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Dharmendra Pradhan

Govt Panel Recommends NTA Focus on Entrance Exams, Restructuring Begins for 2025

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The government panel on exam reforms has recommended that the National Testing Agency (NTA) focus exclusively on conducting entrance examinations, starting from 2025, while discontinuing recruitment exams. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced the decision following the release of the panel’s report on Tuesday. The seven-member panel, chaired by former ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan, was formed in June 2024 after allegations of irregularities, including paper leaks, marred the NEET-UG exam. The delayed counselling process highlighted the need for comprehensive reforms in exam governance. Key recommendations include a major restructuring of the NTA to improve governance, efficiency, and transparency. The panel proposed forming an empowered governing body supported by three sub-committees focused on ethics, test audits, and stakeholder relationships. The report emphasizes transitioning to online exams, introducing multi-level testing for candidate pools exceeding two lakh, and launching a ‘Digi Exam’ system to prevent impersonation. The panel also advocates closer coordination with district-level authorities, akin to the election process, to secure test administration. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan confirmed the government’s intent to implement the recommendations. “From 2025, the NTA will only focus on entrance exams for higher education and step back from recruitment tests,” he stated. The report further calls for bolstering NTA’s leadership, recommending that the Director-General position be held by a senior official of additional secretary rank, free from external pressures. Other proposed reforms include establishing divisions for technology infrastructure, security, research, and international collaboration. The reforms aim to address persistent issues of exam integrity while enhancing transparency and operational efficiency in India’s testing ecosystem. The implementation is already underway, signaling a renewed focus on improving high-stakes entrance examinations across the country. Source: ThePrint Photo Credit: ThePrint

Johns Hopkins University Explores Setting Up Campus in India: Discussions with Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

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In a significant step towards the internationalisation of education in India, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan engaged in discussions with officials from Johns Hopkins University (JHU), Maryland, USA, regarding the establishment of the university’s campus in India. The meeting, held on Sunday, also explored academic and research collaborations, including dual and joint degree programs and partnerships in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, data science, and futuristic technologies. A senior official from the Ministry of Education expressed optimism, stating, “Given the keen interest shown by the high-level delegation, the government is hopeful of a positive outcome very soon.” The delegation, led by JHU President Ronald J. Daniels, included 12 representatives—the largest from JHU to visit India. Members also included officials from the Gupta Klinsky India Institute (GKII), which focuses on fostering research, education, and policy collaborations between JHU and Indian partners. During the meeting, Minister Pradhan highlighted the transformative potential of India’s National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) in fostering global partnerships and expanding academic opportunities. JHU, consistently ranked among the top global universities for its excellence in research, medicine, and education, currently operates 10 campuses, including two international hubs in Bologna, Italy, and Nanjing, China. The proposed campus in India would represent another milestone in its mission to advance education and research on a global scale. As part of their India visit, the delegation will tour various Indian university campuses and meet with key stakeholders, including government officials and academic leaders. These engagements aim to strengthen JHU’s presence in India and contribute to India’s growing role in global higher education. Source: Times of India Photo Credit: Times of India

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Highlights Partnership with Singapore for Holistic Education Strategy

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India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized the need to strengthen the educational partnership with Singapore, describing it as a key pillar in India’s all-encompassing education strategy. During his visit to Singapore, Pradhan referred to the country as India’s “trusted knowledge partner” and laid out a strategy to enhance collaboration through three key pillars: talent, resources, and market. In his meetings with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Education Minister Chan Chun Sing, Pradhan explored various initiatives aimed at expanding educational ties. These include overseas internship programs for Indian students to gain hands-on experience in Singaporean companies, as well as opportunities for twinning schools and universities across both countries. Joint research efforts in areas such as deep tech, advanced materials, and medicine were also highlighted as potential areas of collaboration. Additionally, the two nations discussed forging stronger academic and research links, including cooperation between Singapore’s National Institute of Education and India’s NCERT to enhance curriculum development, pedagogy, and capacity-building for educators. This growing partnership aims to not only strengthen the education system but also provide Indian students with global exposure and opportunities for growth in key industries.

