NFHS-6 & UDISE+ 2025-26: Girls Overtake Boys in Higher Secondary Attainment, Male Dropout Up in 6 States

41 Lakh Private Schoolteachers in India Face Low Pay, Unequal Legal Protections Across Southern States

This article exposes the stark reality that over 41 lakh private schoolteachers in India, especially in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala, face low salaries (₹8,000-₹25,000/month) and lack of legal protections due to fragmented state laws that often exclude unaided schools. The disparity between aided and unaided schools leaves teachers vulnerable to arbitrary dismissal and poor working conditions, highlighting a systemic failure in labour rights for educators.

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.

NFHS-6: Rural India Education Gender Gap 10.2%, Four Times Urban 2.5% – Geography Matters More Than Gender

NFHS-6 data reveals that India's rural education gender gap (10.2%) is four times the urban gap (2.5%). While urban areas have nearly closed the gap, rural women are significantly behind. The analysis shows that geography (rural vs urban) is a stronger determinant of educational attainment than gender, challenging the conventional focus on household bias.

342 AICTE-Approved Technical Institutions Closed in 3 Years; Maharashtra Tops with 57 Closures

342 AICTE-approved technical institutions closed across 17 states in the last three academic years, as per data tabled in Lok Sabha. Maharashtra recorded the highest closures (57), followed by Uttar Pradesh (54) and Madhya Pradesh (53). The government highlighted rising enrolments and policy measures to improve institutional viability.

Parliamentary Panel Flags NCERT Textbook Delays, Application-Based Exams Widening Curriculum Gap for Classes 9-12

A parliamentary panel has identified a critical gap between the NEP 2020-aligned curriculum and its implementation for Classes 9-12, citing delays in NCERT textbook releases and the shift to application-based board exams as sources of student stress. The report also flags declining teacher training, uneven enrolment, and the persistent shortfall in education spending (4.1% of GDP vs the 6% target), making it a high-relevance issue for education policy and governance questions.

West Bengal Joins Beti Bachao Beti Padhao; Schoolgirl Scholarship Doubled to Rs 2,000 from 2027

West Bengal officially joins Centre's Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme. Annual scholarship for schoolgirls doubled from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 from 2027 session. New helpline 181 and creche initiative 'PALNA' launched to boost female workforce participation. Key for aspirants tracking state-level implementation of central schemes.

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.