Madurai teacher selected for TN 'Best Chemistry Teacher Award'

Madurai teacher selected for TN 'Best Chemistry Teacher Award'

Meenakshi, who has also been working as a NEET coordinator for Chemistry in the district for the past five years, said he never teaches only the subject.

N Meenakshi Sundaram has beeen selected to receive Best Teacher Award for Chemistry subject during the science Day Festival 2025 on Wednesday. (Photo | K. K. Sundar, EPS)

Express News Service

Updated on:

26 Mar 2025, 9:29 am

MADURAI: N Meenakshi Sundaram, a Chemistry teacher working at the Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Othakadai, was selected for the state's 'Best Teacher Award'. The award will be presented during the Science Day Festival, 2025, organised by the Department of Higher Education, at Science City on Wednesday.

Meenakshi (58), who started his career as a Chemistry teacher in a private school in 1989, later joined a government school in 2010. Earlier, he had bagged the state-level Dr Radha Krishnan Award for the year 2022-23.

Explaining the selection criteria of the award, Meenakshi told TNIE that three rounds of interviews were conducted. After the first round, 29 teachers were shortlisted, and they were asked to appear for a written exam, followed by a personal interview.

Meenakshi, who has also been working as a NEET coordinator for Chemistry in the district for the past five years, said he never teaches only the subject. "I always make efforts to help my students develop interest in the subjects," he added.

It may be noted that the Department of Higher Education's Science city honours the best teachers from government, government aided and private schools across the state, who have excelled in Science subjects, every year.

Academics air equivalency worry over UGC’s new role in foreign degree recognition

Prof Furqan Qamar, the former secretary-general of the AIU and former vice-chancellor of the Central University of Himachal Pradesh, said recognition of academic degrees is not done by any government agency globally

Basant Kumar Mohanty Published 23.03.25, 05:47 AM

The grant of certificates equivalent to degrees awarded by foreign universities to Indian students will be handled by the University Grants Commission (UGC) instead of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), according to a government decision that has been decried by academics.

Academics have expressed concern over the transfer of responsibility from an independent body like the AIU to a government-controlled agency like the UGC in violation of global practice.

The education ministry is learnt to have communicated its decision to the UGC to take over the work. However, the UGC is yet to set up a wing with experts to handle the task.

Since its inception in 1925, the AIU has been granting equivalence certificates to foreign degree holders to enable them to pursue higher studies and jobs in India. The ministry of human resource development (MHRD), now the education ministry, had in 1995 issued a notification to recognise the work undertaken by the AIU.

However, the UGC, headed by M. Jagadesh Kumar as its chairman, proposed to take over the responsibility in 2023 and unveiled draft regulations. The education ministry has since then held a series of meetings with UGC and AIU officials, sources said.

“The government has decided that the UGC is the appropriate body to perform this responsibility. The government took the decision on the ground that the AIU is a private body and it cannot be allowed to discharge this responsibility,” a UGC official said.

The AIU gets financial assistance from the government for the promotion of sports and games in universities. Currently, 1,004 universities are members of the AIU.

For the AIU to grant equivalence certificates, the foreign university should be recognised in that country, the course should be a full-time, regular (on-campus) degree programme and the programme duration should be the same as Indian universities.

The AIU does not grant equivalence certificates to pathway degrees that help students transition to the second year of an undergraduate course in a university after pursuing a one-year diploma course in another institute.

The UGC may allow equivalence to pathway degrees, according to its draft.

Prof M.M. Salunkhe, the former president of the AIU, disapproved of the government’s decision.

“There have been no allegations against the AIU. It has performed its work professionally for 100 years. It has the expertise. Most importantly, it is truly an independent agency. I believe that an independent agency should handle this work,” Salunkhe said.

Prof Furqan Qamar, the former secretary-general of the AIU and former vice-chancellor of the Central University of Himachal Pradesh, said recognition of academic degrees is not done by any government agency globally. For example, the European Network of Information Centre and National Academic Recognition Information Centre handles the recognition of academic degrees in European countries.

Qamar said the UN’s education arm Unesco also preferred member countries to designate a similar independent agency for this work.

Madras High Court restrains authorities from publishing NIRF ranking for 2025

Madras High Court restrains authorities from publishing NIRF ranking for 2025

A PIL petition has claimed the ranking is without any basis and is misleading students

Published - March 21, 2025 08:47 pm IST - MADURAI

The Hindu Bureau

The Hindu

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday restrained the Ministry of Education and the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) from publishing the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranking for 2025.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation petition filed by C. Chellamuthu of Oddanchatram in Dindigul district. The petitioner claimed the NIRF ranking was totally without any basis and it was misleading students.

NIRF was launched by the NBA on the direction of the Ministry of Education for evaluating higher education institutions in the country. The NBA publishes the NIRF rankings of colleges every year. The NIRF ranking framework evaluates institutions in five broad categories: Teaching, Learning and Resources; Research and Professional Practice; Graduation Outcomes; Outreach and Inclusivity; and Perception, the petition said.

The NBA directs the institutions to upload the data such as student and staff strength, staff salaries, graduation index, placement details and funds received for research and development on its web portal. Based on the data entered by the institutions, rankings were awarded without any further verification or auditing, the petitioner said.

