Education
Go back to schools to root out NEET-type malaise
The high-powered committee on entrance exam reforms, set up following the NEET-UG fiasco, is learnt to have received several of these inputs. Academics, experts and officials associated with the education ministry over the years have highlighted the urgent need to restore the primacy of school-level teaching and learning and for more 'distributed' school-level weightage in entrance exams.
For NRI quota in government medical colleges, Karnataka govt wants 500 additional MBBS seats
The Karnataka government has urged the Centre to approve extra MBBS seats in autonomous government medical colleges under the Department of Medical Education starting from the academic year 2025-26. Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil stated that he has formally requested the Chairman of the National Medical Commission (NMC) to authorize a 15% NRI quota by creating 508 additional supernumerary MBBS seats across 22 government medical colleges in the state.
Royal Global University launches 'Hope for Manipur Scholarship' for violence-affected students
The Hope for Manipur Scholarship by Royal Global University aids students affected by violence, creating a safe educational environment for their brighter future.
TISS takes back termination letter of over 100 faculty members; announces extra funds for salary
Progressive Students Forum criticized the government for TISS contract terminations and Ministry of Education's entrance exam blunders, citing incompetence and jeopardizing employees' livelihoods and students' future.
Fresh date for NEET-PG to be announced within two days: Pradhan
The National Board of Examinations (NBE) will announce the new schedule for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-PG) within the next two days, following a row over alleged irregularities in competitive tests. The NBE announced revised dates for three cancelled exams: the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) UGC-NET, and the National Common Entrance Test (NCET).
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80% maths teachers in India, Middle East falter on basic mathematical questions: Study
A recent study by Ei, an EdTech company, revealed that nearly 80% of in-service math teachers in India and the Middle East lack basic conceptual understanding in areas such as ratio, proportional reasoning, algebraic reasoning, estimation, and logical reasoning. The study assessed 1,357 teachers from grades 3 to 6 across 152 schools in India, UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia over two years. Results showed that 75% of teachers struggled to answer half of the questions correctly, with only 25% able to answer a quarter of the questions accurately.
Gender ratio improves at old IIMs as they take more female candidates
Indian business schools are prioritizing gender diversity by admitting more women to their flagship programs, reflecting a broader trend in corporate India. Efforts to enhance classroom dynamics and prepare students for diverse workplaces are also underway.
Explained: How the National Testing Agency (NTA) functions?
The National Testing Agency (NTA) faces scrutiny over recent exam irregularities in NEET-UG and UGC-NET. Established in 2017 under the Education Ministry, NTA conducts major exams like JEE-Main, NEET-UG, and UGC-NET. Recent controversies include grace marks disputes in NEET and paper leaks in UGC-NET, prompting a high-level review of NTA's operations and leadership changes.
NEET paper leak case: Now, Maharashtra arrest and Delhi connection plot
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a school teacher from Latur, Jalil Khan Pathan, and detained Sanjay Jadhav, another teacher on the run. The police are investigating a national-wide racket in the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. The case was registered based on input from the Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad, which had identified a covert operation in Latur.
Centre notifies rules under anti-paper leak law, mandates NRA to prepare SOPs for tests
The Indian government has released rules under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which mandates the National Recruitment Agency (NRA) to prepare norms, standards, and guidelines for computer-based tests. The Act, passed by Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, aims to prevent unfair means in public examinations conducted by various public bodies.
Must Watch
MDI Gurgaon offers ‘guaranteed’ admissions to 2025-27 class to candidates whose ‘provisional’ offers for 2024-26 class were revoked
MDI Gurgaon offers guaranteed admissions to candidates whose admission offers for the 2024-26 class were rescinded, providing them the option to join the 2025-27 class.
Experts weigh in with 'infra for online exams', UPSC model
Experts suggest building an online infrastructure and examining the model of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for conducting prelims and mains examinations. They suggest using artificial intelligence and question banks to reduce the chances of leakage. Former UPSC chairman Deepak Gupta emphasized the importance of assessing medical fraternity members who focus on multiple choice questions.
CBI team probing UGC-NET case allegedly attacked in Bihar's Nawada, 4 arrested: Officials
A CBI team investigating alleged irregularities in the UGC-NET examination was attacked by locals in Bihar's Nawada, leading to four arrests. The incident occurred when the CBI team was visiting Kasiadeeh village. An FIR was filed against the accused on charges of causing disruption in government work and assault.
NEET-UG retest: 750 of 1,563 candidates awarded grace marks skip retest
A retest of 813 out of 1,563 candidates who were previously awarded grace marks in NEET-UG was conducted at seven centres following a Supreme Court order. The grace marks were awarded to compensate for the late start of the exam. The NTA debarred 17 candidates from Bihar and 30 from Gujarat's Godhara.
NTA website, its other portals secure; reports of they being hacked wrong: Officials
Officials have clarified that the National Testing Agency (NTA) website and other portals are secure, and reports of compromised or hacked information are false. The education ministry has set up a panel to review NTA's functioning, recommend exam reforms, and ensure data security.
Centre orders CBI probe into alleged irregularities in NEET-UG exam
The Education Ministry has handed over the investigation into alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 exam to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This decision follows the removal of National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General Subodh Singh amid controversy. Pradeep Singh Kharola, Chairman and Managing Director of India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), has been given additional charge of the NTA. Meanwhile, the NEET-PG exams scheduled for June 23 have been postponed by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).
