In a major move aimed at controlling rising private school expenses, the Punjab government has introduced a new regulation limiting annual fee increases in unaided educational institutions to 5 per cent.

Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has given assent to the Punjab Regulation of Fees of Unaided Educational Institutions (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, allowing authorities to regulate fee hikes, including charges related to tuition, transportation and building facilities.

The move is expected to impact nearly 7,800 private unaided schools across the state, serving around 32 lakh students.

Punjab Private Schools to Face Fee Audit

Under the new ordinance, private schools will have to submit detailed fee-related information through a dedicated government portal within the next 10 days.

District-level regulatory committees headed by deputy commissioners will examine the submitted data and review fee increases implemented over the past four years.

The committees will complete the audit process within 90 days and determine whether schools have exceeded the permitted fee limits.

Schools May Have to Refund Excess Fees

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the government would take strict action against institutions that violate the new fee rules.

He said schools that increased fees beyond the permitted limit would have to return the excess amount collected from parents.

“If any school has increased the fee by over 15 per cent in the past three years, the excess amount will have to be refunded to the parents,” Mann said.

The government has also announced penalties for repeated violations:

• First violation: Fine of ₹50,000

• Second violation: Fine of ₹1 lakh

• Third violation: Possible de-recognition or withdrawal of affiliation

Government Says Ordinance Will Prevent Commercialisation of Education

The Punjab government said the regulation aims to prevent education from becoming a commercial activity and ensure that quality schooling remains affordable for families.

Mann said parents should not face arbitrary fee increases and that private educational institutions must maintain transparency in their financial practices.

He added that the ordinance would provide stronger protection to students and parents while creating a clear regulatory framework for private schools.

What Counts as School Fee Under the New Rules?

The ordinance states that any amount collected from parents — regardless of the name or category under which it is charged — will be treated as part of the school fee.

This means schools may not avoid regulation by collecting money through separate charges or different accounts.

Supreme Court Guidelines Cited by Punjab Government

The state government referred to Supreme Court observations regarding private educational institutions, stating that schools cannot operate as profit-making entities in the name of providing education.

Officials said the new framework is designed to improve accountability and ensure that fee collection remains transparent.

Private Schools Express Concern Over Regulation

The ordinance has triggered debate among education stakeholders, with private school managements likely to raise concerns about operational costs, inflation, infrastructure expenses and maintaining educational standards.

School associations have often argued that fee structures need flexibility to cover rising costs, including teacher salaries, technology upgrades and campus maintenance.

A Major Shift in India’s Private School Fee Regulation

Punjab’s decision marks one of the strongest attempts by a state government to directly regulate private school fee increases.

With millions of students enrolled in private unaided schools, the issue of affordable education has become a key concern for parents across India.

The success of the policy will depend on how effectively fee audits are conducted, how transparently schools submit financial data and whether the regulation can balance parental affordability with the need for schools to maintain quality education.

For families, the ordinance could bring greater predictability in school expenses, while for private institutions, it introduces a stricter accountability framework.

The Karnataka Department of School Education and Literacy is considering the introduction of state-level assessment examinations for students of Classes 5, 7, 8 and 9 to evaluate learning outcomes and improve academic performance across schools.

The proposal comes nearly two years after the state government faced a legal setback in the Supreme Court over its attempt to conduct board examinations for students in lower classes. To address the concerns raised in the earlier case, the department is now exploring a revised framework under which the tests would be conducted as assessment examinations rather than board examinations.

According to officials, the primary objective of the proposed assessments is to measure students' learning levels and identify academic gaps without declaring students as failed. The initiative is aimed at strengthening the quality of school education by providing educators with a clearer understanding of students' strengths and areas requiring additional support.

The move follows growing concerns over declining learning outcomes among school students. Several educational studies have indicated that many students in higher classes continue to struggle with basic concepts taught in earlier grades, prompting the Education Department to explore systematic evaluation methods to monitor academic progress.

Under the proposed model, the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board would prepare standardised question papers and distribute them to schools across the state. The answer scripts are expected to be evaluated at the taluk level, ensuring uniform assessment while providing district-wise insights into student performance.

Education officials believe the assessment system will help schools identify students who require remedial support, monitor subject-wise learning deficiencies and implement targeted interventions to improve educational outcomes. The examinations are also expected to provide valuable data for policymakers to strengthen teaching practices and curriculum implementation.

The proposal follows the Karnataka government's unsuccessful attempt in 2024 to introduce board examinations for Classes 5, 8, 9 and 11. That decision was challenged by private schools and parents, who raised concerns over increased academic pressure on young students.

The matter eventually reached the Supreme Court, which rejected the state's plan to conduct board examinations for the specified classes. The ruling prompted the government to reconsider its approach to student evaluation while ensuring compliance with legal requirements.

Learning from the earlier experience, the Education Department is now examining how the proposed assessment examinations can be introduced under a legally sustainable framework. Discussions are reportedly focused on ensuring that the tests serve as diagnostic tools to improve learning rather than high-stakes examinations that determine promotion or academic progression.

