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Ministry of Education

UGC Flags 32 Fake Universities Across India; Delhi Tops List With 12

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The University Grants Commission (UGC) has identified 32 institutions across India as fake universities, warning students that degrees issued by these entities are invalid for employment and higher education. In a public notice released in February 2026, the UGC — a statutory body under the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education — clarified that these institutions are not recognised under Sections 2(f) and 3 of the UGC Act. The Commission emphasised that only universities established by a Central or State Act, or those declared as deemed universities under the Act, are authorised to award valid degrees. Delhi Records The Highest Number Delhi has the highest number of such institutions, with 12 entities operating without recognition. Uttar Pradesh follows with four, while several other states and Union Territories have reported one or two such cases. State-Wise Count Of Fake Universities (As of February 2026) Delhi – 12 Uttar Pradesh – 4 Andhra Pradesh – 2 Karnataka – 2 Kerala – 2 Maharashtra – 2 Puducherry – 2 West Bengal – 2 Arunachal Pradesh – 1 Haryana – 1 Jharkhand – 1 Rajasthan – 1 The UGC has advised students and parents to verify the recognition status of institutions through its official website before taking admission. It reiterated that degrees awarded by unrecognised institutions hold no legal validity and will not be accepted for jobs or further studies. The Commission’s move aims to protect students from fraudulent institutions and maintain the integrity of India’s higher education system. Source: NDTV

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PM Modi Virtually Inaugurates IIM Guwahati; Rs 555 Crore Approved for Permanent Campus

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday virtually inaugurated the first academic session of the Indian Institute of Management Guwahati, marking a significant step in expanding management education in Assam and the Northeast. The institute has begun functioning from a temporary transit campus at Tech City in Bongora, spread across 6,410 square metres. It will later move to its permanent campus at Marabhita in Kamrup district near Palasbari, which will be developed over 76.83 hectares. The Union Cabinet has sanctioned Rs 555 crore for the establishment of the institute. The allocation will fund the temporary campus setup, construction of the permanent campus, and operational expenses for the first five years. With this, IIM Guwahati becomes the second IIM in the Northeast after Indian Institute of Management Shillong, and the 22nd across India. The Centre had approved the new IIM as part of efforts to broaden access to quality management education in underserved regions. Academic activities have commenced with the launch of an executive education programme curated by mentor institute Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad. The inaugural batch includes Assam government officials, and the programme is aimed at strengthening leadership and administrative capabilities. IIM Ahmedabad will also oversee academic arrangements at the temporary campus. The regular MBA programme at IIM Guwahati is scheduled to begin from the 2026–27 academic session. In his address, the Prime Minister described the inauguration as a milestone for the Northeast, stating that the institute would enhance access to high-quality management education and help build academic and professional capacity in the region. The Ministry of Education said IIM Guwahati is envisioned as a future knowledge hub focused on holistic human resource development and is expected to attract students from across the country. Source: Indian Express

PM Modi Virtually Inaugurates IIM Guwahati; Rs 555 Crore Approved for Permanent Campus Read More »

Over 1,800 Industry Veterans Appointed as Professors of Practice Across 349 Institutions

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In a significant push to align higher education with industry needs, more than 1,800 professionals from diverse sectors have joined universities and colleges across India as Professors of Practice (PoP). The Ministry of Education revealed that 1,841 experts have been appointed across 349 higher education institutions as part of reforms envisioned under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Responding in writing to the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar said the initiative is intended to deepen industry-academia engagement and promote hands-on, skill-oriented learning. He highlighted that the position of Professor of Practice is largely temporary and honorary in nature, enabling accomplished professionals to contribute to academic development and nation-building by sharing real-world expertise. Private universities accounted for the largest share of appointments with 715 PoP positions, followed by deemed-to-be universities with 699. State universities appointed 212 professionals, while central universities added 15. Colleges across the country contributed another 200 appointments. State-wise, Tamil Nadu leads with 395 Professors of Practice, followed by Maharashtra (193), Gujarat (179), Karnataka (170), and Uttar Pradesh (157). Several other states and Union Territories have also implemented the model, albeit on a smaller scale. What is a Professor of Practice? The Professor of Practice designation allows experienced industry and professional leaders to take up academic roles even if they do not hold conventional academic qualifications such as a PhD, which is otherwise mandatory for regular professor or associate professor positions. Appointments are typically for a term of up to three years, with a possible one-year extension in exceptional circumstances, capping the maximum tenure at four years. Institutions may allocate up to 10% of their sanctioned faculty positions to Professors of Practice. Eligible candidates must be distinguished professionals with at least 15 years of experience and notable contributions in fields such as science and technology, social sciences, media, armed forces, and other domains. To facilitate diverse participation, three categories of appointments have been introduced: industry-funded Professors of Practice, institution-funded positions supported by the higher education institution’s own resources, and honorary Professors of Practice. Source: Indian Express  

