The Jammu and Kashmir government has removed two books from government schools' libraries after claiming that they had "highly inappropriate content" related to separatism. The eight officials of the School Education Department have been suspended, one contractual worker has been fired and a high-level inquiry has been ordered.

J&K Government Removes Two Books from School Libraries

The School Education Department, Civil Secretariat, Jammu and Kashmir issued an official order for the procurement of books for government school libraries under the Samagra Shiksha library grant for 18,328 government schools and 394 PM SHRI schools.

The department invited expressions of interest (EOIs) and received 463 books from 364 publishers, which were considered under four sub-committees for primary, upper primary, secondary and higher secondary levels.

On July 3, 2026, two books were withdrawn by the government, those books are:

• Personalities and Legends of J&K by Hilal Ahmad and Santosh Meena, Oberoi Book Service, Jammu.
• Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir is a book written by Dr. Sushant Giri and published by Anurag Prakashan, Delhi.

Government Says Books Contained 'Highly Inappropriate Content'

The official order said the books featured "highly inappropriate content" that was "related to separatism. It also said that the members of the Sub-Committee Series 4 and supervisory officers had shown "serious negligence, dereliction of duty and lack of proper due diligence" in recommending the books, which had the "potential for creating law and order situations.

Eight officials have been suspended and one contractual employee has been terminated.Eight officials have been suspended and one contractual employee has been fired.

After the event, eight permanent officers of the School Education Department were suspended and one contractual employee's services were terminated.

The following officials have been suspended:

• Fazil Imran Saddiqui
• Gurjeet Singh
• Sanjeev Sharma
• Shazia Kouser
• Imtiyaz Ahmad Mir
• Niranjan Sharma
• Renu Mengi
• Rajmohini

The order says that the suspended officials will be attached to the Administrative Department (School Education Department) for the duration of the suspension.

Copies Already Distributed to Schools

The government said that 123 copies of Personalities and Legends of J&K were already distributed to schools in Jammu, Ramban and Udhampur districts. It also said that 128 copies of Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir were provided to schools in Jammu and Baramulla districts before the books were pulled.

High-Level Inquiry Ordered

The government of Jammu and Kashmir has set up a high-level inquiry under the chairmanship of Financial Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Ashwani Kumar. The committee is tasked with providing a report within 30 days of the order, the committee has been given.

The authors and publishers of these books were blacklisted

The government has also banned and blacklisted the authors and publishers of both the books in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The official order also says that all printed material written or published by them will also be withdrawn from the Union Territory.

Distance education has evolved into a mainstream option for students seeking flexible, affordable and recognised higher education. Whether preparing for competitive examinations, pursuing a full-time job or managing personal responsibilities, lakhs of learners are choosing Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programmes to continue their academic journey without attending regular classroom sessions.

Before enrolling, however, students should verify that both the university and the chosen programme are approved by the University Grants Commission's Distance Education Bureau (UGC-DEB). Recognition may vary by programme and academic session, making it essential to check the latest list of approved ODL courses before applying.

Among India's most trusted names in distance education, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) continues to lead the sector. Established in 1985, IGNOU offers hundreds of undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma and certificate programmes through both ODL and fully online modes. Popular courses include BA, BCom, BCA, BBA, MA, MCom, MBA and MCA. Its nationwide network of regional centres and recognised degrees have made it one of the country's largest and most preferred distance learning institutions.

Another popular choice is the School of Open Learning (DU SOL) under the University of Delhi. Known for the credibility associated with the Delhi University brand, DU SOL attracts lakhs of students annually. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes such as BA, BCom, BBA, MA and MCom, along with optional contact classes and online lectures that supplement self-paced learning.

In western India, the Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL), University of Mumbai, remains a preferred destination for students, particularly in Maharashtra. Its programmes span arts, commerce, information technology and management, with BA, BCom, BSc (IT), MA, MCom and MBA among the most sought-after courses.

Similarly, Dr B.R. Ambedkar Open University, based in Telangana, has built a strong reputation for providing accessible higher education through flexible learning models. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma and certificate programmes in arts, commerce, social sciences, education and management, supported by self-learning materials, academic counselling and designated examination centres.

