Latest news with #NEP
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
States free to choose any 3 Indian languages under NEP: RSS body
New Delhi, States are free to choose any three of the 22 Indian languages prescribed under the New Education Policy for teaching in schools, Vidya Bharati national president Ravindra Kanhere said on Friday, dismissing the Tamil Nadu government's charge of imposition of Hindi by the Centre. States free to choose any 3 Indian languages under NEP: RSS body He also asserted that implementation of the three-language formula in schools is achievable as children can easily learn more than one language at a time. Replying to media queries at an annual press conference here of Vidya Bharati, an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh , Kanhere also favoured the removal of "misleading facts" in the history textbooks. "We should write historical facts only. Over the years, we have seen some or other misleading facts in the books. But they have been removed. There is nothing wrong in doing so," he told reporters when asked about the National Council of Educational Research and Training dropping the references to the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in its textbooks last year. Favouring the three-language formula prescribed under the NEP, Kanhere said the Vidya Bharati is of the clear view that elementary education should be provided in the mother tongue. "No language has been imposed on any state under the New Education Policy," he told reporters when asked for his comment on the Tamil Nadu government's allegation that the Centre is trying to impose Hindi on the state. They have to choose any three of the 22 languages prescribed under the NEP, he said. "If someone in the South is learning Tamil, he can also learn Malayalam or any other language… All Indian languages have been listed and they have been asked to choose from them," Kanhere said. Students can also learn foreign languages if schools have arrangements, he said, adding, "It could be English, Japanese, Korean or Mandarin also." Kanhere said Vidya Bharati, which opened its first school in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur district in 1952, is currently running 12,118 schools including 14 Sainik Schools in 684 districts across the country, providing quality and "value-enriched" education to children. Vidya Bharati schools are also located in many of the remotest areas of the country, including tribal areas and border districts where there is a lack of even basic minimum facilities, he said. Kanhere said Vidya Bharati is also running over 8,000 non-formal educational centres across the country to support the marginalised sections of the society and about 10,000 'Shishu Vatikas' across the country to provide early childhood education to children. "More than 35.33 lakh students are currently enrolled in Vidya Bharati schools under the able guidance of more than 1.53 lakh teachers," he said, adding, "Our schools are adopting AI-enabled learning platforms, digital classrooms and are aligned with NEP 2020," he said. At present, about 507 Vidya Bharati schools have Atal Tinkering Labs for hands-on learning of AI and other emerging technology, he added. In a statement, the Vidya Bharati said it has ensured that AI, robots, coding and various other digital tools are introduced in its schools responsibly with an emphasis on ethical thinking and character development. "Vidya Bharati's roadmap is guided by Panch Parivartan," it said. The RSS' agenda for bringing 'Panch Parivartan', a five-fold transformation in the society, seeks to inculcate a sense of 'Swa' with 'Bharatiya' values, imbibe right family values, promote social harmony, exhort people to adopt environment-friendly lifestyle and perform civic duties. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Grid instability rises with renewable load; Siemens Energy backs tech fix with STATCOMs, SynCons
New Delhi: India is planning to deploy over 50 STATCOMs to address grid stability issues arising from the increasing share of solar and wind power, according National Electricity Plan - NEP. 'Today India has around 1,000 GVAs of transformation and it is going to more than 2,000 GVAs. Most of this growth comes from regions weaker in short-circuit strength, like the northwest, which have wind and solar but not necessarily grid infrastructure or rotating machines,' said Guilherme Mendonca, CEO and MD of Siemens Energy India Limited in an exclusive interaction with ET Energyworld. STATCOMs (Static Synchronous Compensators) and synchronous condensers (SynCons) are among the technologies being deployed to stabilise the power grid. 'Only this year, 10 STATCOMs were planned, and we won relevant market share,' Mendonca said. Siemens Energy said it is also supporting integration of rotating machines for inertia generation and combining SYNCONs and STATCOMs with battery storage to improve frequency and voltage stability. The issue of grid instabilty has become more pronounced as solar and wind generation increases during the day, followed by sudden demand shifts at night. 'It's not just about growing the grid with more lines and substations. It's critical to modernise the grid,' Mendonca said, adding that several substations continue to operate with aging transformers and breakers over 30 years old. Siemens Energy said it has started refurbishment work in Talcher transformers under Power Grid Corporation. 'As these assets approach the end of life, we are bringing in digital layers and new components to ensure grid reliability,' Mendonca said. The company is participating in India's Green Energy Corridor projects through tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) routes. Siemens Energy supplies substation equipment, SynCons and STATCOMs to developers like PGCIL, Adani, Sterlite, Tata and Apraava for renewable evacuation infrastructure. On HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) corridors, the company said it is focusing on VSC (Voltage Source Converter)-based HVDC systems suited for renewable integration. Siemens Energy built India's first VSC-based HVDC link and is currently participating in VSC-based projects globally. The company has also set up a new test facility in Gurgaon for HVDC, STATCOM, and gas turbine instrumentation and control systems. The first project being tested at this facility is the a HVDC project in the UK. 