New Delhi: New Delhi District police busted a NEET (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test) paper-solving gang and on Saturday also arrested four persons, including two MBBS students. Devesh Kumar Mahla, DCP, New Delhi, while speaking with ANI, said that they had received a complaint of proxy students appearing for the medical entrance test. He said, "On May 5, during the examination of NEET, we received a complaint that instead of real students, proxy students have come to give the exam. Taking cognizance of the matter, we registered an FIR and transferred the case to Special Staff..." Mahla added, "During the investigation, we found that the consultant agents had misguided the children. They talked with the students and told them that they would arrange for proxy students who could give the examination on their behalf and clear it as well." Elaborating on the investigation, Mahla stated, "For this, they take huge amounts of money from their family. We got to know that these people used to mix the photos of real and proxy students with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) so that their identification becomes difficult at the exam centre." The DCP also gave information about the arrest of people related to the case. "We have arrested two people, who are agents. These are Kishori Lal, a resident of Jodhpur in Rajasthan and Prabhat Kumar, who hails from Bihar," he said. Mahla added further, "Along with these, we have also arrested proxy students. We are searching for more agents involved in this incident." Notably, Rajasthan's Bharatpur police had also arrested four accused, including the dummy candidate in the NEET exam. Mridul Kachhawa, SP, Bharatpur, had said, "At an exam centre in Bharatpur, during the biometric investigation, the agencies present there observed a mismatch in the biometrics of a candidate. Upon questioning, it was revealed that a dummy candidate had come in place of the real candidate..." Kachhawa said that during a police investigation, it was revealed that the dummy candidate was Abhishek Gupta, who was a third-year MBBS student.
—ANI

Delhi police busted a NEET paper-solving gang, arresting four, including MBBS students, for using AI to facilitate proxy candidates in medical entrance exams.

Delhi Police busts NEET paper-solving gang, arrests four

Chennai (The Hawk): Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) will host Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth’s (SPIC MACAY) 9th Annual International Convention from 20th to 26th May 2024. The institute had previously hosted the convention twice – 1996 and 2014.  It is a week-long festival of Indian culture in which more than 1,500 students and volunteers gather from across India and the world. Participants get an outlook of Indian culture, heritage and ethics as they interact with great artists.  The Convention is open to only school and college students who have registered for the event. Their entire accommodation and food will be provided free of cost as they get to experience the best of classical Indian arts in its full glory for a week.  Looking forward to hosting the event, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “Culture is the spine of every country. As a country, we are proud of the variety of cultural activities performed across Bharat. SPICMACAY brings all of them to our IIT Madras campus. Looking forward to the events.”  The SPIC MACAY Newsletter May 2024 issue focused on the 9th International Convention can be viewed and downloaded from the following link - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SYuB1lRjWOdBFOoQ3fE_Re8dFp5alznm/view?usp=sharing  Speaking about the event, Prof. Sathyanarayana N. Gummadi, Dean Students said “This is third time that IIT Madras is co-organizing this event which SPICMACAY. Faculty, UG, PG and research scholars team of around 150 and above are actively participating in smooth conduct of this event. This is a great platform for IIT Madras community to experience the rich cultural festival for one week.”  Activities during the convention range from classical music and dance concerts, folk performances, crafts workshops, and movie screenings to heritage walks, Shramdaan, early morning yoga and eating holistic food.  Highlighting the unique aspects of this year’s Convention, Mr. Radha Mohan Tiwari, National Chairperson, SPIC MACAY, said, “SPIC MACAY is completing 47 years of it journey as a movement of the youth in which IIT Madras has played a very crucial role. With the help of IIT Madras and other supporters we are able to provide everything free to all the participants from accommodation to food to workshops. We will provide each of the nearly 1300 participants, from across India, an opportunity to learn one art form every day and experience the performances of the topmost artists of India. I hope the Convention will achieve its objective and make some difference to the lives of the youth.”  Further, Ms. Suman Doonga, Vice Chairperson, SPIC MACAY, said, “SPIC MACAY stands on the shoulders of its four main pillars: Artists, Institutions, Sponsors and Volunteers. IIT Madras, an eminent institution, is an important pillar of support for our movement. It is one of the few institutions that has a vibrant cultural scene, and hosts several classical music &amp; dance events. We are extremely happy to collaborate with IITM and wish for a long term alliance.”  The idea of organizing the convention is to create a unique ashram-like atmosphere to leave an impact on the new generation. This also resonates with SPIC MACAY’s core purpose - to have every child experience the inspiration and mysticism embodied in Indian and World heritage. The vision is to reach every child by 2030.  The main supporter of this convention is Tata Consultancy Services. This is SPIC MACAY’s flagship event which is held every year at a reputed educational institution in the county.  As is being done every year, the Convention will feature some of the finest and best artists from all over the country. Some of the artists performing at the convention include Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia (Hindustani Flute), Ustad Amjad Ali Khan (Sarod), Vid. Padma Subrahmanyam (Bharatanatyam), Vid. Sudha Ragunathan (Carnatic Vocal), Vid. Seshampatti T. Sivalingam (Nadaswaram), Vidushi A. Kanyakumari (Carnatic Violin), Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar (Hindustani Vocal), Pt. M. Venkatesh Kumar (Hindustani Vocal), Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan (Sitar), Vidushi Sunayana Hazarilal (Kathak) Ustad Wasifuddin (Dhrupad), Vid. Jayanthi Kumaresh (Saraswati Veena), Vid. Ashwini Bhide Deshpande (Hindustani Vocal), Shri Margi Madhu Chakyar (Koodiyattam) and Vidwan Lalgudi GJR Krishnan (Carnatic Violin).  The convention will also have five-day long workshop intensives by eminent artists and craftspersons such as Carnatic Vocal by Vidwan Neyveli Santhanagopalan, Gurbani by Dr Alankar Singh, Sattriya by Guru Gopiram Burha Bhakat, Kathak by Vid. Sunayana Hazarilal, Mohiniyattam by Dr Neena Prasad, Odissi by Vidushi Madhavi Mudgal, Pung Cholom by Khumukcham Romendro Singh, Purulia Chhau by Shri Tarapada Rajak, Hatha Yog by Swami Tyagrajanand Saraswati, Puppetry by Sudeep Gupta, Dhrupad by Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar. Different types of craft intensives such as Tikuli painting (Bihar) by Shri Ashok Kumar Biswas, Gond Tribal painting (Madhya Pradesh) by Shri Bhajju Shyam, Mughal Miniature painting (Rajasthan) by Janab Shakir Ali, Roghan art (Gujarat) by Janab Abdul Gafur Khatri, Mask making (Majuli Assam) by Shri Hemchandra, Terracotta (Tamil Nadu) by Shri VK Munusamy, will also be conducted.