Education experts advise students to compare curriculum, fee structure, examination pattern, study support, digital learning resources and career services before selecting a programme. A recognised distance degree from a UGC-DEB-approved institution is accepted for higher education, government recruitment and private-sector employment, making distance learning a credible pathway for academic and professional growth.

School holidays 2026, summer vacation, school closure today, Kashmir school holiday, Maharashtra school closure, West Bengal holiday, and Noida school timings are among the top education updates as several states have announced changes to their academic calendars due to heatwave conditions, heavy rainfall and official commemorative events. Education departments have advised students and parents to follow official notifications for the latest updates.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has declared a two-week summer vacation for all government and recognised private schools up to the higher secondary level across the Kashmir Valley. The holiday will be observed from July 6 to July 19, with schools scheduled to reopen on July 20.

The decision follows a rise in temperatures across the Valley. Announcing the vacation, Education Minister Sakina Itoo urged students and teachers to stay hydrated, take precautions against the heat and use the break for reading, rest and family activities.

In Maharashtra, authorities in Palghar and Raigad declared a holiday for all primary, secondary and higher secondary schools on July 2 due to heavy monsoon conditions. While students were exempted from attending classes, headmasters, teachers and non-teaching staff were instructed to remain available for disaster management duties as directed by the local administration.

The University of Mumbai also cancelled examinations scheduled for July 2 for colleges located in Palghar district and those under the jurisdiction of the Panvel Municipal Corporation. The university said revised examination dates will be announced through its official website.

Meanwhile, the West Bengal government has declared a public holiday on July 6 to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Syama Prasad Mukherjee. Educational institutions and government offices are expected to remain closed on the occasion.

In Noida, Uttar Pradesh, district authorities have revised school timings for students of Classes 1 to 8 due to persistent high temperatures. Schools have been instructed to conduct classes only during the morning hours until further notice to reduce students' exposure to extreme heat and minimise the risk of heat-related illnesses.

Officials across states have advised parents, students and educational institutions to monitor notifications issued by the respective education departments and district administrations for any further changes to school schedules, holidays or examination dates.

XLRI Delhi-NCR, XLRI Director, Fr Antony R Uvari, XLRI Jamshedpur, management education, and B-school leadership are in focus after XLRI – Xavier School of Management announced the appointment of Fr Antony R. Uvari, SJ as the new Director of its Delhi-NCR campus. The appointment came into effect on July 1, 2026, with Fr Uvari succeeding Fr Nelson A. D'Silva, SJ, who has taken over as President of the Delhi Jesuit Society.

An alumnus of XLRI Jamshedpur, Fr Uvari holds a postgraduate degree from the institute and earned his PhD from the University of Madras. He brings more than 18 years of experience in academic leadership, administration and management education across some of India's leading institutions.

Fr Uvari has held several key positions within the Xavier education network. He began his academic career as a faculty member at the Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB) between 2004 and 2010 before joining XLRI, where he served as Dean of Administration, Associate Dean, Chairperson of Admissions, and Professor from 2010 to 2013.

In October 2013, he was appointed Associate Director of XIMB while simultaneously serving as the Registrar of XIM University, Bhubaneswar. He later returned to XLRI from 2016 to 2019 before taking charge as Vice Chancellor of XIM University in September 2019, a role he held until September 2025. During his tenure, he oversaw significant institutional growth and academic expansion.

Fr Uvari's research focuses on leadership development, human resource management, and personnel effectiveness, particularly examining the relationship between HR practices and organisational performance. He has published research in national and international journals, developed management case studies and designed executive development programmes for corporate and development-sector organisations.

Accepting his new role, Fr Uvari said he looked forward to leading XLRI Delhi-NCR during its next phase of growth while strengthening the institution's commitment to academic excellence, ethical leadership, innovation, service and nation-building.

Located in Jhajjar district, Haryana, about 25 kilometres from Gurugram, the XLRI Delhi-NCR campus was inaugurated in 2020. The platinum-rated green campus is part of XLRI – Xavier School of Management, India's oldest business school, established in 1949, and continues to expand its footprint in management education and research.

