Private secondary schools in five Uttar Pradesh districts have come under scrutiny following allegations that some institutions are failing to spend the prescribed 75% of their fee income on teachers' salaries.

The scrutiny follows concerns raised by a committee of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council examining the commercialisation of education. The committee has directed officials to examine financial records of private schools in Prayagraj, Lucknow, Agra, Aligarh and Gorakhpur.

A senior official of the state Secondary Education Department said the committee has also sought a report from the concerned Principal Secretary within a month.

Financial records raise concerns

The committee's action followed an examination of financial records submitted by private schools in Prayagraj.

It reviewed income and expenditure statements for three financial years — 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 — and found significant variations in the proportion of fee income that schools reported spending on teachers' salaries.

Records submitted in 2024 for three schools in Prayagraj showed that only Jagat Taran Golden Jubilee School met the prescribed 75% salary expenditure norm. The other institutions reportedly spent a substantially lower share of their fee income on teachers' salaries.

In one case, a prominent CBSE school in Shivkuti reported spending only 34.45% of its income on teachers' salaries in 2021-22. The proportion increased to 42.33% in 2022-23 and 42.79% in 2023-24, according to the financial statements examined by the committee.

The records showed considerable variations in salary expenditure among schools over the three-year period, with several institutions reporting figures well below the stipulated 75% level.

35 Prayagraj schools served notices

The committee has expressed concern that the discrepancies identified in Prayagraj could also exist in other districts. It has therefore ordered a wider examination of school records.

Following the directions, Prayagraj Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) Anil Kumar issued notices to 35 private secondary schools, seeking details of their total income and expenditure on teachers' salaries.

“Reports have been sought from 35 schools regarding their income and payments made towards teachers’ salaries,” BSA Anil Kumar said.

The schools will now be required to provide financial details that can help authorities determine whether they are complying with the prescribed salary expenditure requirement.

Wider scrutiny of private school finances

The exercise is expected to establish whether the alleged shortfall is limited to a small number of institutions or reflects a broader pattern among private secondary schools.

The committee's examination has also brought greater attention to the financial practices of private schools, particularly the relationship between fee collections and expenditure on teaching staff.

Officials are expected to examine the records submitted by schools across the five districts before preparing the report sought by the Legislative Council committee.

The findings could determine whether further action or financial scrutiny is required against institutions found to be violating the prescribed norms.

For Indian students aspiring to become doctors, studying medicine abroad can open the door to international education and clinical experience. Countries such as the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are popular destinations because of their established medical education systems.

However, there is an important point prospective students need to understand before choosing a foreign medical university: a medical degree from one of these countries does not automatically mean an Indian graduate can return and practise in India without FMGE or other NMC requirements.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has specific rules governing foreign medical graduates seeking registration in India. Under the current framework, an exemption from the screening-test requirement applies in specific circumstances involving both an undergraduate medical qualification and a recognised postgraduate medical qualification from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK or the US.

Here is what Indian students should know about studying medicine in these five countries.

1. United States

The US medical education system is different from India's MBBS structure. Students generally complete a four-year undergraduate degree before entering a four-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) programme.

The pathway therefore usually takes longer than the conventional MBBS route in India. Medical education places strong emphasis on scientific foundations, clinical training and residency-based professional development.

For Indian students considering the US, it is particularly important to understand the difference between obtaining an MD and becoming eligible to practise medicine in India.

The NMC's exemption provisions specifically refer to holders of an undergraduate medical qualification from the US who have also obtained a recognised postgraduate medical qualification there and are licensed to practise in that jurisdiction.

2. United Kingdom

The UK remains one of the most attractive destinations for Indian students interested in international medical education.

Medical degrees may be awarded as MBBS, MBChB or equivalent qualifications, depending on the university. Undergraduate medical programmes generally combine classroom learning with clinical exposure, with students gaining experience within the UK's healthcare system.

The UK also has a well-established postgraduate medical training pathway.

For Indian graduates, however, studying medicine in the UK should not be confused with an automatic FMGE exemption. The NMC's current guidance specifies conditions involving both undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications for the exemption.

3. Canada

Canada follows a medical education model that, like the US, generally requires students to complete an undergraduate degree before entering medical school.

Medical education combines foundational sciences with clinical training, followed by postgraduate residency.

For Indian students, Canada can offer exposure to a highly developed healthcare system and internationally respected medical training. But the length, admission requirements and licensing pathway make it essential to plan the entire academic journey before applying.

