In a major step toward strengthening student leadership, civic responsibility, and participatory learning, the Tamil Nadu School Education Department has introduced a mock parliamentary-style student minister system across government schools for the current academic year. The initiative aims to provide students with hands-on leadership experience by involving them in various aspects of campus administration while promoting teamwork, accountability, and democratic values.

The new model has been integrated with the existing Magizh Mutram house system, under which students are grouped into five traditional Tamil landscape-themed houses—Kurinji, Mullai, Neithal, Marutham, and Paalai. Each house will elect student representatives, and five students securing the highest votes will be appointed as student ministers. Ministerial portfolios will then be assigned through a draw of lots.

The student ministers will oversee key areas including education, school safety, information and communication, environment and climate change, and hygiene and sanitation. Each portfolio comes with clearly defined responsibilities designed to improve school functioning while encouraging students to take ownership of their campus environment.

For example, the Education Minister will monitor student attendance, encourage academic participation, and support learning initiatives. The Information and Communication Minister will update school notice boards, disseminate announcements, and improve communication among students. The Environment and Climate Change Minister will lead campus greening activities, promote environmental awareness, and oversee plantation drives. Meanwhile, the Hygiene and Sanitation Minister will monitor classroom cleanliness and campus sanitation, helping maintain a healthy school environment.

According to T. Nakkeeran, Headmaster of Government Higher Secondary School, Kovalam, interested students were shortlisted before elections were conducted. "Five students, one from each house, who secured the highest votes were chosen as ministers, and portfolios were allotted through a draw of lots. The minister-elects also participated in a mock discussion where they presented their action plans and answered questions," he said.

The student ministers will work closely with house heads and class house leaders, with their performance contributing to their respective house scores. Schools already award house points for participation in extracurricular and co-curricular activities such as singing, drawing, essay writing, reading, and other classroom competitions. Ministerial performance will now become an additional factor in determining house rankings, creating a healthy spirit of competition and collaboration.

1. Karthika, a class house leader at Government Presidency Higher Secondary School, said the initiative has generated excitement among students. "Every action by ministers reflects on the house score. It motivates students to actively participate and contribute to school activities," she noted.

The School Education Department has also emphasized gender inclusivity. Co-educational government schools have been directed to ensure that at least three elected class house leaders are girls, with leadership roles rotating every month to provide equal opportunities for all students.

School Education Director S. Kannappan said the programme is designed to enhance student participation, improve learning outcomes, develop leadership skills, and nurture responsible future citizens. Chief Education Officers have been instructed to conduct regular inspections to ensure effective implementation of the initiative across schools.

Education experts believe the innovative programme will not only strengthen democratic values among students but also equip them with practical leadership, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, preparing them to become responsible citizens and future leaders.

Jaipur School girl death case has left the country shocked after the video went viral. The parents of a nine-year-old girl who died after allegedly jumping from a school building at Jaipur's Neerja Modi School last year have released classroom CCTV footage, alleging it shows their daughter being repeatedly bullied by classmates before the incident. The family has renewed its demand for action under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.

Nearly eight months after the incident, the family said the CCTV footage supports its long-standing allegation that repeated bullying and the school's failure to intervene contributed to the child's death.

Parents Allege CCTV Shows Bullying Before Jaipur School Incident

According to the family, the CCTV footage shows Class 4 student Amayra entering the classroom, greeting a classmate and participating in a dance activity before allegedly being repeatedly bullied by other students.

The parents alleged that despite visible signs of distress, their daughter did not receive adequate intervention or protection from teachers and had repeatedly sought help.

9-Year-Old Died After Allegedly Jumping from School Building

Amayra allegedly jumped from the fourth floor of Neerja Modi School on November 1 last year. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.

The family has alleged that continuous bullying and the school's failure to act contributed to the incident.

Parents Question Police Investigation

Amayra's father, Vijay Meena, and mother, Shivani, alleged that the school did not respond appropriately despite their daughter's repeated attempts to seek help. They also alleged that the police failed to properly investigate what happened inside the classroom and claimed the investigation was influenced by the school management. Rajasthan Police recently filed a chargesheet before a court in the case.

Family Seeks Action Under Juvenile Justice Act

The family has reiterated its demand for action against those they hold responsible under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. According to the parents, the newly released CCTV footage strengthens their allegations regarding the events leading up to their daughter's death.

Child Safety Concerns Raised

The Jaipur School Girl Death case has also renewed calls for stronger child protection measures in schools. Sanyukt Abhibhavak Sangh state president Arvind Agrawal said the case raises serious concerns about accountability in schools and called for strict enforcement of child safety norms, preservation of evidence and action against those found negligent.

The organisation's state spokesperson, Abhishek Jain, said the case highlighted the need for anti-bullying policies, qualified school counsellors, comprehensive CCTV surveillance and effective grievance redressal systems in private schools.