IIT Madras hosts SPIC MACAY's 9th Annual International Convention from May 20-26, 2024, celebrating Indian culture with top artists, workshops, and over 1,500 participants.

IIT Madras to host SPIC MACAY’s 9th International Convention from 20-26 May 2024

New Delhi: Board exams for Classes 10 and 12 for the 2024-25 academic session will be conducted from February 15 next year, CBSE's Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj announced on Monday.
The results for the 2024 board exams were announced earlier today with girls outshining boys in both the classes.  "The board has decided to conduct the 2025 exams from February 15, 2025," Bhardwaj said.  The 2024 board exams also began on February 15 for classes 10 and 12. These concluded in 28 and 47 days, respectively.
—PTI

2024-25 CBSE board exams for Classes 10 and 12 start on Feb 15, 2025. Results show girls leading over boys.

CBSE Board exams for classes 10 and 12 for 2024-25 to be conducted from Feb 15 next year

New Delhi (The Hawk): Secretary, School Education &amp; Literacy, Ministry of Education, Shri Sanjay Kumar, chaired a meeting for achieving the broader objectives of Early Childhood Care &amp; Education (ECCE), at Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi today. The representatives of the Ministry of Women &amp; Child Development (MoWCD), States, and Autonomous bodies of the Department of School Education &amp; Literacy (DoSE&amp;L) attended the meeting. As envisioned under the National Curriculum Framework-Foundational Stage (NCF-FS) a continuum of pre-school education and School education is required for seamless transition and quality ECCE. Speaking on this occasion Shri Sanjay Kumar set the context of the meeting and highlighted the importance of every stakeholder in quality ECCE. Shri Kumar reiterated that it was heartening to see various initiatives taken by MoWCD and various States/UTs. The need to have three Balvatikas for 3 to 6-year-olds for pre-primary in all CBSE and Kendriya Vidyalayas having Class 1 was emphasised during the meeting. Co-locating Anganwadis with primary schools in villages was recommended in coordination with WCD, in a decentralised manner to get a proper preschool education and smooth transition to Grade 1. It was also suggested to use Jaadui Pitara at the Government schools with pre-primary classes for a well-rounded learning experience. It was suggested that NCERT can work with state officials to assess existing learning toys, ensuring alignment with NCF-FS goals. It was also suggested that MoE and WCD should collaborate to link Poshan Tracker and UDISE+ data to track pre-primary to Class-1 transitions. States can define parameters and use Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for Jaadui Pitara materials to ensure transparency and efficiency in procurement. Discussions were also held on the standardization of branding for programs such as NIPUN Bharat, Jaadui Pitara, e Jaadui Pitara and Vidya Pravesh across states to enhance visibility and recognition. It was suggested that the adopted and adapted version of Jaadui Pitara should correspond with the prescribed learning outcomes curated by NCERT for Jaadui Pitara. NCERT should support SCERTs in following the designated Learning Outcomes. The need for proper training of preschool teachers and Anganwadi Worker (AWW) was also discussed at length during the meeting.

Secretary, School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Shri Sanjay Kumar, chaired a meeting for achieving the broader

Shri Sanjay Kumar Chairs Meeting For Achieving The Broader Objectives Of Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE)

Thiruvananthapuram: A pass percentage of 99.69 per cent was registered in the Class 10 Secondary School Leaving Certificate examinations in Kerala for the academic year 2023-24, General Education Minister V Sivankutty said on Wednesday.
A total of 4,25,563 students cleared the examination for an overall pass percentage of 99.69 per cent, he told a press conference here while announcing the results.
There is a slight decline of 0.01 per cent in the total pass percentage this time compared to the 99.7 per cent in the previous year.  The minister said as many as 4,27,153 children appeared for the SSLC examinations in 2,970 centres across Kerala and in the Gulf region this time.  This year, 71,831 students secured A+ in all subjects compared to the 68,604 in the previous academic year.  Sivankutty said Kottayam revenue district reported the highest pass percentage (99.92 per cent) while Thiruvananthapuram had the lowest (99.08 per cent).  Like in the previous year, northern Malappuram has the highest number of students with A+ in all subjects.  A total of 2,474 schools including 892 government institutions achieved 100 per cent pass percentage, the minister said detailing the figures.  The number of schools, which had achieved this feat, stood at 2,581 in the previous year and there is a decrease of 107 this time, he explained.  The minister indicated that the mode of SSLC examination would be changed from the next academic year and a minimum mark system for each subject would be implemented.  Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan extended congratulations to all children who cleared the examination.  "It is a great pleasure that 99.69 per cent of the total 4, 27,153 students who wrote the examination have cleared it. Best wishes to all those who achieved brilliant success," he said in a Facebook post.  The CM also advised those who failed to qualify for the examination to make proper preparations without any disappointment to achieve success next time.
—PTI

Kerala's SSLC results for 2023-24 reveal a remarkable pass percentage of 99.69%. Explore insights into academic achievements, changes in examination formats, and more.

