Education
A problem of plenty?
In a country like India, where there are marked differences in society when it comes to accessibility to education, healthcare and much more, companies should invest in projects that aid them to give back to society.
CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) gives a strong sense of responsibility to corporates that they have to contribute towards the betterment of society. The funds under the CSR are to be utilised for social development, to improve the living standards of disadvantaged sections of the society. This is normally utilised by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to improve the health, education, environment, rural development and to empower the youth with skills that can earn them jobs.
In 2018, the unused and unspent portion of mandatory CSR rose to 1,717 crores. The New Companies Act of 2013 mandates that publicly traded companies with Rs.100 crore in annual profit or Rs.500 crore in annual turnover need to give 2 percent of their profits for inclusive social action.
Companies will have to deposit their unused funds meant for corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities to a fund set up by the government for better utilisation of resources for public welfare, according to amendments to the Companies Act approved by the Cabinet on July 17, this year. The proposed amendment requires businesses to transfer the CSR amount allocated in specific years to a dedicated fund set up by the government if the company could not utilise it for three years. This would bring accountability to the CSR activities of businesses.
Ironically, there are a number of NGOs in India who are doing exemplary work in imparting education for all. While many do receive funding, these and other similar initiatives would benefit immensely from the unutilised CSR funding…
- Teach For India: They have a Teach To Lead project that encourages young college graduates and professionals to take up two years of full-time teaching sessions in under-resourced schools. In an effort to provide quality education to all, Teach For India currently works in five main cities of India – Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, and Chennai and is well equipped with some 700 Fellows who are working towards eradicating the high inequality present in the Indian education system.
- Make A Difference (MAD): Their Ed Support programme ensures children in shelter homes receive the quality of support and one-on-one attention required to bridge learning gaps and enable them to clear class 10 and pursue higher education. Currently, they have 1200 volunteers working hard to teach 4000 children in some of the major cities of India including Mangalore, Chennai, Bangalore, Mysore, Delhi, Dehradun, Kolkata, and Vellore.
- Pratham: Pratham is an innovative learning organisation created to improve the quality of education in India. Established in 1995 to provide education to children in the slums of Mumbai, Pratham has grown in both scope and scale, with programmes today reaching children and youth across the country. As one of the largest non-governmental organisations in the country, Pratham focuses on high-quality, low-cost and replicable interventions to address gaps in the education system. Working directly with children and youth as well as through large-scale collaborations with government systems, Pratham programmes reach millions of lives every year. Pratham's Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach has demonstrated a proven impact on children's learning outcomes and is now being adapted to contexts outside India.
- Navjyoti India Foundation: They have a remedial education programme that prevents vulnerable children from dropping out from mainstream education. Their education model provides holistic development through music, library, art and craft, life skills sessions, exposure trips, health, and hygiene. This is done through a service delivery system of 3S Model of:
Shiksha (Education) – Academic growth is basically loving for constant upgradation in academics and joyful learning. This love is reinforced through “doing” techniques to maintain their interest in education
Sanskaar (Values) – Early giving, sharing, sewa, gratitude, integrity, hard-work, discipline, sharing of joy, confidence building, sensitivity, awareness of the social evils, early awareness of their rights with responsibilities are imparted to strengthen the foundation of the children
Skills – This component enables the youth to identify, promote and enhance their inherent skill which comes so naturally to them, which could as well become a life vocation. The project operates out of the urban areas of Bawana resettlement colony located in North-west part of Delhi and rural areas of Sohna Block, Nayagaon (Gurgaon).
- The Akshaya Patra Foundation: Established in 2000 and headquartered in Bengaluru, the organisation addresses malnutrition and supports the right to education of disadvantaged children. Working on a public-private partnership model, it provides fresh and nutritious meals to children in government and government-aided schools as an implementing agency of the government’s midday meal schemes. Today, TAPF is the world’s largest not for profit run midday meal programme, serving 1.76 million children in 12 states. They aim to feed 5 million children by 2025. They have state of the art kitchens to scale up to their targets and on February 11, 2019, they commemorated the serving of 3 billion meals.
