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In a major push toward multilingual and inclusive education, the Ministry of Education will organise the Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp 2026 in schools across the country during the summer vacation. The week-long initiative aims to help students explore Indian languages through fun, activity-based learning rather than traditional classroom teaching.

Announcing the programme through a social media post, the ministry said the camp would focus on helping children develop basic communication skills in different Indian languages through interactive exercises, cultural exposure and everyday conversations.

The initiative builds on the success of last year’s edition, which reportedly saw participation from over 5.13 crore students nationwide. First launched in 2025 by Dharmendra Pradhan, the programme is now being expanded to schools across India following the strong response from students and educators.

One of the most significant additions to the 2026 edition is the inclusion of Indian Sign Language (ISL), a move being viewed as a step toward more inclusive classrooms and equitable learning opportunities. The decision also aligns with the broader vision of the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasises multilingual education, accessibility and cultural integration.

According to the ministry, the camp is designed to make language learning enjoyable and stress-free. Instead of focusing heavily on grammar rules, the programme encourages students to become familiar with sounds, phrases, vocabulary and expressions used in different parts of the country.

Seven-Day Learning Plan

The ministry has outlined a structured activity plan for the week-long camp:

• Day 1: Learning greetings, alphabets, numbers, signatures and basic self-introductions
• Day 2: Virtual city tours and role-play conversations for practical communication
• Day 3: Arts-based learning through music, dance and painting activities
• Day 4: Exploring names of foods, vegetables, fruits and ingredients in different languages
• Day 5: Activities centred on culture, listening skills and local heroes
• Day 6: Learning geography and history through rivers, mountains and important places
• Day 7: Reflection sessions, encouragement and closing activities

Officials say the broader goal is to expose children to India’s linguistic diversity in an engaging and natural environment. For many students, especially those from monolingual backgrounds, the camp could become their first meaningful interaction with languages spoken outside their home or region.

Education experts believe the programme could emerge as one of the largest language-learning initiatives ever conducted in Indian schools, while also helping children develop cultural awareness, empathy and appreciation for the country’s rich linguistic heritage.

In a major push toward strengthening public education, A. Revanth Reddy announced that the education sector will remain a top priority in Telangana, with annual Budget allocations set to increase gradually to 15% in the coming years.

The Chief Minister, who also holds the Education portfolio, made the announcement while inaugurating the ‘Exclusive Education Week’ celebrations in Hyderabad on Monday. During the event, he also unveiled infrastructure projects worth ₹1,700 crore aimed at improving government schools across the state.

The proposed projects include the development of integrated school complexes, construction of additional classrooms and expansion of pre-primary education facilities in government institutions. The initiative is part of the state government’s broader strategy to strengthen foundational learning and improve access to quality education.

Addressing the gathering, Revanth Reddy acknowledged recommendations made by the Telangana Education Commission, which had suggested allocating 17% of the state Budget to education. However, he explained that a sudden increase from the current 7.6% allocation would not be financially practical.

“Although the Telangana Education Commission recommended 17%, we could not increase it so suddenly from 7.6%. But it is our priority, and it will increase every year,” he said.

One of the key announcements made during the programme was the introduction of admissions to pre-primary sections in government schools from the 2026–27 academic year. The move is expected to strengthen early childhood education and help government schools compete more effectively with private institutions that already offer nursery and kindergarten-level programmes.

The Education Week programme also highlighted the government’s focus on inclusive education and student welfare. During the event, the Chief Minister distributed laptops to achievers, including a paralympic shooter, while several ministers and senior officials attended the celebrations.

Education experts say the proposed rise in budgetary support could significantly improve infrastructure, teacher training and foundational literacy outcomes if implemented consistently. Increased investment in pre-primary education is also being viewed as a critical step toward improving long-term learning outcomes among children from economically weaker sections.

The announcement comes at a time when several Indian states are attempting to modernise public education systems through infrastructure expansion, digital learning initiatives and reforms aligned with the goals of the National Education Policy.