The NMC specifically includes Canada among the jurisdictions covered by its screening-test exemption provision, subject to the prescribed qualification and recognition conditions.

4. Australia

Australia offers several pathways into medical education, including undergraduate-entry and graduate-entry programmes.

Depending on the university and pathway, students may pursue medical qualifications through integrated programmes combining pre-clinical education and extensive clinical training.

Australian medical education is attractive to international students because of its strong clinical component and established healthcare system.

However, Indian students should check the NMC requirements applicable to their exact qualification and graduation pathway before enrolling. The current NMC guidance identifies Australia among the countries covered by the specific exemption provision, but the exemption is not simply based on holding an undergraduate medical degree there.

5. New Zealand

New Zealand is another destination for students seeking an internationally oriented medical education.

The country's medical training pathway includes foundational and pre-clinical education followed by clinical learning and hospital-based experience.

New Zealand is also specifically named in the NMC's provisions concerning foreign medical graduates who may qualify for an exemption from the screening test under specified conditions.

Again, students should look beyond the country name and verify whether their exact undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications meet the NMC's requirements.

Does Studying MBBS Abroad Automatically Exempt You From FMGE?

No.

This is the most important point for Indian students planning to study medicine abroad.

The NMC's current information states that the screening-test exemption applies to a person holding an undergraduate medical qualification from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK or the US, provided that the person has also been awarded a postgraduate medical qualification in one of these countries and that qualification is recognised for enrolment as a medical practitioner there.

The NMC also states that it does not endorse a general list of foreign medical universities for Indian students. Students are advised to independently verify the course, duration, curriculum, internship and other requirements before taking admission.

The current Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021 also prescribe requirements for foreign medical graduates, including a minimum course duration and medical education equivalent to the MBBS curriculum in India.

What Indian Students Should Check Before Studying Medicine Abroad

Choosing a country is only the first step. Before paying admission fees, students should verify:

• Whether the medical qualification is recognised for medical practice in the country where it is awarded
• Whether the programme meets the NMC's applicable foreign medical graduate requirements
• Course duration and curriculum
• Clinical training and internship requirements
• Medium of instruction
• Eligibility for registration in the country of study
• Whether additional internship or registration requirements apply in India
• The latest NMC regulations applicable to their batch

The NMC specifically advises students not to rely solely on university advertisements or claims of "NMC recognition" when selecting a foreign medical institution.

The Bottom Line

The US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand remain important destinations for Indian students considering medical education abroad. Their healthcare systems, universities and clinical training opportunities can make them attractive choices.

But the phrase "study MBBS abroad and practise in India without FMGE" needs to be treated carefully.

For students planning their careers under the current rules, an undergraduate medical degree from one of these five countries does not by itself guarantee an FMGE exemption. The NMC's current exemption provision contains additional conditions relating to postgraduate qualifications and recognition for medical practice in the relevant country.

Therefore, students should verify the latest NMC regulations before choosing a university or country. A decision based on the complete licensing pathway—not simply tuition fees, rankings or claims of an "FMGE-free" route—can help avoid serious problems when it is time to seek medical registration in India.

IIT vs NIT Fees: For students aspiring to pursue engineering in India, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs) are among the most preferred choices. Admission to these institutions is highly competitive, with students seeking IIT admission through JEE Advanced after qualifying JEE Main, while NIT admissions are primarily based on JEE Main scores.

However, getting admission is only one part of the decision. Students and parents also want to know how much a BTech degree costs, whether IITs are significantly more expensive than NITs and which institutes offer better placement opportunities.

Here is a comparison of IIT and NIT fees, along with their placement prospects.

What Are IITs and NITs?

The IITs are a group of centrally funded technical institutions known for engineering education, research and innovation. Admission to undergraduate engineering programmes at IITs is based on JEE Advanced performance.

NITs are also centrally funded technical institutions and are among India's leading engineering colleges. Admission to BTech programmes at NITs is primarily based on JEE Main scores.

Both IITs and NITs offer undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes across engineering, technology and related disciplines.

IIT Fee Structure for BTech

The cost of pursuing a four-year BTech programme at an IIT varies from one institute to another and depends on the student's category, programme and other institutional charges.

For many students, the overall academic fee for a four-year BTech programme can run into several lakh rupees. In addition to tuition fees, students may have to pay hostel, examination, registration, laboratory and other institutional charges.

