India education news Archives - Page 2 of 2

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

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

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Over 4.7 Lakh Pirated NCERT Books Seized Since 2024, Says Education Ministry

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In a significant crackdown on textbook piracy, the Ministry of Education revealed that over 4.7 lakh pirated NCERT textbooks have been confiscated across India since 2024. This update was shared in a written response by Union Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, during a Rajya Sabha session on Wednesday. “Reports of NCERT textbook piracy have emerged from various parts of the country. From 2024 to 2025, enforcement teams seized around 4.71 lakh counterfeit books in multiple operations carried out in different states,” said Chaudhary. He emphasized that piracy is largely driven by the profit motives of unauthorized operators. NCERT’s mission, Chaudhary reiterated, is to provide high-quality educational resources at minimal cost to students across India, functioning on a no-profit, no-loss model. Highlighting recent efforts to combat the menace, he informed that in the past year alone, NCERT conducted raids on 29 locations linked to the production and distribution of pirated books. These included premises using unauthorized NCERT watermarked paper and illegal printing setups. Assets and equipment worth over ₹20 crore were seized during these raids. To address the root causes of piracy, several measures have been implemented, including a 20% price cut on textbooks, improved paper and print quality with advanced machinery, faster and timely textbook production, and expanded online availability through e-commerce channels. In a tech-driven approach, NCERT also tested an innovative anti-piracy mechanism—developed and patented by IIT Kanpur—on one million copies of a Class 6 textbook, aiming to deter counterfeit reproduction through secure tracking technology. Source: PTI Image Credit: iStock

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IIM Sambalpur Unveils New Undergraduate Programmes in Public Policy and AI to Shape Future Leaders

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In a strategic move aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sambalpur has launched two groundbreaking undergraduate programmes: Bachelor of Science in Management and Public Policy and Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. These four-year, fully residential programmes are designed to nurture future-ready professionals with a blend of analytical, ethical, and leadership skills. The BSc in Management and Public Policy targets students interested in driving grassroots change, with a curriculum that emphasizes sustainability, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles, and community-led development. The programme aspires to bridge the gap between policy formulation and real-world impact. Admissions to this course will be facilitated through the Common University Entrance Test (CUET). Meanwhile, the BSc in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, developed in collaboration with industry stakeholders, aims to boost India’s digital transformation journey and enhance global competitiveness. It focuses on cultivating ethical AI use, advanced data analytics, and innovation-driven problem-solving. Entry into this programme will be via JEE Main scores. Highlighting the institution’s progressive approach, the courses are structured with multiple entry and exit options—students can earn a certificate after one year, a diploma after two, a degree after three, and an honors degree upon completing the fourth year. This flexibility is intended to support diverse learner pathways in line with NEP 2020 goals. IIM Sambalpur Director, Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, expressed pride in the launch, calling it a “pioneering step” in cultivating responsible, entrepreneurial leaders. “These programmes are not only about acquiring academic knowledge; they’re about building leaders equipped with a global outlook and the compassion to address societal challenges,” he noted. The launch event also featured a roundtable discussion on the theme: ‘Global Capability Centres (GCCs) as Engines of Innovation for Global Enterprises’. The dialogue spotlighted the emerging role of GCCs as strategic, innovation-led units rather than cost-effective back-offices. Bramhanand Jha, Vice President at the National eGovernance Division (MeitY), served as the chief guest. He emphasized the transformative role of GCCs in shaping future-ready, tech-enabled enterprises that drive global business strategies. Keynote speakers included Lt. Col. Piyush Shukla, Director of JEE at the National Testing Agency (NTA), and Rajesh Kumar, Director of CUET at NTA. Both underlined the significance of evolving India’s education assessment systems to support innovation, inclusivity, and talent discovery aligned with the country’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. “The education landscape in India is being reshaped to identify talent capable of thriving in dynamic, innovation-driven environments like GCCs,” said Shukla. Kumar added that initiatives like CUET are vital to democratizing access to quality higher education and preparing students for leadership in a global digital economy. The launch concluded with insightful panel discussions featuring academic and industry experts on “Transforming Operations through GCCs: The Digital Shift from Cost Efficiency to Strategic Value” and “Aligning Talent Upskilling with Policy Innovation for Sustainable GCC Growth.” With this initiative, IIM Sambalpur reaffirms its commitment to fostering responsible, innovation-driven leadership that is attuned to the evolving demands of both national and global landscapes. Admissions for both UG programmes will begin in June 2025, with classes set to commence in September 2025. Source: Indian Express Photo Credit: IIM Sambalpur

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