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In a historic move to consolidate and merge school education, the Odisha state government had made an official announcement on 21st August 2025 of merging the Board of Secondary Education (BSE) and the Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) into a single, integrated board to develop SCERT on NCERT lines. The decision was approved in a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, indicative of sweeping reforms to enhance learning experience and student performance in the state.

Why Is the Merger Happening?

The move is Odisha's attempt to put into place the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which seeks to overhaul the system of educational governance to offer coordination, uniform standards, and integrated development. By bringing the two boards under one umbrella, the government is aiming to streamline administrative procedures, ensure uniformity in the curriculum and examination system, and make education more transparent and student-centric at the secondary (Class 10) and higher secondary (Class 12) levels. 

Key Points of the Reform

• Single Board: BSE and CHSE will become a single board. This will address all phases from curriculum planning to exams and eliminate confusion among parents as well as students. 
• Free Text Books: Free textbooks for all Class 9 and 10 students will now be made available, which was previously only for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in these classes. Additionally, only students of classes 1-8 had free textbooks.
• Health Care in Hostels: Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM) or multipurpose health workers will be posted in student hostels (one for every 300 students) for basic health care.
• Online Private School Approvals: Approvals of new private schools shall now be done online to improve transparency and efficiency.
• Mother Tongue-Based Education: Special emphasis on tribal children, e.g., setting up a Multilingual Education Centre in Koraput, funded by SC & ST Research and Training Institute (SCSTRTI).
• Special Educators: Trained teachers (B.Ed in Special Education) would be deputed as resource persons for inclusive education to assist differently-abled children.
• SCERT Upgradation: The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) will be upgraded on the lines of NCERT for better academic standards and training of teachers.

Who Were Present During the Discussion?

Top government officials and ministers namely, Nityananda Gond (School & Mass Education), Manoj Ahuja (Chief Secretary), Saswat Mishra (Principal Secretary to CM), Shalini Pandit (Secretary, School & Mass Education), and Ananya Das (Director, Odisha School Education Programme), attended the meeting when the proposal was approved.

What Does This Mean for Parents and Students?

1. Streamlined processes, one board facilitating students from Class 10 and 12.
2. Standardized testing and curriculum system, enabling preparation and fairness.
3. Access to free textbooks through Class 10, lowering costs for families and easing study.  
4. Improved health and educational support, especially for hostel students and those with special needs.

In short, the Government of Odisha's decision to integrate BSE and CHSE is a step towards "One Board, One Vision", a single, streamlined school education system that is student-centric and future-oriented. It is a major reform that is being implemented and appreciated; now the wait is on its results. 

Deputy chief minister Pravati Parida on Monday launched Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU's) Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (DECE) course in Odia. 

It is a one-year diploma course that lays emphasis on early childhood education, child health and nutrition, and students can take up this course after Class XII.

Parida opined bringing the course in Odia is a step in the right direction and it will specifically help anganwadi workers and trainers along with pre-school teachers who may take up the course in Odia. "Providing the curriculum in Odia will make learning easy and accessible," she further said.

Earlier, the course was taught in English, Hindi and Tamil. Describing early education as the foundation of the entire education system, Higher Education minister Suryabanshi Suraj said, "The DECE course by IGNOU will be of interest to educators, trainers and workers working with children in the birth to six years age group in various settings like creches, preschools, pre-primary classes, nursery schools, anganwadis and Bal Vatikas."

The minister also pointed out that the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 focuses on consolidating early education and advancing education to upper levels through the mother tongue. 

The programme saw anganwadi workers who enrolled in the course participating online. Some of the others present included IGNOU vice-chancellor Uma Kanjilal, commissioner-cum-secretary of Higher Education department Aravind Agrawal and director of Women & Child Development department Monisha Banerjee.

Earlier in June this year, IGNOU and the Higher Education department had inked an MoU under which, IGNOU will offer courses like bachelor's and master's degrees, postgraduate diplomas, diplomas, certificates, and specialized programmes in Odia language throughout the state.

Department of Higher Education has requested every college in Madhya Pradesh to provide detailed data for All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) for the 2024–25 academic year by September 15.

The exercise is conducted annually since 2010–11 and helps the government make an assessment of the prevailing status and quality of higher education in the country.

According to instructions, institutions are required to provide information for nearly 80 parameters such as student intake, availability of teachers, teacher-student ratio, programs offered, seats, laboratories, computer laboratories, playgrounds, infrastructure, financial endowments, scholarships, gross enrollment ratio and gender parity index.

This year, newly opened colleges such as those that opened in Indore, Dhar, Alirajpur and Jhabua will be requested only to get registered on the portal since admissions have been conducted there for the first time. They will be required to share complete data from the next academic session onwards.

DAVV sends instructions to 190 colleges

Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV), being the nodal institution of its affiliate colleges, sent a letter to 190 colleges falling under it ordering them to display the required data on time.