Comparing it with the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) Annual Quality Assurance Report (AQAR), the petitioner said the NAAC AQAR documents were audited and checked by expert committees sent by the NAAC to the institutions.

‘Data manipulated’

According to him, in all the ranking parameters, the data provided by the institutions that got NIRF ranking was manipulated and completely false. There was no transparency or accountability of the data submitted by the institutions. Instead of collecting data from the available official government records, institutions were invited to submit the data online. Without verifying the information entered, top rankings were awarded, he said.

It could negatively impact the quality of education in India. Reputed academicians and educationalists had criticised the system followed by the NIRF, the petitioner said, and sought the grant of an order of interim stay restraining the authorities from publishing the NIRF ranking for 2025.

The petitioner sought a direction to the NBA to publish the NIRF ranking after comparing and verifying the data submitted by the institutions with the data in the government records and disclose the calculation method.

A Division Bench of Justices J. Nisha Banu and S. Srimathy restrained the authorities from publishing the ranking for 2025. The court sought a counter affidavit and posted the matter to April 24.

Published - March 21, 2025 08:47 pm IST

AI ethical monitoring system a must to curb academic dishonesty

AI ethical monitoring system a must to curb academic dishonesty

Ayushi.Gupta1@timesofindia.com 17.03.2025

With the Supreme Court highlighting technology integration, lower courts will use technically inclined lawyers as their number rises. AI is gradually transforming the legal education system but there is still a wide technical divide that needs to be bridged. The lack of formal integration of AI into legal education in Indian colleges is the biggest challenge that needs to be addressed. Vageshwari Deswal, professor, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, says, “Colleges can enhance students’ understanding of complex legal theories, case laws, and statutes using AI tools. These technologies provide swift access to vast data, making legal research simpler. Simulated classrooms, techenabled virtual client counselling sessions, and mock sessions with AI chatbots can better equip students for real courtroom experiences. Students must learn that AI cannot contextualise data nor replace human reasoning or judgment.” 

“The integration of AI is a work in progress that demands adapting to the technology while preserving the core principles of legal education,” says V Shyam Kishore, dean, Alliance School of Law, Alliance University, Bengaluru. Before incorporating AI into the curriculum, it is crucial to educate students, faculty, and administrators about AI’s benefits, and limitations. “Understanding and using AI tools will become a fundamental skill in future, just like how legal professionals today are expected to know how to use MS Office, legal research databases, and citation tools,” he adds. The legal sector is rapidly adopting AI-driven tools, with several software applications already available for legal research, litigation support, and compliance monitoring. Kishore says, “Many of these tools are already being used by legal firms and institutions to streamline processes, improve research, and enhance efficiency. 

However, most of these AI-powered solutions are designed for global markets and must be tailored to India’s unique legal framework.” Currently, there is no national regulatory framework governing the use of AI in law schools, as the BCI is yet to update its policies to reflect the growing role of AI. Kishore says, “The establishment of AI governance mechanisms in law schools is required to regulate AI’s ethical and pedagogical use. AI ethics committees should be formed to monitor AI-assisted legal research and prevent academic dishonesty. These committees should align with ethical AI guidelines, such as those from NITI Aayog, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, and international standards like OECD and UNESCO.”

Traditional medical education to soon incorporate AI electives

Traditional medical education to soon incorporate AI electives

AI tools can make ayurveda knowledge and services more widely accessible, reaching global audiences 

Ayushi.Gupta1@timesofindia.com 17.03.2025

The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) is set to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) curricula to revolutionise the Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM). To equip students with both foundational knowledge of ISM and the skills to incorporate modern technological advancements, the ministry is working on formulating a benchmark framework to offer AI as one of the elective subjects. 

To implement the plan, the ministry has been evaluating the sector’s readiness for AI, creating a standardised framework for AI system integration, and developing AI educational tools. Creating a benchmark A framework is needed to integrate AI into traditional medicines to make it scientifically validated, efficient, and globally recognised. The ministry has collaborated with global focus groups to develop benchmarks for AI usage in traditional medicines. Talking to Education Times, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, says, “The Centre of Excellence (CoE) component of the Ayurswasthya Yojana, a project sanctioned to IIT Jodhpur, aims to combine functional genomics, electronics, digital health, and AI to realise evidence based ayurvedic solutions. 

The CoE will provide technological solutions for understanding and applying ayurveda’s principles and practices—P5 medicine: Personalised, Preventive, Predictive, Participatory, and Promotive—as well as integrative medicine, including environmental response and disease development.” Integrating AI in ayurveda can enhance diagnostic accuracy, personalised treatment planning, research efforts, and healthcare delivery, says Pooja Sabharwal, assistant professor, Govt of NCT of Delhi. “Training students in traditional medicine to provide AIenabled public health services alongside their core curriculum can empower them to deliver more comprehensive and effective care, contribute to improved health outcomes, and adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape. 

With AI algorithms, students can identify patterns and correlations in complex datasets, such as ayurvedic diagnostic criteria, symptoms, and treatment outcomes. Analysing these patterns through AI allows it to assist ayurvedic practitioners in diagnosing diseases more accurately and predicting the efficacy of various treatment modalities,” she adds. Moreover, AI can enhance various aspects of education and healthcare, particularly in the context of ayurveda and traditional medicine. 