IITs also provide significant fee exemptions and concessions to eligible students, including students belonging to SC and ST categories. Family-income-based tuition fee waivers may also be available to eligible students under applicable rules.

Therefore, students should check the latest fee circular of the specific IIT they are targeting rather than relying on a single fee figure for all IITs.

NIT Fee Structure for BTech

NIT fees also vary across institutions and programmes. Students generally pay tuition fees along with hostel, examination, registration and other institutional charges.

Eligible students can receive tuition fee exemptions or concessions under government and institutional provisions. SC and ST students, in particular, may receive tuition fee exemptions, while income-based concessions are available to certain other eligible students.

As a result, the actual amount paid by a student can differ considerably from the published fee structure.

IIT vs NIT: Which Is More Expensive?

In general, there is no single fee applicable to all IITs or all NITs. The total cost depends on the institute, category, family income, hostel requirements and other charges.

For a student paying the full applicable tuition fee, the overall cost of studying at an IIT can be comparable to or somewhat higher than that at an NIT. However, scholarships and fee waivers can substantially reduce the financial burden.

Therefore, students should compare the complete four-year cost, including tuition, hostel, mess and other charges, instead of comparing tuition fees alone.

IIT vs NIT Placements: Which Is Better?

Placements are another major factor influencing the choice between an IIT and an NIT.

The older and more established IITs generally have strong placement records, particularly in computer science, electrical engineering, mathematics and computing, electronics and other high-demand fields. Top recruiters across technology, consulting, finance and core engineering sectors participate in IIT placement processes.

NITs also have strong placement records, particularly among the leading institutes such as NIT Tiruchirappalli (NIT Trichy), NITK Surathkal and NIT Rourkela. Recruiters from technology, manufacturing, consulting and other sectors visit these campuses.

However, placement outcomes vary significantly by institute, branch, graduating batch and individual student performance. It is therefore misleading to assume that every IIT will automatically offer better placements than every NIT.

IIT or NIT: Which Should You Choose?

If a student has the option between a top IIT and an NIT, the IIT may offer stronger brand value, research opportunities, alumni networks and access to recruiters, depending on the institute and branch.

At the same time, a top NIT can be a better choice than a lower-ranked IIT for a student who gets a preferred branch at the NIT.

Students should therefore consider four factors before making a final decision:

• Institute reputation and ranking
• Preferred engineering branch
• Total four-year cost
• Recent placement performance

Ultimately, the choice between an IIT and an NIT should not be based on fees or placement packages alone. The institute, branch, academic environment, career goals and financial circumstances should all be considered before taking the final admission decision.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming classrooms, workplaces, and the way students learn. From generating presentations to assisting with coding and research, AI has become an everyday learning tool. However, education experts argue that while technology can enhance learning, it should never replace the human abilities that define meaningful education.

The challenge for schools today is not whether students should use AI, but how they can ensure technology complements independent thinking rather than substituting it.

AI Can Solve Problems, But Humans Must Learn to Think

Technology has made many daily tasks effortless. Just as navigation apps have reduced our need to memorise routes, AI can now answer questions, summarise information, and generate content within seconds.

This convenience raises an important question for educators: If AI provides answers instantly, how will students develop the ability to analyse, question, and solve problems independently?

Experts believe education must move beyond memorising facts and instead cultivate judgement, curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking—qualities that remain uniquely human.

Future-Ready Skills Matter More Than Ever

While technical knowledge continues to be important, employers increasingly value skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

These include:

• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Creativity and innovation
• Effective communication
• Empathy and emotional intelligence
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Adaptability and resilience
• Ethical decision-making

As workplaces become more automated and interdisciplinary, these competencies will distinguish successful professionals from those who rely solely on technical expertise.

Schools Must Redesign Learning Experiences

Experts say classrooms should encourage students to think independently instead of simply finding the correct answer.

Activities such as classroom discussions, debates, collaborative projects, presentations, creative assignments, and real-world problem-solving exercises help students develop confidence, leadership, and analytical thinking.

Schools are also being encouraged to teach students how to use AI responsibly—leveraging it as a learning assistant while maintaining originality, critical judgement, and academic integrity.

Global Education Systems Are Rethinking AI

Countries around the world are developing policies to balance AI adoption with foundational learning.

For example, Norway has announced that generative AI should not be used by primary school students. The country believes younger learners must first develop strong reading, writing, numeracy, and independent thinking skills before relying on AI tools. Older students are introduced to AI gradually under teacher supervision.