'India will see more SynCons over time as base-load coal plants retire and renewable share increases. This year alone, globally, we've sold double the amount of SynCons sold two years ago,' said Tim Oliver Holt, Executive Board Member, Siemens Energy AG. India has raised its renewable energy target from 500 GW by 2030 to 600 GW by 2032. Mendonca said grid expansion, stability and modernization investments must keep pace with this growth to avoid widespread outages. On green hydrogen , Siemens Energy India is supporting its customers in developing business cases and strategies to capture this market. India has been very structured and ambitious program supporting the entire Industry, said Mendonca. The recent IOCL project with around 4 USD per kg of green hydrogen showcases the competitiveness India can offer. Siemens Energy India has invested ₹4.6 billion in its transformer factory in Kalwa doubling its capacity and built a Competency Hub and HVDC/STATCOM test facility in Gurgaon. It said India remains a strong export base for premium markets due to high quality, cost competitiveness and geopolitical factors. On future demand outlook, Siemens Energy expects 5 per cent-6 per cent annual grid market growth globally till 2030. In India, it projects even higher growth due to rapid GDP expansion and energy demand.
Business Standard
6 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Deakin University GIFT City Campus, India, announced 'Winner' at Economic Times Education Excellence Awards 2025
PRNewswire New Delhi [India], June 20: Deakin University is proud to announce that its GIFT City Campus in Gandhinagar, India, has been awarded 'Winner' in the category of 'Outstanding in Adopting NEP Strategies' at the prestigious Economic Times Education Excellence Awards 2025. The awards ceremony, held at The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, New Delhi, brought together distinguished educational leaders from across the country. This milestone not only recognises the landmark India's first international branch campus initiative but also celebrates Deakin's three-decade legacy of deep engagement with India. Since becoming the first university to establish an office in India in 1994, Deakin has fostered enduring partnerships across India's academia, industry, and government, forging the path for this transformative new campus. Established in 2024, the campus represents a new model for higher education in India. It is globally benchmarked, digitally empowered, and deeply aligned with the transformative vision of India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. "It's an enormous privilege to be part of India's education transformation and support the Indian Government's NEP 2020 ambitions. Our Deakin GIFT City campus provides access to a world-class education for Indian students on their home soil, whilst building on Deakin's deep and longstanding connection and friendship with India. Being in the heart of GIFT City allows us to facilitate opportunities with key global industry tech and finance players," said Professor Iain Martin, Vice-Chancellor, Deakin University. Deakin's GIFT City Campus is the first international branch campus in India. Focused on preparing students for the rapidly advancing digital economy, it offers a vibrant atmosphere that includes cybersecurity laboratories and state-of-the-art digital classrooms. It also facilitates internship opportunities with onsite industry partners. "This is not just a win for Deakin, it's a win for the India-Australia education partnership," said Ravneet Pawha, Vice President (Global Engagement) and CEO (South Asia), Deakin University. "Our GIFT City Campus builds on years of meaningful collaboration and trust earned in India. It reflects Deakin's unique positioning to bring international education closer to Indian aspirations." The GIFT City campus currently offers postgraduate programs in Cybersecurity and Business Analytics, designed with Indian industry partners and delivered at the same standards as offered in Australia. Its first successful placement cycle concluded recently, with students securing paid internships and future roles at National Australia Bank's India Innovation Centre. Deakin's GIFT City Campus has been purpose-built for scalability and sustainability, both across its physical and academic structure. Powered by Deakin's award-winning advanced tech for education delivery model, students benefit from AI-powered learning platforms, virtual labs, and simulations, alongside holistic learner support systems and access-enabling scholarships. As a campus grounded in Deakin's philosophy of 'In India, With India, For India', this recognition affirms their role in helping India realise its NEP goals through globally relevant, locally delivered education. To know more about the Deakin University GIFT City Campus, please visit About Deakin University Established in 1974, Deakin is Australia's most progressive University with a focus on delivering outcomes that benefit the whole of society through exploring and developing great ideas. Deakin excels in both education and research globally and has more than 65 global partnerships. Deakin's South Asia operations commenced in 1994 at New Delhi, India, making it one of the first overseas education providers to set up operations in this region. Here, Deakin engages with the government, industry, and academia to share its vibrant education and research culture. Our strong global footprint allows us to connect with students and partners around the world through our presence in China, Europe, India, Indonesia, South and Central America, and Sri Lanka.
