A Sanskrit recitation at the IIT Delhi 57th Convocation has triggered a political and social media debate after Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed questioned the presence of what she identified as the Gayatri Mantra at an academic ceremony.

However, an IIT Kanpur alumnus, Gyan C Mehta, has disputed the identification, saying the verses recited at the convocation were not the Gayatri Mantra. According to him, the verses are from the Shikshavalli of the Taittiriya Upanishad, a section associated with learning and the traditional teacher-student relationship.

The distinction has shifted the focus of the controversy from whether a religious chant should be part of an academic ceremony to a more basic question: What was actually recited at IIT Delhi?

What Did Shama Mohamed Say?

Mohamed questioned the recitation during the IIT Delhi convocation, arguing that academic institutions should not include religious chants in their ceremonies.

"My cook plays the Gayatri Mantra every day when he enters my kitchen, and I listen to it every day and like it," she said, while questioning why it was played at an IIT convocation.

She argued that educational spaces should remain free from religious slogans and chants associated with any religion.

Her remarks came in the context of Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the IIT Delhi convocation, adding a political dimension to the discussion.

IIT Kanpur Alumnus Disputes Gayatri Mantra Claim

Gyan C Mehta, identifying himself as a proud IIT Kanpur alumnus, challenged Mohamed's description of the recitation.

"I certainly don't want to pick a fight with your cook, but the fundamental premise of your post is factually incorrect. What is being chanted is not the Gayatri Mantra, not that there is anything wrong with it. As a proud IIT Kanpur alum, it is frustrating to see this," Mehta said.

According to Mehta, the verses belong to the Shikshavalli of the Taittiriya Upanishad.

The recitation includes the prayer, "Tan mam avatu, tad vaktram avatu", invoking protection for both the student and the teacher.

The underlying idea is significant in the traditional teacher-student relationship: before knowledge is imparted, both the person seeking knowledge and the person imparting it are included in the prayer.

What Is Shikshavalli?

The Shikshavalli is a section of the Taittiriya Upanishad that deals extensively with learning, discipline, ethical conduct and the relationship between teacher and student.

Its teachings include values associated with truth, duty, discipline, respect for teachers and responsible conduct.

The verses therefore have a direct connection with education and the completion of a student's formal learning.

IIT Delhi 57th Convocation

IIT Delhi conducted its 57th Convocation on August 8, 2026, with more than 3,000 students and 587 PhD scholars participating in the ceremony.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the graduating students, emphasising curiosity, questioning established ideas, research, innovation and the role of young graduates in India's development.

His address focused on areas including education, technology, research opportunities and India's semiconductor ambitions.

It was against this academic backdrop that the Sanskrit recitation became a subject of political debate.

Is the Recitation Linked to Samavartana?

The Shikshavalli also has a connection with the broader idea of Samavartana, an ancient Indian ceremony associated with the completion of a student's education and transition towards social responsibilities.

The verses emphasise the responsibilities that accompany education, including truthfulness, ethical conduct, discipline and respect for teachers.

Supporters of including such verses at modern convocations view them as an expression of India's intellectual and educational heritage.

Critics, meanwhile, question whether religiously rooted or traditional invocations should feature at ceremonies held by public educational institutions.

Why the IIT Delhi Chant Controversy Matters

The controversy raises two separate questions.

The first is factual: Was the recitation at IIT Delhi actually the Gayatri Mantra?

The second is broader: Should traditional or religiously rooted verses be included in ceremonies at public educational institutions?

While Mohamed's criticism focuses on the second issue, Mehta's response challenges the factual premise on which her argument was based.

The distinction is important because the Gayatri Mantra and the verses from the Shikshavalli are different texts with different contexts and meanings.

The debate over secularism and traditional practices in India's educational institutions is likely to continue. But in the IIT Delhi case, establishing precisely what was recited remains the first step in understanding the controversy.

The Bihar government has announced a series of measures to improve school education, reform examination systems and strengthen student welfare across the state.

As part of the initiative, the government has constituted two state-level committees — one focused on quality education and another on examination reform. The government has also announced special support camps to create a direct dialogue between students and policymakers.

Officials said the measures are aimed at making education more effective, examinations more transparent and student welfare systems more responsive.

Bihar Forms Committee on Quality Education

The state government has constituted a State-Level Committee on Quality Education to improve educational standards across schools.

