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Assam Don Bosco University launched LACHIT- 1, the first satellite from Northeast India, into space on ISRO's PSLV, C62 rocket on Jan 12. This achievement opened the door to space engineering capabilities in an area that has long been less connected to India's space infrastructure.

The satellite initiative was one element of Hyderabad, based Dhruva Space's Polar Access, 1 project and saw the active participation of more than 50 students and faculty members from five northeastern statesAssam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur. The satellite was named after Lachit Borphukan, the Ahom general of the 17th century who is credited with leading the resistance against the Mughals in Assam. Hence, it became a sign of the dreams and pride of the entire region.

LACHIT- 1 had a store, and forward communication system that worked on amateur radio frequencies. The satellite had the ability to take in short messages from the ground stations, save them in its memory, and later send them back to the Earth during its next orbit passes. This feature of the satellite was very much in line with its intended use during disaster times when regular communication networks are usually down; e.g., during floods, landslides, and infrastructural damage, all of which are common problems in the mountainous Northeast.

Students and faculty at ADBU collaborated with Dhruva Space’s ASTRA (Accelerated Space Technology Readiness & Access) for Academia programme to complete the entire satellite development process. The team carried out integration workflows, functional testing, interface checks, and launch readiness reviews. They also established a ground station on campus and trained on Dhruva Space’s Integrated Space Operations Command Suite (ISOCS) software to manage the satellite once operational.

“LACHIT-1 was more than a satellite launch; it was a statement of intent from the Northeast,” said Jose Palely, Vice Chancellor of Assam Don Bosco University. “By empowering our students to design, build, and operate a satellite in orbit, we were nurturing future-ready scientists, engineers, and leaders.”

Following the launch, LACHIT-1 became accessible to licensed amateur radio operators worldwide, enabling global participation in satellite communication experiments. Dhruva Space also planned workshops with the National Institute of Amateur Radio and ADBU, focusing on disaster communication and emergency response applications.

Avinash Maramraju, Director of Sales and Business Development at Dhruva Space, said the mission demonstrated that “advanced space capability was no longer geographically concentrated—it was emerging wherever institutions were prepared to build and operate real systems.”

The university had previously received an ‘A’ grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council and became the first private university in Northeast India to obtain SIRO certification from DSIRO, recognising its research and development capabilities.

 St. Joseph's High School stands tall as one of the premier Christian minority institution in Ashok Nagar, providing holistic English medium education from Nursery to Post Secondary classes (Class 12). Established in 1951, this unaided CISCE-affiliated school moulds young minds in a way that instils in them values, academic rigor and all-round development - perfect for parents in Bhubaneshwar eyeing ICSE/ISC admissions 2026.

About St. Joseph's High School

Founded by popular demand in 1951 when Bhubaneswar became the new capital of Odisha replacing Cuttack, St. Joseph's High School is a Christian minority institution as per Article 30 of the Constitution of India and Section 2(g) of the NCMEI Act 2004. Managed by the Society of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Annecy, India, it is under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Bhubaneswar.

This is a co-educational school and English is given importance along with Odia and Hindi and the boys and girls are prepared from Nursery for ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (+2) exams. Education here develops the whole child - intellectually, morally and spiritually - and is inspired by the example of Jesus Christ who displayed love, responsibility and concern for others. The principal's message emphasizes it as an "abode of learning and innovation," which inculcates critical thinking, ethics and environmental care.

Ranking and Achievements

With an excellent reputation in Bhubaneswar, being one of the oldest and most reliable ICSE schools, St. Joseph's High School has had consistent pass rates in its ICSE/ISC exams and its graduates have found their way into the best careers in India. With an average rating of 4.4/5 on sites such as Justdial based on the reviews made by 32+ parents, they commend its discipline, values, and academic performance. Being a minority institution and acknowledged by the Education Department of Odisha, it has been doing admirably in their co-curricular activities such as Scouts-Guides, social services and cultural fests.

Some of the achievements are good performance in board exams, representation in national level events and a history of giving rise to responsible leaders. Although technically not an NIRF-ranked school (in the school category), it is more than 70 years old and is trusted by the community, thus considered a better choice compared to younger schools in Khordha district.

Curriculum 

St. Josephs provides Nursery to Class 12 ICSE (up to Class 10) and ISC +2 Science/Commerce/Arts courses with emphasis on all round development through regular curriculum together with value added activities. Talents and traditions are developed in co-curriculars such as Scouts, Guides, cubs, Bul-Buls and social service.