NDTV
9 hours ago
- Science
- NDTV
61 Lakh Clear Science Stream In 2024; Centre Urges Expansion Of STEM Education
New Delhi: In 2024, a total of 61 lakh students cleared the science stream, marking a 16% increase from 52.4 lakh in 2022, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Education. In response, the Union Education Ministry's Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) is urging an increase in seats and faculty in STEM programmes, given the significant surge in students clearing their Class 12 science exams. The move aims to align with shifting academic trends and growing aspirations, especially among girls. A senior DoSEL official said, "An additional 9 lakh students passing science means we need proportional increases in STEM seats and faculty in higher education institutions to support this growth." This trend calls for better school planning, enhanced teacher training, and improved recruitment at the state level. Despite this progress, challenges remain as dropout rates continue to hinder advancement. Ministry data shows that in 2024, around 26.6 lakh regular Class 10 students did not progress to Class 11. Of these, 4.43 lakh did not appear for the exams, while 22.1 lakh failed. A similar trend was seen in Class 12, where approximately 24.7 lakh students were unable to complete their higher secondary education due to failure or non-appearance in exams. Though this marks a 47% improvement compared to 2013, it continues to obstruct progress toward achieving a higher Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER). To address this, DoSEL is exploring ways to expand open schooling, focusing on the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), and urging states to consider merging separate Class 10 and Class 12 boards into a unified board structure to streamline examinations. However, NIOS's effectiveness remains limited due to low penetration in many states. In 2024, 6.98 lakh students enrolled in Class 10 through open schools, but only 3.4 lakh passed. For Class 12, 7.9 lakh students appeared-2.84 lakh through NIOS-with pass rates standing at just 54% for Class 10 and 57% for Class 12. These low pass percentages remain a concern for open boards. The ministry report noted, "States like Delhi, Rajasthan, and Haryana have shown lower failure rates in open schooling. Other states are being encouraged to adopt similar models to help more students complete their education." NIOS plays a vital role in offering a second chance to students who either fail board exams or are unable to continue formal education. Officials said both NIOS and state governments are being encouraged to establish more open schools to provide these students with alternative pathways to complete their education. "Open schooling is a critical solution for academic continuity, especially for students who face disruptions due to personal, social, or financial reasons," said a senior ministry official. The move is part of a broader strategy to improve retention and completion rates under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. India currently has 66 school examination boards-3 national and 63 state boards. Of these, 33 boards account for 97% of total student enrolment, while the remaining 33 boards serve just 3% of students. A total of 48 boards conduct exams at both the secondary (Class 10) and higher secondary (Class 12) levels. The ministry has called for improved school-level planning, increased teacher recruitment, and enhanced state-level training initiatives.
The Hindu
20 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
In Rajasthan, Pradhan credits NEP for India's jump in global university rankings
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday credited the National Education Policy-2020 for the five-fold jump in the number of Indian institutions, from 11 in 2014 to 54 now, getting the QS World University-2026 rankings. He said the new high was achieved because of educational reforms launched in the country. Mr. Pradhan addressed the ninth convocation ceremony of the Central University of Rajasthan at Ajmer district's Kishangarh and participated in a programme at Manipal University on the outskirts of Jaipur, where he inaugurated a new lecture hall complex. In his convocation address, Mr. Pradhan said the NEP-2020 had changed the country's educational landscape with its emphasis on research and innovation. 'The NEP has encouraged a multidisciplinary, skill-based and employment-oriented education system, which will immensely benefit the youth,' he said. 'With the NEP, we are integrating India's heritage and knowledge traditions into modern education and fostering a sense of rootedness and pride in our culture,' Mr. Pradhan said. He described Rajasthan as a 'powerful symbol' of the country's heritage, as the rulers in the erstwhile Rajputana had put up a strong resistance during the medieval period. The Minister praised the talent of the State, while referring to the consistent excellence of students in competitive examinations like JEE and NEET. NEET 2025 topper Mahesh Kumar is from Rajasthan's Hanumangarh. Mr. Pradhan also called upon the youth to become job-creators, giving employment to at least five persons, through start-ups and entrepreneurship, rather than seeking jobs. 'As India emerges as the world's fourth-largest economy, it is essential to harness the innovation, skills, and leadership potential of the youth to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047,' Mr. Pradhan said. He awarded gold medals to 94 students who had secured the highest marks in their respective courses, while the degrees were conferred on a total of 1,770 students in various disciplines, including 77 Ph.D. scholars, at the convocation. Central University of Rajasthan's Vice-Chancellor Anand Bhalerao called upon the students to use their knowledge and skills for betterment of society, while reminding them of the university's role in building their character and making them responsible citizens. Union Minister of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary was among those present at the convocation ceremony.