DCDC director Dr Rajeev Dixit verified that the same instructions have been issued to the other regions of the state encompassing around 1,360 government and private colleges.

Objective of the survey

AISHE survey aims to provide a comprehensive view of higher education in India so that the government is able to identify infrastructure gaps, faculty strength and resources, and monitoring enrollment as well as inclusiveness. The information collected forms the basis for decision-making through policy making as well as improvement in the higher education system

India has shown its strategic military capabilities by the successful test-fire of the Agni-5, one of the fastest and most powerful intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBM) in the world. This missile test was led by the Strategic Forces Command and was conducted at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha validating all operational and technical parameters as confirmed by India defence ministry.

Agni-5 missile has a strike capability well over 5, 000 kilometers, capable of targeting nearly the entire Asian continent, including northern China and parts of Europe, making it a major pillar in the nuclear deterrence posture of India. This is possible because it is mounted on mobile launchers, which serves to increase rapid strategic responsiveness and survivability.

This successful test comes amidst a period of heightened regional security challenges and shortly after India’s recent military engagements with Pakistan. It strengthens India's second-strike capability under its declared “No First Use” nuclear policy, reinforcing deterrence while maintaining responsible defense doctrine.

The Agni missile program was started in the 1980s in various versions:

• Agni-I to Agni-IV: Distance ranges between 700 km to as far as 3,500 km and is already under deployment.
• Agni-P (Prime) and Agni-VI (in development): Expanding reach and capabilities, with Agni-VI expected to achieve intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) status with a range between 6,000 to 10,000 km.

Other recent short-range tests include:

• Prithvi-II: 350 km range, payload of 500 kg.
• Agni-I: 700-900 km, 1,000 kg.
• Pralay: A short-range tactical missile with the capacity of being armed with conventional weapons of 500 to 1,000 kg of warheads. 

Key Technical and Strategic Features of Agni-5: 

• Missile Type: Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM)
• Range: Over 5,000 km, covering Asia and parts of Europe. 
• Launch Platforms: Mobile launchers and Integrated Test Range. 
• Payload Capacity: Capable of carrying nuclear warheads. 
• Accuracy: Equipped with advanced guidance systems for high precision targeting.
• Propulsion: Three-stage solid-fuel rocket providing enhanced mobility and quick launch readiness. 
• Strategic Role: Central to India’s nuclear deterrence and regional security posture. 

This test affirms the role of India, being a technologically superior country, in the field of missile technology and strategic defense. Not only does the Agni-5 increase the tactical options of the country, it also serves as an effective deterrent in the rapidly changing security milieu where factors of regional complexity are the new norm.

With India modernizing its missile arsenal and employing greater diversification in its missile capability, the testing of the Agni-5, coupled with the current tests of Prithvi-II, Agni-I and Pralay missiles, all testify to its continuing desire to have a viable nuclear deterrence with the optimal state of modern technology and strategic maturity.

This milestone achievement also reflects the robustness of India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) and ongoing efforts to maintain strategic autonomy, ensuring that India is prepared for any and all circumstances, especially to defend its national security interests on multiple fronts.

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has released a new syllabus that includes Operation Sindoor, for Classes 3-12. The objective of this updated curriculum is to impart knowledge on the younger generation of Indians about the recent aggressive forestallment of the Pahalgam terror attack and about our counter-terror strategies and the subsequent actions that were laid in place by the Indian government and how it was strategically combated, which also involved elements of patriotism, national security and India in the world sphere.

What Is Operation Sindoor?

Operation Sindoor is a retaliatory operation by India against a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. The NCERT module follows the processes in which the Indian security agencies managed to discover proof implicating the Pakistan military-political establishment in the assault. On May 7, 2025, the Indian armed forces made precision strikes against nine locations that were identified to be terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoJK), in a well-coordinated operation. These targets were key terrorist enclaves like Bahawalpur and Muridke that belonged to terrorist networks like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

India did not only react on a military sphere. The module underscores the India multi-dimensional approach-combining military action with diplomacy by Indian missions in foreign countries, overall coordination between the ministry of defence and ministry of external affairs and the quick policy making decisions such as the suspension of Indus Waters Treaty and blocking of crucial transportation points between India and Pakistan.

Module Description: Defence, Diplomacy and Technology Integration Modernization of the armed forces is a major challenge facing today.

The material is dispersed in two important versions:

• Operation Sindoor: A Saga of Valour (Class 3-8)
• Operation Sindoor: A Mission of Honour and Bravery (Classes 9 to 12)

Each of the 8-10 pages long modules is prepared as supplementary material that can be taught in the forms of projects, stories, discussions, and case studies which makes classroom learning exciting and identifiable.

What are the Key Educational Takeaways? 

