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The Gujarat government has decided to make value-based lessons constituting Bhagavad Gita compulsory in the first language textbooks of students in Classes 9-12 in a major move to educational reform. The reason behind this move is to inculcate morality and ethics in students through their association with Indian cultural and spiritual heritage.

What the New Policy includes? 

School textbooks from academic year 2025-26 onwards will have chapters devoted to the Bhagavad Gita, as part of language curriculum in Gujarat, Hindi, Urdu and English. These chapters will also be incorporated in textbooks directly in case of Gujarati medium students. Additional booklets containing teachings of Bhagavad Gita will be provided to Hindi, Urdu and English medium students.

They revolve around value-based teachings that occur in the chapters and are meant to instill knowledge of living an ethical life, self-discipline, contentment, and self-control, which are major principles of the holy text in Hinduism. E.g., Hindi textbooks, the lessons of the Class 9 entitled Margdarshika Gita and Bhagavad Gita Aur Main, or the lessons of the Class 10 called Samarpan and Desh Bhakti Ki Sanjeevani have been included.

Background and Rationale

The move is one of the strategies that Gujarat has applied to the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to ensure active incorporation of Indian culture, traditions and knowledge systems in the education system. The Bhagavad Gita is discussed by the government as a religious book but also by them as a general and all round lesson on how to live a good moral life and the lessons taught could be applied to a person of any background.

Minister of State for Education, Praful Pansheriya, said, “Students will feel proud and connected to the rich, diverse, ancient culture and knowledge systems of India through the teachings of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita.” This government initiative does not center on religion, however, the government further indicates that it serves the purpose of providing life intelligence and developing character.

In its previous academic year the Gujarat government had introduced an additional Bhagavad Gita textbook to classes 6th to 8th and this text book was placed in numerous schools. The new step, under an assumption that the general response was positive, also incorporates the upper classes (9 to 12) to engage them more on the teachings of the scripture.

In addition to textbooks, Bhagavad Gita recitations in morning assemblies in many schools also forms part of the value based education system in Gujarat.

Controversies and Challenges

The ruling has evoked an argument over the place of religious books in a secular education system. Others oppose it on constitutional grounds on the basis that using a Hindu scripture in school curricula can turn off other religious students. This move was challenged by the Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind (JUEH) through a public interest litigation (PIL) process to the Gujarat High Court on the question of its constitutional validity. The court has not allowed the policy to be stayed till further hearing.

In spite of these arguments, the policy garnered massive support in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly with parties, including the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress supporting the policy.

The Gujarat government moved to introduce lessons on Bhagavad Gita in first language textbooks to Classes 9-12 is a historic move in retro-fitting education to ancient cultural and ethical heritage in India under the NEP 2020. As it attempts to instill the moral lesson in students, relocation remains divisive by raising the issues on how secularism can be incorporated in the public schools. In any case, the program is a sure bet to transform the value education of thousands of students in the state beginning this academic year.

The state government has ordered newly accredited vocational and professional colleges to adhere to the approved fee structure of the Fee Regulatory Authority (FRA) and the Fee Policy Committee (FPC). Colleges that disregard these guidelines will be taken action against by the state.

The action follows a number of complaints from both parents and students that some institutions were collecting a higher fee than the one approved. The problem was exposed during the centralized admission process (CAP) carried out by the directorate of technical education and the state common entrance examination (CET) cell.

The department of higher and technical education in the state released a circular on Monday which said that according to the Maharashtra Private Professional Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admission and Fees) Act, 2015, it is required of the colleges to exhibit their course-wise fees. According to the act, fee structures should be exhibited in English and Marathi in a manner that would be easy to notice for students and parents. They must provide the information in addition to their official websites for each academic year.\

The circular states, "The government has clarified that no institution can collect more than the approved fee for a professional degree, or postgraduate and diploma courses." It further states that institutions are also not supposed to take more than a year's fee at a time. According to the circular, if colleges collect any additional amount, in cash or kind, it would be considered embezzlement by law.