- Bodh Shiksha Samiti: Bodh Shiksha Samiti has evolved from experiences of collective action that helped establish a community school or bodhshala in Jaipur. The school was initiated in 1987 and has motivated India’s ultra-poor communities to transform their villages and slums into centers of educational excellence. It has pioneered the ‘common schools movement in India’, where schools (called Bodhshalas) are built, co-owned and co-managed by, mostly Below Poverty Line communities in areas untouched by the government education system. Its key strength lies in its emphasis on learning from varied community settings and classrooms and holding students, parents, and teachers in a tight loop of accountability and partnership.
Noteworthy CSR projects that support the cause of education
1. Tata Steel Limited
- Nearly 6,500 children who had left their studies or never attended any school were admitted into government schools, under ‘The Thousand Schools Project’. Improving the quality of education in the government schools of Odisha is the focus of The Thousand School Project. It is being implemented in three backward tribal districts i.e. Jajpur, Keonjhar, and Sundargarh.
- Scholarships: SC/ST students coming from economically weak families in Jharkhand and Odisha are given away Jyoti Fellowship, to support their school and college education. Every year nearly 3,000 students are supported through Jyoti Fellowship. Likewise, through Tata Steel Scholars Program, 83 academically bright SC/ST students from low-income families are being supported for pursuing their professional courses from country’s top-notch institutions.
- As marginalised students cannot afford private tuition, the company through Preparatory Coaching helped nearly 5,500 underprivileged school-goers of classes 8, 9 and 10 to hone skills in subjects like English, Mathematics, and Science.
- School drop-out girls in the 9-14 years age group undergo an 11-month bridge course at Camp Schools run by Tata Steel in Pipla (East Singhbhum) and Noamundi (West Singhbhum) and are mainstreamed to formal schools like Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya or other Government schools. Over the last 10 years, more than 1,700 girls have completed education at Camp School and been inducted into formal schools.
2. Hero Motocorp Ltd
Hero Motocorp is a big hero indeed when it comes to emphasising education for the girl child.
- Hero is committed to supporting the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative through CSR efforts focused at the girl child. They run a number of efforts for the cause through their ‘Hamari Pari’ initiative and one significant engagement was their association with the 'Selfie with Daughters' initiative of Punjab Kesari. The campaign spreads awareness about gender equality via mass participation of people across India.
- Team Hero runs regular drives to collect books, stationery, and other educational resources and distribute them among needy children. A part of the CSR spends also goes towards buying essential 'interactive' education material for programme beneficiaries like school bags. Employees also participate in this initiative and give their contributions by giving books during their book collection drive which are then given to needy students.
3. HDFC Bank
- Through ‘Katha Lab School’, they aim to provide holistic education to economically deprived children from all age groups. From vocational skills training to computer training to also catering to the needs of the differently-abled children, Katha has undertaken various measures to ensure the overall development of students' personalities. At present, they are engaging 400 beneficiaries in the state of Haryana through this initiative.
- With the intent to bring underprivileged children in mainstream education, they have collaborated with MelJol to introduce financial literacy among students in the states of Bihar and Chhattisgarh. They seek to encourage saving habits along with training them to think rationally and study effectively. At present, they are empowering 30,000 students.
- In the process of a child's education, a pivotal role is played by its educator. Through the Sri Aurobindo Society, they have reached out to train upto 2,00,000 teachers based majorly in rural Uttar Pradesh providing education to 2 crore school students in the state. The teachers were familiarised with the concept of innovation, thereby, encouraging them to implement 'Zero-Investment' innovative practices panning 40,000 schools in Uttar Pradesh.
- In response to the disaster in Jammu & Kashmir, they initiated a school rehabilitation programme in which they successfully renovated and restored close to 13 schools for underprivileged children. The project was completed in two years and impacted over 3000 students.
4. ITC
- Their Primary Education Programme aims to provide children from weaker sections of society in the organisation's factory catchment areas, access to education with a focus on learning outcomes and retention. Operational in 22 districts of 12 States, the programme covered 46,891 children during the year, thus taking the total coverage to nearly 5.60 lakh children. In addition, 162 government primary schools were provided infrastructure support comprising boundary walls, additional classrooms, sanitation units, and furniture, taking the total number of government primary schools covered till date to 1,644. To ensure sustainable operations and maintenance of the infrastructure provided, 351 School Management Committees were strengthened and 397 Child Cabinets and Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) Committees were formed in various schools with the active involvement of students and teachers.
