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Teachers to help identify and document rare manuscripts across the capital as part of a nationwide effort to preserve over one crore historical records.

In a significant step towards preserving India's rich literary and cultural heritage, the Delhi government has deployed 300 Urdu and Sanskrit teachers to support the Gyan Bharatam Mission, a nationwide initiative aimed at identifying, documenting and preserving historical manuscripts.

The deployment has been approved by the Directorate of Education in collaboration with the Department of Art, Culture and Languages, Government of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. The teachers will assist in locating and cataloguing manuscripts housed in libraries, museums, academic institutions and private collections across the city.

According to an official communication issued by the Education Department, district education authorities have been directed to ensure that all selected teachers are informed about their responsibilities and report for duty whenever called upon by the competent authority. The directive follows reports that some teachers and Heads of Schools had not received information regarding their assignment under the project.

The department has also clarified that teachers engaged in the mission during the summer vacation period will be treated as “On Duty.” They will be entitled to Earned Leave benefits in accordance with the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules. The official order, signed by the Deputy Director of Education (Schools), was circulated to schools on June 5 along with the list of teachers selected for the assignment.

The Gyan Bharatam Mission seeks to preserve more than one crore manuscripts across India, many of which are written in classical and traditional languages and remain undocumented. These manuscripts are considered valuable repositories of knowledge spanning fields such as literature, philosophy, science, medicine, history and culture.

Officials believe the involvement of Urdu and Sanskrit teachers will be crucial in identifying, interpreting and cataloguing manuscripts that may otherwise remain inaccessible due to language barriers. Their expertise is expected to strengthen efforts to create a comprehensive inventory of historical texts and support long-term preservation initiatives.

The mission forms part of broader efforts to safeguard India's intellectual heritage and make historically significant manuscripts available for future research, scholarship and public access. By involving educators with linguistic expertise, authorities hope to accelerate the documentation process and ensure that rare knowledge resources are preserved for future generations.

Three-year project will explore how chemical modulators can alter DNA and RNA structures to combat cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, with potential patentable outcomes.

In a significant boost to scientific research in Bihar, the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has awarded a research grant of ₹64 lakh to a faculty member of the Central University of South Bihar (CUSB) for a project aimed at developing therapeutic strategies against genetic diseases.

The grant has been awarded to Saptarshi Ghosh, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, who will lead a three-year research project titled “Structural Alteration of Nucleic Acids Using Chemical Modulators.” The study will be conducted in collaboration with researchers from the university’s biotechnology and life sciences departments.

According to Ghosh, the research seeks to address genetic disorders, including cancer and several neurodegenerative diseases, which are often linked to structural abnormalities in DNA and RNA. The project will investigate how chemical modulators such as small molecules and ligands can be used to regulate and correct disease-related changes in nucleic acid structures.

Explaining the scientific significance of the work, Ghosh said that modifying nucleic acid structures can help counter cancer by correcting abnormal epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation patterns, which play a key role in tumour development. Such interventions may also inhibit cancer cell proliferation, block the production of oncogenic proteins and enhance the immune system’s ability to identify and attack tumour cells.

“Many cancers depend on the excessive production of proteins that drive tumour growth. Chemical modulators can structurally modify or mimic functional nucleic acids to disrupt these processes,” he explained.

Beyond its potential therapeutic applications, the project is expected to contribute to the creation of an indigenous knowledge base in advanced molecular and biophysical research. The findings generated through the study are likely to be protected through patents, paving the way for future innovations and technology transfer.

University officials believe the grant will strengthen CUSB’s research ecosystem and enhance its visibility in the fields of nucleic acid biology and biophysical sciences. The project is also expected to contribute to India's growing efforts to advance homegrown biomedical research and innovation in disease therapeutics.

In a significant move to expand access to education, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced free education in all government institutions from kindergarten to postgraduate level. The announcement was made as the BJP government completed two years in office, with the chief minister describing the initiative as a landmark step towards making education truly universal and accessible.

Addressing the occasion, Majhi said the comprehensive free education policy would benefit students across the state, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who often face financial barriers in pursuing higher studies.

“Our government has taken historic steps towards making education truly free and universal. Through a comprehensive free education system from KG to PG, every student in the state, especially those from economically disadvantaged sections, will benefit,” the chief minister said.