Odisha Launches PM-USHA Programme to Boost Higher Education

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The Odisha government has launched the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA), a significant initiative aimed at enhancing the state’s higher education sector. The programme was introduced through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the state and the Union Education Ministry, with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan, and State Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj in attendance. Under PM-USHA, the central government will contribute Rs 500 crore towards the development and infrastructure of higher education institutions across Odisha. Union Minister Pradhan described the launch as a landmark moment for Odisha’s educational landscape, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision under the National Education Policy, 2020. Key Aspects of PM-USHA PM-USHA aims to ensure access, equity, and excellence in higher education across Odisha. The funding model includes 60 percent from the central government and 40 percent from the state, focusing on transforming state universities into world-class institutions equipped with 21st-century skills. Chief Minister Charan highlighted the initiative’s goal of upskilling one crore students and making Odisha a knowledge hub. Plans also include granting autonomy to state universities, revamping curricula, improving teacher training, and enhancing infrastructure and employability. The initiative promises to foster regional equity and sustainable development, aligning with the BJP’s election manifesto. Source: India today  

Centre Urges Four States to Implement RTE, Reserve 25% Seats in Private Unaided Schools

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The Centre has urged state governments to enforce the Right to Education (RTE) Act, which mandates reserving 25% of seats in private unaided schools for children from economically weaker sections. Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary informed the Rajya Sabha that states like Punjab, Kerala, Telangana, and West Bengal have not yet implemented this provision. During the Question Hour, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized that education, being a concurrent subject, requires joint efforts from both the Centre and states to ensure school education up to class 12 for all children. He noted that while there is nearly 100% enrollment in class 1 due to collective efforts, the number of students decreases in higher classes, which depends on the proactive measures taken by state governments. Pradhan highlighted that the RTE Act, along with the National Education Policy (NEP), aims to ensure inclusive education for all children until class 12. He acknowledged the previous government for framing the RTE, which includes a significant provision for reserving 25% of seats for underprivileged kids. He appealed to the non-compliant states to implement this provision to achieve universal education. AAP’s Vikramjit Singh Sahney inquired about the number of children covered under RTE and the government’s actions to regulate higher education fees. Chaudhary responded that the RTE, passed in 2009, prioritizes inclusive education for children from poor families and has provisions for reintegrating those who missed formal education. He noted that the Punjab government, under AAP, cited a sufficient number of government schools as a reason for not implementing the 25% quota. Sahney also raised concerns about the high cost of education from kindergarten to postgraduate levels. Chaudhary pointed out that while education is a concurrent subject, states have a significant role in fee regulation. He mentioned that several states have formulated policies to regulate fees and that investments in education have increased, with the Centre’s budget for education doubling over the last decade. AAP’s Swati Maliwal highlighted the exploitation by private schools forcing parents to buy expensive uniforms and books. Pradhan reiterated that education is primarily a state subject, and state governments should take stringent actions against such profiteering, with the Centre’s support.

NEET-PG To Be Conducted This Month, Question Paper To Be Prepared Two Hours Before Exam: Report

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The NEET-PG exam for admission to postgraduate medical courses is reportedly set to be held later this month. This development follows a meeting between the Home Ministry and officials from the government’s anti-cybercrime body. In a significant shift, the question paper will now be prepared just two hours before the exam, according to NDTV sources. Originally scheduled for June 23, the NEET-PG exam was abruptly postponed hours before its start amid a row over alleged irregularities, including leaked question papers for the undergraduate exam. The government had then said it would “undertake a thorough assessment of the robustness of processes of NEET-PG, conducted by the National Board of Examinations for medical students.” The cancellation of the exam, which saw the enrollment of thousands of aspiring medical professionals, led to widespread protests, particularly from those who had traveled long distances to take the test. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan appointed a high-level committee to investigate the complaints. The suspension of the NEET-PG exam followed public outcry over similar issues with the NEET-UG and UGC-NET tests. These exams, which play a pivotal role in confirming professorial appointments and awarding research fellowships, have been under scrutiny for potential irregularities. Minister Pradhan recently confirmed student reports that NEET-UG and UGC-NET questions were being sold on the darknet, spotlighting the National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for conducting both exams. This revelation led to the removal of the NTA’s chief, SK Singh. The UGC-NET exam is now rescheduled to be held from July 25 to 27, while the NEET-PG exam will be organized from August 21 to September 4.  

