Education
Enrolment of women in Indian universities grew 26% in 2024: Report
India has seen a significant rise in women's enrolment in higher education, increasing by 26% from 2023 to 2024, while men's enrolment grew by 3.6%. Women's participation in work-linked and direct admission programs more than doubled, highlighting the need for continued investment in education pathways to support future workplace success.
HP govt considering to introduce B.Ed course after class 12: CM Sukhu
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced considerations for a B.Ed course post-Class 12 and emphasized modern courses like Artificial Intelligence. He focused on women's empowerment, anti-drug campaigns, enhanced sports incentives, and educational reforms, including international exposure visits for students and teachers.
Punjab govt mandates Punjabi as compulsory subject in all schools amid CBSE language inclusion controversy
The Punjab government, led by CM Bhagwant Mann, mandates all schools to teach Punjabi as a compulsory subject. After criticism, CBSE clarified that Punjabi will be included in the upcoming draft scheme for the biannual board exams, addressing concerns over its initial omission.
CBSE says Punjabi language will be added next year as regional language in two boards exams scheme
The Punjabi language will be added to the CBSE's twice-a-year board exam scheme next year, as per a senior official's clarification. This followed criticism from Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and Akali Dal leader Parambans Romana, who accused the board of attempting to erase Punjabi. The new exam format aligns with the National Education Policy 2020.
You may get to appear for CBSE Class 10 exam twice a year starting 2026
CBSE plans to implement a twice-a-year board exam format for Class 10 from 2026. The proposed scheme includes exams in two phases, with students' final scores reflecting the better of the two. Feedback on the draft scheme will be accepted until March 9.
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IIM Udaipur becomes first IIM to initiate campus expansion in PPP mode
IIM Udaipur has initiated campus expansion through a public-private partnership, becoming the first IIM to do so. The project, worth Rs 100 crore, includes construction and management of student hostels and executive facilities for 30 years by private firms. The initiative, funded partly by the Department of Economic Affairs, aims to meet growing demands for accommodation and executive education.
Varsities have much to learn on diversity
A survey of 1,352 higher education institutions in India, including IITs and IIMs, shows only 11.24% are headed by women. Institutions of national importance lag behind with only 8.53% having female leaders. Structural, cultural barriers and lower female participation in technical education contribute to this disparity.
BITS Pilani alumnus Pankaj Patel contributes $1 million towards $100 million Endowment Fund
Pankaj Patel, a BITS Pilani alumnus and founder of Nile, has donated US $1 million to the institute's Endowment Fund. This contribution aims to support transformative education and innovation at the institution. Vice Chancellor V. Ramgopal Rao expressed gratitude for the enduring commitment of BITS Pilani alumni like Patel.
NextLeap Acquires PM School to expand product management education in India
NextLeap, a Bengaluru-based skilling platform, has acquired PM School to enhance its product management training. This acquisition aims to provide learners with better resources, mentorship, and career support by combining PM School's expertise with NextLeap's AI-driven platform. New offerings are expected to launch later this year.
BIT to continue its investments in research, technology for nation building: CK Birla
CK Birla announced that BIT Mesra will enhance its investments in research and technology to support nation-building. While celebrating its platinum jubilee, he highlighted BIT's pioneering contributions and recent developments in new disciplines like quantitative economics and data sciences. Vice-Chancellor Indranil Manna noted significant investments in infrastructure and the institute's commitment to India’s developmental goals by 2047.
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Axis Bank commits Rs 104 crore to Ashoka University to strengthen interdisciplinary sciences & research excellence
Axis Bank commits Rs 104 crores over four years to support Ashoka University's PhD, Post-Doctoral and Research programmes. The partnership aims to enhance the university's research ecosystem and develop advanced science facilities, attracting top-tier scholars and addressing critical global issues such as climate change and public health.
Adani group teams up with Singapore’s ITEES to build a talent powerhouse for India's future
Adani Group has partnered with Singapore’s ITEES to establish the Adani Global Skills Academy, committing over Rs 2,000 crores to develop a skilled workforce in India. The initiative aims to provide specialized training to students in sectors such as Green Energy and Manufacturing, ensuring they are industry-ready upon graduation.
UGC discontinues CARE List journals, switches to decentralised journal evaluation
UGC has discontinued the UGC-CARE journal listing, introducing new guidelines to assist with choosing peer-reviewed journals. The new criteria focus on ethical publishing practices, impact factors, and citation records, shifting evaluation responsibility to Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) for better academic freedom and transparency.
UPSC extends date to apply for civil services prelims exam till Feb 18
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has extended the deadline for applying to the civil services preliminary exam of 2025 until February 18, citing technical issues faced by applicants. The exam remains scheduled for May 25, with around 979 vacancies available, including 38 for persons with disabilities.
UGC extends deadline for feedback on draft UGC Regulations 2025 to February 28
The UGC has extended the deadline for feedback on the draft regulations for teacher and academic staff qualifications and standards in higher education to February 28, 2025. This extension allows more stakeholders to analyze and provide comprehensive feedback on the proposed changes, ensuring they meet sector needs.
UGC issues showcause notices to 18 medical colleges for non-compliance with anti-ragging norms
The UGC issued show-cause notices to 18 medical colleges across various states for not adhering to anti-ragging regulations from 2009. The institutions did not obtain mandatory anti-ragging undertakings from students, jeopardizing their safety. Colleges must explain their lapse and corrective steps within seven days to avoid penalties.
