A new analysis of higher education enrolment in India shows that over the last decade, caste representation has indeed changed dramatically, with a majority across universities and colleges now comprising students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.

Based on 13 years of the All-India Survey of Higher Education, or AISHE, the findings challenge long-standing claims regarding "upper-caste dominance" in this sector.

A study by the Centre for Development Policy and Management at IIM Udaipur (CDPM) draws on AISHE data from 2010–11 to 2022–23, covering 60,380 institutions and 43.8 million students.

The dataset, described by researchers Venkatramanan Krishnamurthy, Thiyagarajan Jayaraman, and Dina Banerjee, is among the most comprehensive assessments of caste representation in Indian higher education.

"This report breaks many of the conventional myths about the social profile of students in Indian higher education," said Prof. Krishnamurthy. 

American sociologist Dr. Salvatore Babones welcomed the findings and observed that the paper “lays out the data on access to higher education by caste category” and should inform India’s reservation debates. Former Chief Justice B.R. Gavai is quoted in the report as again calling for extending the creamy-layer principle to SC and ST communities as well, out of concern that repeated benefits to the same families could create “a class within a class.”

Co-author Thiyagarajan echoed the concern, saying that AISHE data shows that opportunities for SC, ST, and OBC students are now “above average,” and the focus should shift to ensuring equitable distribution within these groups.

CasteFiles's analysis of the same dataset, cited in the report, found that the SC/ST/OBC students comprise 62.2 per cent enrolment in government institutions and 60 per cent in private institutions, signalling a widespread demographic shift.

 This means that social policy needs to be evidence-driven if it is going to remain effective, Dr. Babones said. The study published by CDPM of IIM Udaipur was available for researchers, journalists, and policymakers examining the long-term structural changes in Indian higher education.

Maya Devi University, Dehradun offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma courses across multiple disciplines, catering to diverse academic interests and career goals. The university emphasizes industry-aligned curricula, modern infrastructure, and practical exposure to prepare students for competitive job markets.

Courses Offered at MDU

Undergraduate courses 

School of Computer Engineering and Applications

  • B.Tech Computer Science & Engineering with IBM (4 years)
  • B.Tech Computer Science & Engineering (AIML) with IBM (4 years)
  • B.Tech Computer Science & Engineering (Data Science) with IBM (4 years)
  • B.Tech Computer Science & Engineering (Cyber Security & Forensics) with IBM (4 years)
  • B.Tech Computer Science & Engineering (General, AIML, Data Science, Cyber Security)
  • BCA and specialized BCA programs in AIML, Data Science, Cyber Security

School of Hotel Management and Tourism

  • Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM)
  • BHM Lateral Entry
  • Bachelor of Hotel Management & Catering Technology (BHMCT) and Lateral Entry

School of Engineering

  • B.Tech Mechanical Engineering (Mechatronics)
  • B.Tech Civil Engineering (General and Structural Engineering)
  • B.Tech ECE (VLSI & Embedded System, Robotics & AI)
  • B.Tech Aerospace Engineering
  • Lateral entry programs for diploma holders in relevant streams

School of Commerce and Management

  • BBA specializations include Human Resources, Aviation Management, Marketing Management, FinTech, Digital Marketing, Logistic Management
  • B.Com Finance and B.Com Taxation and Accounting

School of Life and Applied Sciences

  • B.Sc Non-Medical (PCM), Medical (CBZ), and specializations like Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Zoology, Botany, Environmental Science
  • B.Sc Forensic Science and B.Sc (Hons) Forensic Science
  • B.Sc Microbiology, Biotechnology, and their honors courses

School of Pharmacy

  • B.Pharm and lateral entry
  • M.Pharm in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacology

School of Agriculture and Technology

  • B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture and Horticulture
  • B.Sc Food Technology and advanced honors

School of Health Sciences and Paramedical

  • B.Sc Medical Lab Technology, Radio Imaging Technology, Operation Theatre Technology, Cardiac Care Technology, Dialysis Technology, Anaesthesia Technology
  • Diploma programs in various specializations