Fresh controversy has erupted in Bihar after newly appointed Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari faced severe backlash over remarks widely perceived as dismissive of girls’ education and women’s autonomy.

The criticism intensified after a video clip surfaced online in which Tiwari appeared to question the importance of formal education for girls. In the video, he is heard asking, “Zaroorat kya hai education ki?” (“What is the need for education?”), while speaking about daughters and family values.

Tiwari further suggested that girls did not need to “come out on the streets” for empowerment, arguing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was already working toward women’s welfare through initiatives such as Nari Shakti Vandana. When questioned about women’s rights by a reporter, he reportedly responded, “Aapko haq aise hi mil jayega” (“You will get your rights automatically”), a statement that has drawn widespread criticism for allegedly trivialising the struggle for gender equality.

The remarks quickly triggered outrage across social media platforms, with opposition leaders, activists and education advocates calling the comments regressive and deeply contradictory to efforts aimed at improving girls’ access to education in the state.

Among those criticising the minister was Tejashwi Yadav, who shared the video online and accused the government of promoting a patriarchal mindset that undermines women’s education and independence.

Critics argue that such statements are particularly concerning in a state that has spent years attempting to improve female literacy rates and reduce school dropout levels among girls. Bihar has introduced multiple scholarship schemes, expanded girls’ schooling infrastructure and launched awareness campaigns encouraging families to educate daughters, especially in rural areas where educational access remains uneven.

Women’s rights organisations and civil society groups have also expressed concern that comments from a serving education minister could reinforce harmful stereotypes discouraging girls from pursuing higher education or participating freely in public life.

The controversy has now sparked calls for an official clarification or apology from the minister. Activists insist that education, mobility and equal opportunity are constitutional rights, not privileges to be granted conditionally.

As debate continues, the episode has reignited larger conversations around gender equality, political accountability and the role of public representatives in shaping social attitudes toward women’s education in India.

After appealing people to Work-from-Home, PM Modi is now appealing to schools to temporarily shift to digital classrooms. He highlighted it to be a part of a broader national effort to reduce fuel consumption. 

The PM made this remark on Monday during the inauguration ceremony of Sardardham Hostel in Vadodara, where he talked about the current situation of geopolitical instability and the rising crude oil prices as one of the “major crises of this decade”.  

Drawing parallels with corona time, PM Modi said that such collective efforts like that during the pandemic will help India tackle the present situation. Through responsible public participation and strategic adjustments, India might overcome the fuel crisis. 

Push for Temporary Digital Learning

The Prime Minister, as part of the proposed measures, suggested the schools and colleges follow a “covid-style” online learning for a few days to help reduce daily fuel consumption caused by transportation. This appeal is for lowering the movement of school buses, private vehicles and institutional transport systems that contribute significantly to petrol and diesel consumption. 

The government's concern is due to the higher global oil prices which are said to be touching the $105 per barrel mark, putting a strain on India's foreign exchange reserves and import bill.

As with the corporate sector, the call is targeted at schools and universities that have been recommended to bring back some of Work-From-Home's best practices and to favour virtual meetings as much as possible.

Broader Economic and Public Participation Measures

The Prime Minister also encouraged the citizens to take steps to reduce import dependence and fuel consumption, except for the education sector.

These included:

• Use of metro rail networks and electric buses to be increased.
• Increased carpooling
• Limited use of imported goods
• Not buying gold unnecessarily  

The appeal is part of a broader austerity and economic stabilisation plan, in the backdrop of the continuing uncertainty in the international community related to the conflict in West Asia and volatility in energy prices.

Concerns Around Digital Divide Resurface

There have been varying responses to the suggestion in the education world. While several digitally equipped institutions and edtech stakeholders have reportedly welcomed the proposal as a practical utilisation of existing online infrastructure, concerns have also emerged regarding accessibility and educational inequality.

Critics state that a massive switch to online learning may once again highlight the digital divide that leaves rural students and households in poorer economic circumstances with less reliable Internet access and digital devices.

