The Ministry of Education is organising a nationwide run-up programme for the 9th edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC 2026), an interactive initiative of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi that seeks to transform examination-related stress into a celebration of learning.

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Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026 has crossed a significant milestone of over 4.5 crore registrations from students, parents and teachers across the country, reflecting the growing reach and resonance of the initiative. The sustained participation underscores the programme’s relevance in addressing examination-related stress and promoting holistic student well-being.

Pariksha Pe Charcha provides a platform for students, teachers, and parents to engage in discussions on examinations, stress management, and life skills. Over the years, the initiative has evolved into a Jan Andolan, encouraging learners to approach examinations with confidence, positivity and a constructive outlook.

As part of the run-up to Pariksha Pe Charcha, a series of student-centric engagement activities will be organised across schools nationwide from 12 January (Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, National Youth Day) to 23 January 2026 (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti, Parakram Diwas).

The run-up programme will commence on 12 January 2026 with Swadeshi Sankalp Daud, a student-run/walk highlighting the spirit of self-reliance. On 23 January 2026, marking the culmination of the run-up programme, quiz and writing competitions will be organised at identified Kendriya Vidyalayas.

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 The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, inaugurated the Drug Free Campus Campaign at the University of Delhi today, underscoring the need for sustained and collective efforts to protect the youth from substance abuse and to realise the vision of a Viksit and Aatma-nirbhar Bharat. The event was attended by Union Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Education Minister of Delhi Shri Ashish Sood, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Delhi Prof. Yogesh Singh, senior officials, faculty members and students.

The Vice-President also launched a dedicated e-pledge platform (https://pledge.du.ac.in/home) and mobile application under the Nasha Mukt Parisar Abhiyaan, and urged students from universities across the country to actively participate and take the pledge for a drug-free campus. He called upon the Union Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan to ensure that the Drug Free Campus Campaign becomes an integral part of all Central Higher Educational Institutions.

While addressing Shri Dharmendra Pradhan expressed his happiness to attend the inauguration of the Drug-free Campus Campaign at the University of Delhi in the august presence of the Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan. He emphasised that the initiative is not merely a campaign but a firm collective resolve towards the youth, society, and the nation.

He stated that the University of Delhi is not only an academic institution but also a powerful centre for idea generation and value creation. Through this campaign, the university has taken a meaningful step towards addressing a serious, youth-centric challenge. He underlined that drug abuse poses a grave risk not only to health but also to the potential of young people and the nation’s ability to nurture productive citizens. He expressed confidence that the university’s initiative would emerge as a key pillar of the nationwide movement against drug abuse.

The Minister further stated that the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, envisioned by the Prime Minister, can be realised only when the youth are healthy, aware, self-reliant, and purpose-driven.

He congratulated the University of Delhi for this far-sighted and inspiring initiative and called upon students to actively participate in the campaign, transform it into a people’s movement, and play a leading role in building a drug-free, healthy, and empowered India.

The ‘Drug-Free Campus Campaign’ aims to promote awareness, encourage healthy lifestyles, and mobilise students towards creating a safe and substance-free academic environment.

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 Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan chairs 13th Meeting of the Council of National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and Research (NITSER), at Bharat Mandapam today.

The 13th Meeting of the Council of the National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and Research (NITSER) was held on 13 January 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, under the chairmanship of Union Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan. The meeting was preceded by the 3rd Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs).

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan reviewed presentations on elevating academic and research standards, enhancing governance efficiency and further boosting innovation and entrepreneurship at our NITs and IIESTs. Also, discussed the way forward.

The Minister said that our curriculum must be aligned to national priorities. Our PhD programs must be industry-centric, he added. He also suggested to create an industry-led curriculum committee for developing curriculum based on new and emerging job roles and 21st century requirements.

The Minister stated that our premier technological institutions must also come under accreditation framework.

He also said that NITs and IIESTs are poised to serve as vibrant hubs of applied education, research, innovation and future-ready workforce development. They will also make crucial contributions towards driving national progress and realising the vision of Viksit Bharat, he added.

Following points were discussed during the meeting:

1. Reforms:

• Align curricula, assessment, academic programmes and research with critical and emerging technologies such as Industry 4.0, green hydrogen, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity, quantum technologies and semiconductors driving India’s progress towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat by 2047 through excellence in science, technology and innovation.

• Specialized PG/M.Tech. Programmes aligned with specific industry requirements.

• 360 degree PhD reforms:

o Industry-led and Industry-funded PhD;

o product-based PhD;

o PhD assignment to faculty based on faculty performance;

2. Innovation:

• The Council also underscored the importance of building robust innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems to enable a transition from job seekers to job creators.

• 13 NITs that do not presently have an incubation centre should immediately set it up.

• at least 10 NITs should immediately initiate the establishment of a Research Park.

• Organise a pitching Conclave in July, 2026 for the start-ups incubated in NITs in collaboration with investors and industry stakeholders.

3. Agreed by all the NITs and IISERs:

• to complete External Peer review in 1 year.