School of Arts and Humanities

  • BA programs in Yoga, Maths, Psychology, English, Sociology, Political Science, Economics, Hindi, Geography, Fine Arts, Journalism & Mass Communication

School of Skill Development and Vocational Studies

  • Bachelor programs in E-commerce & Digital Marketing, Bakery & Pastry Arts, Sales & Marketing, Food Production, Pharma Assistance, Computer Technology

School of Nursing

  • B.Sc Nursing

School of Law and Legal Studies

  • Integrated BA LLB, BBA LLB, and LLB

School of Education

  • Bachelor of Education (B.Ed)

Postgraduate Programs

  • M.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering specializations
  • MCA and MCA specializations (AIML, Data Science, Cybersecurity)
  • M.Sc in various science disciplines including Forensic Science
  • MBA in multiple specializations
  • Master's programs in hotel management, engineering, commerce, life sciences, health sciences, and social sciences

Diploma Programs

  • Diploma in Bakery & Confectionery, Food Production
  • Diploma in Pharmacy
  • Diplomas related to Rehabilitation, Prosthetics & Orthotics, Indian Sign Language, Nursing Assistant

Maya Devi University offers eligibility criteria mostly requiring 10+2 or equivalent with specific stream requirements for undergraduate courses, and bachelor's degrees in related fields for postgraduate enrollments. Many programs demand minimum marks around 45-50%. The university also facilitates lateral entry options for diploma holders.

This extensive and diverse course portfolio at Maya Devi University positions it as a hub for professional, technical, and vocational education, aligned with industry demands and equipped for fostering future-ready graduates.

A Data-Driven View on Policy, Jobs and the Talent Gap

India is entering a new era of crime, justice and digital risk. From UPI frauds, ransomware and deepfake extortion to financial scams and cyber-enabled corporate crime, the traditional “eyewitness + confession” model of investigation is no longer enough. Governments, police forces, regulators, corporates and courts increasingly depend on forensic science—physical, digital, biological and financial—to solve crimes and secure evidence.

At the same time, student interest in forensic careers is rising, aided by visible policy push, pop-culture influence, media coverage and the explosion of cyber-crime. The Government of India is investing heavily in forensic infrastructure and training, signalling a structural long-term demand for skilled forensic professionals.

This convergence creates a significant opportunity for universities:
Launching a B.Sc. Forensic Science programme now gives institutions a first-mover advantage in one of India’s fastest-growing education and career sectors.

National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES)

In 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES) with an outlay of ₹2,254.43 crore for 2024–29. The scheme includes:

  • New campuses of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU)
  • New Central Forensic Science Labs (CFSLs)
  • Upgradation of existing forensic labs
  • Infrastructure expansion to meet increased workload under new criminal laws, which mandate forensic investigation for all offences with punishment ≥7 years

NFIES marks a structural shift in India's justice system—embedding scientific evidence at the core of policing and prosecution.

2 NFSU Expansion: 30,000 Forensic Experts Needed Every Year

According to a Ministry of Home Affairs briefing:

  • 16 NFSU campuses already approved
  • Plan to build 26 campuses in total
  • 36,000 trained students will graduate annually
    Estimated requirement: 30,000 forensic professionals per year
  • ₹1,300 crore for 9 new NFSU campuses
  • ₹860 crore for seven new CFSLs
  • Forensic mobile vans for every district

At an NFSU event in Chhattisgarh, the Home Minister stated that “NFSU graduation means a job guarantee”—reflecting a severe talent shortage. Private/state universities launching forensic programmes will plug directly into a national talent pipeline.

3. Limited Education Supply

India currently has just 150–170 institutions offering B.Sc. Forensic Science—far below the national requirement.

A ministerial estimate (2023) projected:

  • 90,000 forensic scientists required by 2032
  • 18% job growth expected between 2024–2034

Even with NFSU expansion, India faces a massive talent deficit.

4. Student Demand is Surging 

Multiple trends show strong and growing student attraction:

  • University pages highlight forensic science as a “high-demand, interdisciplinary, application-driven programme”.
    Exam ecosystems like AIFSET report increasing registrations.
  • Media coverage of NFSU as a “job-guarantee” destination boosts interest.
    Rising cyber-crime makes the field personally relevant to families.