NEET UG Result Row: Bihar Police Find Evidence Suggesting Paper Leak

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The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) in Bihar, investigating allegations of a leaked National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) paper, has found evidence suggesting that some students knew the questions before the May 5 exam, according to media reports on Sunday, June 16. What Did the Police Find? Media reports, citing EOU officials, stated that 13 individuals, including four students, have been arrested for their suspected involvement in the alleged leak. Some of those arrested are also accused of receiving the question papers ahead of the test. Additional Director General of Police, EOU, N H Khan, informed the Indian Express that they had queried the National Testing Agency (NTA), which organizes NEET, and the investigation is “very much suggestive of a paper leak.” According to the Times of India, EOU Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Manavjeet Singh Dhillon mentioned that a list of the 13 people was recovered from a “safe house” on the outskirts of Patna. The police believe that approximately 30 medical aspirants were summoned by what they termed the “exam mafia” to receive questions and answers before the exam. Dhillon claimed that four of the arrested candidates confessed during interrogation that the questions they received at the “safe house” on May 4 were identical to those on the exam, according to TOI. Education Minister Denies Allegations of Paper Leak Amid media reports and nationwide protests by students, Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated on Friday, June 14, that issues were observed in six of the over 4,700 centers where the exam was conducted. He asserted that NEET was otherwise conducted satisfactorily across the country. Pradhan denied allegations of corruption within the NTA and the paper leak but added that if proven, “no one will be spared.” He assured that every aspect is being investigated, and those responsible for any lapses will be held accountable. Protests and Controversy The NEET exam, held on May 5 across 4,750 centers in India, saw participation from approximately 2.4 million candidates. The results, initially expected on June 14, were declared 10 days early as the evaluation was completed ahead of schedule. The announcement of results sparked outrage and protests due to alleged irregularities, as 67 students scored a perfect 720. Since then, students across India have been demanding a re-examination.  

Modi 3.0: Full List of Ministers and Their Portfolios in the New BJP Government

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The new council of ministers led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi includes 61 members from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and 11 leaders from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies. Of the 72 ministers, 43 have served three or more terms in Parliament, and 39 were ministers in the previous Union government. Full List of Ministries and Ministers in Modi 3.0 Government Here is a look at the top ministers and the portfolios they held in the previous Narendra Modi-led government: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Portfolios: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, all important policy issues, and portfolios not allocated to any minister Ministry of Home Affairs Union Minister: Amit Shah Ministers of State: Nityanand Rai, Bandi Sanjay Kumar Ministry of Cooperation Union Minister: Amit Shah Ministers of State: Krishan Pal, Murlidhar Mohol Ministry of Defence Union Minister: Rajnath Singh Minister of State: Sanjay Seth Ministry of External Affairs Union Minister: S Jaishankar Ministers of State: Kirtivardhan Singh, Pabitra Margherita Ministry of Finance Union Minister: Nirmala Sitharaman Minister of State: Pankaj Chaudhary Ministry of Corporate Affairs Union Minister: Nirmala Sitharaman Minister of State: Harsh Malhotra Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Union Minister: Nitin Gadkari Ministers of State: Ajay Tamta, Harsh Malhotra Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Union Minister: JP Nadda Ministers of State: Anupriya Patel, Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers Union Minister: JP Nadda Minister of State: Anupriya Patel Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Union Minister: Mansukh Mandaviya Minister of State: Raksha Nikhil Khadse Ministry of Labour and Employment Union Minister: Mansukh Mandaviya Minister of State: Shobha Karandlaje Ministry of Food Processing Industries Union Minister: Chirag Paswan Minister of State: Ravneet Singh Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Union Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan Ministers of State: Ram Nath Thakur, Bhagirath Choudhary Ministry of Rural Development Union Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan Ministers of State: Dr. Chandra Shekhar Pemmasani, Kamlesh Paswan Ministry of Power Union Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar Minister of State: Shripad Naik Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Union Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar Minister of State: Tokhan Sahu Ministry of Tourism Union Minister: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Minister of State: Suresh Gopi Ministry of Culture Union Minister: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Minister of State: Rao Inderjit Singh Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Union Minister: Ashwini Vaishnaw Minister of State: L Murugan Ministry of Railways Union Minister: Ashwini Vaishnaw Ministers of State: Ravneet Singh, V Somanna Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Union Minister: Ashwini Vaishnaw Minister of State: Jitin Prasada Ministry of Civil Aviation Union Ministers: Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Murlidhar Mohol Ministry of Education Union Minister: Dharmendra Pradhan Ministers of State: Sukanta Majumdar, Jayant Chaudhary Ministry of Women and Child Development Union Minister: Annapurna Devi Minister of State: Savitri Thakur Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Union Minister: Bhupendra Yadav Minister of State: Kirtivardhan Singh Ministry of Jal Shakti Union Minister: CR Paatil Ministers of State: V Somanna, Raj Bhushan Choudhary Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Union Minister: Kiren Rijiju Ministers of State: L Murugan, Arjun Ram Meghwal Ministry of Minority Affairs Union Minister: Kiren Rijiju Minister of State: George Kurian Ministry of Heavy Industries Union Minister: HD Kumaraswamy Minister of State: Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma Ministry of Steel Union Minister: HD Kumaraswamy Minister of State: Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma Ministry of Communication Union Minister: Jyotiraditya Scindia Minister of State: Dr. Chandra Shekhar Pemmasani Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region Union Minister: Jyotiraditya Scindia Minister of State: Sukanta Majumdar Ministry of Textiles Union Minister: Giriraj Singh Minister of State: Pabitra Margherita Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Union Minister: Prahlad Joshi Ministers of State: BL Verma, Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Union Minister: Prahlad Joshi Minister of State: Shripad Naik Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Union Minister: Hardeep Singh Puri Minister of State: Suresh Gopi Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Union Minister: Jitan Ram Manjhi Minister of State: Shobha Karandlaje Ministry of Panchayati Raj Union Minister: Lallan Singh Minister of State: SP Singh Baghel Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Union Minister: Lallan Singh Ministers of State: SP Singh Baghel, George Kurian Ministry of Commerce and Industry Union Minister: Piyush Goyal Minister of State: Jitin Prasada Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Union Minister: Sarbananda Sonowal Minister of State: Shantanu Thakur Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Union Minister: Dr. Virendra Kumar Ministers of State: Ramdas Athawale, BL Verma Ministry of Tribal Affairs Union Minister: Jual Oram Minister of State: Durgadas Uikey Ministry of Coal Union Minister: G Kishan Reddy Minister of State: Satish Chandra Dubey Ministry of Mines Union Minister: G Kishan Reddy Minister of State: Satish Chandra Dubey Ministers of State (Independent Charge) Rao Inderjit Singh: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Culture Dr. Jitendra Singh: Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space Arjun Ram Meghwal: Ministry of Law and Justice Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav: Ministry of Ayush