“AI can automate administrative tasks, assist in curriculum development, and provide real-time feedback to educators, allowing them to focus more on mentorship and teaching. AI-driven platforms can also make ayurveda knowledge and services more widely accessible, reaching global audiences,” adds Kotecha. In 2017, the ministry launched AYUSH Grid, an initiative to integrate technology with traditional medicine systems like ayurveda, yoga, unani, siddha, and homeopathy. Through the Grid, students are trained in modern technologies to improve healthcare services such as accessibility, quality, and efficiency. Kotecha says, “Students are already using the AYUSH Learning Management System (e-LMS) under AYUSH Grid, where AI-driven analytics are being developed.” 

Strengthening research Incorporating AI into research methodology courses will enable students to conduct data-driven research in ayurveda, says Vaidya Rabinarayan Acharya, director general, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS). He says, “The regulatory body of AYUSH education, the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM), is taking steps to strengthen the research system. The implementation of AI-integrated education at universities and colleges can take several forms. For example, developing a curriculum with dedicated courses on data science, AI, and machine learning, tailored to ayurvedic studies, including their application in traditional medicine research and practice.”

NEET aspirant kills mother, critically injures father after being told to stop using mobile in Madhya Pradesh

NEET aspirant kills mother, critically injures father after being told to stop using mobile in Madhya Pradesh

TNN | Mar 5, 2025, 11.43 AM IST

BHOPAL: A 20-year-old NEET aspirant was so addicted to his mobile phone that it drove him to a murderous rage when his parents asked him not to use it.

He lashed out at them with an iron rod, killing his mother, while his father is in a critical condition at a hospital.

The incident took place at Sikandra village panchayat under Waraseoni police station of Balaghat district.

Accused Satyam Katre, 20, is the only child of Kishore Katre and Pratibha Katre—both govt teachers. On Monday night, Satyam attacked both his parents with an iron rod, inflicting severe injuries. Thereafter, he himself called his relatives and police, informing them that he killed his parents.

The kin and police rushed to the spot. Both the injured were rushed to Gondiya in neighbouring Maharashtra for treatment. His mother, Pratibha Katre, died during treatment on Tuesday night at around 10.30 pm. His father, Kishore Katre, is in ICU.

“We rounded up the youth on Monday night itself. When asked, he said that he watches his mobile phone regularly and gets uncomfortable without the phone.

On Monday night, his father asked him to stop using the mobile, which led to the incident. We have seized his phone and will be sending it for forensic tests. Primarily, he is a mobile addict, but what he was watching on the phone will be clear after forensic evaluation. New sections will be added after the death of his mother,” sub-divisional officer of police, Wareseoni, Abhishek Chowdhary told TOI.

Local villagers say that he mostly used to remain reserved and confined to his phone; otherwise, his behaviour was normal.

“His parents are well-educated, the entire family is educated. And parents wanted him to do something good. They sent him to Kota to prepare for NEET, he returned after around four months. Both his parents are teachers, he is their only child, and he used to remain at home with his phone,” sarpanch of Sikandara village, Kanhaiyalal Khairwar told TOI.

“On Monday night, he himself informed the relatives and police. I also went with the police to his house. He was present there, neither sad nor happy. The iron rod used was also present there,” he said.

“He was addicted to mobile phones, the neighbours told us,” Khairwar said.

Experts say that this addiction is similar to the addiction to narcotic substances.

“This is a behavioural addiction, and it also works on those reward centres of the brain where other addictions like liquor work, thus there are similar reactions when the addicted person is stopped or restricted. It is required to be seen as a mental disorder rather than an evil,” consultant psychiatrist Dr Satyakant Trivedi told TOI.

Coming soon: MSc in forensic nursing in India to train for critical roles in crime investigation .

Coming soon: MSc in forensic nursing in India to train for critical roles in crime investigation .

Read more at: https://www.onmanorama.com/career-and-campus/top-news/2024/11/05/new-course-announced-msc-in-forensic-nursing.html

Coming soon: MSc in forensic nursing in India to train for critical roles in crime investigation

Onmanorama Staff

PUBLISHED: NOVEMBER 05 , 2024 04:22 PM IST 1 MINUTE READ

The Indian Nursing Council (INC) has announced the launch of an MSc course in Forensic Nursing. Alongside this, the INC is also introducing a range of new courses for advanced studies in nursing. The upcoming speciality programmes will prioritise clinical training over theoretical coursework.

MSc in forensic nursing

The MSc programme in Forensic Nursing is open to candidates who have completed a BSc in Nursing with a minimum of 55% marks and possess at least one year of working experience after registering with the state council. Candidates from scheduled categories will receive a 5% marks exemption.

This programme emphasises nursing care for victims of violence and prepares nurses to support not only the victims but also their families during crime investigations. Graduates will have opportunities to work as nurse specialists, consultants, and educators. Beyond traditional hospital roles, this course also presents emerging career paths in medical examination rooms.