The aspirational shift is clear: Students want real-world, investigative, cyber-oriented careers beyond traditional MBBS/B.Tech pathways.

Career Outcomes: A Strong, Diverse, Expanding Market

India’s forensic science graduates today enter one of the most diverse and fast-expanding employment markets in the country. The biggest recruiters continue to be government and law-enforcement agencies, including State and Central Forensic Science Laboratories, crime-scene investigation units, cyber-crime police stations, and national agencies such as the CBI, NIA and IB, which increasingly require specialists in digital evidence and scientific investigation. Parallel to this, the cyber-security and digital-forensics sector has created a strong demand pipeline across IT companies, product firms, banks, fintechs and insurance organisations, all of which now maintain cyber-incident response teams and digital-risk units. Financial-crime and forensic-audit careers are also growing rapidly, with Big Four consulting firms, risk-advisory companies and corporate compliance teams hiring graduates for fraud detection, investigation and audit roles. Corporate investigations, regulatory bodies and internal-audit divisions further expand opportunities in data forensics, AML, e-discovery and fraud-risk management. Salary benchmarks reflect the strength of the field: entry-level packages typically range between ₹3–6 LPA, mid-career professionals earn around ₹6–10 LPA, while digital-forensics specialists command ₹7–12 LPA and forensic consultants often begin at ₹8–15 LPA or more. Forensic science, therefore, is not merely an interesting area of study—it is an employability-rich, commercially strong discipline with long-term stability.

Why Universities Should Act Now

For universities, the urgency to build capacity in forensic science aligns perfectly with NEP 2020, which emphasises interdisciplinary learning that blends science, technology, law and behavioural studies. Forensic education seamlessly integrates biology, chemistry, physics, digital forensics, cyber-security, criminology, law and psychology, making it a model NEP-aligned programme. Institutions that move early also gain significant regional first-mover advantage, often becoming hubs that attract students from neighbouring states and enabling partnerships with police departments, cyber cells and compliance ecosystems. With national policy tailwinds—NFIES, NFSU expansion and new criminal laws mandating forensic processes—the discipline carries multi-decade relevance, an opportunity rare in higher education planning.

Model Programme Structure

A model B.Sc. Forensic Science programme can be structured across three years, beginning with foundational courses such as introductory forensics, biology, anatomy, chemistry, criminal law and Crime Scene Investigation in Year 1. The second year typically includes toxicology, fingerprint and document analysis, forensic physics, psychology, criminology and intensive laboratory work. By Year 3, students progress to cyber forensics, ballistics, forensic medicine, dissertations and internships, supported by electives such as DNA forensics, cloud forensics, forensic audit and forensic anthropology. Value-added components like courtroom testimony, legal writing and communication further strengthen student readiness. Once the undergraduate programme stabilises, institutions can expand vertically into M.Sc. specialisations and executive programmes for police personnel, cyber professionals and corporate investigators—creating a complete UG-PG-professional training ecosystem.

EdInbox supports universities through this entire journey by offering entrance-exam pipelines such as AIFSET, curriculum support, digital counselling, nationwide admissions outreach, marketing amplification and recruiter connections. This integrated model allows institutions to quickly tap into a large national pool of aspirants while also building industry-aligned programmes that address India’s growing demand for forensic-science professionals.

 

The Chancellor of Parul University notes a dramatic shift in student aspirations over just three years. “In the last three years, we have seen Forensic Science evolve from a niche discipline into one of the most dynamic and industry-aligned programmes in the country. The surge in demand for students specialising in digital forensics, forensic toxicology and crime-scene investigation demonstrates how deeply scientific investigation is now embedded in modern policing and corporate security. Our B.Sc and M.Sc Forensic Science programmes have recorded some of the fastest growth in applications across our university ecosystem, and we are now expanding our infrastructure and research collaborations to meet this remarkable demand.”