Kerala SSLC exam registers pass percentage at 99.69%

New Delhi: The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) announced the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE Class 10) and Indian School Certificate (ISC Class 12) results for 2024 on Monday, Secretary Joesph Emmanuel said. The pass percentages of ICSE Class 10 and ISC Class 12 are 99.47 per cent and 98.19 per cent, respectively.
Girls have outperformed boys in both ICSE and ISC with a pass percentage of 99.65 per cent and 98.92 per cent. This year, around 3.43 lakh students appeared for the CISCE examination for Class 10 and 12. There are 2,695 schools that have presented candidates for the ICSE (Class X) Year 2024 Examination, with 82.48 percent (2223) schools attaining 100 per cent pass percentage In total, 1,30,506 boys and 1,13,111 girls took the ICSE or Class 10, final test this year. The exam was passed by 1,29,612 boys and 1,12,716 girls.  A total of 47,136 girls and 52,765 boys appeared in the ISC or Class 12 exam. 46,626 girls and 51,462 boys passed the exam. The western region of the country had the best pass percentage at 99.91 per cent for ICSE Class 10 followed by the southern region with a pass percentage of 99.88 per cent. For ICSE, the best-performing schools abroad are from Indonesia, Singapore and Dubai (UAE), with a 100 per cent pass percentage. Meanwhile, for ISC, the best-performing schools abroad are from Singapore and Dubai (UAE), with a 100 per cent pass percentage.  The ICSE Examination was conducted in 60 written subjects, of which 20 are Indian languages, 13 are foreign languages, and 1 is a classical language. For ICSE, the examination started on February 21, 2024 and concluded on March 28, 2024. The examination was conducted over 18 days. The ISC examination was conducted in 47 written subjects, of which 12 are Indian languages, 4 are foreign languages and 2 are classical languages. For ISC, the examination started on February 12, 2024, and concluded on April 4, 2024. The examination was conducted over 28 days.
—ANI

Get the latest updates on ICSE Class 10 and ISC Class 12 results 2024 by CISCE. Discover pass percentages, gender performance, regional trends, and best-performing schools.

CISCE results out, girls outshine boys in both Class 10, 12

Chennai (The Hawk): IIT Madras’ BS Degree in Data Science and Applications, which is going to complete four years, has enabled more than 2,500 of its students to get jobs or promotions. 850+ students have secured admission for Masters and PhD programs at esteemed universities such as Cornell University &amp; Georgia Institute of Technology, US and Aalto University, Finland, among others, even being able to switch streams from their primary domain to Computer Science or Data Science. Launched in June 2020, this first-of-its-kind programme makes it possible for students to study from IIT Madras without writing the hypercompetitive JEE. More than 27,000 students from across India are enrolled currently. Being taught online with examinations held in physical mode at 150 centres all over the country and abroad as well, the BS Degree has succeeded in democratising access to IIT-Quality higher education, breaking down barriers such as geography and age. Applications for the May 2024 Batch will close by 26th May 2024. Those interested can apply through the website - https://study.iitm.ac.in/ds/ Congratulating the program on its success, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “I am proud of the achievements of our BS data science program and its students. The program has opened the doors of IITM to anyone who is willing to work hard and is interested in learning. We hope to introduce more such programs to reach all sections of society.” The Program ensures equitable access to education even for the socially and economically challenged sections by providing fee waivers and other forms of support. The Fee is completely waived for all female students with annual family income of less than Rs. 5 lakh per annum (LPA) and male students with annual family income Rs. 1 LPA, thanks to CSR support from companies such as Verizon, Renault Nissan, HSBC, Tata AIA, Sutherland, LTTS, L&amp;T Thales, Dun &amp; Bradstreet and Walmart, among others, besides donations from private individuals and support from various Government scholarship schemes. More than 3,645 students have availed these benefits, allowing the students to focus on academics alone and not let monetary concerns hold them back. Elaborating on this, Prof. Andrew Thangaraj, Professor-In-Charge, BS (Data Science and Applications), IIT Madras, said, “It is noteworthy that the inaugural batch of the 4-year BS degree program is yet to complete their 4 years in the program and graduate. However, the remarkable accolades already achieved by these students are quite impressive. From gaining admission into esteemed universities to securing valuable research and internship opportunities with reputable companies, their accomplishments speak volumes about their potential and the program's quality.” Further highlighting the distinctive features of the BS programs, Prof. Vignesh Muthuvijayan, Professor-In-Charge, BS (Data Science and Applications), IIT Madras, said, “The program's integration of multiple exit options empowers students to acquire the necessary skills at each level and pursue their desired goals effectively. Moreover, its holistic approach, which encompasses project-based assignments, research projects, academic competitions, and leadership roles within student communities, enhances the educational experience and cultivates valuable skills among participants.” IIT Madras BS team has also been proactively enhancing the opportunities available for students who perform well. It is partnering with various prestigious institutes to enable Degree level BS students to attend courses in-person on their campuses and credit the courses into the BS program. This permits such students to interact in-person with the faculty and explore options of working with them. The program also has created positions of Teaching Assistants and Mentors who provide academic assistance to the learners in the courses and are provided hostel accommodation on IITM campus for their duration of work. CASE STUDIES The flexibility that this program offers where the students can choose their pace of learning based on their academic background and time availability with contents being available for students to study anytime has seen students such as Ms. Renee Noronha and Ms. Aradhana Anand balance their alternate interest with academics, compromising neither. Ms. Renee Noronha, who is 18 years old, is India’s Youngest Female ‘Ironman’ Athlete who completed Ironman in New Zealand in record time of 16 hours, training for this every single day for a couple of hours and is set to enter the Diploma level in May 2024. Ms. Aradhana Anand, 21 years old, is a professional Harikatha exponent who continuously hops across cities and countries for her performances. Examinations are conducted in more than 150 cities across India and abroad and by online remote proctoring for students in countries where centers are not available. Students can choose a different city for every single exam depending on where they are at that point in time. This has enabled her to keep up with the academics and she will be entering the Degree level this year in the program. The awards for the academic excellence at the Diploma level for the year 2023 were recently announced and the standout factor was the diversity of students. This includes students pursuing this as their primary degree such as Mr. Shubham Gattani, professionals from various walks of life such as Mr. Kaushik V and Mr. Nagarajan M, CA professionals, Cardiologist Dr. Ganesh P, homemaker from Abhu Dhabi, Ms. Soumya N and a school teacher Ms. Shilpa Paul, Start-up entrepreneur such as Mr. Neeraj Kumar. Others include students pursuing two degrees such as Mr. Saranath P and Mr. Viroopaksh Chekuri who are engineering graduates while Mr. Sherry Thomas’ primary degree is BA in Philosophy. Students have secured admission for Masters and PhD programs based on this as their primary degree or showcased this along with their campus degree. While Ms. Shreya Singhal received acceptance offers from four renowned institutions – Harvard, CMU, UPenn, WPI, and Columbia University – for her Master's degree, each accompanied by scholarships, Viroopaksh who is a BTech graduate from the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering IIT Madras, 2023, has gotten admits into Masters in Computer Science in UChicago and UC San Diego, primarily based on courses done in this program. The BS degree is the primary sole degree for Pranav Balakrishnan from Kerala who has secured admissions in 4 US universities for Masters in Computer Science. Mr. Shubham Gattani from Ahmedabad and Mr. Prashant S from Chennai, brilliant students who cannot attend physical colleges in person due to their medical disabilities, now have access to the best quality education from the comfort of their home and are excelling in the program, even having secured internships.