5. Bharti Airtel Limited
- The Satya Bharti School Programme is the flagship initiative of the Bharti Foundation. The rural education initiative provides quality education to underprivileged children, completely free of cost, with a special focus on the girl child. The programme envisions transforming students into educated, confident, responsible and self-reliant employable citizens of India with a deep sense of commitment to their society. The programme’s reach is multi-pronged, encouraging the active involvement of the rural community, parents of students and other organizations working in the field of education in India. The Satya Bharti School Programme is being implemented with the intent to arrive at replicable and scalable components of quality education which may be adopted by the Government and other like-minded organisations. Reaching out to thousands of underprivileged children, the programme, through its focus on holistic development, aims to bring forth a new generation of citizens eager to usher in positive change.
CSR funds utilised in the right way can bring in a huge positive change and bridge the gap between the privileged and underprivileged sections of our society. Luckily, we have a number of organisations working consistently and selflessly towards the cause. Corporates investing in the right projects can result in the upliftment of the weaker sections of society giving them a fair chance at leading a good life. It is quite appalling to note that crores of rupees dedicated to CSR activities are going unused.
In a country like India, where there are marked differences in society when it comes to accessibility to education, healthcare and much more, companies should invest in projects that aid them to give back to society. It is indeed heartening to note that as per the recent law, the unused funds won’t go wasted. However, it is not enough to know that they won’t go wasted. They need to be put to use where they are needed most.
Together, we can bring in the change.
The dopamine-rich scrolling in late mornings with amorphous freedom has made our zealous students so comfortable that they are re-entering their classrooms with minds tuned to instant gratification, not delayed rewards. Now the challenge isn’t just academics but to re-engage our bud’s attention and curiosity. Neuroscience backed motivation strategies and intentional school design could prove to be a catalyst as it will bring a positive change and enable the students to learn at a better pace.
1. Rewiring the Dopamine rush with 2 Ps, Purpose and Productivity:
Neuroscience says: Where our brains are functional to seek novelty and purpose on their own, during summer break, the buds often lean into adding the activities to their routine which are unpredictable, quick, and rewarding referring back to instant gratification, these activities may include social media, gaming, and chatting anonymously and grateful to internet and inventions, there are plethora of platforms enabling students to be distracted. And then joining back the school with a gradual drip of delayed academic rewards may seem to be a let-down for students.
Actionable tip: We as facilitators have to be the mystery-solvers channeling their energy into productivity, enlightening them with real-world challenges, interdisciplinary projects, or a mystery to solve that taps into their intrinsic curiosity. Novelty may allow us to reset their attention-even primitive changes in surrounding like rearranged desks, learning outdoors, and using the BALA method to utilize infrastructure, can signal a shift in engagement and productivity.
2. Design for Autonomy and Flow
Neuroscience says:
Neuroscience tells us that motivation really flourishes when students feel they have some control over their learning. The brain’s reward system kicks in when choices are part of the equation, especially regarding how tasks are structured or what content is covered.
Here’s a practical tip: give students structured choices, like deciding which book to dive into, which problem to tackle first, or how they want to present their findings. A design that promotes flow—complete with clear goals, manageable challenges, and instant feedback—helps keep students in that ideal zone, avoiding both boredom and anxiety.
3. Rebuild Social Motivation Through Spaces That Connect
Neuroscience tells us that connecting with peers is a huge motivator, especially after the pandemic. Our brains are wired for social interaction, which plays a key role in how we learn and engage emotionally.
Actionable tip: Create flexible seating arrangements or common areas that encourage group work and casual collaboration. Try incorporating daily activities like “curiosity circles” or peer-led problem-solving sessions to foster a sense of belonging and shared learning objectives.
4. Leverage Routines to Rewire Attention
Neuroscience shows that our habits influence our attention. After a summer of scattered focus, students thrive on rhythmic and consistent routines that help retrain their executive functions.
Actionable tip: Kick off classes with familiar “mind-on” rituals — whether it’s a thought-provoking question, a brief reflection, or a quiet sketch — to help anchor their attention. Consistency breeds comfort, and that comfort boosts confidence.
5. Make Joy a Design Priority
Neuroscience indicates that positive emotions can enhance learning by boosting neuroplasticity. When students (and teachers) experience joy, they’re more likely to engage deeply and retain what they learn.
Actionable tip: Infuse joyful moments into the day — through fun challenges, movement breaks, or a bit of humor. Allow time for students to share what excites them. A joyful classroom isn’t just a nicer place to be; it’s also more effective for learning.