An ambitious effort to offer engineering education in the Gujarati language has come to an end after failing to attract a single student. The Gujarat Power Education and Research Institute (GPERI) in Mehsana, affiliated with Gujarat Technological University (GTU), will not offer Gujarati-medium Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) programmes in the 2026–27 academic session, following four consecutive years without any enrolments.

The institute had introduced Gujarati-medium courses in Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering as part of a broader initiative to promote regional languages in technical education. However, despite sustained efforts, the programme failed to attract applicants, prompting its discontinuation.

According to GTU Registrar Dr K. N. Kher, the university invested considerable resources in making technical education accessible in Gujarati, including translating engineering textbooks and developing digital learning materials. While the translated books continue to receive significant online traffic from students, that interest has not translated into admissions.

"The primary concern among students is employability. Many believe studying engineering in Gujarati could limit their career prospects, particularly in private industry where English remains the dominant language," he noted.

Education experts say the challenge extends beyond student perception. Former Gujarat University Vice-Chancellor Dr M. N. Patel pointed out that engineering education is heavily dependent on English-language resources, research papers and globally standardised technical terminology.

Although instructors often explain concepts in Gujarati during classroom teaching, many engineering terms do not have widely accepted equivalents in the regional language. As a result, students may face confusion when transitioning between Gujarati instruction and English-based textbooks, examinations or professional practice.

The experience mirrors similar challenges faced by attempts to introduce Gujarati as a medium of instruction in medical education. According to a senior official from a government medical college, a committee was constituted to explore the initiative, but the proposal saw little progress because medical terminology, largely derived from Greek and Latin, remains internationally standardised.

The development also reflects a broader shift in India's education landscape. English-medium schooling continues to expand across Gujarat, with increasing numbers of students preparing for national entrance examinations such as JEE and NEET in English. For many aspirants, proficiency in English is viewed not only as essential for securing admission to premier institutions but also for improving employment opportunities in India's increasingly globalised engineering and technology sectors.

The closure of GPERI's Gujarati-medium engineering programme highlights the growing tension between promoting education in regional languages and meeting the practical demands of higher education, research and the modern job market.

The Government of India has opened nominations for the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) 2026, inviting applications for one of the country's highest civilian honours for children. The annual award recognises exceptional young achievers who have demonstrated outstanding courage, innovation, leadership and excellence across diverse fields at a remarkably young age.

Children aged 5 to 18 years who have made significant contributions in areas such as bravery, sports, science and technology, social service, environment, and art and culture can now be nominated. Parents, teachers, schools, educational institutions, NGOs, community organisations and even the children themselves are eligible to submit nominations through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal. The last date to apply is July 31, 2026.

What is the PM Rashtriya Bal Puraskar?

The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar is presented annually by the President of India to honour children who have displayed exceptional achievements or rendered distinguished service to society. The award aims to recognise young talent while inspiring children across the country to pursue excellence, innovation and social responsibility.

Award categories

Nominations are invited under the following six categories:

• Bravery
• Social Service
• Environment
• Sports
• Art and Culture
• Science and Technology

The award recognises achievements ranging from acts of courage and community service to scientific innovation, environmental conservation, sporting excellence and artistic accomplishments.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for PMRBP 2026:

• The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
• The child should be between 5 and 18 years of age as on July 31, 2026.
• The achievement must be exceptional, impactful and fall within the prescribed eligibility period.
• Previous recipients are generally not eligible to receive the same award again.

How to apply

The nomination process is completely online. Applicants need to register on the official Rashtriya Puraskar Portal, complete the candidate profile with personal details, select "Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2026" under the list of ongoing awards, choose the appropriate category, upload supporting documents and submit the nomination before the deadline.

Applicants are encouraged to include certificates, photographs, media reports, recommendation letters and other documentary evidence that clearly demonstrates the child's achievement and impact.

Why the award matters

The PM Rashtriya Bal Puraskar honours children who prove that age is no barrier to creating meaningful change. Over the years, recipients have included young scientists, innovators, environmental champions, sportspersons, artists, social contributors and brave children whose inspiring achievements have earned national recognition.

Besides celebrating individual excellence, the award encourages schools, parents and communities to identify and nurture extraordinary talent. Awardees receive recognition at a prestigious national ceremony and become role models for millions of young Indians, reinforcing the values of courage, creativity, compassion and service to society.

With nominations now open, eligible children from across India have an opportunity to be recognised for their remarkable achievements. Interested applicants are advised to complete the online nomination process well before July 31, 2026, to avoid last-minute delays.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across India to integrate SWAYAM Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) into their academic programmes for the July 2026 semester, marking another step towards mainstreaming digital and flexible learning in higher education.