IIT Madras’ BS Degree in Data Science and Applications, which is going to complete four years, has enabled more than 2,500  of its students 

IIT Madras BS Data Science Helps Place 2,500 Students With Jobs & Promotions

Chennai (The Hawk): IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation is partnering with Rotary District 3232 and FISST Academy to train government and private School Students on cybersecurity. This pioneering initiative is aimed at empowering students with essential knowledge and is tailored for students of Classes 9th and 11th to foster a safer digital environment. Training commenced for the first batch of students on 30th March 2024 at IIT Madras and will be held for ten Saturdays. A total of 1,000 students will participate across ten batches, each comprising 100 students. This collaborative effort reflects Rotary’s commitment to education and community service, coupled with IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation's expertise in technology and cybersecurity. Cybersecurity is increasingly crucial in today's interconnected world. With a rising reliance on digital platforms, it is imperative for the youth to be equipped with fundamental knowledge in this field. Through this program, students will receive comprehensive training covering the basics of cybersecurity, including understanding cyber threats, safe internet practices, data privacy, and digital hygiene. IITM Pravartak Technologies is a Section 8 Company housing the Technology Innovation Hub on Sensors, Networking, Actuators and Control Systems. It is funded by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, under its National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems and hosted by IIT Madras Highlighting the need for such cybersecurity training, Mr. Rajendra Mootha, Vice President, IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, said, “Empowering students with cybersecurity education aligns with our mission to bridge the digital divide and create a secure digital ecosystem. We are honoured to join forces with Rotary to impart essential skills that will benefit students throughout their lives.” The training program will feature interactive sessions, workshops, and hands-on activities led by seasoned professionals and cybersecurity experts. Participants will gain practical insights into identifying and mitigating cyber risks, thereby enhancing their digital resilience. Rotary and IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation extend their gratitude to all sponsors, volunteers, and stakeholders whose support has made this initiative possible. Together, we are committed to shaping a safer and more secure digital future for our youth. The Key Outcomes envisaged from this program include =Enhanced Cybersecurity Awareness: Equipping students with the knowledge to recognize and respond to cyber threats effectively. = Safe Internet Practices: Educating students on best practices for secure online navigation and protecting personal information. = Data Privacy Protection: Instilling understanding and practices to safeguard sensitive data and prioritize privacy in digital interactions. = Digital Hygiene Promotion: Encouraging the adoption of good digital hygiene habits to mitigate cyber threats, such as regular software updates and strong password usage.

IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation is partnering with Rotary District 3232 and FISST Academy to train government and private School Students

IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Partners With Rotary To Educate Govt, Private School Students On Cybersecurity

Pithoragarh (The Hawk): In an era where academic success is often measured by numerical scores, educators and psychologists are advocating for a broader understanding of evaluation among teenagers, emphasizing that marks alone do not define future potential. Teenagers, ranging from 13 to 19 years old, are at a critical stage of their education in schools and colleges, a period often described by psychologists as the "stormy age." It is during these formative years that proper guidance is crucial in steering them towards the right path. Without it, they risk disorientation, a common scenario seen when teens equate their self-worth with their academic performance. Current educational assessments, while beneficial in tracking progress, focus primarily on the accuracy of written content, assigning marks based solely on correct responses. This method has shown its effectiveness, as seen in the consistently high scores across various subjects over the years. However, this approach might overlook the broader aspects of a student’s abilities, such as creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking. The examination system does provide structured feedback by rewarding step-by-step problem-solving, acknowledging even the smallest efforts of the students. This can be beneficial, but the prevailing view after exam results often confines students within a cycle of success or failure based purely on marks. Furthermore, the modern evaluation methods allow students to score high even in traditionally low-scoring subjects like languages, showcasing the adaptability and advancement of current assessment techniques. However, stakeholders must recognize that these scores are not the ultimate determinants of a student’s capabilities or future. Education systems also offer supplementary exams, providing multiple opportunities for students to improve their scores and learn from their mistakes. This flexibility highlights the importance of resilience and continuous effort over mere immediate success in examinations. As society moves forward, the call for an education system that appreciates diverse intelligences and learning styles grows louder. Both educators and parents are encouraged to shift their focus from scores to fostering an environment where creativity and imagination are nurtured, helping students to understand that an exam, much like the evaluation it entails, is not definitive of their entire educational journey or life potential.

In an era where academic success is often measured by numerical scores, educators and psychologists are advocating

Rethinking Evaluation: Beyond the Marks in Teen Education

Dehradun / Kashipur (The Hawk): Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kashipur, a leading B-school in India, is proud to announce its 11th annual convocation ceremony to be held on 27th April 2024 at the pristine Kashipur Campus. As many as 438 young and talented minds will receive their degree, and 30% of them are female. The jubilant event will confer degrees to tutees of MBA, MBA analytics, executive MBA, executive MBA analytics, and doctoral Programmes for batch 2022- 2024, showcasing the institute’s unwavering focus on nurturing academic diversity and excellence. Last year, IIM Kashipur awarded degrees to 353 students; of them, 98 were female. This year, the number of students who received degrees has gone up to 438, and the number of female students has surged to 140. The momentous occasion will be graced and addressed by the Chief Guest, Mr. Yezdi Nagporewalla, CEO of KPMG India. Also, the much-awaited afternoon would be presided over by Mr. Sandeep Singh, Chairperson, Board of Governors, IIM Kashipur. Remarkably first-ever, the bittersweet event will award degrees to the first batch of students of Executive MBA Analytics, who have transformed into professionals harnessing the power of analytics, technology, and management through the program’s cross-functional academics and practical learning. Notably, IIM Kashipur was among the leading IIMs that launched this course in light of the New Education Policy. The landmark ceremony will proudly present the well-deserved degrees to 15 PhD Dept, 232 MBA, 87 MBA Analytics, 21 Executive MBA, and 83 Executive MBA Analytics students, respectively. Along with degrees, IIM Kashipur will award 27 highly skilled to-be graduates with gold, silver, and bronze medals. Apart from that, 17 students who made it to the "Director's Merit List" for their unfailing commitments to the course will also receive medals from the chief guest. Remarkably, IIM Kashipur has secured 19th rank among the top 50 Management Institutes/Colleges in India in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)-2023 ranking released by the Ministry of Education. IIM Kashipur has also become the only IIM to get into the Top 50 in the NIRF-ARIIA (Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements) quotient, leaving behind other IIMs.