New courses

The INC has developed a draft plan for several clinical residency programs aimed at creating specialised nursing practitioners. This includes Nurse Practitioner programmes in Paediatric Nursing (NPPN) and Nephrology Nursing (NPNPN), among others. The feedback on the draft plans can be submitted via email to secy.inc@gov.in. The plans to launch residency programmes for Nurse Practitioners in Family Health and Neonatal Nursing are in the final stages of development

Ban on wrist watches for Inter exam: TGBIE

Ban on wrist watches for Inter exam: TGBIE

Mar 2, 2025, 0:05 IST

Hyderabad: Telangana State Board of Intermediate Education (TGBIE) has decided to ban all types of wrist watches inside exam centres to curb malpractice.

With over five lakh students set to appear for the intermediate public examinations from March 5, authorities have decided to ban all types of electronic gadgets inside exam centres.

"The blanket ban comes as smartwatches have increasingly been used by students to cheat during exams, making it impractical for officials to check every watch individually," said TGBIE secretary, Krishna Aditya.

He added, "All necessary measures, including CCTV surveillance at centres, were taken to curb malpractices. Students will not be allowed to carry any electronic gadgets inside exam halls, including mobile phones, digital devices, and watches. The decision to ban watches entirely was taken due to the logistical challenge of checking each watch in such large numbers. However, students can rely on wall clocks placed in rooms."

Upset over thrashing by teacher, 14-year-old jumps to death from 4th floor of school building in Hyderabad

Upset over thrashing by teacher, 14-year-old jumps to death from 4th floor of school building in Hyderabad

23.02.2025

A 14-year-old student died by suicide after jumping from the fourth floor of his school in Hyderabad, following alleged corporal punishment by a teacher. The incident led to protests from the boy's family and student organizations. The police have registered a case against the teacher and the school management for abetment to suicide.

HYDERABAD: A 14-year-old student died by suicide after he jumped from the fourth floor of his school building in Uppal on Saturday morning. The boy took the extreme step after being allegedly struck by a school teacher.

Uppal police said that the 14-year-old jumped from the fourth floor of the Sagar Grammar School building during school hours. On hearing a thud, the school staff rushed out and found the boy in a pool of blood. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

The incident led to a protest, with family members and a few student organisations demanding action against the school teacher.

The boy's mother blamed the school's physical training (PT) teacher for her son taking the extreme step.

At around 9.30 am, the student was found playing with a CCTV camera on the school campus. On seeing this, the teacher got upset and allegedly smacked him besides reprimanding him. "Later, the boy, under the pretext of going to the washroom, went to the fourth floor of the building and jumped to death," Uppal inspector Election Reddy told TOI.

The alleged incident of corporal punishment took place in front of other students. "Perhaps, he felt humiliated since he was smacked in front of others," sub-inspector V Chiranjeevi said. Before taking the extreme step, the 14-year-old wrote a note in his notebook, expressing his apology to his parents. Police have recovered the material.

Based on the complaint given by the family members of the deceased, a criminal case was registered against the teacher and the management of the school on the charge of abetment to suicide.

‘Tough’ CBSE physics paper has students on tenterhooks

‘Tough’ CBSE physics paper has students on tenterhooks 

Even 1-Mark MCQs Too Complex, Say Students, Feel Out Of Depth & Time

Ramendra.Singh@timesofindia.com 23.02.2025 

Bhopal : This was the board exam or JEE-Mains? That was the feeling among the majority of students after the CBSE class 12 physics paper on Friday. And on Saturday, social media was buzzing with complaints of how tough and lengthy it was. Students complained that the paper was far too heavy on numericals and broke from the pattern of a balanced distribution of topics and complexity.

 “It is not a competitive exam, but a qualifying exam. All three sets were lengthy, complex and needed strong problem-solving skills. How many children in India can solve such a paper without private coaching? How many CBSE students in villages can afford coaching?” asked a school teacher, requesting not to be named. 

Several teachers told TOI that even the section containing one-mark questions included very complex theoretical concepts that required a deeper understanding and far more investment of time than the weightage merited. Students faced ‘unforeseen components’ and numerical problems that demanded extensive calculations, requiring careful time management. Many struggled to finish the paper in time. Most of those who could, didn’t get time to revise. 

“The examination pattern deviated slightly from previous years, catching students off guard,” said a teacher. Derivations got far less weitage that previous years. “The numerical questions, especially those carrying two marks, proved exceptionally difficult. Several MCQs were extremely complicated,” said a student, Samarth Kumar. Some students said that one of the MCQs was drawn from topics excluded from the syllabus. Education experts suggested that the paper's structure could have been more balanced. They emphasised that while challenging questions are necessary to differentiate between students’ 

capabilities, the overall difficulty level should have been more moderate. Some teachers felt that the paper reflected the need of the times and would help acquaint students with the toughness of competitive examinations.

Board exams: Secure answer sheets with white thread only or face action

Board exams: Secure answer sheets with white thread only or face action

TESTING TIMES 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 23.02.2025

Ahmedabad : A new rule has been implemented for the upcoming board exams: students are now required to use only the white thread provided by the Board to secure additional answer sheets. The use of any alternative thread types is strictly forbidden, and any violation of this regulation will be treated as a case of cheating, subject to severe penalties. 