Eligibility Criteria

The Nursery age admission begins at 3+ years (as of March 31, 2026). Preferential treatment of Christians/minorities, brothers and sisters and local Bhubaneswar dwellers, however, all communities are welcome. None of the lower classes have a formal entrance; higher classes (Class 1 and above) are required to interact with/evaluate previous school records. Parents should have Odisha residence documents; 75 percent or more attendance is required after admission. 

Admission Procedure

• Application: Forms are available on the school’s official website. Walk-in admissions are also allowed, visit the school office (Ashok Nagar, near Ram Mandir) for 2026-27 session.
• ​Documents: Birth Certificate, Baptism proof (Christians) Previous reports, Aadhaar, Photos
• Assessment: Play based for Nursery-Lkg; written/oral for Class 1+
• Selection List: Posted in notice board/website; pay fees to confirm
• Orientation: starts in April.

Infrastructure And Campus Life

Located in vibrant Ashok Nagar, the campus has airy classrooms, science/math labs, library, computer room, playground for sports and activity halls for Scouts-Guides. Modern facilities aid in curiosity-driven learning, eco-friendly initiatives, and safe transport facilities across Bhubaneswar.

Campus life is full of daily assemblies, inter house events, annual day, sports meets, value workshops. Students enjoy outings, features in media ("St. Joseph on Media"), and a nurturing environment which is perfect for the working parents in Unit-1 or Saheed Nagar.

Faculty

Experienced Sisters and lay teachers (many with B.Ed/M.Ed) integrate faith based values with innovative teaching. They concentrate upon rational thinking, respect of Odia culture/religion and personalised guidance in small classes. Parents rave at their patience and dedication.

Who Should Take Admission

• Value-Driven Families: Christian/Minorities parents seeking ICSE with moral education in Bhubaneswar.
• Working Parents: English Medium, Disciplined School, Near Ashok Nagar for Nursery-Class 12.
• Holistic Seekers: Kids who are ready for Scouts, sports, and activity-building responsibilities.
• Bhubaneswar Locals: families seeking quality curriculum near their home.

Who Should Not Take Admission

• CBSE/state board Preferers: Strictly ICSE/ISC: No flexibility in the board.
• Large Campus Seekers: Tight urban setup, not sprawling like outskirts schools
• Low-Discipline Needs: Uniform/values strict or may not be for all.

St Joseph's High School Bhubaneswar is empowering leaders of tomorrow with 70+ years of excellence. Visit their site or visit the campus to get your child admitted to one of the remarkable schools.

St. Xavier High School (XHS) in Damana offers a warm environment for students from KG to high school. The school combines a rigorous CBSE curriculum with the values of respect, honour and service and is the ideal option for parents in Odisha who want a well-rounded education.

About the School  

Sponsored by the St. Xavier Society of Modern Education since 2004, St. Xavier High School is located in Damana, Bhubaneswar, close to Gadakana and right opposite the East Coast Railway Stadium. The school was blessed by Saint Francis Xavier in 2007 through the Prayer Tower. It is a part of the Chennai Group of schools and it focuses on intellectual growth, critical thinking, and service to the society. The mission is education for civilisation, developing the mind, body and soul to produce balanced individuals to support their families and society. The vision is to build self-respecting, value-based leaders using research-based learning. The motto is "Education for Civilisation".

Ranking and Achievements  

St. Xavier High School is one of the best CBSE schools in Odisha for holistic development. It has over 50 happy students highlighted (a sample figure; the official number is in the thousands). Achievements include an ISO 9001:2008 certification, compulsory co-curricular modules of five areas for all age groups and a global reputation for child centred learning. While there is no formal NIRF ranking for schools, parent reviews are commendatory about the smooth transition between Xavierian schools across India. The school has been good in kindling the spirit of creativity and patriotism since 2004.

Academic, Curriculum and Fee Structure  

CBSE-affiliated from KG to Class 12, the school is open to all kinds of learning styles.  

• Kindergarten & Primary: A 2nd Home for toddlers, Nursing the early growth with play, words and steps with a focus on potential.  
• Middle & High School: New 21st century curriculum embedded with Indian values. Objectives include democracy, well being and critical thinking.  
• Co-curricular: compulsory five modules to cover activities by age and interests to develop service skills.  

Fees are affordable (contact the school for 2026 rates; typical CBSE are in the range of 50 000-120 000 per annum) The school provides 90 thousand + teaching hours with 1100 people to guarantee quality.

Eligibility Criteria  

• KG: Age 3 - 5 years (nursery or playgroup).  
• Primary/Middle/High: Age appropriate e.g. Class 1 for 5-6 years  
• Transfer cases: Submit Transfer Certificate and mark sheets.  
• Merit/preference to siblings and alumni.