Conclusion: To capture wandering minds, we need to understand how motivation truly works and design both our curriculum and learning spaces to support it. When we ignite curiosity, honor autonomy, and weave joy into the experience, even the sleepiest summer brain can come alive again.
This article is written by:
Renu Sharma
Principal, Indirapuram Public School, Crossings Republik
Tripura has been declared a fully literate state, becoming the third in the country to cross the 95% literacy threshold after Goa and Mizoram.
The announcement was made by Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, citing data from the Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) programme — a flagship literacy and life skills initiative aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The declaration marks not just an administrative achievement, but a generational leap in educational access and community participation.
Tripura’s current literacy rate stands at 95.6%, as per the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey, a remarkable rise from 87.22% in the 2011 Census, and a far cry from 20.24% in 1961.
“This is a historic moment for Tripura. From a 20% literacy rate six decades ago to 95.6% today, we have rewritten our narrative,” said Dr. Saha in a public post. “Through the successful implementation of ULLAS, we have ensured that literacy is not limited to signing one’s name, but includes the confidence to participate meaningfully in society.”
ULLAS, launched under the New India Literacy Programme, targets adult learners aged 15 and above who have missed out on formal schooling. It goes beyond basic literacy to include numeracy, digital and financial literacy, legal awareness, and other essential life skills — all aligned with NEP 2020’s commitment to equitable lifelong learning.
The shift from traditional signature-based literacy drives to functional literacy has allowed Tripura to reach new learners with practical, future-ready tools. The model also offers a compelling template for other states striving to raise literacy rates beyond conventional benchmarks.
The Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB) has announced the introduction of Sign Language as an elective subject for Higher Secondary (Classes XI–XII) from the current academic year.
Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu made the announcement during the inauguration of a residential AI training programme for teachers at IIT Guwahati. While Artificial Intelligence and Financial Literacy were also introduced as new electives, Sign Language stood out as a critical stride towards making classrooms more accessible to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
“This is not just about a subject; it’s about acknowledging communication rights,” said Dr. Pegu, who also unveiled a specially designed AI textbook at the event. The textbook was developed in collaboration with experts from IIT Guwahati and Dibrugarh University. He added that the curriculum reforms are aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s vision of equity, inclusion, and skill readiness.
According to education officials, the rollout of Sign Language will begin in institutions where qualified educators or resource personnel are available. Training for teachers is expected to be scaled up across the coming months. The subject aims to raise awareness about Indian Sign Language (ISL), improve communication access for students with hearing impairments, and sensitise peers to inclusive practices from a young age.
Later in the day, Dr. Pegu chaired a review meeting with officials from the Department of School Education to discuss budget allocations and planning for the 2025–26 academic year. While schemes like the Chief Minister’s Nijut Moina initiative, distribution of bicycles for Class IX girls, and the upgradation of Bodo-medium schools were discussed, the emphasis remained on delivering structural reforms that bridge equity gaps in access and opportunity.
The addition of Sign Language, AI, and Financial Literacy as electives reflects a broader shift in how Assam is reimagining school education — one where life skills, digital literacy, and inclusive values are no longer optional, but integral.
In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Right to Education Act (RTE) 2009, the Directorate of Education (DoE), Government of NCT of Delhi, has issued a directive mandating that children must be 6 years old to gain admission into Class 1 starting from the academic session 2026–27.
This move aligns Delhi’s education system with the restructured 5+3+3+4 school framework introduced in the NEP 2020. Under the revised structure, the foundational stage will now include three years of pre-primary education before Class 1: Nursery (Bal Vatika/Preschool 1) at age 3, Lower KG (Preschool 2) at age 4, and Upper KG (Preschool 3) at age 5. Class 1 will be open to children only upon completion of 6 years of age.
All Heads of Government, Government-Aided, and Recognized Unaided Private Schools have been instructed to adopt this change beginning in the 2026–27 academic session.
By standardising entry age norms, the move aims to promote uniformity and developmentally appropriate learning, ensuring children enter Grade 1 equipped with foundational skills from three years of early childhood education.
In a progressive step towards comprehensive health education, the Tripura government has announced plans to integrate sex education and HIV/AIDS awareness into its school curriculum, Chief Minister Manik Saha confirmed.
