Education Technology | Innovations and Insights - Edinbox

The Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) will implement a flexible, learner-centric higher education system through multiple entry-exit pathways while preserving academic standards and the research-oriented character of IISER programmes, officials said on Tuesday.

These topics were discussed at the third meeting of the IISER Standing Committee, chaired by education minister Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Pradhan was also the chairman of the 13th National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and Research (NITSER) Council meeting on Tuesday, during which he deliberated on industry, aligned curricula, accreditation, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies.

The IISER Standing Committee is responsible for overseeing academic, research, and policy matters of IISERs. At the same time, the Council of NITSER acts as the highest, level policy, making and governing body for all 31 NITs, seven IISERs, and the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpureach of which has been designated as an Institution of National Importance under the NITSER Act, 2007.

According to officials, the IISERs will implement a flexible, learner-centric higher education system through multiple entry–exit pathways while preserving academic standards and the research-oriented character of IISER programmes

“This would involve the option of multiple entry and multiple exit, re-entry and completion, permitting the students to undertake a one-semester experiential internship focused on research, innovation, industry or entrepreneurship, in lieu of a regular classroom semester, with academic credits assigned upon completion and evaluation,” said the education ministry in a press statement.

IISERs are planning a full, scale review of their PhD programmes. They will identify gaps, compare with global best practices, and suggest reforms that would make doctoral training more compatible with the needs of the industry and the national priority missions.

In order to increase their societal impact, the IISERs will open up their research and innovation ecosystem to the public by opening research parks, incubators and domain, specific Centres of Excellence (CoE) in Biotech, Healthcare, Quantum Computing, Advanced Materials, Energy & Climate Change, Agri, Food Technologies, Rare, Earth and Critical Minerals, etc. These measures are in line with the overall mission of Viksit Bharat and Make In India to create a knowledge, driven economy by harnessing innovation, human capital and sustainability, through the development of indigenous technology in various fields, the ministry said.

According to the ministry, each IISER will establish its own Section 8 company to strategically propagate national and international priority research, bridge academic research potential with industry partners, attract philanthropic, CSR, government and private funding. “The company would be steered by a Board comprising eminent academicians, corporate leaders, Technology Transfer Office (TTO) representatives, industrialists, innovation ecosystem stakeholders,” it said.

IISERs proposed introducing admission quotas for International Olympiad performers and exploring a sports quota for undergraduate programmes, while also planning support measures to help students from Bharatiya Bhasha-medium backgrounds transition to the medium of instruction at IISERs.

Standing Committee members also released the five-year and 10-year vision statement of the IISERs. The 5-Year Vision (2030) includes: scale enrollment to more than 21,000 students across IISERs, establish 7 thematic CoEs, boost NIRF rankings, foster research parks and incubators, joint programs, lateral entry and exit in courses, double publications and patents filings, enhance internationalization and Internal Revenue Generation (IRG) through research and executive courses by 50%. The 10-Year Vision (2035) includes: Build on CoEs with joint PhDs, emphasize startups/translational research, create extension campuses and joint international campus, launch health sciences schools, achieve indigenous high-end instrumentation, break into global top 500 (target top 100) rankings, establish “Brand IISER” worldwide.

At the 13th NITSER Council meeting preceded by the third meeting of the Standing Committee of IISERs, members discussed aligning curricula, assessments, academic programmes, and research with emerging technologies such as Industry 4.0, green hydrogen, AI, quantum technologies, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing to support India’s goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat by 2047. Members proposed specialized PG and M.Tech programmes and 360-degree PhD reforms including industry-led and product-based research. All NITs and IISERs agreed to complete external peer reviews within a year and actively participate in NAAC accreditation, while promoting inclusivity through Bharatiya Bhashas and AI-enabled multilingual learning for diverse students.

“NITs will restructure their courses based on emerging technologies, and a new curriculum will be introduced next academic year to meet national needs and achieve the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. There will also be a paradigm shift in PhD programmes with achievements will no longer be measured solely by publications and citations, but greater emphasis will be placed on product-based research that addresses real-world problems,” Pradhan said.

The council also emphasised building strong innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems, directing 13 NITs without incubation centres to set them up immediately and at least 10 NITs to establish research parks without delay.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah Friday launched a national digital platform to catalogue and analyse improvised explosive device (IED) blasts across the country, calling it a “next-generation security shield against terror” and a comprehensive deterrent against bombings.

The National IED Data Management System (NIDMS) is a conceptually secure national, level digital repository by the National Security Guard (NSG) to systematically collect, collate and disseminate data related to IED incidents.

The platform has been developed with the help of Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), Gandhinagar, IIT Delhi, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), and it is packed with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools to analyze patterns and signatures of bombings.

Shah inaugurated the platform virtually, with the system housed at the NSG garrison in Manesar. Addressing the event, he said the NIDMS would act as a “shield” and a “national asset” by providing comprehensive data access to state police forces, Anti-Terrorist Squads, central investigative agencies and federal forces, enabling them to analyse the modus operandi and trends behind different kinds of bombings.

In his address, the home minister said the platform would function as a “one nation one data repository” for IED blasts, help speed up prosecution by improving the quality of forensic evidence, and enhance inter-agency coordination. IEDs, officials said, remain among the most challenging internal security threats, having killed thousands of civilians and security personnel and critically injured many others over the years.

Brighu Srinivasan, Director General, NSG, said NIDMS is a “real-time” information exchange platform for agencies engaged in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations. It will collect, analyse and disseminate data on all bombing incidents in the country, aiding post-blast investigations and intelligence-led prevention. The platform, he said, is “unique”, noting that during its preparatory phase, 26 “friendly” countries were approached and none had a comparable facility.

According to the NSG, the database already has around 800 users from various agencies. Beyond post-blast investigation, the system will be able to identify “signature linkages” across different incidents and conduct predictive analysis to help thwart potential attacks. By standardising data formats and investigative inputs, officials said, the platform is expected to reduce duplication of effort and ensure that critical information is available to all stakeholders involved in counter-terror operations.

The NIDMS is part of the NSG’s National Bomb Data Centre (NBDC), which analyses all types of bombings in India, apart from major explosions globally. Established in 2000, the NBDC maintains records of all bombings in the country since 1999, forming the historical backbone for the new digital system.

Officials said the platform will continue to evolve, with new datasets and analytical tools to be added over time, strengthening forensic analysis, training modules and operational planning related to bomb disposal and blast investigations.

Raised in 1984, the NSG — whose ‘black cat’ commandos are tasked with specialised counter-terrorist and counter-hijack operations, as well as the protection of select high-risk VIPs — has increasingly focused on building institutional capabilities that combine technology, data and inter-agency coordination to address evolving security challenges.

Karnataka has made a move in the area of quantum technology by declaring that it will be installing the first commercial quantum computer in India at the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Dharwad (IIIT, Dharwad).

Priyank Kharge, the minister, shared on Thursday that this effort is a way of putting the state ahead on the national map of leading quantum technologies.

The announcement was made following separate meetings between the minister and leaders of Bengaluru-based deeptech company QpiAI and Singapore's water technology firm ZWEEC.

Both meetings centred around new technology and infrastructure solutions, an official press release stated.

ADVANCING QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY IN KARNATAKA

The minister said, "Karnataka is making a decisive move in the quantum field. The establishment of the first commercial quantum computer in India at the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Dharwad is a major step in creating a world, class quantum ecosystem."

During discussions with QpiAI, Priyank Kharge reviewed plans for the deployment of the country's first indigenously built commercial quantum computer at IIIT-Dharwad.

The state has also announced the creation of a Centre of Excellence in Quantum AI and Computing at the same institution.

QpiAI presented its strategy to enhance its quantum systems by scaling up from 25 qubits to a 1,000-qubit quantum computer over the next two to three years. This plan was outlined during the meetings with state officials.

As per the press release, these talks were part of Karnataka's efforts to deepen its partnerships in cutting, edge technology and help local innovation hubs.

INNOVATIVE WATER SAFETY SOLUTIONS FOR RURAL AREAS

In a different meeting, ZWEEC's team demonstrated their biomonitoring tech that can detect contamination in drinking water and also signal algal blooms at a very early stage.

The product is being discussed as a potential solution to make water safety monitoring in the state's rural areas more effective.

Minister Priyank Kharge had said, "Priyank mentioned that the government would look at the possibility of piloting the technology in partnership with the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Department."

There's currently a discussion about the government's willingness to pilot ZWEEC's technology so that it can be evaluated if it can be implemented in collaboration with rural water authorities.

COLLABORATIONS TO DRIVE TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION AND INNOVATION

The undercover with QpiAI and brain ZWEEC demonstrate Karnataka's will on constantly partnering with tech companies for research and state level viable solutions.

During the exchanges, officials highlighted the fact that these projects are consistent with the state policy of leveraging advanced technology to not only address current issues but also prepare the workforce in the future industries.

The Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) Greater Noida on Tuesday held a roundtable discussion between doctors and startups to understand how AI based technologies work in a government hospital environment, the officials informed on Wednesday.

The roundtable organised by the Centre for Medical Innovation (CMI GIMS) was a great platform for clinicians, policymakers, AI experts and MedTech startups to contemplate if the new tools are fit for patient care on a regular basis.

Among senior clinicians, Prof (Dr) Nitin M Gangane, director and CEO of AIIMS Deoghar, and Dr Abhishek Shankar, oncologist at AIIMS Delhi, pointed out the discrepancy between the development of technology and its applicability at bedside, hence, emphasizing the significance of clinical validation prior to a wide, scale deployment.

Additional director general of health services Dr Sujata Chaudhary, who launched the AI clinic physical rollout at GIMS last week, expressed her concern about the need for a responsible and evidence, based AI adoption in the public hospitals.

The talks were the real, life manifestation of Indias first AI clinic housed within a government medical institution after its online national launch last week.

According to the head of GIMS, Dr (Brig) Rakesh Kumar Gupta, government hospitals present a tough and essential testing environment for AI tools because of the large number of patients, the diversity of diseases and the lack of resources. In his words, if artificial intelligence is really to be a factor in patient safety and quality of care, it should help in solving the actual clinical problems and should blend very well with the existing working processes. And public hospitals are the best place to check whether the technologies are strong, fair and can be expanded.

Medical professionals and academics from the likes of AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Deoghar, IIT Kanpur and NASSCOM were part of the discussions, along with a doctor from NHS London and experts from the USA.

Varanasi, Jan 9: Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has unveiled 121 credit-ready INI-SWAYAM courses for the January-April 2026 session, marking its debut as national coordinator under the Ministry of Education. Aspiring learners across India can register by February 28 at swayam.gov.in/INI, accessing free programs from BHU, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU).

BHU contributes 71 courses spanning science, engineering, management, medicine, education, humanities, social sciences, law, and interdisciplinary studies—classes kick off January 26. AMU offers 48 specialized programs in Arabic and Zoology, while RRU launches two niche offerings in Defence & Strategic Studies and Forensic Accounting, both starting the same week.

NEP 2020-Aligned Innovation

Learners will have access to a comprehensive learning support platform, receive weekly performance feedback, and be able to transfer credits to their desired institution, aligning with the National Education Policy 2020's emphasis on developing employability skills.

The courses offered on this platform include AEC, SEC, VAC and the various major disciplines. In addition to offering bilingual Hindi alternatives for many of the courses, the courses are also designed to promote credibility by requiring proctored assessments.

The University of Leipzig (Germany) has partnered with two key resources to help you gain hands-on experience with the following course topics: Digital Marketing & Branding for Startups (includes customer discovery, media mix and growth strategies) and Foundations of Digital Entrepreneurship (includes idea validation, fundamentals of product development and the importance of legal compliance).National Coordinator Ashutosh Mohan of BHU's Institute of Management Studies called it "a leap in access, flexibility, and quality," open to all motivated students.

This multi-university digital shelf democratizes elite education amid NEP's push for hybrid learning. With proctored exams and outcome-based rubrics, credits transfer directly to degrees—ideal for working professionals and rural learners. As BHU sets the pace, expect enrollment surges; the deadline looms February 28. A new era of inclusive, skilled India begins

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is set to launch the PSLV-C62 mission on January 12, 2026 from Sriharikota. This mission, blasting off at 10:17 am IST, will carry a primary Earth observation satellite alongside 18 intriguing co-passengers from around the world.

From defence tech to artistic experiments in orbit, these payloads promise to push boundaries in science and innovation.  Let us dive into the stars of the show.

EOS-N1 (ANVESHA)

At the heart of the mission is EOS-N1, also known as Anvesha, a sophisticated imaging satellite crafted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Weighing in at a hefty load, it focuses on strategic applications like border surveillance and identifying hidden assets through hyperspectral imaging. This is an imaging technique which gives a camera super vision to see not just colours, but hundreds of invisible light shades across the electromagnetic spectrum.

Imagine a satellite that can peer through camouflage, aiding national security while also supporting agriculture and environmental tracking. It is a game-changer for India's remote sensing prowess.

AAYULSAT

Hailing from Bengaluru's space technology startup OrbitAID Aerospace, AAYULSAT is India's bold first step into on-orbit refuelling. This compact satellite demonstrates how we might extend spacecraft lifespans by topping up fuel in space, much like refilling one's car on a long road trip.

MOI-1

Developed by Hyderabad's TakeMe2Space and EON Space, the 14-kilogram MOI-1 packs a punch with onboard AI for Earth imaging.

It processes data right in orbit, skipping the need for ground stations. Think of it as a smart camera in the sky, spotting changes in landscapes or disasters in real time, showcasing edge computing's orbital potential.

INDO-MAURITIUS JOINT SATELLITE (IMJS)

This collaborative gem between India and Mauritius highlights growing international ties. While details are sparse, IMJS symbolises shared ambitions in space exploration, possibly focusing on regional monitoring.

It is a reminder that space knows no borders, fostering technology exchanges across oceans.

KESTREL INITIAL DEMONSTRATOR (KID)

From Spain's Orbital Paradigm comes the 25-kilogram KESTREL INITIAL DEMONSTRATOR (KID), a reentry capsule hitched to the rocket's fourth stage.

It tests low-cost recovery for microgravity experiments, like bringing samples back from space affordably.

Picture a football-sized probe plummeting home, opening doors to reusable tech.

ORBITAL TEMPLE

A quirky 250-gram PocketQube from an artistic project, Orbital Temple challenges ideas of space as a 'heavenly' realm.

This tiny cube, orbiting at 525 kilometres, probes cultural beliefs about the cosmos. It is not just science; it is philosophy in space, lingering for a decade to spark debates on humanity's stellar footprint.

PocketQube is an artistic project by Brazilian artist Edson Pavoni, serving as a space memorial where people can upload names of loved ones via a ground-based antenna.

The satellite platform was developed by Morehead State University and Kentucky Space in the US.

The PocketQube satellite serves as an open memorial in space, inviting anyone on Earth to send the name of a loved one who has passed away. Through a simple website, participants submit names for free, which are then beamed up via radio signals from a striking golden ground antenna to be stored eternally in the satellite's memory as it orbits at around 525 kilometres altitude.

What makes Orbital Temple truly captivating is its deeper message. It gently challenges long-held cultural and religious ideas about heaven.

This project is to democratically determine who is able to gain access to the space above Earth and to provide a welcoming, open environment for everyone, everywhere, in a manner similar to how we operate on Earth. It gives people a way to honour the memory of loved ones that have passed away while providing a place for reflection on topics such as grief, remembrance, and humankind's role in the universe.

The payload will remain in orbit for approximately 10 years and will eventually fall back to Earth and burn up in the atmosphere, leaving no trace behind; this is a very considerate acknowledgment of human frailty and of the need to act responsibly.

The rest of the CUBE satellites and the other 200 kilograms of satellite payloads, CGUSAT-1, SR-2 Sat, and the other CUBE satellites from other countries like UAE and USA are all included in these payloads.

They span startups and institutions, hinting at diverse experiments. With PSLV's proven track record, this launch could inspire a new wave of space enthusiasts.