At Vivekananda Global University, the trend is equally striking. The CEO emphasises the rapid scaling of their forensic programme.“At VGU, the Forensic Science programme has seen a year-on-year increase in applications and admissions, making it one of the fastest-scaling science programmes we offer. The combination of strong laboratory exposure, industry internships and emerging career options in cyber-forensics and forensic auditing has made this domain extremely attractive to students and parents. With the national focus on evidence-based justice and scientific policing, the relevance of forensic education is only expected to accelerate further in the coming years.”

The shift is not limited to academic interest alone. Institutions are now recognising forensic science as a future-proof investment. The Secretary of RR Institutions points out the strategic importance of this field for India’s crime-control and cyber-security ecosystem. “Forensic Science is no longer just an academic programme — it is a strategic educational investment aligned with India’s crime-control and cyber-security future. At RR Institutions, we have observed tremendous student interest and strong placement potential in forensic-oriented roles across cyber-crime units, police departments, financial-fraud investigation and digital evidence management. With the Government’s push towards establishing forensic units across districts, the demand-supply gap will continue to widen, offering extraordinary opportunities for graduates in this domain.”

Across campuses, one message is clear: forensic science is no longer an afterthought. It is a rapidly expanding educational frontier—one that blends science, technology, law and investigation, and one that will play a critical role in shaping India’s future workforce for safety, security and justice.

Anu Kumari, District Collector of Thiruvananthapuram, on Wednesday made it clear that participation of student groups would be purely on a voluntary basis and nobody would be compelled to join the ongoing SIR process in the State.

Reacting to the instructions by Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty to the education department officials to ensure that learning of students is not disturbed after receiving official letters from EROs seeking deployment of student volunteers for SIR of the electoral roll, Thiruvananthapuram District Collector said that they have taken note of it and students who have exams can avoid it.

Since they have exams their study should not be impacted. We have taken note of that. Most of our volunteers are college students. It is mostly first-year students who have come forward, as 2nd and 3rd year students have exams. It is a voluntary activity. Students who have time available are welcome. School students who have exams can avoid it. Going door to door is the work of BLOs. Volunteers are helping in mapping and digitization," she added.

Earlier, Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty had expressed his concern in the backdrop of a set of educational institutions in Kozhikode and Thrissur receiving official letters from EROs demanding the services of student volunteers, including members of NSS, NCC, Scouts, Guides and Souhrida Club for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll.

He said strict instructions have been issued to officials of the Education Department to ensure that the students' learning is not disrupted.

Speaking to reporters, V Sivankutty said, "The demand by some revenue officials to deploy National Service Scheme and NCC student volunteers for election-related duties, including the revision of the voter list, will adversely affect children's studies. According to the Right to Education Act, students' instructional time must be protected. Though the NSS and NCC encourage extracurricular activities and social service, it is not proper to continuously keep students out of regular classes on academic days to engage them in office work and field duties." "Using children for official work, unrelated to educational purposes, amounts to denying students their right to education. Stringent directions have been given to the officials in the education department to see that the studies of the students are not affected," he said. 

Presently, as part of the intensive electoral roll verification, the Election Commission of India has designated a total of 5,623 personnel working under the education department as Booth Level Officers. Of these, 2,938 are teachers, 2,104 are non-teaching staff, and 581 fall under the category of others. V Sivankutty further said, "The state government has urged the Central Government to immediately release the SSK fund. The state has sent a letter to the Centre pointing this out. The SSK fund has not been released for the past two and half years. Out of Rs 456 crore, only Rs 91.42 crore has been sanctioned by the Centre. BJP's state leaders and Union ministers are intervening in withholding the funds. The state BJP leadership and the Union ministers from Kerala have a role in blocking the funds in this manner. They must respond to this or take steps to ensure that the money that rightfully belongs to the state is released."

Crosscheck with the solutions for calculating how much you can score. Further, go through the details of the CBSE class 10 mathematics paper pattern and marking scheme to ace your board exams.

Mathematics Basic and Mathematics Standard papers will be the first paper to be held when the CBSE Class 10 board exams 2026 begin on February 17. While Math Basic tests conceptual clarity and problem-solving skills, this is an apt time for comprehensive practice by the students to build up their speed.