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kashipur, a leading B-school in India

IIM Kashipur To Felicitate 400+ Students At 11th Annual Convocation

New Delhi: Normalisation of scores for the Common University Entrance Test-UG and the National Eligibility Test is being done away with from this year, according to UGC Chief Jagadesh Kumar.
"No normalisation of scores will be required this year since both exams will be conducted in a single shift for a subject," Kumar told PTI.
Normalisation is a process for revising the score of a student in a way that it becomes comparable with the score of another. This becomes necessary when an examination in the same subject is held in multiple sessions, each with a different paper.  Students have been raising concerns about the normalisation of scores 'unfairly' impacting their performance in the exam.  "Earlier, we had to conduct the test for the same paper for two or three days in our endeavour to provide the first-choice centre to the students as much as possible. But this year, by adopting the OMR mode, a large number of centres will be available at schools and colleges, enabling us to conduct the test across the country on the same day.  "If the test is conducted on multiple days for the same paper, normalisation is required and it is a scientific method," the UGC chairman said.
The CUET-UG will be conducted from May 15 to 24 this time. In a shift from the earlier pattern of conducting the crucial exam for admission to undergraduate courses in a Computer Based Test (CBT) mode, CUET-UG for 15 subjects will be conducted in pen and paper mode while for 48 subjects it will be conducted in online mode.  Similarly, the UGC-NET, which was earlier conducted in CBT mode, will be held in pen and paper mode on June 16.  UGC-NET is an exam to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for the 'award of Junior Research Fellowship and appointment as assistant professor', 'appointment as assistant professor and admission to PhD' and 'admission to PhD only' in Indian universities and colleges.
—PTI

UGC chief announces removal of score normalization for CUET-UG and UGC-NET 2024; exams now in single shift and OMR mode to ensure fairness.

'Normalisation of scores for CUET-UG, NET will be done away with from this year': UGC chief

New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has a problem of "freeloaders" -- both overstaying students and illegal guests -- and the administration is now tightening the noose on them, according to its Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit.
In an interaction with PTI editors at the agency's headquarters, Pandit said she has issued strict instructions to the hostel administration not to allow any student to stay in hostels beyond five years.  In response to a question on allegations of JNU having seen freeloaders stay on campus at the cost of taxpayer money, Pandit said, "You are absolutely right, we have a problem of freeloaders."  Herself an alumna of the university, the 61-year-old said the issue was there even when she was a student but it has increased now.  "When I was there, we had many students who stayed over but the number of such students was very low... JNU creates certain illusions too... certain students... want everything free and subsidised... even the Lok Sabha canteen is costlier than the JNU canteen but in our times, teachers were very strict," she said.  "The professor supervising my research told me if you don't complete it in four-and-a-half years, you are out. I knew he wouldn't sign my fellowship extension... I think this has changed over the years. Certain professors permitted such extensions and that's how the number has gone up today," Pandit said.  Pandit pursued her MPhil and PhD from JNU from 1985-1990 after finishing her master's degree from Presidency College in Chennai.  "There are also people on campus who are illegal guests, who are not even students of JNU but come here and stay. They are either preparing for UPSC or other exams... for them, JNU is the cheapest place to stay... in southwest Delhi, where can you get such an accommodation with greenery, spread over 2,000 acres and with such dhabas and cheap food," she asked.
On the steps being taken by her administration to address the issue, Pandit said, "Now we are trying to bring this down to a large extent... it is very difficult for us to get into the rooms... we still do it while sticking to the norms. We also appeal to the good sense of the students and ask them to at least inform if they are bringing a guest."  "We have also tightened the hostel administration to not allow any student to stay beyond five years. We are now making ID cards compulsory... we tell students to carry ID cards at all times and produce them when asked for. We are asking students to report as well since there are students who don't like these outsiders," she added.  JNU had in 2019 issued a list of pending mess dues from hostel residents amounting to over Rs 2.79 crore, creating an uproar from various quarters. The students' union had then termed the move as an attempt to threaten students.  The university also saw massive protests in 2019 when it introduced a fee hike.  The allegations of 'freeloaders' on the campus were also raised after the 2016 sedition controversy over 'anti-national' slogans raised at the university that led to the arrest of the then-students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar, along with others.  Several online petitions were then started to stop funding JNU with taxpayers' money.  The administration's attempts to push for CCTVs on campus and make carrying IDs compulsory have been met with resistance from the students' union, which has been accusing the university brass of converting the campus into a 'jail'.
—PTI

JNU Vice Chancellor addresses the issue of freeloaders on campus, tightening regulations amidst controversies and student resistance.

'JNU has problem of freeloaders', says V-C Santishree Pandit; cites overstaying students, illegal guests

