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On Tuesday, the Union Cabinet cleared a bill to establish an Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Guwahati.  This is the second IIM in the North East after Shillong (opened in 2007) and the 22nd in India.

As stated by a senior government official, over Rs 500 crore has been approved by the Centre for the project. The decision further strengthens the role of Guwahati as a topmost educational hub of the country, already housing such apex institutions like Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, National Law University and Judicial Academy, and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Changsari, Guwahati.

The new IIM will serve to plug a long-held gap in management education in the North East, providing quality programs and research facility for students from all over the country, top government officials said. Its establishment will bring in talent, induce entrepreneurship, and help in capacity building in fields of maximum priority for economic development in the region as a whole and of the country as a whole, they said.

Institutional infrastructure is also part of the Centre's overall plan to upgrade higher education infrastructure in the North East, which over the past two years has seen the inauguration of central universities, AIIMS campuses, and special purpose research centres. Officials said the objective is to fill the gap in accessing quality institutions in the region, enhance employability, and link the region with more active national and global economic networks.

The bill will likely be moved in Parliament in the current session.

Some of the world’s top universities are finally coming to India, thanks to a new rule from the University Grants Commission (UGC). If you’re an Indian student dreaming of a global degree without traveling abroad, your chance may be much closer than you think.

 What’s Changed?

Earlier, getting an international degree recognised in India was full of hassles. The new UGC regulation, announced this year, makes things much simpler. Now, students who finish their studies at a foreign campus in India can apply for official recognition online. The process takes just a couple of weeks instead of months, and you don’t have to run around for paperwork anymore. For most courses except medicine, law, nursing, and architecture, this means your foreign qualification holds the same value as one from the main campus abroad.

Big global universities are now allowed to open their own Indian campuses. They can set up admission rules, hire faculty, and decide their own fees (as long as they’re fair). However, courses are to be taught in person, no distance or online versions.

 Which Universities Are Coming?

Nearly fifteen well-known foreign universities are all set to start classes in India by this academic year. Names like University of Southampton (UK), Deakin University (Australia), and University of Liverpool (UK) stand out among the first batch. Gurugram, Bengaluru, and Gujarat are among the cities getting these new campuses. Universities from Australia, UK, USA, Malaysia, and more are joining in.

Here’s a quick look at some of them:

• University of Southampton (Gurugram)
• Deakin University (GIFT City, Gujarat)
• University of Liverpool (Bengaluru)
• Victoria University (Greater Noida)
• Western Sydney University (Greater Noida)
•  Illinois Institute of Technology (USA)
• Lincoln University College (Malaysia)
• La Trobe University (Bengaluru)

The Education Minister says the Letters of Intent have already been given to several universities. Some will welcome students as early as August 2025.

 How Does This Help Indian Students?

Top global degrees now available in India

• No need for expensive visas or foreign travel
•  World-class faculty and facilities
• International recognition for your degree
• Quick, easy process to get your degree certified in India

Most universities will begin with science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and business courses, with more subjects coming soon.

 What Should You Watch Out For?

Only study at UGC-approved campuses. The UGC has warned against fake tie-ups or online courses pretending to be foreign degrees. Proper campuses and approved programs are the way to go.

 Why Are These Universities Interested in India?

India’s student population and growing demand for high-quality education have made the country a top choice for global education expansion. Plus, new government policies are making it easier for foreign universities to invest here.

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.

Chevening Scholarship & Fellowship 2025: Timeline

• Application starts on: August 5
• Application Deadline: October 7 
• Results: Mid June 2026
• Offer deadline: July 9
• Studies began: September-October 2026
• Applicants shortlisted for interview: Mid February 2026
• Interviews schedule: March to April 2026
• Application sifted against eligibility criteria: From October 2025
• Reading committee assessments: Mid October 2025 to January 2026

What is a Chevening Scholarship & Fellowship?

Chevening is a UK government scholarship funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and corporate partners. It is one of the most prestigious global awards that attracts thousands of international students to the UK to study postgraduate degree programs. It provides:

• One year master degrees at any UK university fully funded (Chevening Scholarship)
• Specialised Fellowships (8-12 weeks) at major UK institutes for those in the mid-level to senior careers

Those selected become part of an exciting international network of future leaders, innovators, policy makers, and change agents.

Eligibility Criteria 2025 (India Focus)

Chevening Scholarship (for Master’s Degree)

• Indian citizenship
• Completed undergraduate degree matching UK standards (normally second-class upper or above)
• At least 2 years of work experience* (minimum 2,800 hours after graduation)
• Must return to India for at least 2 years after the course completion
• Apply to three eligible UK universities and obtain one unconditional offer by July 2026
• No age limit, no restrictions on gender, caste or marital status

Chevening fellowship (Professional)

• Open to mid to senior professionals who have considerable impact in their area
• Completed higher learning and has professional experience at the req. of the fellowship
• People who do not hold British or dual British citizenship, or have received a UK government scholarship within the last five year

What does Chevening cover?

• College tuition fees
• Monthly stipend/ living allowance 
• Round-trip flight to the UK
• The cost of visas
• Arrival, departure allowances
• Chevening travel grants

How to Apply: The Procedure

1. Visit the official Chevening India site: chevening.org/apply
2. Sign up / take eligibility quiz
3. Submit to three universities in the U.K. (Scholarships)
4. Hand in essays, references and documents needed
5. Go to the interview in case of shortlisting
6. Await final outcome and upload unreserved UK admissions proposal

Exclusive Opportunities for Indians: 2025 Fellowships

• Chevening Gurukul Fellowship of Leadership and Excellence (Oxford)
• Chevening Science and Innovation Leadership Fellowship (Oxford)
• Chevening Cyber Security Fellowship (Cranfield)
• South Asia Journalism Fellowship (Westminster)

Corporate and government partners: Adani Group, TVS Motors, governments of Jharkhand, Karnataka, Nagaland and Uttarakhand with the objective of reaching out to different candidates including those in marginalized communities.

Why Chevening?

• Full cash independence: All major costs paid
• International networking: Reach out to 60,000+ alumni who are making global policy and innovation
• Advancement in career: Better employment opportunities and upgrading leadership skills

The Chevening Scholarship and Fellowship gives Indian students and professionals a golden opportunity to change their academic, professional, and social life in future all at world proving top Universities and Institutions.  No excuses, you have a choice until October 7, 2025!

For official details and to start your application, visit chevening.org.

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.