The final exams for Class 10 and Class 12 students will begin on Feb 27. The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) has released detailed instructions to ensure a fair exam process for all students. To assist students in adhering to the correct answering format, the board has provided specific guidelines within the question papers. Essential instructions will be printed on the second page of each answer sheet, and failure to comply with these directives may result in disciplinary action. Students must verify that the seat number printed on the first page of their answer sheet matches the seat number on the barcode sticker. Any discrepancies should be immediately reported to the invigilator. The barcode sticker must be affixed correctly, without any folds or damage, and students should refrain from making any unnecessary markings on it. 

Students are required to write their seat number both in figures and words at the top of the answer sheet and complete the roll number section on page two. A signature is mandatory after the barcode sticker has been attached. Answers must be written exclusively in blue or black ink. The use of other colours for underlining is not permitted. Students are prohibited from removing pages from their answer sheets or making corrections through overwriting. 

Any alterations in the answer sequence must be properly indexed. Lastly, students are instructed not to leave any blank pages in their answer sheets; any unused pages should be marked with a cross.

NOC of state not mandatory to seek affiliation, says CBSE

NOC of state not mandatory to seek affiliation, says CBSE

Feb 22, 2025, 1:09 IST

Chennai: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that a no-objection certificate (NOC) from state govt is not mandatory to seek affiliation from 2026-27. This move could become another flashpoint between Centre and Tamil Nadu as it could lead to mushrooming of CBSE schools in the state implementing the three-language policy despite opposition from the state govt.

“The schools seeking affiliation with the board henceforth will be permitted to apply on the SARAS portal under various categories with or without a no-objection certificate with effect from 2026-27,” said the notification by CBSE secretary Himanshu Gupta on the amendments to the affiliation bylaws 2018.

Ragging in Karnataka medical college; Kashmiri MBBS student ‘beaten’, given death threats by seniors Second-year student Hamim at Al-Ameen Medical College made to sing, dance, perform 'Al-Ameen' salute, beaten in hostel room. JKSA wants accused suspended.

Ragging in Karnataka medical college; Kashmiri MBBS student ‘beaten’, given death threats by seniors Second-year student Hamim at Al-Ameen Medical College made to sing, dance, perform 'Al-Ameen' salute, beaten in hostel room. JKSA wants accused suspended.

Ragging in Karnataka medical college; Kashmiri MBBS student ‘beaten’, given death threats by seniors... 

Read more at: https://news.careers360.com/ragging-in-karnataka-medical-college-al-ameen-kashmiri-mbbs-second-year-student-beaten-given-death-threats-seniors-jksa

NEW DELHI: 19.02.2025

Amid multiple reports of ragging incidents in colleges across the country, another case has now surfaced in Karnataka wherein a Kashmiri MBBS student has been allegedly ‘brutally’ ragged and assaulted at a medical college. Second-year student Hamim was beaten up by senior students of the 2019 batch at Al-Ameen Medical College in Bijapur, according to the Jammu Kashmir Students Association (JKSA). 

Calling it a ‘deeply disturbing incident’, the student body has sought state chief minister Siddaramaiah’s intervention to ensure strict action against the accused students and to safeguard the rights and safety of students, especially non-locals. It also demanded expulsion of those found guilty from the college.

According to the national convenor of JKSA, who spoke to the victim, the ragging had been going on for months, over a probable clash of power between the senior students and the MBBS student who is the captain of the cricket team of 2023 batch. 

Power clash, death threats 

The student belonging to Anantnag was beaten, humiliated, and severely ragged by seniors, JKSA alleged. Narrating the incident, the association said that the issue came up during a cricket match between the 2019 and 2022 batches on February 18. Initially, Hamim was asked to stay out of the boundary of the playground by the seniors, to which he complied and started watching the match from a distance. When he refused to stay afar, asserting his rights, the seniors allegedly confronted him. What initially was a verbal altercation, quickly turned into bullying, with a group of seniors asking Hamim to perform an "Al-Ameen salute”, sing songs, and dance for their amusement.

They even tried to force him into their car, in an attempt to harm him further. Calling such actions inappropriate and against college rules, the victim student refused and took out his phone to record the incident, further enraging the seniors. Later in the evening, some students barged into the Kashmiri student’s hostel room and inflicted physical assault on him, beating him repeatedly and forcing him to record a video apologizing. 

They also gave him death threats and warned him that he would not be allowed to play cricket for the next four years. “You have four more years here. We are locals—imagine how terrible we can make your life,” the seniors were quoted as saying by the student. “Such incidents highlight the alarming culture of unchecked ragging and abuse within educational institutions. This is not just an isolated case of violence—it is a failure of the system meant to protect students. Immediate legal action must be taken against the perpetrators, and both college authorities and law enforcement must intervene swiftly,” said JKSA. 

Stronger antiragging measures need to be implemented to ensure the safety and dignity of all students, especially non-locals and Kashmiri students, who often face additional discrimination, it added. 

Recently, a junior student at a government nursing college in Kerala’s Kottayam was subjected to ‘brutal’ ragging, an incident that triggered widespread public outcry in the state. Five third-year students who targeted first-year nursing students have been arrested. In similar cases, a government college student in Kerala made allegations of brutal ragging, and an Indore medical college student claimed ragging on social media. Follow us for the latest education news on colleges and universities, admission, courses, exams, research, education policies, study abroad and more..