Prayagraj: The Uttar Pradesh Secondary Education Council declared the class 10 and 12 results on Saturday. The results revealed 89.55 pass percentage for high school and 82.60 pass percentage for intermediate candidates. Sitapur candidates dominated the state rankings this year in both high school and intermediate exams. Prachi Nigam from Sitapur secured the first position in high school with 98.50%, followed by Deepika Sonkar from Fatehpur with 98.33%, and Navya Singh from Sitapur with 98% marks. In the intermediate exams, Shubham Verma from Sitapur topped with 97.80%, followed by Vishu Chaudhary from Baghpat and Kajal Singh from Amroha, both scoring 97.60%. In the high school results, out of the total passed candidates, 12,38,422 are boys and 12,23,604 are girls. The passing percentage of boys and girls is 86.05% and 93.40, respectively. The passing rate of girls is 7.35% higher than that of boys. In Intermediate, the passed out candidates comprise 10,43,289 boys and 9,82,778 girls. Girls have recorded a 10.64% higher passing percentage than boys, with 88.42% compared to boys' 77.78%. Director of Education (Secondary) Dr. Mahendra Dev and Secretary of Secondary Education Council Dibyakant Shukla, while declaring the results, said that with the board examination of the year 2024, the Secondary Education Council has also set new records. "This year, the UP Board achieved a significant milestone by completing the examinations within a record 12 working days. Simultaneously, the evaluation of answer sheets was also efficiently conducted within the same timeframe. This marks the second consecutive year, following 2023, where the board has released results in record time, a first in its 100-year history."* He further detailed that the high school and intermediate exams were held from February 22 to March 09, 2024, across 8,265 examination centres. The evaluation of answer sheets for both levels was accomplished between March 16 and March 30, 2024, at 259 evaluation centres scattered across various districts of Madhya Pradesh. A total of 29,47,335 candidates registered for the high school examination, comprising 29,36,353 institutional candidates and 11,982 individual candidates. Of these, 27,38,999 institutional and 10,365 individual candidates, totaling 27,49,384 candidates, appeared for the exam. The gender distribution among the candidates was 14,39,243 boys and 13,10,121 girls. Out of these, 24,62,026 candidates, including 24,55,041 institutional and 6,985 individual candidates, passed the exam. Institutional candidates achieved a passing percentage of 89.63%, while individual candidates had a passing percentage of 67.39%. The passing percentage for institutional candidates was 22.24% higher than that of individual candidates. The evaluation was conducted by 94,802 examiners. Compared to 2023, there was a slight decrease of 0.59% in the passing percentage for boys, while the passing percentage for girls increased by 0.06%. Overall, there was a marginal decrease of 0.23% in the overall passing rate. A total of 25,78,007 candidates registered for the intermediate examination, consisting of 24,25,426 institutional and 1,52,581 individual candidates. Of these, 24,52,830 candidates, including 23,16,910 institutional and 1,35,920 individual candidates, took the exam. Among these candidates, 13,41,356 were boys and 11,11,474 were girls. A total of 20,26,067 candidates passed the exam, with 19,08,647 being institutional and 1,17,420 being individual candidates. The passing percentage was 82.38% for institutional candidates and 86.39% for individual candidates. The passing percentage for institutional candidates was 4.01% lower than that of individual candidates. The evaluation involved 52,295 examiners. Compared to 2023, there was a decrease of 1,90,173 candidates appearing for the intermediate exams. There was a notable increase of 2.54% in the number of candidates achieving honours in the first division, along with a rise of 2.83% in candidates passing in the first division. Boys' passing rate increased by 8.44%, and girls' passing rate saw a rise of 5.42%. Overall, there was an impressive increase of 7.08% in the overall passing percentage. —ANI

The Uttar Pradesh Secondary Education Council declared the class 10 and 12 results on Saturday

UP Board Announces High School And Intermediate Exam Results

Bulandshahr: It has been an extraordinary journey for Pawan Kumar, the son of a labourer who has grown up in a mud house in extreme poverty with an asbestos roof above his head but is now set to become an officer after clearing Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams. Kumar, who hails from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh, had all the reasons to compromise with his dreams but decided to fight with his destiny and achieve it and finally cracked the civil services exams, securing AIR 239. The Civil Services Examination conducted by the UPSC is one of the most challenging competitive examinations in India, with a rigorous process spanning around one year and requiring extensive preparation. The exam recruits candidates for higher Civil Services of the Government of India, including the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, and Indian Police Service. Pawan said that he mostly did self-study as the condition of his family was such that he could not afford expensive coaching classes. "This was my third attempt. My family had a very big role to play in my journey, especially my parents and my sisters. The exam is tough, and the syllabus is very vast, but it is not impossible to crack it. Taking coaching is not necessary. The condition of my family was such that I could not afford such expensive coaching classes. I mostly did self-study. You can make use of the internet for help, and carry on with honesty in your attempts. Perseverance is very important," Kumar said. Pawan Kumar's small mud house, where half a dozen cattle are tied under the thatched cowshed, is now buzzing with his well-wishers. Pawan Kumar's elated mother, Suman Devi, who was waiting to witness the day of his son's success, was carrying pride in her heart and voice. "I feel good that we got to see this day. We have a thatch roof that leaked when it rained. It caused us a lot of trouble. We don't have money to be able to afford a gas cylinder, that's why we still use a stove. I worked hard as a labourer. He would study at home in silence, using his mobile phone," Suman Devi said. Mukesh Kumar, Pawan's father, who spent several nights awaken worrying about the foods and daily needs, got overwhelmed over his son's performance and his journey, irrespective of their circumstances. "His hard work and our support for him, irrespective of our circumstances, have brought him to this stage. We did all sorts of odd jobs to be able to afford his and our daughters' education. We saved money with a lot of difficulty so he could prepare well. We couldn't renovate our house because we educated our children. Our roof leaked during rain, and we would all spend the night sitting in one place, but he was adamant about studying. We often went to bed hungry. God has now blessed us," Mukesh Kumar said. Pawan Kumar's sister Goldie remembered the hard work her family did just to afford a mobile phone to Pawan. "We lived in a peaceful environment, and he liked silence. He lived and studied under this roof, and when there was no electricity, he would study in the light of the kerosene lamp. We did all sorts of odd jobs for money. He needed a mobile phone, so we all worked hard to afford a phone for him so he could study," she said. Meanwhile, Aditya Srivastava, an alumnus of IIT Kanpur, topped the UPSC Civil Services 2023 exam. Srivastava and Animesh Pradhan scored AIR 1 and 2, respectively, followed by Donuru Ananya Reddy in the third spot. —ANI

It has been an extraordinary journey for Pawan Kumar, the son of a labourer who has grown up in a mud house in extreme poverty