• The importance of accreditation as a key quality assurance mechanism- institutions resolving to actively participate in the national accreditation framework (NAAC).

4. Promoting inclusivity through the use of ‘Bharatiya Bhashas’ and adopting artificial intelligence for multilingual learning, committing to take all necessary steps to enable learners from diverse linguistic backgrounds to learn effectively.

The meetings were attended by several distinguished dignitaries, including Members of Parliament Shri Ghanshyam Tiwari and Shri Shashank Mani; Prof. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, Executive Committee, NAAC and Chairman, NETF; Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar, former Chairman, UGC; Shri Chamu Krishna Shastry, Chairman, Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti; Ms. Debjani Ghosh, Distinguished Fellow, NITI Aayog; Shri Deepak Bagla, Chief Executive Officer, Atal Innovation Mission; Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary,Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology; Dr.Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education; Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology; Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, former Secretary, DSIR; Prof. Govindan Rangarajan, Director, IISc Bengaluru; Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi; Chairpersons of IISERs, NITs and IIEST; Directors of IISERs, NITs and IIEST; the Director, CSIR–CMERI, Durgapur; and senior officials of the Ministry of Education.

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 Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, interacted with 43 young authors selected under the PM-YUVA 3.0 (Prime Minister’s Young Authors Mentorship Scheme) today at Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, New Delhi.

During the interactive session, the selected authors shared brief overviews of the subjects of their forthcoming manuscripts being developed under the six-month mentorship programme.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Pradhan congratulated the young writers on their selection and encouraged them to make the most of the mentorship period to produce meaningful books that would inspire India’s youth to read, write, and engage deeply with knowledge.

He emphasised the importance of access to research material and directed that both physical and digital resources should be facilitated through the National Book Trust (NBT). He also stated that the authors should be provided access to resources under the ‘One Nation, One Subscription’ (ONOS) initiative. To strengthen their academic and research support, he suggested that the selected authors be affiliated with central universities in their respective regions to develop their manuscripts.

Expressing his happiness at interacting with the young authors, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said that he was delighted to engage with the budding writers selected under PM-YUVA 3.0 and noted that the diversity in the room reflected the diversity of India. He said that the young authors are writing books on the themes of the Contribution of the Indian Diaspora in Nation-building, the Indian Knowledge System, and Makers of Modern India. He added that the interaction included free-wheeling discussions on culture, technology, the pursuit of knowledge, and the national vision, and said that the energy, confidence, and aspirations of the young authors further strengthened his belief in the vision of a Viksit Bharat.

The 43 selected authors under the PM-YUVA 3.0 scheme are participating in a national camp being organised during the New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 (10–18 January) at Bharat Mandapam. The Fair is being organised by the Ministry of Education with the National Book Trust and was inaugurated on 10 January 2026 by the Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.

The PM-YUVA 3.0 scheme aims to nurture young writers and promote a culture of reading, writing,and knowledge creation while showcasing India’s intellectual and cultural diversity.

The event was attended by Shri Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Higher Education; Shri Yuvraj Malik, Director, NBT-India; Dr Priyanka Mishra, CEO, Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya; Shri Kumar Vikram, Chief Editor and Joint Director, NBT-India; and Shri Ravi K. Mishra, Joint Director, Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya.

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 Prerana is an experiential learning program, a pioneering national initiative of the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, that has successfully completed its first cycle, marking a significant milestone in India’s journey towards value-based, experiential education.

The program, inspired by the vision of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, commenced on 15th January 2024 and is being conducted at the historic Vernacular School in Vadnagar, established in 1888, the very institution where the Prime Minister began his educational journey.

Prerana is hosted at the Prerana Sankul, a unique space where history meets innovation and tradition is seamlessly woven into a future-focused educational experience. The Prerana Sankul was dedicated to the nation on 16 January 2025 by the Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, in the presence of Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel.

Each weekly batch of Prerana comprises 20 students, one boy and one girl from each of 10 districts across 10 different States/Union Territories, accompanied by Lady Guardian Teachers, ensuring balanced gender representation and inclusive participation from across the country. The first cycle witnessed the successful completion of 81 batches, involving a total of 1,620 students and 810 Guardian Teachers, representing all 785 districts of India.

The participants engaged deeply with Prerana’s nine core human values: Swabhiman aur Vinay; Shaurya aur Sahas; Parishram aur Samarpan; Satyanishtha aur Shuchita; Karuna aur Sewa; Navachar aur Jigyasa; Vividhta aur Ekta; Shraddha aur Vishwas; and Swatantrata aur Kartavya. The program was delivered under the guidance of teachers from Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, trained by experts from leading institutions, including IIT Gandhinagar, IIM Ahmedabad, and the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Division, among others.

​Through storytelling, heritage immersion, indigenous games, collaborative reflection, and hands-on experiential activities, students developed confidence, teamwork, leadership qualities, and a strong sense of social responsibility. The Prerana Alumni Network, supported through the Prerana Alumni Portal, continues to foster connection, peer mentorship, and knowledge-sharing, sustaining the ethos of Prerana well beyond the residential experience.