Over 1,800 Industry Veterans Appointed as Professors of Practice Across 349 Institutions Read More »

Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026: 9th Edition Scheduled for February 6

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The ninth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC), Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship interaction with students, is set to take place on February 6 at 10 am. Organised by the Ministry of Education, the annual programme focuses on promoting stress-free examinations and addressing concerns of students, parents and teachers ahead of the exam season. Continuing with the revamped format introduced last year, PPC 2026 will feature the Prime Minister engaging with students across multiple locations, moving away from the earlier tradition of hosting the event solely at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi. In the previous edition, students from Devmogra, Coimbatore, Raipur and Guwahati interacted with PM Modi at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. The programme is open to students from Class 6 onwards, along with teachers and parents. The event will be broadcast live on DD National, DD News, DD India, major private television channels and All India Radio. Viewers can also watch the live stream on digital platforms including the PMO, Ministry of Education, Doordarshan and MyGov portals, as well as on YouTube (MoE), Facebook Live and Swayam Prabha channels. Launched in 2018, Pariksha Pe Charcha is held every year at the start of the examination cycle, coinciding with board and competitive exams. While CBSE board examinations typically begin in mid-February, national-level entrance tests such as JEE Main are scheduled for April. Interest in PPC 2026 has been substantial. According to official figures, registrations include over 4.19 crore students, nearly 24.85 lakh teachers and more than 6.15 lakh parents, taking total participation well beyond previous editions. The initiative forms a key part of the government’s Exam Warriors campaign, which aims to reduce exam-related stress and help students develop effective coping mechanisms. Participants receive acknowledgements, and selected winners are invited to take part in future programmes. Source: Indian Express  

Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026: 9th Edition Scheduled for February 6 Read More »

CBSE to Begin Recruitment for Teaching and Non-Teaching Roles in KVS and NVS

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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that it will soon launch the recruitment process for multiple teaching and non-teaching vacancies across Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS). The recruitment will be carried out on a direct basis and is open to eligible Indian citizens. Online applications will open on November 14, 2025, and the last date to apply is December 4, 2025. A detailed notification specifying eligibility criteria, vacancies, and application procedures will be issued shortly by CBSE. Candidates are advised to apply exclusively through the official websites for authentic information: cbse.gov.in kvsangathan.nic.in navodaya.gov.in In a related development, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the establishment of 57 new Kendriya Vidyalayas across 17 states and Union Territories. The initiative aims to provide equitable access to quality education, particularly for children of Central government employees posted in remote, aspirational, Left Wing Extremism-affected, hilly, or northeastern areas. The project, estimated to cost ₹5,862.55 crore over nine years, will include pre-primary sections and is projected to benefit more than 86,000 students, expanding the existing network of 1,288 Kendriya Vidyalayas across India. However, data from the Ministry of Education’s Department of School Education and Literacy indicates a decline in KV admissions. In response to a question raised by MPs B.K. Parthasarathi (TDP) and Sudha R (Congress), the Ministry reported that the total number of students enrolled dropped from 13,87,763 in 2020–21 to 13,50,518 in 2024–25 — a decrease of 37,245 students, marking a decline of roughly 2.86%. Kendriya Vidyalayas, managed by the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) under the Ministry of Education, follow a uniform curriculum designed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and are affiliated with CBSE. Admissions primarily prioritize children of Central government and defence personnel, while others are accommodated based on the availability of seats. Source: Indian Express

CBSE to Begin Recruitment for Teaching and Non-Teaching Roles in KVS and NVS Read More »

