and the National Quantum Mission (NQM), with IIT Bombay playing a pivotal role. He noted that the Technology Innovation Hub at IIT Bombay has been instrumental in supporting start-ups, driving innovation, and initiating work on Indian-language large language models. Under the NQM, all four quantum hubs—Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and IIT Bombay—have shown rapid advancement, with IIT Bombay’s quantum sensing hub earning particular recognition. During his visit to IIT Bombay, Union Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh announced two major state-of-the-art quantum fabrication and central facilities under the NQM. With an investment of ₹720 crore, these facilities at IIT Bombay and IISc Bengaluru aim to indigenise the fabrication of quantum computing chips and sensors—reducing dependence on foreign infrastructure. Two smaller facilities will also be set up at IIT Delhi and Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. These fabrication centres will be open to academia, industry, start-ups, MSMEs, and strategic agencies, enabling faster prototyping, technology development, and small-scale production. The minister added that these advancements will significantly strengthen India’s capabilities in superconductivity, cryogenic engineering, quantum computing, sensing, photonics, healthcare applications, and green energy devices. A new cryogenics facility, equipped with an efficient helium recovery system, is also expected to substantially reduce the cost of cryogenic experiments while conserving the scarce resource. Singh emphasised that as global demand for quantum technologies grows, India must expand its cryogenics infrastructure accordingly. He further remarked that IIT Bombay exemplifies how collaboration between academia, government, and industry can build a world-class scientific ecosystem capable of shaping future technologies. Source: PTI Photo Credit: Getty Images

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