Sample papers available through CBSE help the student get used to the pattern of questions, along with the marking scheme and chapter-wise weightage. It develops familiarity with different types of questions-from short-answer sums to application-based problems.

Sample Paper CBSE 2026 class 10 Mathematics, already issued on the CBSE academic website, has been developed according to the latest exam pattern. In this way, they'll locate calculation mistakes and conceptual gaps that need revision.

Doing sample papers regularly enhances one's confidence, problem-solving capabilities, and accuracy. Every attempt helps students to revise formulas, practice calculations, and understand which chapters need more attention.

Spend time such that at least twice a week one can have mock tests. Go through important formulae and theorems quite often. Keep a separate notebook for tricky sums and common mistakes.

Sample papers for all subjects in CBSE Class 10, 2026 are available on the official website of CBSE and can be downloaded for preparation.

According to experts, 40 percent of the total marks lost in the board exams were essentially due to weak recall and poor time management. It points to a deeper challenge every year: students are putting in more hours of study, but the effectiveness of those hours is simply not rising at the same pace.

Board examinations nowadays require much more than mere acquaintance with contents.

The recent learning assessments also bring out the fact that nearly 40% of the marks lost in board papers arise out of weak recall and timing rather than conceptual gaps, depicting the urgent need for structured preparation.

Success in examinations has come to involve the retrieval, application, and presentation of information within set timeframes; hence, students should adopt methods that fall in line with how the brain learns best.

Swati Jain, Editor-in-Chief at Oswaal Books shares expert tips on time management and smart revision for Board Exam 2026.

WHY TRADITIONAL STUDY HABITS COME UP SHORT AND STRUCTURE COUNTS MORE NOW

A more careful examination of student evaluation data reveals that many of our common study habits are a poor match for how the brain retains information. Long, uninterrupted blocks of reading breed familiarity, but not necessarily how to recall that information on an exam.

This evidences the limits of passive study whereby, under timed conditions, students cannot access what they think they have mastered.

Parents see this gap play out at home: despite extended study hours, students report inconsistent mock test scores along with rising anxiety.

It is not that effort but the approach is the problem. Board exams increasingly reward preparation that builds retrieval strength, pacing, and conceptual clarity, not prolonged reading.

Structured preparation has, therefore, become the strongest predictor of performance across schools and coaching centers. 

First, there is time management aligned with cognitive efficiency: high-achieving students chunk their study time into shorter, focused sessions. Across-school research shows that better retention occurs when students begin their day with the subjects they perceive as most difficult.

This also aligns preparation with natural cycles of brain alertness, minimizing fatigue during late-stage revision.

Mock testing is the second pillar, ably supported by sample papers and question banks, which have grown from being mere supplementary study material to an integral part of board preparation. Students taking a set of timed mock papers-ideally eight to ten for each subject-show measurable improvement in precision and speed.

Mock tests and curated question banks highlight, in a manner that regular textbook reading cannot, patterns that might include competency gaps, sluggish writing speed, or errors under pressure. Testing on a regular basis reduces anxiety through the growth of familiarity with the format of the examination.

The third pillar refers to smart revision, reinforcing long-term retention, not overloading students with volume.

Passive re-reading is probably the least effective of all the revision practices. In active recall, students attempt to write or explain something before looking back into the text. This greatly enhances memory. Revision cycles spread over weeks help the information move from temporary familiarity to stable recall.

Adequate sleep will then help to consolidate this information, and rest is a vital component of late-stage preparation.

A constant, calm environment enforces steady performance much better than pressure does. Examiners always look for clarity, logical flow, and well-structured answers. Long answers aren't always the mark-fetching ones. Students will be rewarded for the demonstration of understanding, consistency throughout the sections, and the ability to apply concepts under time pressure. These skills are developed by structured practice rather than by the number of hours spent studying. A more predictable path to board exam success BOARD Exams are an important milestone, but the fact is, they turn out to be much more manageable the moment a proper preparation model is in place. Where time management, mock testing, and scientifically grounded revision practices all come together, stress decreases and performance increases. Trends across schools and coaching institutes mirror the same story: structured preparation is undeniably the most reliable predictor of success. Equipped with the right system, students go into the examination hall with confidence rooted in method, not luck.