Education Minister Introduces Optional Bi-Annual Board Exams to Reduce Student Stress

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Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has announced that students will not be obligated to take class 10 and 12 board exams twice a year. The option for bi-annual exams is being introduced to alleviate the stress caused by the fear of a single opportunity. Pradhan emphasized that this choice will be entirely voluntary, with no compulsion for students to participate. He explained that students often feel pressured, thinking they missed a year or could have performed better, and the new system aims to alleviate that stress. The New Curriculum Framework (NCF), introduced by the Ministry of Education in August, intends to hold board exams twice a year to provide students with more time and opportunities to excel and retain the best score. Pradhan has received positive feedback from students regarding this initiative and aims to implement it from 2024. In response to the alarming number of student suicides in Kota, a major coaching hub in Rajasthan, Pradhan expressed concern and stated that it is a collective responsibility to ensure students are stress-free. The issue of ‘dummy schools,’ where students skip regular schooling to attend coaching classes, was also raised. Pradhan emphasized the need for serious discussions on this issue. Regarding the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE), which hasn’t convened in the last three years, Pradhan mentioned that it is being reconstituted to align with the evolving education system and the new National Education Policy. Pradhan also shared that two Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Delhi and Madras, are in the process of establishing offshore campuses, with discussions ongoing with other countries interested in hosting Indian educational institutions. Guidelines for foreign universities setting up campuses in India are under consideration and will be announced soon. Pradhan addressed the objections of states like Karnataka and West Bengal to the National Education Policy (NEP), suggesting that these objections are more political than academic. He emphasized the focus on synergy between education and skills to equip students with both academic and practical abilities for the 21st-century workplace. This includes the establishment of skill hubs and the implementation of the Academic Bank of Credit to enhance students’ mobility across higher education institutions and integrate skills into a credit-based system.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Unveils New Curriculum Framework: Board Exams Twice a Year, Best Scores to Count

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Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, has unveiled the finalized curriculum framework in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Under this new framework, textbooks corresponding to these changes will be created and introduced for the academic session starting in 2024. According to the NCF, board exams will now be held twice a year, allowing students to retain their best scores. This adjustment aims to provide students with ample time and opportunities to excel academically. It empowers students to choose when to sit for board exams in subjects they feel confident about. The focus of these board exams will shift towards assessing students’ understanding and competency rather than encouraging rote learning and memorization. Another significant change is that students in classes 11 and 12 will be required to study two languages, with at least one being an Indian language. The traditional limitations on subject choices based on academic streams will also be eliminated, granting students more flexibility. Moreover, there are plans for school boards to eventually offer ‘on-demand’ exams. Additionally, those involved in designing and evaluating board exams will need to complete university-certified courses to enhance their skills in this area. Furthermore, the new framework discourages the practice of covering textbooks in classrooms, emphasizing the need to optimize textbook costs. These changes signal a comprehensive transformation in the education system, with a focus on holistic learning and flexibility.