According to officials, the curriculum update aims to equip students with accurate knowledge about sexual health, disease prevention, and safe practices—key factors in curbing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the state. With around 5,000 active cases reported by late 2024, including a notable infection rate of 0.33% among adults and over 800 student cases, the move is seen as a timely measure.
The new content will be deployed through age-appropriate lessons, Red Ribbon Club activities, and sensitisation drives led by health and education officials. This initiative builds upon previous efforts, such as school- and college-level awareness programs, the involvement of key stakeholders, and information, education, and communication (IEC) campaigns across rural and urban centers.
Chief Minister Saha emphasised the role of educators and community leaders in delivering accurate information and fostering a supportive environment: “Students from school to college level should be made aware of the dangers of this disease,” he remarked earlier.
The curriculum integration aligns with state-level action under the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP). It resonates with India’s broader public health mandate to move HIV/AIDS education from stigma to mainstream schooling. By addressing misconceptions and promoting prevention early, Tripura hopes to protect its youth and reduce dropout rates among vulnerable groups.
In a proud moment for Indian education, four schools from across the country have been named among the top 10 global finalists in the prestigious World’s Best School Prizes 2024, organised by UK-based T4 Education. These awards honour schools that are pushing the boundaries of innovation, inclusion, and community impact — and this year, India has made its presence felt in four out of five categories.
A Snapshot of India’s Global Finalists
From government to private, rural to urban — the diversity of India’s representation this year is striking.
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Government Girls Senior Secondary School, NIT 5, Faridabad (Haryana) – Supporting Healthy Lives
A government-run school is redefining what public education can achieve. By interweaving nutrition, mental health, and physical well-being into its core ethos, the school is transforming the lives of at-risk girls, ensuring that no student is left behind. -
Ekya School, JP Nagar, Bengaluru (Karnataka) – Innovation
Recognised for reimagining learning through a design-thinking framework, Ekya encourages student agency, interdisciplinary inquiry, and real-world problem-solving — a blueprint for future-ready schooling. -
ZP School, Jalindar Nagar, near Pune (Maharashtra) – Community Collaboration
A rural government school that has placed local communities at the heart of education. By building trust and ownership at the grassroots, it has created a model of sustainable, community-driven transformation. -
Delhi Public School, Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) – Environmental Action
Known for its strong environmental initiatives, DPS Varanasi’s students lead from the front — managing waste, conserving energy, and creating a campus-wide culture of sustainability.
These schools are now among 50 global finalists, selected from thousands of applications worldwide. The shortlist highlights institutions not merely chasing academic results but actively shaping well-being, equity, and systemic reform in education.
What Happens Next
All 50 finalist schools are now competing for the Community Choice Award, determined through an open global vote. Winners across each of the five main categories — Supporting Healthy Lives, Environmental Action, Innovation, Community Collaboration, and Overcoming Adversity — will be announced in October 2024.
The celebration will culminate at the World Schools Summit in Abu Dhabi in November, where global education leaders will convene for a high-impact dialogue on best practices and policy influence.
The Broader Picture
Launched in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World’s Best School Prizes have rapidly emerged as one of the most influential accolades in global education. Powered by T4 Education, a platform that connects over 200,000 educators worldwide, the awards are more than just recognition — they are a launchpad for schools to amplify their voice, scale impact, and drive systems-level change.
For India, the presence of four unique schools among global changemakers is both a celebration and a reminder — that bold ideas, no matter where they are born, can shape the future of learning.
In a significant move aimed at streamlining school assessments and improving learning outcomes, the Ministry of Education has recommended that seven states—Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Kerala, Manipur, Odisha, Telangana, and West Bengal—adopt a common board for Class 10 and 12 examinations.
The recommendation follows a detailed analysis by the Department of School Education, which found that these states accounted for a staggering 66% of student failures across India last academic year. In total, over 22 lakh students failed Class 10, and 20 lakh failed Class 12 nationally in 2024, highlighting persistent challenges in retention and transition to higher education.
“Not having a common board leads to poor academic outcomes,” said School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar, stressing that standardisation in assessment, curriculum, and evaluation is key to reversing this trend. “A common board is the way forward for ease of schooling,” he added.
India currently has 66 examination boards, including three national-level boards and 63 state-level ones. However, only 33 of these boards cater to 97% of enrolled students. The rest, often covering smaller student populations, contribute disproportionately to inconsistent academic performance.