The approach reflects a broader global shift towards integrating AI without compromising essential cognitive development.

Parents and Policymakers Have a Shared Responsibility

Preparing students for an AI-driven future requires collaboration among schools, families, and policymakers.

Rather than resisting AI, experts recommend teaching children to use it responsibly, ethically, and thoughtfully. Students should understand both the capabilities and limitations of AI while continuing to strengthen the human skills that machines cannot replace.

Ultimately, the purpose of education extends beyond producing correct answers. It is about nurturing judgement, creativity, resilience, empathy, communication, and lifelong learning.

As AI continues to evolve, these qualities will remain the foundation of meaningful education, effective leadership, and long-term career success. Schools that prioritise these competencies today will be better equipped to prepare students for tomorrow's rapidly changing world.

With Class 12 results declared and college admissions underway, students and parents across India face one of the most important decisions of their academic journey—should they choose a government college or a private college? While government institutions are known for affordability and prestige, private colleges often attract students with modern infrastructure, industry-oriented courses and attractive placement claims.

Education experts advise students not to make admission decisions based solely on brand names or marketing campaigns. Instead, factors such as fees, return on investment (ROI), academic quality, placements, infrastructure, faculty, peer group and career goals should be carefully evaluated before paying lakhs in tuition fees.

Fees and Return on Investment (ROI)

One of the biggest differences between government and private colleges is the cost of education.

Government institutions, including central universities, state universities, IITs, NITs and many public colleges, receive government funding, allowing them to charge significantly lower tuition fees. This makes them an affordable option for students from middle- and lower-income families.

Private colleges, on the other hand, often charge several lakhs in tuition, hostel and miscellaneous fees. Before opting for a private institution, students should calculate the Return on Investment (ROI) by comparing the total cost of education with expected placement opportunities and average salary packages after graduation.

Infrastructure and Learning Facilities

Private colleges generally have an advantage in terms of campus infrastructure. Many offer air-conditioned classrooms, modern laboratories, digital libraries, high-speed internet, smart classrooms, updated curricula and well-maintained hostels. Their academic programmes are often revised more frequently to align with changing industry requirements.

In comparison, some government colleges continue to face challenges such as ageing infrastructure, bureaucratic delays and limited resources. However, India's premier public institutions—including IITs, IIMs and leading central universities—provide world-class academic and research facilities comparable to global standards.

Placements and Brand Value

A degree from a reputed government institution continues to carry significant value in the job market. Employers often regard graduates from top public colleges as highly competitive due to rigorous admission processes and academic standards.

Many leading multinational companies actively recruit from premier government institutions. While several Tier-1 private universities also have strong placement records, many other private colleges primarily attract mass recruiters offering comparatively modest salary packages.

Students should review verified placement statistics, median salaries and recruiter profiles rather than relying solely on promotional claims.

Peer Group and Campus Environment

Admission to government colleges is usually based on highly competitive entrance examinations such as JEE, NEET and CUET, creating an academically strong peer group. Studying alongside high-performing students can encourage healthy competition, collaboration and personal growth.

Private colleges often admit students through multiple admission routes, including direct admissions and management quotas, resulting in a more diverse student population. While this offers exposure to varied backgrounds, the academic competitiveness may differ across institutions.

Which College Should You Choose?

If you secure admission to a reputed government college, it is often the better choice due to its lower fees, strong academic reputation and higher ROI. However, if the available government college lacks quality faculty, laboratories or placement support, a well-established private college with proven academic outcomes and industry connections may offer a better learning experience.

Ultimately, a successful career depends not only on the college you attend but also on your skills, internships, networking, continuous learning and professional development. Choosing an institution that aligns with your career goals, financial capacity and academic aspirations is the key to making a smart higher education investment.

Six years after the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 was approved, India's education reforms have reached a critical juncture. While the policy has successfully shifted the focus towards student-centric learning, multidisciplinary education, and competency-based teaching, education leaders argue that the next phase must move beyond compliance and concentrate on stronger implementation, teacher empowerment, foundational learning, and preparing students for an AI-driven world.

Educationist Sunita Swaraj, who has nearly three decades of experience as a teacher, principal, CBSE resource person, NTA trainer, and master trainer, believes the policy has laid a robust foundation but now requires a cultural transformation within schools.

"Educational transformation does not happen through policy documents alone. It happens when teachers are empowered, school leaders are trusted, and classrooms become spaces where curiosity, creativity, and inquiry are valued," she says.

