Students in Telangana schools are set to experience a break from their regular academic routine as the state education department introduces 10 designated “bag-less days” for students in Classes I to X during the 2026-27 academic year.

The initiative aims to reduce the dependence on conventional textbook-based learning and encourage students to participate in practical, creative and interactive activities. On these designated days, students will not be required to carry their regular school bags and textbooks.

The directive was issued by E. Naveen Nicolas, Director of School Education and State Project Director of Samagra Shiksha. The initiative seeks to create a more engaging, joyful and stress-free learning environment while encouraging curiosity, creativity and practical understanding among students.

Focus on Experiential Learning

Instead of following the usual classroom timetable, schools have been instructed to organise experiential learning activities suitable for different age groups.

The activities may include science experiments, educational field trips, student surveys, creative projects, model-making and skits. Schools have also been encouraged to invite local professionals, artisans and experts to interact with students and provide them with exposure to different professions, skills and vocational opportunities.

Physical activities will also form an important part of the programme. Schools may organise sports, gardening and other outdoor learning exercises to ensure that students receive a well-rounded educational experience.

The education department has directed schools to select activities based on students' age, interests and the resources available within their local communities.

Schools Must Prepare Structured Plans

To ensure that the bag-less days are meaningful and properly organised, schools will be required to prepare annual plans in advance.

The department has emphasised that activities must be structured, educational and conducted under appropriate supervision. Schools will be expected to ensure student safety during field visits, outdoor activities and other practical learning sessions.

The initiative is designed to move learning beyond classroom walls and help students understand concepts through observation, experimentation and real-world experiences.

Telangana Bag-Less Days Schedule

The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has identified the third Saturday of five months for conducting the programme.

The designated dates include September 19, November 21, December 19, February 20 and March 20. These activities will result in a total of 10 bag-less learning days during the academic year.

By spreading the initiative across different months, the Telangana education department aims to provide students with regular opportunities to take a break from traditional classroom learning.

The programme reflects a growing emphasis on experiential and activity-based education, where students are encouraged to explore, create and engage with their communities rather than relying entirely on textbooks.

With science experiments, creative projects, field visits and interactions with professionals forming part of the programme, the 10 bag-less days could offer Telangana students a more practical and enjoyable approach to learning.

Chandigarh Police have launched an investigation after an LLB student at Panjab University was found dead in a university hostel. The incident comes days after the death of an MSc Physics student at IIT Delhi.

An LLB student at Panjab University was found dead at one of the university's hostels, Chandigarh Police said on Saturday.

The deceased has been identified as Chatanniya Singh, a resident of Panipat in Haryana. He was pursuing his LLB at the University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS), Panjab University.

Police have initiated an investigation into the death and are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident. Further details are awaited.

The incident comes days after the death of a 31-year-old MSc Physics student at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, who allegedly died after falling from a building on the institute's campus.

IIT Delhi Student Died After Falling From Building

According to Delhi Police, a PCR call regarding the incident was received at around 8.33 am at Kishangarh police station.

Police personnel rushed to the spot and shifted the student to the IIT Delhi campus hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

The Crime Team and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team were subsequently called to inspect the location and collect evidence.

During the preliminary investigation, police found that the student had entered the IIT Delhi campus through the main gate at around 8 am. He then reportedly went to the Lecture Hall Complex, took a lift to the sixth floor and allegedly fell from the building.

Police said that no apparent injury marks other than those believed to be consistent with the fall had been found during the preliminary examination.

No Suicide Note Found, Police Examine Phone

Delhi Police said no suicide note had been recovered from the spot.

A mobile phone was found in the deceased student's pocket and will be examined as part of the investigation.

Police are also collecting counselling records and other relevant information from the institute as part of efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.

The two incidents have drawn attention to student welfare and mental health support systems on university campuses. Authorities in both cases are continuing their investigations.

Police have arrested a 35-year-old playschool attendant in Delhi's Maujpur for allegedly abusing a three-year-old boy, while the school's director, principal and a teacher have also been named in the case.

A 35-year-old attendant at a playschool in Delhi's Maujpur has been arrested for allegedly abusing a three-year-old boy, police said on Sunday.

The case was registered on Friday following a complaint filed by the child's father. Four people, including the school's director, principal, a 30-year-old teacher and the attendant, have been named as accused in the case.

Police said the attendant has been taken into custody, while the teacher has been asked to join the investigation. The roles of the school's director and principal are also being examined.

Family Notices Injuries and Behavioural Changes

The child's family reportedly became concerned after noticing physical injuries and sudden changes in his behaviour.

According to the family, the three-year-old became frightened of using the washroom and frequently cried at night. They also noticed bruises on his face and arms.

The child's father, lawyer Navneet Choudhary, said his son fell ill after returning home from school on August 18.

According to Choudhary, the child began vomiting and complained of dizziness. A paediatrician reportedly advised the family to consult an ENT specialist after noticing swelling around the child's eyes.

The ENT specialist allegedly found severe swelling in both ear canals and reportedly suspected that the child may have suffered repeated physical assault.

CCTV Footage Allegedly Shows Abuse

Following the medical examination, the family demanded access to the school's CCTV footage.

According to the child's father, school staff initially claimed there were technical problems with the CCTV system. However, the family was allegedly asked to pay Rs 1,500 to view the footage the following day.

After paying the amount, the family was shown CCTV recordings that allegedly depicted the child being subjected to physical abuse inside the playschool.