 To get in touch, write to us at news@careers360.com.

Rise in CBSE students opting for vocational subjects in class X, XII

Rise in CBSE students opting for vocational subjects in class X, XII

Introduction of subjects including AI, IT, tourism, yoga, and physical training has piqued their interest 

Ayushi.Gupta1@timesofindia.com 17.02.2025

There has been a substantial increase in students picking vocational subjects in CBSE schools in the last three years. Introduced in the 2019 board exams, the numbers have risen from 7,72,419 students in 9,534 schools in 2021-22 to 17,13,213 students from 23,752 schools in 2024-25. 

CBSE attributes the rise to the introduction of occupation-based skills such as IT, AI, Physical Activity Training, Tourism, Beauty and Wellness, Yoga, Retail, and Marketing, which invited greater student involvement. 

CBSE noticed more participation in class X than in class XII as students focused their attention on competitive exams. Currently, CBSE offers 34 skill modules for students from class VI onwards, in addition to the 22 skill subjects in classes IX and X and 43 skill subjects in classes XI and XII. Growing numbers According to the data, in the 2024-25 academic year, around 17,13,213 students from 23,752 schools participated in at least one vocational subject in class X. There was massive interest for IT subject which was opted by 7,72,419 students in 9,534 schools in 2021-22 increasing to 11,66,492 students in 15,384 schools in 2024-25. The subject involving investment covered in ‘Introduction to Financial Markets’ has also seen student interest as the number grew from 7,906 students in 195 schools in 2021-22 to 16,671 students in 359 schools in 2024-25. 

However, the most popular subjects, such as IT, AI, Tourism, and Marketing, have seen a decline in growth rates in class XII. Speaking to Education Times, Biswajit Saha, director, Skill Education and Training, CBSE, says, “In classes IX and X, students have shown greater interest in certain vocational subjects. However, in classes XI and XII, we have observed a dip as students shift their focus to preparing for competitive exams including NEET, JEE, CLAT, for college admissions. CBSE is working on strategies to improve student retention in vocational subjects at schools.” The skill subjects offered in classes IX to XII by CBSE are designed to align with industry demand as described under the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF). These vocational subjects provide secondary school students with the competency levels required for various occupations. Explaining the growth in tourism as a vocational subject, Saha says, “Under the Ministry of Tourism, some government-funded schools in potential tourism-based states such as Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar, and Delhi have received aid to establish skill labs, especially to run hospitality-based courses.” Practical exposure To impart essential skills to students, the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) and the AICTE have been working on developing laboratories, including IT Labs, Composite Science Labs, and separate Physics, Chemistry, and Maths labs in schools.

 “Since August 2024, the board has established around 70 Composite Skill Labs in six categories of central government schools, including Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV), Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), PM Shree Schools across states and UTs. The board has also set up Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) in more than 10,000 schools across the country. The CBSE initiative has helped in setting up around 100 Agile ATLs in the northeastern states, Leh-Ladakh, Andaman, and Delhi. These labs provide practical exposure to students in both skill-based and STEM vocational subjects,” says Saha

SWAYAM courses suffer high attrition and low completion rates

SWAYAM courses suffer high attrition and low completion rates

 Lack of investments in digital infrastructure, tough exit exams and long classroom sessions with no guaranteed immediate benefit to the learner could be the key reasons 

Rajlakshmi.Ghosh@timesofindia.com 17.02.2025

Less than 4% of students enrolled for SWAYAM courses have completed the programme since 2017, revealed a parliamentary panel committee report released recently. With complaints including outdated content, inflexible teaching, and poor infrastructure being cited as key reasons, questions are being raised about the efficacy of the courses to upskill learners from class IX to the postgraduate level. Experts claim that the large number of dropouts and the low completion rates are due to the lack of investments in digital infrastructure, tough exit exams and boring classroom sessions that make tech intervention a dire necessity. What the courses entail All the courses are interactive and available free of cost, though general citizens wanting a SWAYAM certificate must register for the final proctored exams for a fee and attend in person at designated centres on specified dates. 

Eligibility for the certificate is announced on the course page, and learners will get certificates only if their criteria match. “However, post the UGC’s new framework for SWAYAM courses in August last year enabling universities to conduct exams for SWAYAM courses, students will now take exams at their universities without any cost. Once the students clear the exam, the credits of the courses can be used in their university programme. Should the students fail, a supplementary exam will be conducted by the university at no cost to the learners,” BJ Rao, vice-chancellor, University of Hyderabad, says. 

With the two key deterrents of certificate fee payment and absence of supplementary ex ams being ironed out, students are more likely to complete the courses, reaping the benefits of a flexible learning system. But then, not every academic is convinced. “Unlike in the IITs where the barrier is a tough entrance exam (JEE Advanced), in SWAYAM courses–90% of which are developed by IIT faculty–the challenge lies at the exit level where learners’ ability to grasp topics is tested through proctored exams which act as quality filters. Even though tens of thousands of learners may enrol for these courses, not many want to complete it, simply because they aim to gain knowledge and not necessarily to collect certificates, which is often the case with working professionals,” says V Ram Gopal Rao, vicechancellor, BITS Pilani Group and former director, IIT Delhi. 