Building on the success of the first cycle, the second cycle of Prerana is scheduled to commence in April 2026. Drawing from the operational learnings of experiential education, Prerana Utsav is being organised across schools in all States and Union Territories. Serving as the gateway to the Prerana Program, Prerana Utsav ensures inclusive outreach and enables talented students from diverse backgrounds to be identified and nominated for participation.

The upcoming cycle aims to further promote value-based learning, expand opportunities for student leadership, and deepen engagement with Indian Knowledge Systems, cultural heritage, and experiential pedagogy. With an expanding alumni base, a strengthened mentorship ecosystem, and enhanced district-level participation, Prerana is poised to inspire young learners, nurture civic responsibility, and deepen their commitment to nation-building, thereby advancing the collective national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

 

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 The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, addressed the 9th Convocation of Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi today, congratulated the graduating students and urged them to dedicate their knowledge and skills to the service of the nation.

Recalling the teachings of Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, the Vice-President said education must go beyond degrees to build character, strengthen intellect and empower individuals to stand on their own feet. He emphasised that education and proper training alone would enable India’s youth to realise Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat @2047.

The Vice-President stressed that modern science and traditional values must grow together. Referring to the democratic ethos of JNU, the Vice-President said debate, discussion, dissent and even confrontation are essential elements of a healthy democracy. However, he added that such processes must ultimately lead to a conclusion. Once a decision is taken, he emphasised, there must be a collective willingness to cooperate in its implementation to ensure smooth and effective administration.

Read here - https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2212912&reg=3&lang=1

While addressing the gathering, Shri Pradhan said that it is a matter of privilege to attend the Convocation Ceremony in the august presence of the Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan. He extended his best wishes to all the students conferred with degrees and medals.

He stated that through decades of sustained academic contribution, JNU has built a strong and distinctive legacy of academic excellence and continues to remain among the country’s premier universities by upholding academic autonomy within a vibrant interdisciplinary ecosystem, where critical thinking forms the core of its ethos.

The Minister emphasized that the graduating students are expected to uphold and further strengthen JNU’s legacy of inclusivity, social justice, and responsibility, serve as the voice of the marginalized, and actively contribute to reducing inequalities in society.

He underlined that JNU graduates would play a decisive role in nation-building. He said that many would drive innovation and entrepreneurship by building start-ups and unicorns, while several would shape the nation’s intellectual discourse as writers, journalists, and thought leaders. He affirmed that the nation expects them to make an active, positive, and meaningful contribution towards realizing the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat – 2047.

Union Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University Shri Kanwal Sibal, Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, senior officials, faculty members, graduating students and their families were present at the event.

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 As part of ongoing efforts to enhance the global visibility and performance of Indian Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), the Ministry of Education organised a half-day Orientation and Training Workshop for Vice-Chancellors and Nodal Officers of HEIs on the QS World University Rankings. The workshop was conducted by QS Quacquarelli Symonds and aimed at improving institutional understanding of global ranking parameters, best practices, and strategic pathways, in alignment with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The workshop witnessed wide participation from Central, State, and Private Universities, including autonomous institutions across the country. Approximately 400 participants joined the programme in online mode, while over 60 participants attended the in-person session held at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary (Higher Education), emphasised the importance of global benchmarking and international recognition for Indian universities. He appreciated the initiative and encouraged HEIs to actively engage with global ranking frameworks to strengthen their academic reputation and global standing.

Mr. Armstrong Pame, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education, provided an overview of the Ministry’s internationalisation initiatives, including SPARC, supernumerary seats for international students, and the Study in India (SII) portal. He highlighted the need for enhanced global visibility, noting that internationalisation-related indicators contribute significantly to global ranking outcomes. He encouraged institutions to focus on international student engagement, faculty development programmes, long-term academic collaborations, and improved institutional outreach.

The workshop was conducted in two sessions by Dr. Ashwin Fernandes, Executive Director (AMESA), QS Quacquarelli Symonds. The first session focused on the QS ranking methodology, eligibility criteria, and multiple entry points for institutional visibility through world, subject, regional, business, and sustainability rankings, along with guidance on data submission through the QS Hub.

 

The second session provided an in-depth discussion on the research impact and reputation indicators, including academic and employer reputation surveys conducted annually by QS, and strategies for improving research visibility and citation performance.

The Indian HEIs have significantly strengthened their presence in the QS World University Rankings, with a record 54 institutions ranked in the 2026 edition, compared to only 12 institutions in 2014.  This steady upward trajectory reflects India’s growing global academic visibility and performance.  While these achievements are noteworthy, several initiatives are required to be taken up, particularly in areas such as internationalisation (international students and faculty), research citations per faculty, and faculty-student ratios, which carry substantial weight in the Ranking methodology. Therefore, workshops such as this play a critical role in addressing these gaps by strengthening institutional capacity and advancing India’s collective efforts towards global academic excellence.

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