According to the father's allegations, the footage showed the toddler being pulled by his ears, tied to a chair for an extended period, kicked and repeatedly struck.

The father alleged that the child was tied near the apron area and repeatedly assaulted, including being kicked and violently pulled by his ears.

Case Registered Under POCSO, JJ Act and BNS

Police have registered a case under relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Juvenile Justice Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The investigation is ongoing, and police are examining the alleged involvement and responsibilities of other school officials named in the complaint.

The incident has raised serious concerns over child safety and supervision at early childhood education centres, with the investigation expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse.

President Droupadi Murmu will confer the National Awards to Teachers (NAT) 2026 on 21 teachers and faculty members from higher education institutions (HEIs) and polytechnics at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on September 5.

The awardees have been selected from central higher education institutions, state universities and polytechnics for their contributions to teaching, research, innovation and outreach.

21 faculty members selected

According to official information, the awardees include:

• 12 faculty members from central higher education institutions
• 5 faculty members from state universities — three government and two private
• 4 faculty members from polytechnics — two government and two private

The awards recognise exemplary teachers and faculty members whose work has contributed to improving the quality of education.

How were the awardees selected?

Nominations for NAT 2026 were invited online through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal between May 26 and July 20, 2026.

The process allowed self, institutional and peer nominations under the 'Jan Bhagidari' approach.

Candidates were evaluated on parameters including:

• Teaching-learning effectiveness
• Research and innovation
• Outreach activities
• Sponsored research
• Faculty development programmes
• Consultancy and teaching contributions

The selection was conducted in two stages. A Preliminary Search-cum-Screening Committee first shortlisted the nominees, following which a Committee of Jury selected the final awardees.

Awards aligned with NEP 2020

The National Awards to Teachers for HEIs and polytechnics were introduced in 2023, with two award categories created under the broader National Awards to Teachers framework.

The initiative is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises creating a culture of excellence in education through incentives, rewards and recognition.

The September 5 ceremony will therefore recognise teachers not only for classroom teaching but also for their contributions to research, innovation, institutional development and the wider education ecosystem.

Professor Rajiv Chaudhary of Pt Ravishankar Shukla University (PTRSU) has been selected for the National Teachers’ Award 2026 for his contribution to education in the field of Physical Education and Yoga.

Reacting to the recognition, Chaudhary said he was deeply honoured and had never imagined receiving the national award.

“The happiness is such that it cannot be expressed in words. I am deeply gratified that the selection committee has recognised my work with this award,” he told ANI.

He also thanked the Chief Minister, Education Minister and the university's Vice-Chancellor for supporting his work and providing opportunities to contribute in different areas.

President Murmu to confer awards on September 5

President Droupadi Murmu will confer the National Teachers’ Awards on September 5, 2026, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on the occasion of Teachers’ Day.

A total of 48 teachers have been selected for this year's awards. Short documentaries highlighting the work and achievements of the awardees will also be showcased during the ceremony.

Three-stage selection process

The National Teachers’ Awards are organised annually by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education to recognise teachers who have made significant contributions to improving the quality of education and enriching students' lives.

For the 2026 awards, eligible teachers were invited to submit online self-nominations between June 15 and July 20.

The final selection was conducted through a three-stage process at the district, state and national levels.

The 48 awardees include teachers from 27 states, seven Union Territories and six Central Government organisations. The group comprises 26 men and 22 women.

The award ceremony will be broadcast on Doordarshan and SWAYAM PRABHA channels and streamed through the Ministry of Education's official digital platforms.

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder and convenor Abhijeet Dipke has written an open letter to education ministers across states, seeking answers on the condition of government schools, teacher vacancies, funding and digital infrastructure.

The letter comes amid CJP's ongoing 'School Thik Karo' campaign, under which its leaders and volunteers are visiting government schools to assess their facilities.

Six questions on government schools

Dipke questioned whether government schools across India have adequate basic facilities such as safe drinking water, functional toilets, classrooms and benches.

He asked state education ministers to provide data on:

• The number of government schools renovated in the past five years and those currently requiring repairs or complete renovation.
• The number of sanctioned teaching posts, filled positions and existing vacancies.
• Funds allocated to government schools over the past five years and the amount actually spent.
• The additional number of government schools required to provide children reasonable access to quality education.
• Non-teaching duties assigned to government school teachers.
• The number of schools with adequate computers, digital learning facilities, functional toilets and sports infrastructure.

Dipke said access to basic educational facilities should not depend on a child's location or financial background.

“We hope your ministry will make this information public and take urgent steps to ensure that no child is denied a dignified education because of inadequate infrastructure,” the letter said.

'School Thik Karo' campaign

The questions were raised as part of CJP's 'School Thik Karo' campaign, launched on August 15. Dipke began the campaign by visiting a government school in Santuk Pimpri village in Maharashtra's Hingoli district.

The organisation said its volunteers would continue visiting schools despite facing challenges, including being denied entry at some institutions.

CJP announces September 5 march

CJP has also announced a peaceful march from India Gate to Delhi Police headquarters on September 5.

According to the organisation, the march will involve families of deceased NEET candidates and people who were allegedly subjected to police action during the July 20 'Sansad Chalao' protest.

CJP has alleged that the government has not fulfilled commitments it made on July 25, including assurances concerning FIRs against students and protesters and compensation for families of deceased NEET candidates.

The organisation said the September 5 march would seek accountability for those commitments while continuing to raise issues concerning students and public education.