In its latest communication, the Commission has asked universities, colleges and affiliated institutions to identify SWAYAM courses that align with their existing curriculum, facilitate student registration before the prescribed deadlines, and implement academic credit transfer mechanisms. The move aims to make online learning an integral component of degree programmes while advancing the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

What is SWAYAM?

SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) is the Government of India's national online learning platform developed under the Ministry of Education. It offers thousands of free and affordable online courses across disciplines including engineering, science, commerce, humanities, social sciences, management, teacher education and skill development.

The platform hosts courses developed by leading national institutions and coordinators such as UGC, AICTE, NPTEL, IGNOU, CEC, IIM Bangalore, NITTTR and other Institutions of National Importance, enabling students across the country to access quality education irrespective of location.

What universities have been asked to do

Under the latest directive, Higher Education Institutions have been instructed to:

• Identify SWAYAM courses relevant to their academic programmes.
• Map online courses with the existing curriculum.
• Complete the required academic credit transfer process.
• Ensure eligible students register before the deadlines set by national coordinators.
• Share approved course lists with Deans, Heads of Departments and SWAYAM Nodal Officers.
• Encourage greater student participation in online learning.

Up to 40% credits through SWAYAM

The directive is based on the UGC Credit Framework for Online Learning Courses through SWAYAM Regulations, 2021, which allows eligible institutions to enable students to earn up to 40% of the total credits in a semester through approved SWAYAM courses, subject to institutional adoption of the framework.

UGC also noted that institutions implementing the prescribed examination framework may conduct SWAYAM end-term examinations on their own campuses. This is expected to improve accessibility, reduce travel for students and simplify the certification process, while examinations conducted by national agencies will continue where applicable.

Benefits for students

The integration of SWAYAM MOOCs offers students greater flexibility in course selection, access to high-quality learning resources from premier institutions, multidisciplinary learning opportunities and additional skill development that can improve employability. It also enables learners to explore emerging fields that may not be offered by their home institutions while earning recognised academic credits.

The initiative aligns with NEP 2020's vision of creating a learner-centric higher education system through technology-enabled teaching, academic mobility, flexible learning pathways and competency-based education. The UGC has urged universities and faculty members to actively guide students, facilitate seamless credit mapping and raise awareness about available courses and registration timelines to ensure successful implementation.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has opened the online application process for Agniveervayu Intake 02/2026 under the Agnipath Scheme, inviting applications from eligible unmarried male and female candidates nationwide. The recruitment offers young aspirants an opportunity to serve in the Indian Air Force for a four-year tenure while gaining military training, technical skills and professional experience.

According to the official notification, the online registration process began on July 11, 2026, and will remain open until July 26, 2026. The online examination is tentatively scheduled to commence from September 25, 2026. Candidates are advised to complete the application process well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Eligibility criteria

Candidates applying for Science Subjects must have passed Class 12 (10+2) with Mathematics, Physics and English, securing at least 50% aggregate marks and 50% marks in English. Alternatively, candidates with a three-year engineering diploma in relevant disciplines or a two-year vocational course with Physics and Mathematics are also eligible, subject to the prescribed criteria.

For Other Than Science Subjects, applicants should have passed 10+2 in any stream with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks and 50% marks in English, or possess a qualifying two-year vocational course.

Eligible candidates must be born between July 2, 2006, and January 2, 2010 (both dates inclusive).

Selection process

The Agniveervayu recruitment process comprises multiple stages:

• Stage 1: Computer-based online examination.
• Stage 2: Physical Fitness Test (PFT), including running and prescribed fitness standards.
• Stage 3: Adaptability Tests to assess suitability for military service.
• Stage 4: Comprehensive medical examination as per Indian Air Force standards.
• Stage 5: Verification of original educational and identity documents.

Application fee and benefits

Applicants are required to pay an application fee of ₹550 plus applicable GST through the online payment gateway while submitting the application.

Selected Agniveervayu personnel will receive a monthly salary with annual increments, medical facilities during service, insurance coverage under the Agnipath Scheme, applicable risk and hardship allowances, and the Seva Nidhi package upon successful completion of the four-year engagement, subject to the scheme's provisions.

How to apply

Candidates can register by visiting the official Indian Air Force Agniveervayu recruitment portal, creating an account with a valid email ID and mobile number, filling in personal and educational details, uploading the required documents, paying the application fee online, and submitting the completed application form.

Applicants should keep their Class 10 certificate, Class 12/Diploma/Vocational qualification certificates, passport-size photograph, signature, valid email ID and mobile number ready before starting the registration process.

The Agniveervayu programme continues to attract thousands of defence aspirants every year by offering an opportunity to serve the nation while developing leadership, discipline, technical expertise and skills that remain valuable throughout their careers.