If implemented, the new assessment system could become an important component of Karnataka's efforts to enhance learning outcomes, strengthen classroom teaching and provide students with timely academic support while remaining consistent with judicial guidelines and education policy objectives.

The Central government has informed the Supreme Court that it is ready to introduce comprehensive sex education in schools and colleges across India after receiving the apex court's approval. The proposed curriculum will include lessons on consent, child sexual abuse, personal safety, healthy relationships and age-appropriate sexual health education, marking a significant step towards strengthening adolescent awareness and protection.

The development came during the hearing of a suo motu case in which the Supreme Court is examining concerns over the increasing number of consensual adolescent relationships being prosecuted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Appearing before the bench, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati informed the court that the Centre has accepted the recommendations of a 26-member national expert committee and is prepared to implement them nationwide once the Supreme Court grants its approval.

The expert committee, headed by an Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Women and Child Development, was constituted to examine issues relating to adolescents' right to privacy in consensual relationships, particularly in the context of the POCSO Act.

According to the committee's report, comprehensive sex education should become part of the core curriculum in schools and colleges. The proposed syllabus includes modules on child sexual abuse awareness, consent, personal safety, protection from exploitation, reproductive health and age-appropriate sexual education. The objective is to equip children and adolescents with accurate information, help them recognise abuse and promote informed decision-making.

The report was prepared following earlier directions from the Supreme Court, which asked the Centre to recommend measures to address the growing number of minor pregnancies and prevent consensual adolescent relationships from being automatically criminalised under the POCSO Act.

During previous hearings, Justice B. V. Nagarathna expressed concern over the mechanical application of the POCSO Act in cases involving consensual teenage relationships. The court observed that adolescence, particularly between the ages of 15 and 18, is a period of emotional, psychological and social development, and questioned whether every consensual relationship between teenagers should necessarily attract criminal prosecution.

The bench also noted that criminal complaints are sometimes filed by parents after teenage couples elope, resulting in the POCSO Act being invoked even in cases that may not involve sexual exploitation or abuse.

In August 2025, Justice Nagarathna had urged investigating agencies to exercise discretion while handling such cases, advising police to assess the facts individually instead of automatically registering offences under the POCSO Act for all consensual adolescent relationships.

The ongoing proceedings originated from a suo motu case initiated after the Supreme Court set aside a Calcutta High Court judgment that advised adolescent girls to "control" their sexual urges. Since then, the apex court has been exploring legal, educational and social reforms aimed at protecting adolescents, preventing child sexual abuse and ensuring that the POCSO Act continues to be applied effectively against genuine cases of exploitation while avoiding misuse in consensual teenage relationships.

The Uttar Pradesh Secondary Education Department has proposed the creation of 1,344 new teaching posts in 163 government secondary schools across the state to strengthen staffing in newly established institutions. The proposal has been submitted to the state government, which is currently assessing its financial implications before granting final approval.

The new positions are intended for schools established under the Chief Minister's announcements, Samagra Shiksha, and the Prime Minister Jan Vikas Programme, with the aim of improving teacher availability and enhancing the quality of secondary education.

420 Lecturer and 924 Assistant Teacher Posts Proposed

According to the proposal, the department has sought approval for 420 Lecturer (Post Graduate Teacher - PGT) posts and 924 LT Grade (Assistant Teacher) posts, taking the total number of new teaching positions to 1,344.

In addition to teaching staff, the proposal includes the creation of 42 Principal posts for intermediate colleges and 121 Headmaster posts for high schools to strengthen academic leadership and school administration.

The department has also recommended the creation of 174 Junior Assistant posts to improve administrative support in these institutions.

Recruitment Through UPPSC and UPSSSC

The proposal states that 50% of the teaching and headship positions will be filled through direct recruitment by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC). The remaining appointments will be made according to the state's recruitment rules.

Meanwhile, recruitment for the Junior Assistant posts will be carried out through the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC).

Officials said the recruitment drive is expected to address faculty shortages and ensure that newly established schools are adequately staffed to deliver quality education.

Schools Established Under Key Education Schemes

The proposed appointments are for 163 government secondary schools, comprising 121 high schools and 42 intermediate colleges, established under various state and central government education initiatives.

These institutions were set up to expand access to secondary education, particularly in underserved regions, but many require additional teaching and administrative staff to function at full capacity.

Government Reviewing Financial Impact

Before approving the proposal, the Uttar Pradesh Government has sought a detailed report on the additional financial burden arising from the creation of the new posts.

Confirming the development, Director of Secondary Education Pratap Singh Baghel said the proposal has been forwarded to the state government for consideration and approval.

Strengthening Secondary Education

Uttar Pradesh currently has 2,460 government secondary schools, including 534 boys' intermediate colleges, 440 girls' intermediate colleges, and 1,486 high schools. These institutions have 10,793 sanctioned lecturer posts and 19,916 assistant teacher posts.