The report also placed a renewed focus on the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), especially in high-failure states. While NIOS currently has a stronger presence in Delhi, Rajasthan, and Haryana, the ministry wants to see its footprint expand in the recommended states to engage unsuccessful students and prevent dropouts.
However, the report didn’t just stop at structural issues. It shed light on regional and linguistic disparities in student performance. For instance, students taking exams in Odia and Malayalam consistently outperformed peers writing in Kannada, Telugu, and Assamese. Interestingly, Kerala, with its integrated board system, recorded an astounding pass rate of 99.96%. Odisha and Manipur also showed success rates above 97%.
Meanwhile, Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) and Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) continue to set benchmarks in academic excellence. The report found that 72% of NV students cleared NEET-UG, with strong showings also reported in engineering entrance exams. NVs, which cater primarily to rural talent, seem to be reinforcing the case for equity in access to quality education.
As conversations around NEP 2020 continue to push for holistic, inclusive, and standardised learning, the Centre’s recommendation serves as both a wake-up call and a window of opportunity. With the right reforms, these states could be on the brink of a transformative shift in student success.
Indian institutions continue their upward momentum on the global academic stage, with IIT Delhi emerging as the country’s top-ranked university in the QS World University Rankings 2026, securing the 123rd spot. It is closely followed by IIT Bombay at 129 and IIT Madras at 180, solidifying India’s footprint in the global top 200. However, no Indian university has yet broken into the top 100.
The latest edition of the QS rankings, released by higher education analysts Quacquarelli Symonds, evaluates over 1,500 universities across more than 100 countries. The rankings serve as a barometer of academic excellence, research output, and global relevance.
At the global level, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) retains its crown, scoring a perfect 100. Imperial College London follows in second place (99.4), with Stanford University (98.9), the University of Oxford, and Harvard University rounding out the top five. Institutions from the US and the United Kingdom continue to dominate the upper echelons of the list, though Asia-Pacific universities are making notable gains.
Among the rising performers, Malaysia’s Sunway University recorded the most dramatic leap, climbing 120 places in a single year.
The QS World University Rankings 2026 place increasing emphasis on research impact, global engagement, and sustainability, alongside traditional indicators like academic and employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, and internationalisation.
Despite a vast student population and growing academic ambition, no Indian university has entered the global top 100—a gap that invites reflection. While the steady rise of institutions like IIT Delhi signals progress, it also highlights the need for sustained investment, deeper international collaborations, and a sharper focus on research and innovation. The QS rankings, then, are not just a recognition of how far Indian higher education has come, but also a gentle nudge towards how much further it can go.
The Union Ministry of Education has released the Performance Grading Index for Districts (PGI-D) 2023–24, assessing how states and union territories (UTs) fared across critical school education indicators such as learning outcomes, equity, and infrastructure. The report places Chandigarh at the top, with Delhi and Punjab also emerging as strong performers.
The PGI-D ranks regions across ten performance levels, with Utkarsh being the highest possible grade, awarded to those scoring above 90% of 1,000 total points. However, no state or UT achieved that benchmark this year. Chandigarh was the only unit placed in Prachesta-1, the fifth-highest band, with a score between 701–760 points.
Ten other states and UTs, including Delhi, Punjab, Gujarat, Odisha, Kerala, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Haryana, Goa, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, were placed in Prachesta-3—the seventh tier on the index—with scores ranging from 581 to 640.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya stood at the bottom of the list with a score of 417.9, becoming the only state placed in the tenth and lowest category. Mid-performing regions included Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karnataka, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Himachal Pradesh.
According to officials, the PGI-D is designed to act as a catalyst for system-level improvements, offering comparative data to support evidence-based decision-making. By standardising assessment across a range of domains, the index aims to help districts identify learning gaps, infrastructural deficits, and policy blind spots.
While the top bands remain elusive, the data offers insights into where systemic support and targeted interventions are needed most.
Facing strong backlash, the Maharashtra government has rolled back its earlier decision to make Hindi compulsory as a third language in Marathi and English-medium schools. A revised resolution issued by the School Education Department now offers students the flexibility to choose any other Indian language in place of Hindi for Classes 1 to 5.
According to the corrigendum aligned with the State Curriculum Framework – School Education 2024, Hindi will be the default third language; however, alternatives are permitted if students prefer them. If at least 20 students in a class opt for a different language, a dedicated teacher will be appointed. For fewer than 20 students, the subject will be delivered via online mode.