Nearly 8,000 Indian Schools Have No Students but 20,000 Teachers on Payroll

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In a startling revelation, official data shows that nearly 8,000 schools across India recorded zero student enrolments during the 2024–25 academic year, despite having over 20,000 teachers on their payrolls. West Bengal leads the list with the highest number of schools without students (3,812) and 17,965 teachers still employed in them. According to the Ministry of Education’s latest statistics, 7,993 schools across the country had no enrolments, marking an improvement from 12,954 such schools the previous year. Telangana ranked second with 2,245 schools having no students and 1,016 teachers, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 463 schools and 223 teachers. Interestingly, Haryana, Maharashtra, Goa, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura reported no schools with zero enrolments. The same was true for Union Territories such as Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Daman and Diu, and Chandigarh, along with Delhi. A senior education ministry official said that since school education is a state subject, respective governments have been advised to tackle the issue by merging underutilized schools to make better use of infrastructure and staff resources. In Uttar Pradesh, 81 schools had no enrolments. The UP Board has already begun the process of revoking recognition for institutions that have not recorded any admissions for three consecutive years. The data also highlights another pressing issue — the existence of over 1 lakh single-teacher schools across India, catering to more than 33 lakh students. Andhra Pradesh leads in the number of such schools, followed by Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Lakshadweep. However, in terms of student enrolment, Uttar Pradesh tops the list, followed by Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh. Notably, the count of single-teacher schools dropped by nearly 6%, from 1,18,190 in 2022–23 to 1,10,971 in 2023–24, signaling gradual progress toward teacher rationalization. Source: PTI 

Nearly 8,000 Indian Schools Have No Students but 20,000 Teachers on Payroll Read More »

Over 1 Lakh Single-Teacher Schools Educate 33 Lakh Students Across India: Education Ministry

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Over 33 lakh students in India are studying in more than one lakh schools run by a single teacher, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Education. Andhra Pradesh tops the list in terms of the number of such schools, while Uttar Pradesh records the highest student enrolment. As per statistics for the academic year 2024–25, India has 1,04,125 single-teacher schools catering to 33,76,769 students — averaging around 34 students per school. This figure highlights ongoing challenges in meeting the Right to Education (RTE) Act norms, which prescribe a pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) of 30:1 for primary grades (I–V) and 35:1 for upper primary levels (VI–VIII). Andhra Pradesh leads with 12,912 single-teacher schools, followed by Uttar Pradesh (9,508), Jharkhand (9,172), Maharashtra (8,152), Karnataka (7,349), and both Madhya Pradesh and Lakshadweep (7,217 each). States like West Bengal (6,482), Rajasthan (6,117), Chhattisgarh (5,973), and Telangana (5,001) also feature prominently on the list. In contrast, Delhi has only nine such schools, while Puducherry, Ladakh, Chandigarh, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu report none. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have just four. In terms of student enrolment, Uttar Pradesh leads with 6,24,327 students studying in single-teacher schools, followed by Jharkhand (4,36,480), West Bengal (2,35,494), Madhya Pradesh (2,29,095), Karnataka (2,23,142), Andhra Pradesh (1,97,113), and Rajasthan (1,72,071). Interestingly, Delhi and Chandigarh, despite having very few such schools, record the highest average student strength per school — 808 and 1,222 respectively. On the other hand, regions like Ladakh (59), Mizoram (70), Meghalaya (73), and Himachal Pradesh (82) have some of the lowest averages. A senior official from the Ministry explained that the government is working to enhance learning outcomes and improve the efficiency of resource use by merging under-enrolled schools — a process known as “rationalisation.” “Single-teacher schools limit the scope of effective teaching and learning. The government is redeploying teachers from non-operational schools to ensure adequate staff availability in single-teacher schools,” the official said. The number of single-teacher schools has seen a steady decline, dropping from 1,18,190 in 2022–23 to 1,10,971 in 2023–24 — a reduction of nearly six percent. Source: PTI  

Over 1 Lakh Single-Teacher Schools Educate 33 Lakh Students Across India: Education Ministry Read More »

Higher Education Secretary Reviews Cleanliness Initiatives, Monitors Progress Under Special Campaign 5.0