Admission Procedure  

The admission process is straightforward and can be obtained online or offline for the 2026-27 intake:  

1. Enquire at stxavierhighschool.org/admission or visit the Damana campus.  
2. Submit a birth certificate, previous reports and photos.  
3. For the higher classes, an interaction or test can be planned.  

Seats are limited so apply early. Counsellors are there to help the parents, students, and teachers for a smooth entry.

Infrastructure and Campus Life  

The modern campus is more than just classrooms. It has areas for play, laboratories, a library and places for creativity. The vibrant life includes co-curricular activities, an NCC like service programme, and relationship building events. The environment is safe and stimulating with 364,433 co-curricular hours to help to build confidence. Amenities include counselling and parent support for all school needs.

Faculty  

Dedicated, experienced teachers focus on teaching and research. They adapt to different learning styles, challenge critical thinking, and encourage positive connections - which is an essential part of Xavierian success.

Who Should Take Admission  

• Parents looking for holistic growth (mind, body, soul) CBSE schools in Bhubaneswar.  
• Learners require nurturing from KG primary.
• Families who value co-curriculars and service (particularly in Odisha)  
• Those wishing for seamless transfers within the Xavierian network.

Who Should Not take Admission  

• Those who want to study ICSE or state board education rather than CBSE.  
• Students who are seeking minimum extracurricular involvement (it is mandatory here).  
• Those looking for ultra-elite international curriculum (focus is on value based CBSE).

St. Xavier High School Bhubaneswar provides "Education for Civilisation" world-ready kids with integrity and skills. Enroll now at stxavierhighschool.org for the 2026 intake and mold your child's bright future in Damana!

On Thursday, the Delhi government declared that it is vying to make the national capital India's startup hub, with an emphasis on youth- led entrepreneurship and innovation.

Education Minister Ashish Sood stated that through the Directorate of Training and Technical Education (DTTE), the government is enhancing the campus market ecosystem by motivating students and young innovators to consider entrepreneurship as a mainstream career choice.

He made the remarks ahead of the Delhi Startup Yuva Festival, which is set to be launched on Friday at Netaji Subhash University of Technology (NSUT) in Dwarka.

The minister said that more than 75, 000 students and young innovators are engaged in DTTE, supporting entrepreneurship and innovation programmes, with participation increasing by 25, 30 per cent annually. Over 470 startups are incubated in government, supported institutions across different sectors such as technology, healthcare, sustainability, education, manufacturing and creative industries.

Sood further mentioned that the startups supported by DTTE are creating an average of four to five direct jobs in their first year, thus making a significant contribution to the employment sector.

These startups have, together, generated a turnover of around Rs 500, Rs 600 crore, according to preliminary figures, he said.

The minister said in addition to the policy support initiatives, the Delhi government is enhancing its startup ecosystem by this new Delhi Startup Policy 2025 that plans to spend Rs 325 crore over five years and target the support of 5, 000 startups by 2035. It intends to extend the activities of incubation centers and innovation labs, especially focusing on student entrepreneurs, women founders, and first generation innovators.

Sood mentioned that the Delhi Startup Yuva Festival is going to be a platform where youngsters, led startups will be showcased, entrepreneurs will be connected with investors and mentors, and innovation driven solutions will be promoted. Over 750 startup pitching and innovation competition applications have been submitted to the festival.

The minister mentioned that to ensure support doesn't stop with the festival, the DTTE has strategically partnered with TiE Delhi, NCR to provide long term mentorship, capacity building, and better access to funding. He also said that the partnership is a symbol of the government's dedication to developing an inclusive, globally competitive startup ecosystem.

The 9th edition of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s annual interactive programme, ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha,’ has seen unprecedented registration numbers. As of January 8, 2026, over 4 crore students, teachers, and parents have signed up. This surpasses last year’s record of 3.53 crore, which had already earned a Guinness World Record.

With the upcoming board exams (PPC 2026), students nationwide are eager to interact directly with PM Modi and gain stress management tips. Students make up the majority of registrations, with approximately 3.75 crore participants.Over 20 million teachers and more than half a million parents have interest in this program initiated by the central government to support students' perception of exams as 'celebration' rather than 'stressed out'.

The registration for Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026 is available online at innovateindia1.mygov.in and will close on January 11, 2026. PM Modi expressed on social media that he is excited to meet with the 'Exam Warriors.'

Students in grades 6 through 12 and their teachers and parents can register.

Below is a summary of new registrations as of January 8, 2026, for Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026:

• Total number of registrants: 40,581,955
• Total number of students (Class 6 to Class 12): 37,751,681
• Total number of teachers: 2,300,231
• Total number of parents: 530,043

This data clearly shows that teachers and parents, along with students, are recognising the importance of children’s mental health during exams.