The committee will focus on developing schools as centres of excellence and ensuring continuous improvement in students' learning levels.

The move comes amid growing emphasis on learning outcomes, classroom effectiveness and regular assessment of students' academic progress.

Improving learning levels typically requires a combination of teacher support, continuous monitoring, community participation and targeted academic interventions.

Bihar Examination Reform Committee

The government has also formed a State-Level Examination Reform Committee to recommend measures for making examinations more organised, transparent, impartial and modern.

A key focus of the committee will be the use of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in different types of assessments.

According to the government, the panel will examine the potential use of technology and AI in:

• Board examinations
• Competitive examinations
• Class-based assessments

The proposed reforms are intended to strengthen the assessment of students' knowledge, understanding and analytical abilities rather than relying primarily on rote memorisation.

The use of technology could also help streamline examination processes and improve administrative efficiency, although issues such as data privacy, algorithmic fairness and examination security will need to be addressed during implementation.

Bihar to Organise Student Dialogue Camps

Alongside the two committees, the government plans to organise special support camps across Bihar.

The camps are expected to provide a platform for students to directly interact with policymakers and raise their concerns and suggestions.

Participants are expected to include:

• The Chief Minister
• State ministers
• Members of Parliament
• MLAs
• Students

The proposed dialogue mechanism is intended to give students a greater role in discussions surrounding education policies and welfare measures.

Focus on Education and Student Welfare

The latest announcements indicate a broader attempt by the Bihar government to address both academic outcomes and administrative systems within the education sector.

The quality education committee is expected to focus on improving learning levels, while the examination reform panel will examine how assessment systems can be modernised.

The student camps, meanwhile, are intended to strengthen communication between students and government representatives.

What Happens Next?

Several details of the proposed reforms are yet to emerge, including the exact composition of the committees, timelines for implementing their recommendations and the funding required for the initiatives.

The proposed use of AI in examinations will also require clear safeguards to ensure fairness, transparency, examination security and protection of student data.

The Bihar government's latest measures signal an attempt to combine better learning outcomes, examination reform, technology adoption, student participation and welfare coordination as the state works towards modernising its school education system.

Pralhad Joshi Education Minister: Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi has reviewed the ongoing initiatives of the Ministry of Education and discussed implementation priorities with senior officials after returning to New Delhi from the 13th BRICS Education Ministers' Meeting in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

The review focused on key education programmes, areas requiring greater attention and the next steps for strengthening India's education ecosystem.

Joshi chaired the 13th BRICS Education Ministers' Meeting, which concluded with the adoption of the 13th BRICS Education Ministers' Declaration. The declaration identified several areas for cooperation, including early childhood education, foundational learning, skill development, research and innovation.

Pralhad Joshi Reviews Education Ministry Programmes

After returning to New Delhi, Joshi held detailed discussions with senior officials of the Ministry of Education to assess ongoing programmes and determine the next course of action.

In a post on X, Joshi said the meeting reviewed ongoing initiatives, implementation priorities and areas requiring focused attention.

He said the ministry remains committed to the timely and effective execution of programmes aimed at strengthening India's education ecosystem.

The minister also emphasised the need to build an inclusive, future-ready and globally competitive education system.

The review assumes significance as the ministry moves to translate policy priorities and international commitments into implementation across India's education sector.

BRICS Education Meeting Focuses on Future-Ready Learning

At the BRICS Education Ministers' Meeting, Joshi highlighted India's commitment to working with other BRICS nations on common education priorities.

He said discussions held during India's BRICS Chairship should lead to concrete action and cooperation.

India's 2026 BRICS Chairship theme is "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."

Joshi emphasised that education systems must prepare young people to take advantage of emerging opportunities while ensuring that human values remain central to learning.

He also said learners, teachers, researchers and young people should remain at the centre of education policymaking and international cooperation.

Key Areas in BRICS Education Declaration

The 13th BRICS Education Ministers' Declaration outlined several areas for strengthening cooperation among member countries.

Early Childhood Education and Foundational Learning

The participating countries highlighted the importance of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) and Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) in building strong learning foundations.

Skill Development and Vocational Education

Greater cooperation in skill development and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) was another major priority.

The focus is intended to help learners develop skills aligned with changing employment opportunities and economic requirements.

Research, Innovation and Start-ups

The declaration also emphasised collaboration in research, innovation and start-up ecosystems.