The updated directive also reiterates that Marathi remains compulsory in all schools, regardless of the medium of instruction. In non-Marathi and non-English medium schools, the three-language formula will include the school’s medium, Marathi, and English.
The language policy for Classes 6 to 10 will continue under the framework of the State Curriculum Framework (SCF) 2023, which aims to enhance multilingual learning while respecting regional and linguistic diversity.
The revision comes after political and public criticism, including opposition from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and recommendations from the state’s language consultation committee.
How to Win Back Wandering Minds: Post-Summer Edition
Tripura Becomes Third Indian State to Achieve Full Literacy
Assam Brings Sign Language to Senior Secondary Classrooms in Landmark Move
Delhi Schools to Implement Age 6 Rule for Class 1 Admissions from 2026
Tripura Adds Sex Education & HIV Awareness to Their Curriculum
Four Indian Schools Shine on the Global Stage at World’s Best School Prizes 2024
Centre Urges 7 States to Consider Common Board Amid Alarming Student Failure Rates
IIT Delhi Leads India in the QS Rankings 2026; MIT Tops Globally
Chandigarh, Punjab Lead in School Education Rankings; Meghalaya Trails Behind
Maharashtra Revises Policy on Third Language in Schools, Hindi No Longer Mandatory
From Academics to Empathy: Redefining Academic Success
India Sends 20 Students to Japan Under Sakura Science Programme 2025
Delhi Schools to Observe June as Anti-Malaria Month, Says DoE
Telangana Govt Ties Up With 6 NGOs to Revolutionise Teaching in Govt Schools
History, Identity, and Pride: Books That Make Sense of Being You
Delhi Government Clears Ordinance to Regulate Private School Fees After Protests
Of Formulas and Frames: Why India Must Stop Dividing Science and Art
43-Day Hunger Strike Ends as Govt Backs Teachers’ Demands
OpenAI Academy Launches in India to Democratise AI Education for Students, Teachers, and Startups
World Environment Day: Why Your School’s Environmental Education Needs a Cleanup
UNESCO Flags Foundational Learning Crisis & Leadership Gaps in India’s Education System
Beyond the Buzz: Investors Call for Grounded AI Innovation in Indian Classrooms
Education Ministry Launches National Drive for Healthier, Safer Schools
Government School Enrolment Drops Across States, Centre Flags ‘Disturbing Trend’
Over 10,000 Unrecognised Schools in Bihar, Jharkhand: Education Ministry Flags Violation of RTE Act
“Be the Change in a Changing World”: Anita Karwal and Anju Chazot Reflect on NEP 2020
Is Your School Following These Mandatory CBSE Committees?
CBSE’s ‘Sugar Boards’ Initiative: Tackling the Sweet Crisis in Indian Schools
CBSE Warns Dummy School Students May Be Barred from Board Exams
Maharashtra to Regulate Pre-Primary Education with New Law Aligned to NEP 2020
China Embarks on Ambitious AI-Driven Education Reform to Build a ‘Strong Education Nation’ by 2035
MAHAJYOTI’s Book Distribution Scheme to Empower 7,000 OBC Students Preparing for JEE/NEET & MHT-CET
Sunbeam Indiranagar Shines in Academics, Arts, and Sports, Cementing Its Legacy of Holistic Education
Rewriting Ambedkar: Why Students Must Know the Man Beyond the Constitution
‘Baalpan ki Kavita’ Initiative Launched to Restore Indian Rhymes for Young Learners
CBSE Introduces Mandatory Bridge Course for Classes 6 to 12 in Chhattisgarh Under NEP 2020
John King’s Book ‘Teacher By Teacher’: A Global Tribute to the Transformative Power of Education
CBSE Mandates 50-Hour Annual Training for Teachers, Declares STEM as 2025 Theme
India Bids Farewell to NEP Architect Dr K. Kasturirangan
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025: Nominations Now Open for India’s Young Achievers
NCERT Class 7 Textbooks Updated: Mughals Removed, Focus on Indian Ethos and Pilgrimage
Delhi Government Cracks Down on Dummy Schooling; Over 600 Schools Inspected, 10 Issued Notices
Banu Mushtaq’s International Booker Win Is a Wake-Up Call for Indian Schools to Reclaim Literature
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