A special attraction for students this year is the ‘Golden Ticket.’ A total of 10 ‘Legendary Exam Warriors’ selected through the competition will have the opportunity to visit the Prime Minister’s residence and meet PM Modi in person. Additionally, about 2,500 winners will receive special certificates and ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ kits, along with a book titled ‘Exam Warriors,’ written by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026 Registration Process

Step 1. Visit the official website innovateindia1.mygov.in/ppc-2026.

Step 2. Click on the ‘Participate Now’ tab.

Step 3. Select your category (Student/Teacher/Parent).

Step 4. Fill in the details and submit your question (maximum 500 words) for PM Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasises that board exams are not the end of life, but just a milestone.

The Central Government is actively considering sweeping reforms to India's competitive exam system. A high-level committee recommends replacing NEET, JEE, and CUET with a SAT-based admission model starting 2027. Under this proposal, students would take the Scholastic Assessment Test twice in Class 11, with the better score combined with Class 12 board marks to determine college admissions.

The proposed system aims to fundamentally reshape higher education entry. Instead of high-stakes single exams, preparation spreads across two years of school education. Government officials believe this reduces student stress, eliminates coaching dependency, and strengthens the school curriculum. The April and November SAT tests in Class 11 would create a final percentile when combined with board results, directly allocating seats in IITs, AIIMS, and other top institutions.

An 11-member committee chaired by Higher Education Secretary Vinit Joshi developed this recommendation in June 2025. Key stakeholders including CBSE, NCERT, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, NIT Trichy, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti participated in discussions. Their primary objectives focus on ending coaching culture dominance, lowering student mental pressure, and aligning admissions directly with school syllabus performance.

The proposal includes strict regulations targeting coaching centers. Daily coaching hours would cap at 2-3 hours maximum. Students under 16 years would face a complete coaching ban. All coaching content must strictly follow NCERT and school curriculum without additional material. These measures directly challenge Kota's coaching industry that currently serves 5 lakh students annually.

SAT syllabus alignment with NCERT textbooks represents the biggest shift. Students could prepare entirely through regular school studies without external coaching. Rural students gain equal opportunity while economically weaker families save ₹5-15 lakh in coaching fees. Parents avoid sending children to distant cities like Kota, allowing families to stay together during crucial Class 11-12 years.

Current JEE and NEET preparation drains family finances through ₹5-10 lakh coaching fees plus ₹3-5 lakh hostel expenses. Travel costs add another ₹50,000-1 lakh annually. The proposed SAT system eliminates these burdens completely. Schools emerge as the new admission powerhouses, fundamentally altering India's ₹25,000 crore coaching industry.

This proposal fulfills National Education Policy 2020's vision for school-centric admissions. Understanding-based learning replaces rote memorization. Creativity and analytical skills receive priority over exam-cracking techniques. Rural and economically disadvantaged students gain unprecedented access to premier institutions through familiar school curriculum.

The committee expects government approval following final report submission in 2026. First SAT-based admissions could begin 2027 with complete nationwide rollout by 2028. Class 11 students should immediately strengthen NCERT preparation and practice SAT-style questions available free online. Parents must avoid premature coaching commitments while monitoring policy developments closely.

Coaching centers face existential threats from these reforms. Kota's economy, built around 5 lakh annual students, risks collapse alongside 50,000 coaching faculty jobs. Schools nationwide prepare to fill this admission vacuum through strengthened Class 11-12 curriculum delivery.

Vinayak Joshi's committee emphasized two clear opportunities from dual SAT attempts. Students improve performance between April and November tests. Second chances reduce single-exam pressure while maintaining merit-based selection. Board exam weightage ensures consistent academic performance remains paramount.

Government sources confirm NEET, JEE, and CUET continue unchanged for 2026 admissions. Students appearing this year follow existing patterns without disruption. The proposal requires Cabinet approval before implementation, expected late 2026. Class 11 students represent the first potential cohort under the new system.

Parents celebrating potential ₹8-20 lakh savings must understand implementation remains uncertain. Coaching centers continue operations through 2026 regardless of policy outcomes. Schools nationwide must urgently upgrade Class 11-12 teaching quality to meet impending admission responsibilities. Rural institutions particularly need infrastructure support to deliver SAT-aligned curriculum effectively.

This potential reform represents India's biggest education policy shift since NEP 2020 implementation. Success hinges on school system readiness and government execution. Students wisely focus on strengthening fundamentals across NCERT syllabus regardless of final policy decisions