These rules are aimed at preventing exploitation of students during admissions, especially those coming from economically weaker backgrounds, or relying on scholarships. Many students have complained that they felt pressured to pay unapproved amounts just to secure their seats. This would often lead to financial stress for their families.

By implementing the rules that already exist, the state aims to make the admission process transparent and fair. In case students are asked to pay any other fee, they can complain to the government or the board of directors of the institution through a dedicated helpline, which will be provided at the State General Examination Room.

One of the members on the FRA committee, Dharmendra Mishra, suggested that students read some parts of the Act and visit official college websites regularly for fee information. "If students or parents find any irregularity in the fees, they must first go to the principal and later approach the FRA," he told ET.

Mishra stated that the FRA had received numerous complaints regarding increased fees in the last academic year, but most were from persons not immediately affected, for which it was hard to take action against the colleges. "We request students to make direct complaints to the FRA so that we can take appropriate action," he further said.

FRA details:

Tel No: 022-31980348 / 8828786264

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Are you a young aspiring student or in the middle of your career and have a dream to pursue your education in the UK? The Chevening Scholarship and Fellowship 2025 is one of the scholarships that is going to unlock the door to world-class education, exclusive networking and cover all your financial requirements. Interested Indian citizens can apply until October 7, 2025, and this year, there are also more opportunities than ever before to demonstrate the breadth of talent in India, both in the Tier 2 cities and in remote parts of the country, through the Chevening programme.

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• Application starts on: August 5
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At a recent board meeting on June 25, CBSE proposed mandatory linking of APAAR ID with the students' records during registration in Classes 9 and 11 and in List of Candidates (LoC) of Classes 10 and 12. It has requested all its affiliated schools to collect APAAR IDs from the students to keep themselves ready prior to the registration and LoC submission process.

APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) is a unique 12-digit identity developed by the Education Ministry under the 'One Nation, One Student ID' program. The ID will provide a life-long digital academic identity to all students, housing their achievements and records in one secure platform through DigiLocker and Academic Bank of Credits (ABC). 

Revised exam and registration fee for academic year 2025–26

CBSE has approved a marginal raise in examination and registration fees due to rising operational expenses. The fees were last increased in 2020.

For Indian students of Class 10 and 12, the exam fee has been raised by Rs 20 per subject for each candidate (a rise of 6.66%). The exam fee per subject has been raised by 10% in Nepal and other nations overseas.

The fee for the practical examination has also increased—Rs 10 per subject for every student in India and Rs 25 in Nepal and other foreign countries.

The revised fee structure includes:

• Examination fee from Class 10 and 12 for Single theory subject: Rs 320 (India), Rs 1100 (Nepal), Rs 2200 (Other countries) while for Five theory subjects: Rs 1600 (India), Rs 5500 (Nepal), Rs 11000 (Other countries)
• Practical subjects for Class 12 only in Rs 160 (India), Rs 175 (Nepal), Rs 375 (Other countries)
• Registration fee for Class 9: Rs 320 (India), Rs 550 (Nepal and other countries) and Class 11: Rs 320 (India), Rs 660 (Nepal and elsewhere)

Digital experience centre to be set up in New Delhi

CBSE has also opted for establishing an AI-based digital experience center at its Integrated Office Complex in Sector 23, Dwarka, New Delhi. This has been done in the same governing body meeting.

The center shall be planned to provide a dynamic, technology-enabled environment where students can engage with learning material. It should encourage innovation and deepen understanding of learning principles through interactive experiences.

APAAR ID for effective student data management

According to CBSE, linking APAAR IDs will improve accuracy, eliminate record duplication, and reinforce the verification process. Currently, no student information is linked to a standardised identity system, and so discrepancies.

The APAAR ID system is linked with DigiLocker and ABC, ensuring smooth academic credit transfer and lifelong access to information. It also enables admission tests like JEE, NEET, and CUET by serving as a primary identifier.

All partner schools will have the facility to generate APAAR IDs for students using the UDISE+ portal. The implementation process includes parent-teacher meetings, approval by parents, data verification, and distribution of the IDs. CBSE will oversee implementation through the APAAR ID Monitoring (AIM) portal.