The initiative seeks to strengthen academic and research partnerships while encouraging innovation across BRICS countries.

Recognition of Qualifications

Mutual Recognition of Qualifications (MRQ) and capacity building for academic leadership and institutional development were also included among the areas of cooperation.

Such collaboration could help facilitate greater academic mobility and strengthen institutional partnerships between participating countries.

Traditional Knowledge Systems Included in BRICS Cooperation

The BRICS meeting also welcomed India's initiative concerning the BRICS Guiding Principles on Strengthening Academic Collaboration on Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems.

The meeting suggested that the BRICS Network University may consider traditional and indigenous knowledge systems as an additional International Thematic Group.

The proposal brings traditional knowledge into the broader framework of academic collaboration and higher education cooperation among BRICS nations.

Education Ministry Focuses on Implementation

The post-BRICS review signals the Education Ministry's focus on converting international discussions and policy commitments into concrete programmes.

With foundational learning, skill development, research, innovation, academic collaboration and traditional knowledge emerging as key priorities, the ministry is expected to focus on implementation and coordination in the coming months.

The review also comes as Joshi settles into his role as Union Education Minister following Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation from the post amid protests over the NEET-UG 2024 examination controversy.

A NEET-UG aspirant from Wadakkanchery in Kerala has approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an independent probe into alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 examination. The student, Anjali S, has also sought compensation and fee concessions for students who were financially affected by the controversy.

Anjali said she appeared for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) continuously for five years, from 2020 to 2024, in the hope of securing admission to a government medical college.

According to Anjali, she had received opportunities to join self-financing medical colleges in 2022 and 2023. However, she decided against accepting those offers as she wanted to secure a government medical seat and avoid placing a heavy financial burden on her family.

She scored 640 marks in NEET-UG 2024, which was subsequently revised to 635 following corrections, she said. Despite expecting a government medical college seat based on her score, Anjali could not secure admission amid the high cut-off recorded in 2024.

NEET UG 2024 Marks-Rank Pattern Under Question

In her communication to the Prime Minister, Anjali has submitted details comparing marks and rank patterns from previous NEET-UG examinations with those recorded in 2024.

She has argued that the marks-rank pattern in NEET UG 2024 showed a significant difference compared with earlier years and has sought an independent examination of the matter.

Anjali is currently pursuing medical education at a self-financing college. She said her family spends around Rs 10 lakh every year towards her education and has had to rely on loans and borrowings to meet the expenses.

"I worked hard for five years hoping to get a government medical seat. I had declined opportunities at self-financing colleges earlier because I did not want to put a financial burden on my family," Anjali told ANI.

"Now, studying at a self-financing college, we have to pay around Rs 10 lakh every year. Seeing the financial difficulties faced by my parents made me raise this demand for a solution," she added.

Student Seeks Compensation for Affected Aspirants

Anjali has demanded action against those responsible if an investigation establishes any irregularity or manipulation in the NEET-UG 2024 examination.

She has also sought compensation for students who may have been directly affected by any irregularities, along with measures to reduce the financial burden on affected families.

"When the NEET 2024 results are compared with those of previous years in terms of the marks-rank ratio, there is a significant difference. If any irregularity has taken place, those responsible should be identified," she said.

"There are many students like me who have been directly affected. I want them to receive compensation as well," Anjali added.

Besides Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Anjali said she has also emailed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with her demands, seeking attention to the concerns of NEET-UG 2024 aspirants.

Union Minister of Education Pralhad Joshi has urged greater collaboration among the BRICS countries in creating resilient, innovative and sustainable education systems, emphasising the importance of countries preparing their education systems for future challenges in the world.

At the 13th BRICS Education Ministers' Meeting in Bhubaneswar, Joshi said that education systems need to be prepared to meet the challenges of the pandemic, economic uncertainty, climate change and fast technological advancements.

Pralhad Joshi highlights India's BRICS Education Agenda

The Union Education Minister welcomed the delegates from the BRICS member countries and said that India's BRICS Chairship is based on the theme “Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability.”

He highlighted the need for resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability in preparing future generations to adapt to the changing global context.

Joshi's remarks placed education at the centre of discussions on how BRICS countries can prepare their societies and young people for emerging global challenges.