The announcement coincided with the observance of the World Day Against Child Labour, underscoring the government's emphasis on keeping children in classrooms rather than entering the workforce prematurely. Stressing the importance of safeguarding children's rights, Majhi said every child deserves access to education, protection and growth opportunities.

“Every child deserves a book in hand, not a burden on their shoulders,” he said, reiterating the state's commitment to preventing child labour and promoting education. He highlighted welfare initiatives such as the Shahid Madho Singh Haata Kharcha Yojana, which supports children from vulnerable communities in continuing their education.

The chief minister also used the occasion to reflect on the BJP government's two-year tenure in Odisha. In a message shared on social media, he said the state had entered a new phase of development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He cited progress in key sectors including education, healthcare, women's empowerment, farmers' welfare, agriculture, industry and infrastructure development.

Majhi said transparency, accountability and public participation remain the guiding principles of his administration. Thanking the people of Odisha for their support, he reaffirmed the government's commitment to building a developed and prosperous state through inclusive growth and good governance.

The newly announced KG-to-PG free education initiative is expected to become one of the state's most ambitious education reforms, potentially expanding educational opportunities for thousands of students across Odisha.

In an effort to help students explore careers through practical exposure rather than assumptions, AIFSET (All India Forensic Science Entrance Test), in collaboration with Vivekananda Global University (VGU), Jaipur, successfully organised the Forensic Science Immersive Experience Programme, a two-day experiential learning initiative that introduced participants to the real world of forensic science, criminal investigation, and forensic laboratories.

The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from students eager to understand how forensic science is applied in real-life investigations and how scientific evidence plays a critical role in solving crimes. Designed to bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and professional practice, the initiative offered participants an opportunity to learn directly from experts while actively engaging in investigative exercises.

The programme commenced with an inaugural ceremony attended by distinguished faculty members, academic leaders, and guests, followed by a series of expert-led sessions and practical demonstrations. One of the key highlights of the event was an insightful address by Prof. (Dr.) N.D. Mathur, President, Vivekananda Global University, who shared his perspectives on the growing relevance of forensic science and the importance of experiential learning in helping students make informed career decisions.

Throughout the programme, participants were exposed to various dimensions of forensic science through live demonstrations, laboratory-based activities, and hands-on workshops. Students witnessed forensic specimen analysis using actual evidence samples, gaining a deeper understanding of how scientific examination supports criminal investigations.

A major attraction of the event was the Crime Scene Investigation Simulation, where participants stepped into the role of investigators and learned the fundamentals of crime scene processing, evidence identification, documentation, and preservation. The exercise provided students with first-hand experience of the observation and analytical skills required in forensic investigations.

Students also participated in practical sessions on Fingerprint Analysis and Development, where they learned how latent fingerprints are collected, developed, and compared for identification purposes. The activity helped participants understand one of the most widely used techniques in forensic science.

The programme further included expert sessions on forensic investigation methodologies, evidence examination techniques, and emerging opportunities within the field. By interacting directly with forensic professionals and academic experts, students gained valuable insights into the realities of a career in forensic science, criminology, cybercrime investigation, and related disciplines.

The Forensic Science Immersive Experience Programme is part of AIFSET's broader mission to increase awareness about forensic science education and provide students with meaningful exposure to one of India's fastest-growing career domains. Rather than relying solely on presentations and career counselling sessions, the initiative enables students to experience forensic science through participation, observation, and interaction.

Speaking about the success of the programme, organisers highlighted the growing importance of experiential learning in helping students explore career pathways before making academic decisions. The overwhelming response from participants reinforced the need for such initiatives, particularly in emerging fields where awareness often remains limited despite growing opportunities.

The event concluded on a highly positive note, with students expressing appreciation for the practical exposure, expert guidance, and unique learning opportunities provided during the programme. For many participants, the experience offered not only an introduction to forensic science but also a clearer understanding of the skills, responsibilities, and career possibilities associated with the profession.

Through collaborative initiatives such as the Forensic Science Immersive Experience Programme, AIFSET and Vivekananda Global University continue to create opportunities that empower students to explore careers through experience, helping them make more informed and confident decisions about their future.