UGC-NET 2026, NTA UGC-NET Sociology paper, UGC-NET exam, National Testing Agency, and UGC-NET answer key challenge are trending after candidates alleged that the Sociology paper held on June 30 contained numerous spelling mistakes, incorrect names of well-known sociologists, poor Hindi translations and questions that appeared to be outside the prescribed syllabus.

Several aspirants took to social media to express concerns over the quality of the question paper, claiming that language errors made several questions difficult to understand. Among them was candidate Antara Chakrabarty, who alleged that the examination had "crossed all limits of academic accountability."

According to Chakrabarty, nearly half of the paper contained spelling mistakes and grammatical inaccuracies. She claimed that renowned sociologist George Ritzer was incorrectly printed as "Putzer," while terms such as "social" reportedly appeared as "oval." Other alleged errors included Talcott Parsons being written as "Parsow," G. S. Ghurye as "Ghunye," A. R. Desai as "A. K. Desai," and Martha Nussbaum as "Nusbaut."

The aspirant further alleged that several Hindi translations were poorly worded and difficult to interpret. She also questioned whether some questions had been generated using artificial intelligence, claiming they referred to thinkers and books that were not included in the UGC-NET Sociology syllabus.

"Students could not even understand the questions, let alone attempt them. Half the exam time was spent trying to interpret what was written," Chakrabarty wrote on social media, urging authorities to maintain academic standards in national-level eligibility examinations.

Responding to the allegations, a senior National Testing Agency (NTA) official advised candidates to formally challenge disputed questions through the official grievance redressal portal.

The official said that the agency reviews objections submitted by candidates and takes corrective action when challenges are found to be valid. Citing the Re-NEET examination as an example, the official noted that thousands of challenges were received and one question was withdrawn after review.

The NTA also acknowledged that typographical errors and repeated questions can occur, adding that question papers are prepared by subject experts. Candidates have been encouraged to submit their objections within the prescribed challenge window so that the agency can examine the reported issues before finalising the results.

Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD), Delhi government, Dheerpur campus, National Education Policy (NEP), higher education infrastructure, and AI in education are drawing attention after the Delhi government approved a ₹1,668 crore project to develop AUD's new Dheerpur campus. The initiative aims to address space constraints, accommodate rising student enrolment, strengthen research, and create a modern, technology-enabled learning environment aligned with the National Education Policy.

Vice Chancellor Anu Singh Lather said the long-awaited Dheerpur campus project has gained momentum following the new government's approval. The revised project cost has increased from the earlier estimate of ₹1,199 crore to ₹1,668 crore after the Public Works Department updated construction estimates.

According to Lather, the university has already finalised architectural plans for both the proposed Dheerpur and Rohini campuses, with construction set to begin at Dheerpur. She expressed confidence that the project could be completed in around three years, subject to timelines finalised by the Public Works Department.

The upcoming campus will feature smart classrooms, technology-enabled teaching spaces, collaborative work areas, open discussion zones and student-centric learning facilities designed in line with the principles of the National Education Policy. Lather said the new infrastructure would enable the university to overcome long-standing space limitations and support future academic expansion.

AUD has witnessed rapid growth in enrolment, with student strength increasing from nearly 2,400 in 2019 to around 6,300 across four campuses. The university expects this figure to reach approximately 7,000 by the end of the year following the introduction of one-year postgraduate programmes and expanded PhD admissions. To support this growth, a new academic block with 18 classrooms has also been added at the Karampura campus.

The university has launched one-year postgraduate programmes in seven disciplines, open to graduates from all universities who have completed four-year undergraduate degrees. Psychology, Economics and English have emerged as the most sought-after courses.

Lather also highlighted AUD's growing emphasis on research and innovation. The university has significantly increased publications in internationally indexed journals, improving its institutional h-index from zero in 2019 to around 30–32. It has introduced annual faculty research awards, doubled PhD fellowships from ₹8,000 to ₹16,000 per month, and integrated artificial intelligence into selected humanities and social science programmes with guidance from academic and industry experts.