According to the parliamentary committee report, teachers who are engaged in imparting lessons report inadequate training, low compensation, and technical issues while recording Swayam lectures. There is an urgent need to make the classes more interesting and prevent high dropout rates, adds Rao. “Leaners constantly complain about monotonous classes where PowerPoint presentations by professors may not help retain students’ interest. This makes the need for tech interventions involving 3D animations, AR/VR platforms all the more relevant, to clarify concepts and improve content delivery,” he says. Mapping recruiters with students The parliamentary commit tee further observed that digital initiatives in education would only provide a lukewarm response in terms of engagement unless the Union education ministry proactively helped learners with placement opportunities wherever possible or set up a platform associated with SWAYAM for connecting recruiters to students. 

With rapid development in technology and AI tools to prepare students for mock interviews and personality training, the idea of a platform to map recruiters with students can be achieved, says Rao. Dealing with the divide Linking the courses with job prospects is not a suitable idea as every course cannot be mapped to a job since pla cement is an integrated outcome of the learning and skilling of the student, says BJ Rao. Increasing internet penetration in the country will ensure better inclusivity and continuity of learning in the rural belt, he adds. PV Navaneethakrishnan, former professor and director of Entrance Exams and Admission, Anna University, Chennai, counters, “The low percentages of SC/ST (4%) and OBC (7%) students having internet-enabled computers according to Oxfam India 2022, and as pointed out by the parliamentary panel, is indicative that the digital divide still exists. Along with this, the urbanrural divide also contributes to the attrition among SWAYAM learners. Since the online

scheme is not familiar or easily accessible to the underprivileged, the system should include periodical offline classes and tutorials with subject experts at convenient locations. This will inculcate in them a sense of belonging and induce confidence in the usefulness of the pursuit. Admissions based on a formal aptitude test will also help reduce the dropout rate.” It is important to reconcile with the fact that not all registrants are serious about completing the courses, particularly since the programmes are free, cost nothing on dropping out, often long and with no guaranteed immediate benefit. “For many, the initial enthusiasm may wear out with the increasing stress of studies as the course progresses. This is an inherent drawback of many online courses, and not just SWAYAM,” Navaneethakrishnan adds

For now, take affidavit route to register name change: HC

For now, take affidavit route to register name change: HC 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 16.02.2025

Bengaluru : The high court has said until adequate amendments are made to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act and the Rules regarding change of name of children, the authorities can adopt a procedure calling upon applicant-parents to give a sworn affidavit to the effect that they have changed the name of their ward on their own accord and request that the entries in the birth register be changed accordingly.

Justice NS Sanjay Gowda gave this direction while allowing a petition filed by a three-year-old boy, represented by his mother Deepika Bhat of Udupi. “It is, however, made clear that in case of deaths, the question of changing the name would not arise and hence, these directions would be inapplicable,” the judge added.

The petitioner had requested the registrar of births and deaths, Udupi, that his name be changed from Adhrith Bhat to Shrijith Bhat as the former was astrologically not proper. However, on Nov 4, 2023, an endorsement was issued rejecting the request, citing that neither the Act nor the Rules provide for the same. The endorsement was challenged before the high court. 

Justice Gowda noted that since there is no provision under the Act or the Rules for a change of name, a piquant situation has arisen which requires resolution in such a manner that neither authorities nor the applicants are prejudiced. In the absence of legislation prescribing a procedure for changing the name of a person and until a relevant law is enacted, parents could give a sworn affidavit to the effect that they have changed the name of the child on their own accord and the entries in the birth register be changed accordingly. 

“The authorities should verify the identity of the parents and proceed to incorpo rate the changed name in the register of births. The authorities, in order to ensure that there is no attempt to create a record for ulterior purposes, should make a remark in the register stating that the name of the child was changed subsequently pursuant to a request made by the parents,” the judge said, adding that the register would mention both the original and new names. “In fact, even in respect of an adult who seeks a change of name, the same procedure can be adopted,” Justice Gowda said, directing that the procedure he laid out be followed and name change be permitted in the register of births and deaths. 

With regard to the petitioner, the judge directed for entry in the register of births and also in the birth certificate to the effect that Adhrith Bhat is changed to Shrijith Bhat.

VTU directs colleges to refund students’ fees

VTU directs colleges to refund students’ fees 

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesofindia.com 15.02.2025

Bengaluru : Following complaints about refund of fees to students in case of withdrawal of admissions, Visvesvaraya Technological University warned of action if colleges do not follow the directions of apex bodies on this matter. In a circular dated Feb 11, the university said it received many petitions and requests regarding refund of fees to students in case of withdrawal or cancellation of admissions.

 “The university had advised/instructed colleges to follow the norms of apex bodies. Despite that, the university is receiving such complaints. Hence, once again, it is hereby informed to heads of institutions to follow the directions of UGC, AICTE and VTU in this regard, failing which the university will be forced to initiate action against the college and will also report to AICTE, UGC and the state govt,” said the circular. As per UGC regulations for 2024-25, full refund of fees should be made in case of cancellation of admissions/migrations of students up to Sept 30, 2024, and with a deduction of not more than Rs 1,000 as processing fee up to Oct 31, 2024. For any admission schedule extending this date, the rules will be as follows: Students will get 100% if cancellation is 15 days or more before the formally notified last date of admission; students should get 90% for withdrawing less than 15 days before notified last date of admission; 80% for 15 days or less after last date of admission; 50% for 30 days or less, but mo re than 15 days after last date of admission, and no refund if cancellation is more than 30 days after formally notified last date of admission. “Students often struggle to get refund from colleges.