Having trained thousands of educators from leading CBSE schools, including Delhi Public School, RK Puram, and Modern School, Barakhamba Road, Swaraj implemented several practices at The Heritage School, Vasant Kunj, that later became central to NEP 2020. These included experiential learning, interdisciplinary education, student agency, and teacher development. She also introduced Harvard University's Pre-Texts pedagogy, encouraging students to become active participants in constructing knowledge rather than passive learners.

Her academic journey at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and admission to the Harvard Kennedy School has further reinforced her belief that successful education systems invest in teachers, build strong school leadership, embrace innovation, and keep children at the centre of every decision.

Why NEP 2020 Was Necessary

Approved on July 29, 2020, the National Education Policy replaced the 1986 education framework, which had been designed for a different era. The earlier policy focused primarily on expanding access to education, while NEP sought to address modern challenges such as critical thinking, employability, flexibility, and lifelong learning.

Prepared under the leadership of former ISRO Chairman Dr. K. Kasturirangan, the policy emerged after one of India's largest public consultation exercises. It identified two major challenges that continue to remain relevant—an examination system driven by rote learning and the neglect of early childhood education between the ages of three and six.

Significant Progress in Six Years

Several structural reforms envisioned under NEP have now begun taking shape. The new 5+3+3+4 school structure has been adopted across states. Competency-based assessments, project-based learning, arts integration, vocational education, coding, digital learning resources, and flexible subject choices are gradually becoming more common in schools.

Higher education has also witnessed major reforms through the Academic Bank of Credits, allowing students greater flexibility to pause and resume degree programmes. The establishment of the National Research Foundation aims to strengthen India's research ecosystem, while conversations around student well-being, inclusion, and mental health have become more mainstream.

One of the policy's most significant priorities remains Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN). Swaraj notes that the emphasis on early learning is crucial because children's future academic success largely depends on strong foundational reading and arithmetic skills.

Challenges Continue

Despite encouraging progress, implementation remains uneven.

Reports such as the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) continue to show that many children struggle with basic reading and mathematics despite high enrolment levels. The COVID-19 pandemic further widened learning gaps, particularly among disadvantaged communities.

Funding also remains a concern. Public expenditure on education continues to hover around 3 percent of GDP, well below the 6 percent target recommended by NEP itself. Teacher education reforms are progressing slowly, while subject flexibility remains limited outside well-resourced schools. The policy's emphasis on mother-tongue instruction has also encountered practical challenges in many states.

"The next phase of NEP implementation must focus not only on access to schooling but on ensuring meaningful learning outcomes," Swaraj emphasises.

AI Demands a New Educational Mindset

Six years after NEP's launch, another major disruption has transformed education—the rapid rise of artificial intelligence.

Although NEP encourages conceptual understanding and problem-solving over memorisation, experts argue that it primarily views technology as a tool for delivering education rather than as a force reshaping what students actually need to learn.

With AI now capable of writing essays, generating computer code, and analysing information instantly, education must increasingly prioritise uniquely human capabilities such as critical thinking, ethical reasoning, judgement, creativity, collaboration, and metacognition.

Education and National Competitiveness

Experts also argue that education can no longer be viewed only as a social development issue. As geopolitical competition increasingly revolves around technology, innovation, and skilled human capital, education has become a strategic national priority.

Building a technologically capable workforce will require greater public investment, stronger research ecosystems, continuous teacher development, and education systems that prepare students for emerging industries.

The Generational Opportunity

India's future will largely be shaped by Generation Z and Generation Alpha, who together constitute more than half the country's population. With fertility rates now below replacement levels, the country's demographic dividend is gradually narrowing, making every year of educational reform increasingly significant.

Experts argue that NEP should therefore remain a dynamic policy rather than a static document. Just as software receives regular updates, education policy must continuously evolve to respond to changing technologies, labour markets, and societal needs.

The Road Ahead

Education leaders believe the next phase of NEP implementation must move beyond administrative compliance toward creating a genuine culture of learning.

The Centre must increase investment in education while incentivising states to improve actual learning outcomes rather than merely implementing reforms on paper. States must strengthen teacher training and classroom support, while private schools should move beyond using NEP as a branding exercise and instead experiment with innovative teaching practices that can be shared across the education system.

Six years after its launch, NEP 2020 continues to provide a strong blueprint for transforming Indian education. However, its long-term success will depend not only on policy reforms but also on empowered teachers, capable school leaders, sustained public investment, and classrooms that truly nurture curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning.