Management

Delhi University is making a big push for its distance education programmes by planning to start two new degree courses - a BSc in Computer Science and a MBA in Healthcare - through its School of Open Learning for the academic session 2026-27.

The new degree programmes are subject to getting the formal nod from the university's Executive Council, DU's highest decision making authority. Some sources mentioned that the syllabi of both the courses are ready and will be submitted to the Council for approval in its next meeting.

Focus on Industry-Relevant Learning

Make the Healthcare Sector Your Classroom Among the several initiatives of SOL that aim to bridge the gap between industry and academia, one of the flagship programs is MBA in Healthcare. To practically acquaint the students with the evolving healthcare scenario in India, SOL and Indian Institute of Health and Family Welfare have partnered to offer internship opportunities to the students.

Through this effort, they seek to raise the employability level and sector skills of education through distance mode, which is one of the growing areas of concern.

On the other hand, the BSc in Computer Science is an initiative to meet the growing demand for widespread, easily accessible tech education, which is especially important at present when students are not able to pursue full-time, on-campus degrees.

Approval Process Underway

Other than attracting students, these programs must get approval from the Distance Education Board, which is likely to happen by April 2026. University will start the admission process only after this regulatory clearance.

Admission Timeline

The dates for admissions to School of Open Learning (SOL), University of Delhi (DU) are announced only after getting all the necessary approvals. Tentatively, if everything goes well, DU-SOL admissions for the academic session 2026-27 may be conducted from June to September 2026 as per its schedule for both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Broadening Reader Base through Distance Education

This development highlights Delhi University's commitment to enhancing students' learning experience by providing them with different channels to reach their educational goals through SOL, which has for a long time been one of the main routes for student access especially those who have other responsibilities besides studying. So far adding industry and healthcare area programmes via technology, the only skill-based education focus of the university is benefitting not only by demand forces of the market in education but also by aligning with the educational policies emphasizing skills.

India's hospitality sector revenues would grow 9, 12 pct in 2025, 26, helped by continued demand in all segments, the report said on Wednesday.

The Indian hospitality sector is expected to continue generating good operating results in FY26, with domestic leisure travel, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) activity, weddings and strong corporate demand being the main factors, said rating agency Icra in a report.

However, the Icra report said the prospects for growth in the hospitality sector are still quite positive even in view of the high base of FY25.

Pan, India premium hotel occupancy is forecasted at 72, 74 pct in FY26, as against 71, 73 pct achieved during the first 11 months of this fiscal year.

Average Room Rates (ARRs) are expected to rise to Rs 8, 200, 8, 500 per night, from Rs 8, 000, 8, 200 in FY2025, supported by ongoing good demand conditions and strong pricing power.

Premium room stock in 12 main cities is projected to increase by only 5, 6 pct p.a. over FY25, FY26, lagging behind the estimated demand growth of 8, 9 pct.

The demand-supply imbalance is likely to persist over the next 2-3 years, supporting occupancy levels and rate growth.

According to the report, demand drivers have diversified materially and now span corporate travel, weddings and social events, MICE activities, concerts, sports events, religious tourism and leisure-led travel to tier II and III cities.

This diversification has reduced the sector's vulnerability to global and cyclical shocks, it added.

Hotel companies are increasingly adopting asset-light expansion models through management contracts and franchise arrangements, said the report.

These models generate fee-based income with lower capital intensity, improve return on capital employed and support stronger free cash flow generation, added the report.

The Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) have made the official schedule for the IISER Admissions 2026 public. Students who wish to get admission to BS, MS dual degree science programmes will be able to submit an application online starting March 5, 2026 on the official admission portal.

The IISER admission procedure is a way to lure research, oriented students and provide them with undergraduate education combined with training in laboratory skills and research exposure in the disciplines of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology.

Applicants have to provide their personal information, educational qualifications and also decide on their preferred IISER campus during registration. Candidates have the option to apply through various admission channels which opens the competition for students from different academic backgrounds.

The available entry routes include:

• IISER Aptitude Test (IAT)
• JEE Advanced Channel

(Earlier KVPY-based admissions have now largely merged into IAT-focused intake)

Admission Channels Explained

1. IAT Channel (Primary Mode)

Admission through the IISER Aptitude Test is open to students who passed Class 12 in the science stream (PCM or PCB).

Minimum marks: 60% (55% for SC/ST/PwD)

Exam Mode: Computer-based online test

Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology

The exam evaluates conceptual clarity and analytical problem-solving ability rather than rote learning.

2. JEE Advanced Channel

Candidates securing a rank within the top 15,000 in JEE Advanced are eligible for admission directly without appearing for IAT.

IISER IAT 2026 Important Dates

Application Start Date: March 5, 2026

IISER IAT Exam Date: June 7, 2026

Mode: Online nationwide test centres

Why IISER?

IISERs are research, focused institutes that emphasize early exposure to research, interdisciplinary interaction, and mentorship, based science education. Students get involved in research projects, internships, and even collaborations with international scientists while they are still undergraduates, which is why IISER is such a leading route for research careers in India.

There are several different ways to enter and lots of competition at the national level

, so it is justifiable to assume that thousands of science aspirants will be attracted to IISER Admissions 2026, which is looking forward to a highly competitive batch.

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme application process is open till February 15. Candidates can fill the IGNOU MBA admission 2026 application form through the official website, ignou.ac.in.

The IGNOU 2026 MBA admission application fee is Rs 300. As per the IGNOU MBA admission eligibility criteria, candidates must have completed a three-years bachelor's degree with at least 50 per cent marks. The pass percentage for the reserved category candidates is 45 per cent.