• Learning Counter-Terror Response: Collaboration of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force in planning and the execution of the counter-terror operations. The importance of advanced air defence systems (including S-400 interceptors), the use of drones, and intelligent planning.
• The Role of Technology: The modules include pictures of deployed and destroyed enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and explain the significant role new technology such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and satellite-based surveillance played in both offence and defence.
• Diplomacy and National Policy: In addition to the operation of the battlefield, students will learn how diplomatic factors and inter-ministerial help to the country in exacting its foreign policy assisted and contributed to world opinion in its favor and this leads to the world responding in kind against terror.
• Local and National Unity: The content depicts a democratic national reaction to the Pahalgam attack: candle light marches, community demonstrations and in particular reactions of Kashmiri people and the villagers of the border who joined in solidarity, showing support for non-controversial relationships with India.

Educational Effect and Wider Implications

Experts and educators believe integrating such contemporary, real-world events into the curriculum is a great step because it fosters patriotism and awareness of our country and critical thinking and civic literacy. 

In short, the children become well-versed with the real events. They’ll come to know the issues which our country is facing and understand the bravery and accuracy of the armed forces. Additionally, when students learn to dissect real-life defence actions, they get a better understanding of strategy, plan integrity, and the outcomes of international choices.  

How are People Reacting to The New NCERT Syllabus? 

Teachers around the nation have been appreciative of the modules. They claim that this way of teaching can help the students understand more about the event worthy of national attention without being distracted by overly complicated information and contributes to the fostering of both patriotism and analytical abilities. Teaching staff members enjoy the balanced, informative, and project- and debate-oriented modules.  

Veteran officers have welcomed the move terming it as a crucial step in ensuring the historical traditions of India armed forces and urging young generations to get a sense of the seriousness of national security. They perceive it as an incentive and anticipate that it might generate a spirit of service in the minds of school children.

On social media, the new curriculum of NCERT has been widely appreciated as well as mocked. Most parents and netizens praised the move stating that it is taking young students into a reality of modern security challenges and delivering them in a valuable and non-political context. Some netizens said that such an approach will “bring history to life,” while others said that content moderation should be exercised to prevent sensationalism. 

Moverover, there are comments on the news posts of NCERT upgraded syllabus where people (being politically swayed) highlighted a diverse perspective:

 “NCERT ne pura syllabus 2014 ke baad ka dena chahiye 

“This is not module this is called brainwashing from the childhood.. glorifying a petite conflict into a battle of idk what and out of which nothing have achieved... still if you want to mention do mention that US president trump has ordered both the countries to stop the war or forget the trade with the US, and after which even when the parties agreed to the trade agreement the USA president put an increased tariff by 50% on indian goods... now that will be the truth that needs to be fed to children.”

“Upcoming CBSE 12 exam question, Explain Operation Sindoor? It is a political stunt performed by Gay Couple (Modi-Amit duo) prior to the election.”

Apart from that, in initial classroom testing, students reported the modules to be interesting and quite thought-provoking. Activities and case studies have helped them to raise questions regarding the defence preparedness and decision-making process of India in times of crisis.

Operation Sindoor modules used by the NCERT represent a paradigm shift in the type of learning in India today. There are no mere glorifications of military strength, but a weave of national resolve-- an attempt well woven to inspire awareness, self-thinking, and collectiveness amongst the youth of India. With schools across the country planning to introduce this curriculum in the upcoming school year, the modules are set to help raise a generation that is conscious of and appreciates the intricacy of relationships between security, peace and national pride.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday declared the recently notified Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fee Determination and Regulation) Act, 2025 as a "major victory" for parents, assuring much-needed respite from indiscriminate fee increases by private schools.

The law, which was notified on August 14—nearly a week after it was enacted by the Assembly and assented to by the Lieutenant Governor—will apply to all 1,677 unaided private schools in the Capital.

"This landmark law checks the commercialization of education and makes the process of determining fees transparent, accountable, and just," Gupta tweeted in a post on X. "Education cannot be a commercial transaction, but a right and an instrument for public good."

At the heart of the legislation are far-reaching changes to control school fees. It brings in a three-level grievance redressal system and gives parents a voice over fee structures. Schools' malpractice could invite penalties up to ₹10 lakh.

The measure follows decades of protests by parent associations against uncertain fee hikes and transparency shortcomings. To embed control, the legislation establishes committees at school, district, and revision levels. The bodies, which consist of parents, teachers, and management representatives, will vet and authorize all the proposed fee changes.

Talking to the media after Independence Day functions at Chhatrasal Stadium, Gupta underlined, "This Act finally makes the system participatory and transparent. No longer will parents be helplessly pushed around by unaffordable hikes."

The legislation forbids schools from raising fees above the authorised level, making the private education sector more accountable. For thousands of parents in Delhi fighting cost inflation in school education, the notification is a rare and welcome policy victory.