IITs Launch Cross-Disciplinary M.Tech Programs: MBBS & BTech in Same Class for Medical Device Innovation

Indian Student Mobility Declines 18.5% in 2025 as IITs, IIMs Open Overseas Campuses

Indian students going abroad for study fell for the second consecutive year in 2025, dropping 18.5% to 6.19 lakh. Simultaneously, top Indian institutes like IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, and IIM Ahmedabad have established overseas campuses, signaling a dual shift in international education dynamics.

India's R&D Spend Stagnant at 0.64% GDP, Only 2,500 Postdoc Positions Fuelling Brain Drain

India's gross expenditure on R&D has stagnated at 0.64% of GDP for two decades, with only 2,500 postdoctoral positions nationally. This chronic underfunding—$13 per person vs. China's $250 and the US's $2,100—is driving an estimated 95% of Indian postdocs abroad. The article examines systemic flaws in India's research ecosystem and the transformative potential of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).

IIT Kharagpur Applies for MD, IIT Madras Plans MBBS: IITs, IISc Redefine Medical Education

India's premier engineering institutes (IITs, IISc) are entering medical education, signaling a paradigm shift under NEP 2020. IIT Kharagpur applied for MD (March 2026), IIT Madras plans MBBS, and IISc's Tata Medical School will offer MD-PhD from 2027. This convergence aims to create 'physician-scientists' and reduce medical device imports, but faces regulatory and capital challenges.

NCERT Reconstitutes Class 11-12 Political Science Panel with RSS-Linked Academics; Mandate: Cultural Rootedness

NCERT has reconstituted the textbook development team for Classes 11 and 12 Political Science, with a mandate to integrate cultural rootedness and Indian knowledge systems. The panel includes at least four academics with RSS/ABVP links, reflecting the ongoing implementation of NEP 2020. Key deadlines: Class 11 textbook by November 2026, Class 12 by July 2027.

NITI Aayog Proposes Kaushal Tracks from Class 9 to Address 8.7 Crore NEET Youth

NITI Aayog's report 'Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047' reveals 8.7 crore NEET youth (15-29) and proposes integrating vocational education from Class 6, including Kaushal Tracks from Class 9, to bridge skill gaps and improve employability. Only 8.25% of graduates are in jobs matching their qualifications.

AICTE Launches AIEDFP: Rs 245 Crore Doctoral Fellowship for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

AICTE has launched a Rs 245 crore doctoral fellowship programme (AIEDFP) to promote problem-driven, application-oriented PhD research with real-world impact. This is a key step towards linking academic research with industry, startups, and societal needs, aligning with India's goal of becoming a knowledge-driven economy.

IIT Madras Incubated Centre Launches 4 Foundational AI Models for Indian Languages Supported by Education Ministry

IIT Madras incubated Bodhan AI and AI4Bharat have launched four foundational AI models for Indian languages covering speech recognition, speech generation, machine translation, and optical character recognition. These open-weight models enable government and EdTech to deploy multilingual AI using sovereign infrastructure, boosting digital education in regional languages.

CBSE Mandates Two Bhartiya Bhashas Under NEP 2020 Three-Language Formula from Class 6 (2026-27)

CBSE schools from the 2026-27 academic session must offer two Indian languages (Bhartiya Bhashas) as R2 and R3 under NEP 2020's three-language formula. However, practical roadblocks like teacher shortages, limited language options, and transition issues for existing students threaten effective implementation, with Hindi and Sanskrit becoming default third languages.