The latest proposal follows the state's ongoing efforts to strengthen the education sector. Last year, the UPPSC initiated recruitment for 7,466 LT Grade Assistant Teacher posts and 1,471 Lecturer posts in government secondary schools.

If approved, the creation of the new posts is expected to improve the student-teacher ratio, enhance academic standards, and strengthen the overall functioning of government secondary schools across Uttar Pradesh.

More than 50 days after appearing for the CBSE Class 10 second board examination, thousands of students across the country are still awaiting their results, with the prolonged delay triggering anxiety over admissions, stream changes, and future academic plans.

This year marked the first implementation of the CBSE "Best of Two" examination system, allowing Class 10 students to take a second board examination to improve their scores. While the policy was introduced to provide greater academic flexibility, the delay in announcing the results has left many students uncertain about their next steps.

Students Turn to Social Media for Answers

As the wait continues, social media platforms such as X and Instagram have been flooded with posts, memes, reels, and appeals from students seeking clarity on the result date. Many have expressed frustration over the absence of an official timeline from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), even as the board continues to issue notifications on other matters.

Several students said they check the CBSE website and social media accounts daily, hoping for an announcement, only to find no update regarding the second examination results.

Delay Affecting Admissions and Stream Changes

Students say the uncertainty is beginning to impact important academic decisions. Those planning to change their streams for Class 11 based on improved scores are unable to complete the admission process until the revised results are declared.

Others who may need to appear for compartment examinations also remain unsure about their preparation strategy. Some students have questioned whether they should continue studying the Class 10 syllabus or begin preparing for Class 11 while awaiting the results.

One student wrote on social media that the delay had become increasingly stressful, adding that more than 50 days had passed since the examination without any official update. Another remarked that waiting for the results now "feels like clearing another entrance exam," reflecting the growing frustration among candidates.

First Batch Under the Revised Examination System

The issue has attracted widespread attention because this is the first batch of students to appear under CBSE's revised examination framework, which introduced the option of two board examinations in an academic year.

Education experts note that while the Best of Two policy is designed to reduce examination pressure and offer students an opportunity to improve their performance, timely declaration of results is equally important to ensure smooth admissions and academic planning.

Students Await Official Announcement

With schools beginning the new academic session and counselling and admission processes progressing across institutions, students and parents continue to await an official announcement from CBSE regarding the declaration of the second board examination results.

Until then, thousands of candidates remain in a state of uncertainty, closely tracking every update from the board and hoping for clarity on when the much-awaited results will finally be released.

The Odisha Government has approved the upgradation of 67 primary schools into upper primary schools across 22 districts, aiming to improve access to quality education for children in rural and remote areas. The initiative is expected to reduce travel distances for students, strengthen school infrastructure, and expand educational opportunities closer to their homes.

The School and Mass Education Department has directed the Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA) to begin the upgradation process by ensuring that all schools are equipped with the required infrastructure, classrooms, teaching staff, and other essential facilities as per government norms.

Dhenkanal to Get the Highest Number of Upgraded Schools

According to the official notification, Dhenkanal will receive the highest number of upgraded schools, with 12 primary schools being converted into upper primary institutions. Bargarh and Jajpur will each see seven schools upgraded, while Nuapada will have six schools upgraded. Kalahandi will receive five upgraded schools, followed by Mayurbhanj, where four schools will be converted.

The remaining schools are spread across several other districts, including Balangir, Puri, Nayagarh, Baleswar, Jagatsinghpur, Deogarh, Koraput, Malkangiri, Cuttack, Ganjam, Jharsuguda, Kendrapada, Rayagada, Sambalpur, and Sundargarh, ensuring wider geographical coverage across the state.

Focus on Rural and Remote Students

The state government said the decision is intended to improve access to upper primary education by enabling students to continue their studies without having to travel long distances. The move is expected to particularly benefit children living in remote villages, where access to nearby upper primary schools has remained limited.

Officials believe the initiative will reduce school dropouts, ease the financial and logistical burden on families, and encourage greater enrolment and retention among students transitioning from primary to upper primary education.

OSEPA Directed to Ensure Quality Standards

In a letter addressed to the State Project Director of OSEPA, Additional Secretary Bijaylaxmi Patsani instructed officials to complete the upgradation process and ensure that all institutions meet the prescribed academic and infrastructure standards before they begin functioning as upper primary schools.

The department has emphasised the need to provide adequate classrooms, qualified teachers, learning resources, and other essential facilities to support effective teaching and learning.

Strengthening School Education in Odisha

The latest initiative forms part of the Odisha Government's broader strategy to strengthen school education by expanding educational infrastructure and improving learning outcomes across the state. By increasing the number of upper primary schools in underserved regions, the government aims to create a more inclusive education system that offers equitable access to quality schooling for every child.

Education experts say the expansion will play a crucial role in improving continuity in schooling, enhancing foundational learning, and supporting the state's long-term goal of achieving better educational outcomes, particularly in rural and tribal areas.