New Delhi: Amid growing debate over unusually large score differences between Paper 1 and Paper 2 in JEE Advanced 2026, IIT Roorkee has defended the results, stating that such variations are statistically expected and do not indicate any evaluation errors or irregularities.

The institute cited Chebyshev’s inequality, a statistical principle, to explain that extreme score differences can naturally occur in large competitive datasets such as JEE Advanced, which has nearly 60,000 candidates.

‘Large Score Gaps Are Statistically Normal’

According to IIT Roorkee, the observed differences between candidates’ Paper 1 and Paper 2 scores fall within expected statistical ranges.

Officials explained that variations arise due to differences in question difficulty, paper structure, marking distribution, and individual performance across sections.

The institute also noted that similar patterns have been consistently observed since the introduction of the two-paper format, reinforcing that such disparities are not unusual.

Student Concerns Over 100-Mark Differences

The clarification comes after several candidates took to social media alleging extreme discrepancies—some reportedly exceeding 100 marks between the two papers.

Examples shared online included cases such as a negative score in one paper and a high score in the other, triggering widespread debate over fairness and evaluation transparency.

Many students argued that both papers are based on the same syllabus and conducted on the same day, questioning how such large variations could occur.

No Irregularities Found, Says IIT Roorkee

Addressing the concerns, IIT Roorkee stated that there is no evidence of cheating, technical error, or evaluation mistake in the results.

The institute emphasized that the scoring pattern aligns with historical trends and does not indicate any anomaly in the examination process.

Experts Divided Over Explanation

While some academics supported the institute’s reasoning, others have expressed skepticism.

IIT Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal reportedly backed the statistical explanation, noting that extreme variations are expected in large-scale competitive exams governed by probability distributions.

However, many students remain unconvinced, arguing that statistical models do not fully address perceived inconsistencies in individual results.

How the Controversy Escalated

The issue gained traction after students began posting score comparisons online, with some reporting extreme contrasts between the two papers.

The debate intensified further as candidates questioned whether identical syllabi and same-day testing should produce such divergent outcomes.

In response, IIT Roorkee reiterated its position via official communication, stating that the results are consistent with established statistical behavior and previous years’ trends.

What It Means for Candidates

The clarification comes at a crucial time as counselling and admissions processes begin for IITs and other top engineering institutes.

While the institute’s explanation aims to reassure candidates about the integrity of the examination system, the ongoing debate highlights the tension between statistical theory and student perceptions of fairness in one of India’s most competitive entrance exams.

In a major update for defence aspirants, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has allowed students who have appeared for Class 12 board examinations but are yet to receive their certificates to apply for the NDA & NA Examination (II), 2026.

The clarification comes as the registration process for one of India’s most competitive defence entry exams is currently underway.

New Eligibility Flexibility for Candidates

According to UPSC, candidates who have appeared for the Class 12 examination for the academic session 2025–2026 but do not yet have their certificates can still apply.

Such candidates must select the “appearing/appeared” option while filling out the Common Application Form on the official portal.

The move is expected to benefit thousands of students awaiting results or official documentation but who wish to secure their chance at joining the National Defence Academy.

Important Dates and Vacancies

The registration window for NDA & NA Examination (II), 2026 will close on June 9, 2026, after which no applications will be accepted.

The examination will fill a total of 394 vacancies, including:

• 370 posts for male candidates
• 24 posts for female candidates

How to Apply

Candidates can apply through the official UPSC portal. The application process includes registration, form submission and payment of fees.

Steps include:

1. Visit the official website: upsc.gov.in
2. Click on the NDA & NA 2 registration link
3. Fill in the required registration details
4. Submit the form and pay the application fee
5. Download and print the confirmation page for future reference

The application link is also available on upsconline.nic.in.

Helpline for Candidates

To assist applicants during the registration process, UPSC has set up a dedicated helpline service.

Candidates can contact:

• Phone: 011-24041001 / 011-40303444
• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The helpline will remain active from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on working days during the application window (May 20 to June 9, 2026).

A Key Opportunity for Defence Aspirants

The NDA exam remains one of the most sought-after entry routes into the Indian Armed Forces. With this clarification, UPSC has ensured that eligible students are not left out due to delays in receiving official academic certificates.

The update is expected to ease the application process and widen participation among young aspirants aiming for a career in the defence services.