The APAAR commission aims to increase academic transparency, facilitate data-driven decision-making, and enable student mobility across institutions having been aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Government of India's Digital India mission.

Institutions are mandated to assign highest priority to APAAR ID generation and complete 100% coverage of students. Institutional support in terms of resources, implementation toolkits, and a helpline (1800-889-3511) is offered during implementation.

A social media update fueled controversy surrounding India's education agenda, stating: "India doesn't need more IITs. It needs more ITIs." The update pointed to the government's ₹60,000-crore skill mission — upgradation of 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes, establishment of five National Centres of Excellence, industry tie-ups, and crafting courses that are job-oriented to train 20 lakh youth within five years.

The viral post blamed "mindless" Bachelor of Arts degrees in tier-3 and tier-4 cities for being irrelevant in jobs, urging their replacement with vocational studies in areas such as CNC machining, electronics assembly, and electronics testing.

Joining the debate, former Chief Economic Adviser and NITI Aayog member Dr. Arvind Virmani said even the Indian Institutes of Technology can have more practical learning. "Arts and humanities subjects in IITs could be supplanted or supplemented by CNC machining, electronics testing and assembly, construction of houses, and assembly of machinery," he said, contending that engineers through practical skills can fill the gap between what they are taught and what the industry needs.

Under the new scheme approved by the Union Cabinet, the Centre will bear ₹30,000 crore, states ₹20,000 crore, and industry ₹10,000 crore. The Centre's half share will be taken care of by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

In the next five years, ITIs will implement revised, industry-specific courses, introduce new trades, and train 50,000 trainers. Five National Skill Training Institutes — Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Ludhiana — will be upgraded.

Acting as "government-owned, industry-managed" centers, redesigned ITIs will provide industries, including MSMEs, with a continuous flow of industry-ready workers.

APAAR ID mandatory for CBSE board exams 2026; exam fee hiked and AI-facilitated centre on the cards

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made it mandatory for students to link their APAAR ID with academic records for Classes 9-12. The board will introduce the measure from the 2026 board examinations.

In addition to the APAAR ID mandate, the board has also approved a fee structure change in registration and examination fees for Indian, Nepalese, and other foreign countries' students. The CBSE will also establish an AI-based digital experience centre to make educational resources more accessible.

Bhubaneswar, Aug 10: Ten years after his death, renowned academic and author Professor Ganeswar Mishra was remembered with a sense of reverence for his unique contribution to local literature in eastern India. In a memorial function organized on Saturday by Sateertha — a socio-cultural group instituted by the late Mishra himself — top writers and scholars paused to note the richness and originality of his work.

Delivering a lecture at the function, Prof Basant Kumar Panda made strong literary comparisons, juxtaposing Mishra's highly acclaimed novel Samudrika (1964) with milestone regional novels like Bengali Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay's Hansuli Banker Upakatha (1947) and Hindi Phanishwar Nath Renu's Maila Anchal (1954). He adds that Samudrika, focused on the Nolia fishing settlement in Puri, is significant since it is perhaps the only Odia novel to inhabit their universe — something of a rare event that adds texture to the canvas of Indian regional fiction.

Acclaimed author Dash Benhur captured Mishra's versatility, noting that aside from his fiction, Mishra was also an innovative feature writer — a genre that is still very much in vogue with today's readers. "His skill at marrying narrative richness with cultural commentary made his work both accessible and profound," he said.

Author Chirashree Indrasingh provided individual insights into Mishra's life and writing career, and emphasized introducing his work to young readers. "His stories still tell us things today — about people, places, and feelings that are worth more investigation," she mentioned.

The event also saw the launch of two new publications marking Mishra's legacy — Sakalara Muhan, a play adaptation of one of his novels by playwright Dayanidhi Tripathy, and Yah Dil Ki Suno, a translation in Hindi of his chosen short stories by Udayan Supakar.

Some who were there included poet Saroj Bal and scholar Dr Biraj Mohan Dash, who voiced a sentiment shared by many: Professor Ganeswar Mishra's voice is as contemporary as ever in the changing saga of Indian literature.