IGNOU MBA Admission 2026: Steps to apply online

To apply for IGNOU MBA admission 2026, candidates need to follow the below mentioned steps-

Step 1: First of all, go to the IGNOU official website, ignou.ac.in

Step 2: Click on the ‘IGNOU MBA Application Form 2026’ application link available on the homepage.

Step 3: Complete the registration process using a valid email ID and mobile number.

Step 4: Log in and proceed to fill in the form with the personal and educational details.

Step 5: Upload recent photos and documents in a prescribed format.

Step 6: Make payment of the IGNOU MBA application fee 2026.

Step 7: Once done, submit the application form, download the confirmation page and save it for record.

IGNOU MBA programme specialisation

IGNOU MBA programmes provide specialisations in various fields such as business administration, agribusiness management, construction management, financial management, health care and hospital management, human resource management, logistics and supply chain management, marketing management and operations management.

Via the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) method, the MBA programme is available in English, Hindi and Odia language for the selected courses by IGNOUs School of Management Studies (SOMS).

This course lasts for a minimum of 24 months and a maximum of 48 months. The total cost of IGNOU MBA fee is Rs 66, 000. The students are required to pay Rs 16, 000 each for the first, second and fourth semesters and Rs 18, 000 for the third semester.

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore has been criticised heavily after the All India OBC Students Association (AIOBCSA) pointed out no faculty from the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) categories at all, even though a lot of the sanctioned posts are still vacant. The data reveals that only 109 faculty members out of 150 positions are presently filled, thus 41 posts are still vacant. Even more worrying is the fact that none of the existing faculty members belong to the SC, ST, or PwD communities, thus giving rise to the issue of reservation norms at one of the top management colleges in India.

RTI Data Highlights Skewed Representation

The RTI reply also indicated that, out of the regular 106 faculty members at IIM Indore, there are two assistant professors from the OBC category, and one faculty member from the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). There are no members from the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and PwD categories.

Reacting to the data, AIOBCSA President Kiran Kumar Gowd described the situation as “deeply alarming,” stating that such skewed representation undermines the constitutional mandate of social justice and inclusivity in publicly funded institutions.

‘A Systemic Pattern Across IIMs’

AIOBCSA has also pointed out that the issue is not isolated to IIM Indore. The organisation cited similar concerns at IIM Tiruchirappalli, where more than 83 per cent of reserved faculty positions remain vacant, while posts in the general category are reportedly fully occupied.

The student body said it has been filing RTI applications across IIMs since 2018, repeatedly highlighting what it calls a systemic failure to recruit faculty from reserved categories.

Recruitment Notification Draws Mixed Response

IIM Indore has issued a call for applications for faculty positions in the reserved categories. These positions cover areas like Marketing, Economics, Operations Management, Finance, OB/HRM, and Humanities. The applications must be submitted by February 28, 2026.

Nevertheless, the skeptics point out that the institution running multiple recruitment drives without any visible results is a sign of lack of accountability on the part of the institution. Students and groups advocating for social justice have petitioned the Ministry of Education and the IIM Council to supervise the faculty recruitment processes strictly and to ensure that the reserved posts are filled within a stipulated period.

As issues of equity, representation, and access in higher education become more heated, the incident at IIM Indore has thrown the spotlight back on the lack of diversity in the top management institutions of India. The situation is exposing some rather uncomfortable truths about who gets the privilege of teaching, leading, and shaping the next generation of managers.

The Indian Institute of Technology, IIT Bombay, has revealed the commencement of its two, month paid summer project programme on, campus. This project is mainly aimed at Climate and Sustainability and invites enrolments from undergraduate students who are eligible.

The initiative, dubbed 'Summer Program for Undergraduate Research in Sustainability' (SPURS), is available only to second, and third, year undergraduate students of IIT Bombay. The programme, which is meant to promote research, based learning in sustainability and climate change studies, gives students an opportunity to work directly with research across disciplines along with a faculty mentor.

SPURS was a launch of 2024 and the initial funding was given by Dr Vinaya Kapoor and Dr Samir Kapoor, who are distinguished alumni of IIT Bombay B.Tech (1992). Thus, Kapoors are a reflection of the growing alumni engagement in research, development, and education at the institute, led by the institute.

IIT Bombay has announced that the programme will run from 15 May to 15 July, 2026. During this time, the students selected will be working on research projects related to sustainability of the campus. Also, the stipend will be provided to the participants of the programme to support students financially without any worries of funding their research.

One of the key highlights of SPURS is the opportunity it offers to outstanding performers. Each year, one student who is considered to be the best by the SPURS Committee, among other students, will have the opportunity of presenting their research at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Annual Meeting, which is a conference in the field of science of global recognition and is held every December.

The institute unveiled the programme via its official social media platforms. Through a post on X (formerly Twitter), IIT Bombay declared: "We are back with the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research in Sustainability (SPURS)a two, month paid on, campus summer project programme in the field of Climate and Sustainability for our undergraduate students (2nd and 3rd year)."

Important Dates

Application deadline: February 16, 2026

Interview date: March 15, 2026

Result announcement: March 20, 2026

Programme duration: May 15 to July 15, 2026

The registration link has been shared on the official social media accounts of IIT Bombay and students are recommended to frequently check the IIT Bombay website for the detailed eligibility, application instructions, and programme updates.

With sustainability and climate research being raised as the main focus in the world, SPURS is a perfect platform for IIT Bombay undergraduates to dive into research that is not only of global importance but also academically/professionally very satisfying. Thus, it will provide them with an advantage at the beginning of their careers.