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Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi on Wednesday carried out a detailed inspection of the Ministry of Education’s offices at Shastri Bhawan, reviewing cleanliness standards and assessing progress under the Special Campaign 5.0. According to officials, the inspection aimed to evaluate ongoing efforts to enhance workplace hygiene, streamline office operations, and promote efficient record and space management. The campaign’s implementation phase, running from October 2 to 31, focuses on resolving pending issues such as MP and PMO references, inter-ministerial communications, public grievances, and Parliamentary assurances. Participating departments are required to report their progress daily. The preparatory phase of the campaign was held between September 15 and 30, during which officials, heads of centrally funded institutions, and representatives from UGC and AICTE were urged to set measurable goals, identify pending cases, and earmark focus areas for cleanliness and digitalisation. Special emphasis has been placed on the disposal of outdated files, e-waste management, and office beautification. The ministry aims to surpass the achievements of Special Campaign 4.0 by enhancing digital processes, accelerating record disposal, and promoting eco-friendly practices across departments. Source: PTI

Higher Education Secretary Reviews Cleanliness Initiatives, Monitors Progress Under Special Campaign 5.0 Read More »

NCERT to Handle Equivalence of Class 10 & 12 Certificates Across All Boards

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The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) will now be responsible for granting equivalence to Class 10 and Class 12 certificates issued by various school education boards across India. This equivalence will be applicable for admissions to higher education institutions as well as recruitment in government jobs, according to an official announcement on Friday. The Department of School Education and Literacy, under the Ministry of Education, has published the notification in the e-Gazette. This move replaces the earlier notification of November 15, 2021, which had entrusted the task to the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). The responsibility will now be carried out by NCERT through its National Assessment Centre—Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development (PARAKH)—set up under the provisions of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. According to the ministry, this institutional mechanism will ensure that the process of granting equivalence is conducted with academic rigour while upholding the highest educational standards. The system will apply to all school boards established by the central and state governments, statutory bodies, or recognised institutions. Importantly, the equivalence granted by NCERT will be valid nationwide, ensuring inter-board parity and enabling seamless student mobility across school education boards. Source: PTI    

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NIRF Rankings 2025: IIT Madras leads overall for 7th year, IISc retains top university spot for 10th year

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The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025, released by the Union Ministry of Education on Thursday, reaffirmed the dominance of India’s premier institutes. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras once again clinched the top position in the overall category for the seventh consecutive year, while the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, was named the best university for the tenth straight year. The top 10 list in the overall rankings was largely led by IITs, alongside All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and IISc. Among universities, JNU retained its second rank, while Delhi University improved its standing to fifth. A major highlight was BITS Pilani breaking into the top 10 universities for the first time since 2016, after climbing from 19th place last year. In the colleges category, Delhi University institutions dominated. Hindu College and Miranda House maintained the first and second positions, while Hansraj College and Kirori Mal College achieved their best-ever rankings at third and fourth, overtaking St. Stephen’s College (fifth this year). Lady Shri Ram College slipped significantly from 10th to 17th. Notably, Hansraj had been ranked 21st and Kirori Mal 20th back in 2018, highlighting their steady rise. Institutions were assessed on parameters including Teaching, Learning & Resources (TLR), Research & Professional Practice (RP), Graduation Outcomes (GO), Outreach & Inclusivity (OI), and Perception (PR). IIT Madras excelled with a perfect 100 in perception—an achievement it has maintained since 2023—alongside strong scores in TLR (90.58). However, its weakest area remained inclusivity, with a score of 63.34. Among colleges, Hansraj College and Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College recorded the strongest research and professional practice scores (above 96), whereas Hindu College led on perception. In the universities category, JNU stood out for graduation outcomes (99.93), while IISc topped in teaching, learning, and perception but lagged in inclusivity. The 2025 edition saw a record 7,692 institutions participate, compared to 2,426 in the inaugural 2016 rankings. This year introduced a new Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) category, recognizing institutions’ green and innovation practices. IIT Madras ranked first here as well, besides leading in engineering and innovation. In management, IIM Ahmedabad retained its crown. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of the National Board of Accreditation, highlighted a new rule—negative marking for retracted research papers—to address growing concerns over academic integrity. IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti credited the institution’s consistent top performance to “focused team effort.” Source: Indian Express 

NIRF Rankings 2025: IIT Madras leads overall for 7th year, IISc retains top university spot for 10th year Read More »