There is no Nationwide Mandatory Order in place.

There is no mandate, at this time, stating anything about online classes nationally to be applicable. However, several state governments, school boards, and educational authorities are now looking at the Prime Minister's suggestion and evaluating various options for its implementation according to the regional situation.

With the education system in India already having developed a significant familiarity with the models of digital learning from the pandemic years, the development is also more likely to be adaptable than before, with the hybrid and remote learning system being more prevalent in the education ecosystem.

The National Testing Agency has cancelled the NEET UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3, 2026, following inputs reviewed in coordination with central agencies and findings shared by law enforcement authorities.

The agency stated that the examination process, in its present form, could not be allowed to continue. The development affects lakhs of students who appeared for the national medical entrance examination this year.

According to NTA, a fresh NEET UG 2026 examination will now be conducted on revised dates, which will be announced separately through official channels.

Government Refers Matter to CBI

The Government of India has also referred the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a detailed inquiry into the allegations linked to the examination. NTA said it will cooperate fully with the investigation and provide all necessary records, documents, and support required by the agency. The move comes amid concerns regarding transparency and the integrity of the national examination process.

No Fresh Registration Required for Candidates

In a relief for students, NTA clarified that candidates will not be required to register again for the re-examination.

The agency stated that:

• Existing registration details will remain valid
• Earlier candidature information will continue
• No additional examination fee will be charged

NTA stated that previously paid examination fees would be refunded to candidates. 

Students Advised to Follow Official Updates Only

The testing agency has urged students and parents to rely only on official communication platforms for updates related to:

• Revised NEET UG 2026 exam dates
• Admit card schedules
• Re-examination guidelines

Candidates have also been advised to avoid unverified information circulating on social media.

Further announcements regarding the revised examination schedule are expected from NTA soon.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will commence the Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate (CUET UG) 2026 from today, May 11, in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across India and selected international centres.

The examination will continue till May 31 and is being conducted in 300 cities across India and 14 international cities in 13 countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Nepal, Singapore, Malaysia and the United States.

According to the NTA, a total of 15,68,866 candidates have registered for CUET UG 2026, generating nearly 67.56 lakh test instances across 12,906 subject combinations. On average, candidates opted for 4.31 subjects each. Nearly 43 per cent of registrations came from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi.

English emerged as the most preferred subject with 12.64 lakh registrations, followed by Chemistry, Physics, General Aptitude Test, Mathematics and Biology.

Day 1 Examination Schedule

The examination on the opening day will be conducted in two shifts.

Shift 1 will see 63,247 candidates appearing across 314 centres for subjects including English, Accountancy, Business Studies, Chemistry, Economics, Geography, History and Political Science.

Shift 2 will have 60,773 candidates across 281 centres for subjects such as English, Computer Science, Sociology, Economics, History and Political Science.

In total, 1,24,020 candidates are expected to appear on the first day.

Documents Mandatory at Exam Centres

Candidates must carry:

• Printed admit card with self-declaration form
• Two passport-size photographs
• Original valid photo ID proof
• Transparent ball-point pen

Accepted ID proofs include Aadhaar card, passport, PAN card, school ID, Class 12 admit card with photograph, e-Aadhaar and bank passbook with photograph.

Items Allowed and Prohibited

Permitted items include a transparent water bottle and transparent pen. Diabetic candidates may carry sugar tablets, fruits or similar permitted eatables.

Candidates have been strictly prohibited from carrying mobile phones, smart watches, calculators, wallets, electronic gadgets or study material inside the examination hall. The NTA clarified that no storage facility will be available at centres for personal belongings.

Dress Code and Reporting Instructions

Candidates have been advised to wear light-coloured clothes and simple footwear. Those wearing religious or customary attire have been asked to report early for additional security checks.

The NTA stated that 96.6 per cent of candidates received one of their preferred exam cities, while 79 per cent were allotted their first-choice city. The agency has also set up helpline support for students facing any examination-related issues.