Constitution Day, also  referred to as Samvidhan Divas, is celebrated in India every year on 26th November to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1949. The Indian Constitution is the longest written constitution in the world and forms the basis for the democracy and unity of India. On this day, citizens remember the values of justice, equality, liberty, and fraternity and pay homage to the leaders who strove to secure every Indian's rights and duties.​ However, did you know there were also some women who made the Indian Constitution? Let’s take a closer look. 

Why Constitution Day Is Celebrated

Constitution Day is a reminder of the momentous event in 1949 when the Constituent Assembly of India accepted the final draft of the Constitution. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, as the chief architect, led the Drafting Committee. The Constitution came into effect on 26th January 1950, which is now celebrated as Republic Day. Constitution Day was first observed in 2015, as the purpose was to create awareness among the students and the public at large regarding the significance of the Constitution.​

Legends We don’t Know About: 15 Women of the Constituent Assembly

Although many freedom fighters and visionaries contributed to this historic document, the important contributions made by 15 women members are seldom brought to light. These women represented education, women's rights, equality, social justice, tribal rights, and health during a time when few women were seen in leadership positions.

Who were these 15 women?

  • Sarojini Naidu: India's Nightingale and first woman President of the Indian National Congress; championed women's education and equality.
  • Begum Aizaz Rasul: The only Muslim woman in the Assembly, she later became a Padma Bhushan awardee and minister for social welfare.
  • Leela Roy: Prominent leader of Bengal; worked for women's education and participation in governance.
  • Malati Choudhury: Participated in various Gandhian movements; concentrated on education and health. Dakshayani Velayudhan: The only Dalit woman member; represented Scheduled Castes and marginalized voices. 
  • Durgabai Deshmukh: Founded Andhra Mahila Sabha for women's education and demanded special provisions for women.
  • Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit: Raised global issues and pushed for better healthcare and local administration.
  • Ammu Swaminathan: Fought for women's equal rights and boldly voiced India’s belief in equality in the Assembly
  • Hansa Mehta: An advocate for absolute gender equality and the inclusion of equal rights for all citizens.
  • Sucheta Kripalani: The first woman Chief Minister of India; fought for women's education and political rights.
  • Kamla Chaudhary: Promoted social justice and women's empowerment.
  • Rajkumari Amrit Kaur: India's first Health Minister; an ardent advocate of health, women's welfare, and social reforms.
  • Purnima Banerji: Fought for socialist values, women's rights, and labor interests.
  • Annie Mascarene: Kerala's first woman MP; championed worker rights and social justice.
  • Renuka Ray: Graduated from London School of Economics; researched legal rights and equality for women.

Why Their Contribution Matters Today ?

The significance of Constitution Day in India is that it doesn’t just revolve around as a salute to Dr. Ambedkar and other visionaries who spearheaded the process but also a reminder that Indian women played an important role in shaping modern India.  These 15 women broke not only barriers of gender but also raised their voices for an inclusive, just, and equal future. Their legacy encourages and inspires students, educators, and citizens to work towards a stronger democracy and celebrate diversity. 

How India Celebrates Samvidhan Divas?

On 26th November, the schools, colleges, courts, and the government offices organize pledge ceremonies, debates, quizzes, reading of the Preamble, and awareness sessions on fundamental rights and duties. The Government of India also launches special campaigns and themes relating to unity, justice, and equality for all.

In conclusion, we should not forget that the democracy of India was not only the creation of its great leaders but also the voices of these 15 great women who defied all fear to voice their opinions. Their boldness to fight equality, justice, and rights opened the way to great inclusive India. Their legacy today calls upon all of us to cherish the values of our Constitution: justice to everyone, liberty to every person, and unity in our diversity. On this Samvidhan Divas, we should promise ourselves to continue their vision by guarding our constitutional rights as protecting them and honour them so that we can have a better and more just future generations.

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