Labourer's Son Pawan Kumar Clears UPSC; Ranks 239

Tel Aviv [Israel]: Haifa University appointed Professor Mona Maron as rector on Thursday, making her the first Israeli Arab to be appointed to the position in an Israeli university. A world-renowned researcher in the field of neuroscience and post-trauma, Maron will replace Prof. Gur Alroey, who in October will become the university president.
"I am grateful for the trust I received from the members of the university senate and look forward to taking up the position. First and foremost, the University of Haifa is a home for me. A home that welcomed me into its ranks more than 30 years ago, as an undergraduate student, then as a faculty member in the neurobiology department and now with the rector's role," Maron said. "I pledge to continue to invest my all in my academic home, to continue to promote first and foremost outstanding research and to continue to be a beacon of science and excellence in the heart of the north, promoting a common, genuine and daily existence between members of all religions and denominations in Israel."
A Maronite Christian from the village of Isfiya, near Haifa, Maron has been a trailblazer for the integration and advancement of women in the sciences, particularly within the Arab community. She was the first Arab woman from her village to earn a doctoral degree and Israel's first Arab professor of neuroscience. She researches the neural and molecular basis of anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder, and is examining, among other things, the possibility of "erasing" memories of fear, through the silencing of the neural mechanisms responsible for forming fear memories in the brain. Maron completed her three degrees at the University of Haifa and did her post-doctorate in France at the University of Paris.  Maron has been currently serving as the university's Vice President for Research. "Mona was chosen because she is an outstanding researcher, because she is an excellent vice president for research who promoted academic excellence and that the members of the faculty believed that she was the right person to continue advancing the university towards our goals and objectives," said Alroey. "And at our university, the right person can be a man or a woman, a Jew or an Arab -- it really does not matter and is not important. This is the meaning of our shared existence." Around 18,000 students are enrolled in the public research institution.
—ANI

Haifa University appoints Professor Mona Maron as its first Israeli Arab rector, marking a significant step in promoting diversity and excellence in academia.

Prof Mona Maron appointed first Arab rector of an Israeli university

Bageshwar (Uttarakhand): Books are invaluable heritage of our life. Without knowledge we experience difficulty at every step. In today's competitive time, books not only introduce us to the outside world but also prepare us for future .In view of these things, the book "Dard" written by poet, writer and teacher Prem Prakash Upadhyay "Natural" has also been described as an excellent book by former Chairman CBSE Mr. Dr. Rajeev Joshi. He has described the chapters written in this book as readable and inspirational. Today, in a simple ceremony, Shri Upadhyay has presented this book to the district library for the benefit of children. Library in-charge Mr. Bhuvan Chandra Joshi expressed happiness over this and congratulated Prem for gifting the book. Real life experiences have been woven into this book. He has requested all the readers to read it so that they can get maximum benefit. In the book, along with Hindi, English, poetry collection is also written in Kumaoni language. Professor Saheb, treatment, hai gyo, date, falling pearls, research, beginning, one day like this, humor, love of this world and that world, nurturer, strong mountain, eloquence of time etc. Prem included these topics in his creation. Commendble work have done by mr Prem, many readers of the library said. For book lovers, reading this book will be an experience as well as interesting.

Explore "Dard," an inspiring book by Prem Prakash, blending Hindi, English, and Kumaoni poetry. Endorsed by ex-CBSE Chairman, it's a must-read for literary aficionados.

Prem presented his self-written book 'Dard' to the district library

New Delhi: The application deadline for Common University Entrance Test (CUET)-UG has been further extended till April 5, the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced on Sunday.
The first deadline was March 26, which was initially extended to March 31.  "The deadline for online submission of the application form for the CUET-UG – 2024 has been extended up to 9:50 PM on April 5, 2024 based on the request received from candidates and other stakeholders," said Sadhana Parashar, Senior Director (Exams), NTA.
"Candidates can also use school ID or any government ID with photograph to facilitate identification," she added.  The exam is scheduled to be conducted from May 15 to 31.  The standardised test was introduced in 2022 to streamline admission processes across central, state, deemed and private universities nationwide.  A notable departure from tradition, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has outlined a hybrid examination format for CUET-UG 2024, including both computer-based testing and pen-and-paper modes for different subjects.  Officials have indicated that subjects witnessing high registration volumes will adopt a pen-and-paper format using optical mark recognition (OMR), while others will remain computer-based.  In the previous cycle, approximately 14.9 lakh registrations were recorded for CUET-UG, highlighting its significance in the higher education landscape.
—PTI

NTA extends CUET-UG 2024 application deadline to April 5. New hybrid exam format announced, blending computer-based tests with pen-and-paper modes for comprehensive assessment.

CUET-UG deadline extended again, now till April 5

A young girl named Priya lives in the busy streets of a charming Indian village, where the scent of freshly brewed chai dances in the air and the morning sun greets the soil softly. Priya is the embodiment of the hopes and dreams of innumerable young girls in rural India, with her bright eyes full of inquiry and her dreams as big as the open sky. But beneath her contagious smile is a story of tenacity and will in the face of overwhelming adversity—a story representative of the problems facing girls' education in the nation. Priya takes the burden of social expectations and constraints with her when she travels to the nearby school every day, traversing uneven trails and brilliant wheat fields.Priya has a desire to learn to build a better future for herself, but she keeps running against obstacles that could ruin her plans to go to school. The 2023 report on the status of primary education in the hinterlands of India was recently released by Dharmendra Pradhan, India's Minister of Education. The data laid out in the paper makes it abundantly evident that there is growing support in Indian communities for girls' education. The survey indicates that 82% of rural parents today hope their sons will follow in their sons' footsteps and 78% of parents in rural areas hope their girls would pursue higher education or a degree.  The survey's statistics provide insight into how attitudes about girls' education are evolving in India.But even with this change, there are still a lot of obstacles in the way of educating half of the country's people and achieving economic independence. Even in this day and age, educating girls is not an easy task. The same survey also found that girls are more likely than boys to drop out of primary school, with 75% of these youngsters being girls.  In India, just 11% of villages have high schools that offer instruction up to the 10th grade, and only 6.57% of villages have senior secondary schools (grades 11 and 12). This information comes from a report released by the Ministry of Rural Development. An examination of states shows that over 15% of villages in almost ten states still lack access to education.In rural areas, parents do not send their daughters to school for a basic education because there are no further education facilities. Due to the lack of surrounding schools, even if they are admitted, they frequently stop their education after primary school.  A Development Intelligence Unit poll indicates that about 37% of village parents admit that shifting household chores forces them to stop their daughters' schooling in the middle of the term. Furthermore, according to 21.1% of parents, girls' assistance with home duties, attention for younger siblings, and support for their mothers ultimately results in their dropping out of school.  Girls are further isolated from employment prospects by the low enrollment of females in higher education.According to numerous research, young women in India around the ages of 15 and 25 have an unemployment rate of 11.5%, while young men in the same age range have an unemployment rate of 9.8%.  According to all of these data, there roughly 145 million illiterate women in India; the problem is worse in rural than in urban regions. The depressing situation of girls' education is caused by a number of causes, including patriarchy, social biases, gender inequity, and women's safety. A recent Ministry of Health survey also found a direct link between mothers' educational attainment and the nutritional health of their children.  Girls' education needs to be prioritized if India is to become a $5 trillion economy by 2024. Building a healthy human capital in the nation requires both community involvement and government efforts, of which girls' education is a critical component.

