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Education Minister

Pralhad Joshi Assumes Charge as Education Minister After Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has been entrusted with the additional charge of the Ministry of Education after Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down from the post amid mounting protests over alleged examination paper leaks. Speaking to reporters after taking charge, Joshi expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the responsibility. He said he accepted the role with humility and highlighted the achievements of the Modi government over the past 12 years, adding that he would work with a strong sense of duty in his new assignment. Pradhan’s resignation came after weeks of nationwide demonstrations led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which had demanded his resignation over the government’s handling of the examination paper leak controversy. Following the resignation, the CJP announced the immediate withdrawal of its protest movement. Supporters gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar were asked to disperse after the government agreed to the group’s key demands. The decision was announced during a joint press conference addressed by CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, along with Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh. According to the CJP, the government has assured that all police cases registered against protesting students will be withdrawn and that no future action will be taken against them. The government has also agreed to provide the maximum compensation permissible under existing rules to the families of students who died by suicide in connection with the NEET paper leak controversy. Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation was the principal demand of the protesters, and its acceptance paved the way for the suspension of the agitation. Source: NDTV  

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India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns Amid Nationwide Student Protests Over Exam Paper Leaks

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday following weeks of nationwide student protests demanding accountability over a series of alleged examination paper leaks. His resignation marks a significant development in one of the largest youth-led protest movements seen in India in recent years. In a statement shared on X, Pradhan said he had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing the ongoing unrest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and across the country. He stated that his decision was aimed at preventing what he described as “anti-national forces” from exploiting the situation. Pradhan also expressed respect for the aspirations of young people and said he did not want students to become entangled in legal disputes instead of focusing on their education and careers. The protests were spearheaded by the satirical student-led group Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which celebrated the resignation as a victory for democracy. Speaking to supporters at Jantar Mantar, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke declared the movement successful, while the organisation posted on X that “Cockroaches won… Democracy won!” Despite the minister’s resignation, the CJP said its campaign is not over. The group has reiterated three key demands: ₹1 crore in compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide, protection from legal action for all protest participants, and a public apology from Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force over the handling of demonstrations. The protests intensified after clashes earlier this week, during which police used baton charges, tear gas, and reportedly pellet guns to disperse demonstrators marching towards Parliament. Several students were injured in the confrontations, further fuelling public anger. Government representatives had initiated talks with protest leaders on Friday, with another round of discussions scheduled for Saturday. It remains uncertain whether those negotiations will proceed following Pradhan’s resignation. Before the resignation, the central government had announced plans to establish fast-track courts for examination paper leak cases and introduce stricter anti-cheating legislation in an effort to restore confidence in the country’s examination system. The demonstrations have become a broader expression of frustration among India’s youth over issues such as unemployment, corruption, transparency, and government accountability. Source: Al Jazeera

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

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.  

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CBSE to Establish Office in UAE, Strengthening Educational Ties

News on Edu

The Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, has announced that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will establish an office in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the near future. This declaration was made during Pradhan’s three-day visit to Abu Dhabi. He also met with HE Sara Musallam, the Minister of Secretary, and expressed his belief that the IIT Delhi-Abu Dhabi campus would serve as an exemplary symbol of friendship. During his visit, he toured the interim campus located at Zayed University. The IIT Delhi’s Abu Dhabi campus is scheduled to commence classes in January 2024. Pleased to meet HE Sara Musallam, MoS for Early Education and Chairperson, ADEK, in Abu Dhabi today. Productive conversations on further expanding our cooperation in education and establishing education as one of the strongest pillars of our bilateral ties. pic.twitter.com/ZaIlE3J8uM — Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) November 1, 2023 Pradhan highlighted the presence of over 100 CBSE schools in the UAE and revealed plans to establish a CBSE office in the country soon. He also met with the Minister of Education, Ahmad Al Falasi, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing cooperation between educational institutions in both nations. The MoU seeks to facilitate student and faculty exchange, collaborative research programs, course design, and other initiatives. The MoU is expected to streamline regulations, legal frameworks, and best practices in general and higher education, including national qualification frameworks, to enable the mutual recognition of qualifications between both countries. It also encourages academic collaboration between higher education institutions to offer twinning, joint degree, and dual degree programs, among other initiatives.

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Education minister appeals to the citizens to participate in the survey for National Curriculum Framework

Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union Education Minister, urged people to take the survey for the national curriculum framework today on Twitter. According to the minister’s tweet, “A dynamic National Curriculum Framework in line with the NEP 2020 will play a major role in achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat.” Development of a vibrant, dynamic, inclusive, and futuristic National Curriculum Framework is essential, he continued, in order to blend cultural rootedness with a global vision, free education from the legacy of colonialism, and offer our future generations a stronger sense of pride. To broaden the scope of consultations surrounding the ongoing revision of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), on which new school textbooks will be developed, the Ministry of Education launched an online public survey in July 2022. Visit the website ncfsurvey.ncert.gov.in if you’re interested in sharing your thoughts on the NCF revision. The NCF is a thorough framework that offers suggestions for the things that have to be covered in the classroom. Ten multiple-choice questions (MCQs) covering subjects such “best ways to ensure that learning in classrooms is made more enjoyable” and “primary issues regarding curriculum content in textbooks that a new curriculum framework must address” must be answered by survey respondents. A brief write-up on how to “make school education more relevant, effective, and meaningful for learners” can also be submitted as part of the survey by participants.

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CUET not required for admission to Meghalaya colleges: Education Minister

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced on Thursday that the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) would not be required for admission to undergraduate programmes in institutes affiliated with the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in Meghalaya. Pradhan wrote to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, explaining that the exemption was granted for this academic year due to geographic challenges, remote locations, and insufficient digital access and infrastructure. In the letter, the education minister stated that “The affiliated colleges of NEHU will continue with the existing practice for admission instead of CUET.” Starting this academic year, the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) will be used for admission to programmes at all central universities. On April 25, the chief minister met with Pradhan to request an exemption for Meghalaya colleges. Sangma expressed gratitude to Pradhan for the exemption. “On behalf of the students of my State, I would like to express my gratitude to Hon’ble Minister @dpradhanbjp ji (Dharmendra Pradhan) for allowing colleges affiliated to NEHU to continue with existing practice for admission instead of #CUET (sic),” he tweeted. Source: PTI

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