Expanded BRICS Represents More Than 4 Billion People

The new BRICS group has over four billion people and a large proportion of the world's youth, Joshi said. He said that the diversity of BRICS countries is one of the strengths of the group and provides opportunities for countries to share their experiences and knowledge, best practices and new ideas in the field of education.

The minister pointed to the opportunities for deeper cooperation among member countries to create education systems that are better equipped to meet evolving needs and prepare young people for the future.

'Humanity First' Approach to BRICS Cooperation

Joshi said India will continue to advance the BRICS agenda with the spirit of “Humanity First,” in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision. He also reaffirmed India's commitment to inclusive development and addressing the aspirations of the Global South.

India calls for deeper BRICS education cooperation

Joshi also urged BRICS countries to enhance cooperation in the field of education through partnership, mutual respect, sovereign equality and consensus. The meeting was attended by the Ministers of Education, heads of delegation and high-ranking officials of the BRICS member countries for discussions on cooperation in the field of education.

The need for more cooperation reflects the challenges that education systems in countries are facing due to the impact of technological change, climate change, economic uncertainty and the need to equip students for a future of work that is changing rapidly.

Significance of the BRICS Education Ministers Meeting

The talks emphasize the increasing significance of international collaboration in education. For BRICS countries, knowledge sharing, educational practices and innovative approaches can be a means to enhance education systems and tackle challenges that cross national boundaries.

Resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability are the key pillars of India's BRICS Chairship and these are the core elements of India's education cooperation with its member countries.

A man once celebrated for clearing 12 competitive examinations in 13 years is now at the centre of one of Jharkhand's biggest alleged recruitment scams. Abhay Kumar Tiwari, a Jharkhand government employee, has been arrested by the state's Crime Investigation Department (CID) for allegedly masterminding a ₹40-crore paper leak and recruitment manipulation racket linked to examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

The case has intensified concerns over the integrity of government recruitment examinations and triggered fresh protests by job aspirants demanding transparency.

From Exam Success to Criminal Allegations

Before his arrest, Tiwari was widely known for an extraordinary record of clearing multiple government recruitment examinations.

His reported achievements included qualifying examinations for:

• Police Sub-Inspector (2018)
• Indian Navy recruitment
• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
• IRB Constable
• CRPF Head Constable
• Northern Coalfields Limited
• JSSC Postgraduate Trained Teacher
• Combined Graduate Level (CGL)
• JPSC Assistant Conservator of Forests
• Forest Range Officer
• Food Safety Officer
• 11th Jharkhand Combined Civil Services Examination

Investigators now allege that the same reputation was used to gain the confidence of aspirants.

Alleged ₹25–40 Lakh "Guaranteed Selection" Scheme

According to the CID, Tiwari allegedly operated a well-organised syndicate that promised candidates guaranteed selection in competitive examinations.

Investigators claim aspirants were asked to pay between ₹25 lakh and ₹40 lakh in exchange for leaked examination papers and manipulated recruitment outcomes.

Officials allege that Tiwari projected himself as proof that repeated success in competitive examinations was achievable, encouraging candidates to trust the network and pay substantial sums.

Link to Blacklisted Examination Agency

The investigation has also drawn attention to TRS-Data Processing Private Limited, a Lucknow-based testing agency that had previously been blacklisted by the Uttar Pradesh government over alleged examination irregularities.

Before joining government service as a Block Supply Officer in Poriyahat, Godda, Tiwari had reportedly worked as the company's marketing manager. Investigators suspect he maintained links with the agency even after entering government service.

The alleged connection has prompted demands for a review of recruitment examinations conducted through the agency.

Aspirants Continue Protest in Ranchi

The arrest has not ended public anger over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand's recruitment process.

Following the declaration of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination results on July 5, hundreds of aspirants launched an indefinite sit-in protest in Ranchi.

The protesters are demanding:

• Cancellation of the preliminary examination.
• A transparent investigation into alleged irregularities.
• Review of examinations conducted through TRS-Data Processing.
• Greater accountability in government recruitment.

The Jharkhand government has initiated talks with protestors, with senior officials inviting a student delegation to meet Chief Minister Hemant Soren. However, the aspirants have insisted that discussions should involve only student representatives.

Investigation Continues

The CID is continuing its investigation into the alleged paper leak network and its possible impact on recruitment examinations.

As the probe progresses, the case has once again highlighted the importance of secure examination systems, transparent recruitment processes, and strong institutional safeguards to maintain public confidence in government examinations.