Not only do colleges not refund, but they also threaten to not return the original certificates. Some of them go to the extent of asking for full course fees,” said Mithesh Kumar Moodukonaje, founder of National Pre-University Students,  Parents and Teachers Association. “Students can email their complaint to UGC fee samadhan portal along with fees paid receipt, admission cancellation intimation, etc., marking the email ID of the college too,” he said

Over 75,000 to appear for CBSE board exams

Over 75,000 to appear for CBSE board exams

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 15.02.2025

Ahmedabad : Final exams for Classes 10 and 12 under the Central Board of Secondary Education

(CBSE) will begin on Saturday.

From Gujarat, 75,000 students have registered for these exams, of which nearly 43,000 students are

from Class 10 and around 32,000 are from Class 12. As many as 14,281 students are from  Ahmedabad city, of which 7,909 students are from Class 10 and 6,372 are from Class 12.

According to officials, Class 10 students will take the English exam and Class 12 students will take  the entrepreneurship exam on Sa turday. The Class 10 exams will conclude on March 18 while  Class 12 exams will continue till April 4.

The exam will be conducted at 21 centres in Ahmedabad. The board has made it clear that in

addition to their admit card and school ID card, students are allowed to carry a transparent pouch, geometry box, transparent water bottle, metro cards, bus passes and money.

The CBSE has also made it clear that regular students appearing for the CBSE board exams must wear their school uniform.

Last year, more than 69,000 students from Classes 10 and 12 in the state took the CBSE board exam

NAAC shifts to e-inspections, to start new accreditation models

NAAC shifts to e-inspections, to start new accreditation models 

Announces Immediate Halt To Physical Inspections

Hemali.Chhapia@timesofindia.com 09.02.2025

Mumbai : In a decisive move to eliminate corruption and streamline the accreditation process, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has announced an immediate halt to physical inspections of colleges. Accreditation teams will now conduct evaluations entirely online, replacing on-campus visits with virtual assessments. For universities, though, the transition will be hybrid — most inspections will take place remotely, but a select number of reviewers will still visit campuses to maintain some level of direct oversight. 

The decision follows the recent Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrests in the case involving Andhra Pradesh-based Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation (KLEF), where members of the institution’s management allegedly bribed NAAC peer visit inspectors to secure favourable ratings. “We decided to do all it takes to weed out elements of corruption. Cancelling physical visits will arrest the problem in a huge way,” said NAAC executive committee chairman Prof Anil Sahasrabudhe. “So many inspection visits take place every week, and it was very tough to monitor what transpired during these visits. Now, all this will be recorded.” 

NAAC director Ganesan Kannabiran called the shift to online inspection a “surgical strike” against corruption. “NAAC’s peer review system faced a challenging situation due to the recent CBI case. These are undesirable to the higher education system, and NAAC, being a quality assurance agency, is determined to eliminate such practices through definitive actions,” he said. The long-anticipated basic (binary) accreditation model, recommended by the K Radhakrishnan Committee, was set for launch in July 2024 but did not take off. 

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AI may flag irregularities, but Tamil Nadu says teachers know best in exam halls

AI may flag irregularities, but Tamil Nadu says teachers know best in exam halls

Preetika.P@timesofindia.com 09.02.2025

Chennai : Tamil Nadu will continue to rely on teachers for board exam invigilation, while states such as Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka plan to use AI for surveillance. Chennai Chief Education Officer Pugalendhi said that while AI is making inroads in education, its role in monitoring exams remains limited. “We are not using AI to detect malpractices during board exams. Ministers and district officers are inspecting centres to ensure proper infrastructure. For every 20 students, a teacher will supervise.” On Friday, school education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi inspected govt higher secondary school in Saidapet ahead of practical exams. Many teachers believe human invigilators remain irreplaceable. 

“We are learning to use AI for lesson planning and assessment, but its role in exam supervision is still unex plored,” said Sugandhi Mohanapriya, a govt school biology teacher from Saligramam. Maithiri Suresh, govt school headmistress from Cuddalore, added: “AI-powered monitoring can flag irregularities but should complement, not replace, human supervision. AI can detect anomalies, but teachers understand context and intent, which is crucial for fairness." Many states are already testing AI-driven exam monitoring. Uttar Pradesh is rolling out 24/7 AI surveillance for its 2025 high school and intermediate exams, while Karnataka’s School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) is piloting AI-powered monitoring with Microsoft, analysing video feeds for potential malpractice and sending real-time alerts to officials. 

Experts suggest TN experiment with AI on a smaller scale. “Piloting AI in select schools helps assess its role in reducing malpractice and justifying the investment. It can also highlight potential cost savings from reduced manpower requirements,” said N Rajendran, head, history department, at Bharathidasan University. “We tested tech-driven monitoring just after Covid-19. We realised there is a psychological difference when a teacher is present in class.”