Explore the challenges of girls' education in rural India, insights from Dharmendra Pradhan's report, and the path to economic empowerment.

Unveiling the Challenges: Girls' Education in Rural India

New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has disaffiliated 20 schools, including five in Delhi, for enrolling dummy students and ineligible candidates, its secretary Himanshu Gupta said on Friday.
The board has also downgraded the affiliation of three schools.  "Pursuant to a surprise inspection conducted in CBSE schools across the country to check whether the schools are running according to the provisions and norms contained in the affiliation and examination bye-laws, it was found that some schools were committing various malpractices of presenting dummy students, ineligible candidates and not maintaining records properly," Gupta said.
"After a thorough inquiry, it has been decided to disaffiliate 20 schools and downgrade three schools," he added.  Five of the disaffiliated schools are in Delhi, three in Uttar Pradesh, two each in Kerala, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, and one each is in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Assam and Madhya Pradesh.  The schools with downgraded affiliation are in Delhi, Punjab and Assam.
 Also Read: <a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/up-madarsa-education-act-2004-unconstitutional-violative-of-principle-of-secularism:-allahabad-hc" target="_self">https://www.thehawk.in/posts/up-madarsa-education-act-2004-unconstitutional-violative-of-principle-of-secularism:-allahabad-hc</a>&nbsp;
 The disaffiliated schools include Sidhhartha Public School, Bharat Mata Saraswati Bal Mandir, National Public School, Chand Ram Public Senior Secondary School and Marigold Public School in Delhi, Loyal Public School (Bulandshahr), Trinity World School (Gautam Buddh Nagar), Crescent Convent School (Ghazipur) in Uttar Pradesh, Prince UCH Madhyamik Vidyalaya (Sikar) and Global Indian International School, (Jodhpur) in Rajasthan.  Dronacharya Public School and Vicon School in Chhattisgarh's Raipur, Rahul International School (Thane) and Pioneer Public School (Pune) in Maharashtra, Peevees Public School (Malappuram) and Mother Theresa Memorial Central School (Thiruvananthapuram) in Kerala, Sai RNS Academy in Assam's Guwahati, Sardar Patel Public School (Bhopal) in Madhya Pradesh, Kartar Public School (Kathua) in Jammu and Kashmir and Gyan Einstein International School (Dehradun) in Uttarakhand are also on the list.  The schools with downgraded affiliation are -- The Vivekanand School in Delhi, Sri Dasmesh Senior Secondary Public School in Punjab's Bhatinda and Sreeram Academy in Assam's Barpeta.  Scores of students preparing for engineering and medical entrance exams prefer to take admission in dummy schools so that they can focus solely on their preparations for the competitive exams. They do not attend classes and straightaway appear in the board exams.  Aspirants also choose dummy schools keeping in mind the quota in medical and engineering institutes available for the students from certain states. For example, the candidates who have completed Classes 11 and 12 in Delhi are considered for admission in the medical colleges of the national capital under the Delhi State Quota.  With the number of suicides among competitive exam aspirants in Rajasthan's Kota touching a record high last year, experts have been warning against the concept of "dummy schools", saying students staying away from regular schools early often struggle with restricted personality development and growth.  The issue was also flagged by former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot last year in the wake of a rising number of student suicides. Gehlot had referred to dummy schools as "fake schools".  "Students of classes 9 and 10 are enrolled in coaching institutes. You are committing a crime in a way. As if the IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) is the god. As soon as students come to these coaching institutes, they are enrolled in fake schools," the veteran Congress leader had said.  In a recent interview with PTI, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also said the issue of dummy schools cannot be ignored anymore.  "Although the number of such students is not very high compared to the total number of students ... but the time has come to have serious discussions and deliberations on the subject," Pradhan had said.
—PTI

CBSE takes strict action by disaffiliating 20 schools, including notable ones in Delhi, for enrolling dummy students, signaling a crackdown on malpractices in education.

CBSE disaffiliates 20 schools for enrolling dummy students; 5 of them in Delhi, 3 in UP

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh): The Allahabad High Court on Friday declared the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004, "unconstitutional" and violative of the principle of secularism. The Lucknow bench of Allahabad, while declaring the law as ultra vires, asked the state government to accommodate current students in the formal schooling system.
A division comprising Justice Vivek Chaudhary and Justice Subhash Vidyarthi passed the verdict on a writ petition filed by a person named Anshuman Singh Rathore. "Since there are large numbers of Madarsas and Madarsa students in the State of U.P., the State Government is directed to take steps forthwith for accommodating these Madarsa students in regular schools recognized under the Primary Education Board and schools recognized under the High School and Intermediate Education Board of State of UP. The State Government for the said purpose shall ensure that as per requirement sufficient number of additional seats are created and further if required, sufficient number of new schools are established," the bench said.  The State Government shall also ensure that children between the ages of 6 to 14 years are not left without admission in duly recognized institutions, the bench added. Anshuman Singh Rathore had challenged the constitutionality of the UP Madarsa Board as well as objected to the management of madarsa by the Minority Welfare Department, both by the Union of India and the state government. "In view of the foregoing discussion, we hold that the Madarsa Act, 2004, is violative of the principle of Secularism, which is a part of the basic structure of the Constitution of India, violative of Articles 14, 21 and 21-A of the Constitution of India and violative of Section 22 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956. Accordingly, the Madarsa Act,2004 is declared unconstitutional," the bench observed. "Further, we are not deciding the validity of Section 1(5) of the R.T.E. Act as we have already held the Madarsa Act to be ultra vires and we are also informed by learned counsel for both the parties that in State of UP Vadik Pathshalas do not exist," it added.
—ANI

Allahabad High Court rules UP Madarsa Education Act, 2004 unconstitutional, mandates integration of students into formal schooling, upholding secularism.

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