The Staff Selection Commission has revised the format of disability certificates and restored the facility of 'own scribe' to PwBD candidates. The revisions have been made in line with revised guidelines issued by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.

Staff Selection Commission has revised the formats, regarding disability certificates related to persons with disabilities, as per the latest guidelines of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.

The new system has brought in two forms instead of the earlier three, thus streamlining the entire documentation process for lakhs of aspirants.

Under the revised framework, candidates with only one disability will use Form 5, while those with more than one have been allocated Form 6.

These new formats replace Forms 5, 6, and 7 previously referred to across the SSC notifications. This change is to bring in uniformity and simplify the verification process for the examinations.

The official notification also mentioned that candidates who are appearing in various examinations whose notifications were issued after October 16, 2024, and whose recruitment processes are still in progress will be allowed to submit the disability certificate in the revised format along with their respective Forms - V or VI as per the notification issued by the DEPwD dated October 16, 2024, or as per the earlier versions.

This transitional flexibility is expected to reduce pressure on applicants needing documents in a timely fashion.

OWN SCRIBE FACILITY RESTORED WITH NEW RULES

The move brought major relief to persons with benchmark disabilities as SSC restored the facility of 'own scribe' for examinations notified on or before December 31. The decision came after clarifications were issued by the DEPwD, which ensured candidates retain autonomy while adhering to strict compliance standards.

As per the revised guidelines, the age of the scribe shall be commensurate with the qualification requirement of the examination. In case of matriculation and Class 12-level examinations, the scribe should normally not be more than 20 years old. For graduate-level exams, the age can go up to 22 years.

The facility has made Aadhaar-based authentication mandatory for all the scribes registered under it. If verification of Aadhaar is not possible at the examination venue, the candidate will have to either opt for the scribe provided by the Commission or attempt the paper without the scribe. 

SLOTS CAN BE BOOKED FOR FORTHCOMING EXAMS 

SSC has also opened the facility of self-slot selection for the candidates who are set to take up the Junior Engineer (JE) and Sub-Inspector (SI) in Delhi Police and CAPF examinations 2025 (Paper-I) at various test centers. Selection window will remain open until November 21 at 11 pm. According to the SSC exam calendar, the Junior Engineer (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical) Examination 2025 (Paper-I) will be conducted from December 3 to 6. The Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and CAPF Examination 2025 (Paper-I) will be held from December 9 to 12.

With CBSE Class 10 and 12 board exams 2026 nearing, students across the nation are preparing to enter a challenge that is quite known but more daunting than ever. Over the last couple of years, the question papers have sharply shifted from rote-based recall to application-oriented assessment. This shift became all the more profound last year with longer reading passages, multi-layered case studies, and stringent step-marking norms across subjects. Students aiming for the 2026 exams need to realize very clearly that merely "studying more" is no longer adequate-success now lies in studying smarter, knowing new patterns, and adapting early. Based on the analysis of last year's papers and insights from the official CBSE sample papers, here are five proven strategies that would go a long way in helping them score much higher this year.

1. Build NCERT Mastery, Line by Line

Although the format of the paper has changed, CBSE relies a lot on NCERT textbooks for core question framing. Many students restrict themselves to major concepts and miss smaller but important features like diagrams, captions, data tables, and in-text boxes. Almost all direct questions in Science, Social Science, and Business Studies in board exams 2025 came from these ignored portions. 

2. Do previous papers under timed conditions.

One of the major mistakes made by the students last year was time mismanagement, and the simpler questions were often left unattempted. With longer papers and more multipart questions, timed practice became critical. Practicing twice a week with a stopwatch, doing a 90-minute half-paper drill builds speed and accuracy over time. Keeping an error log in categories such as concept gaps, careless slips, and unit errors helps them target weaknesses rather than practising randomly. Over time, students develop pattern recognition, and that is an advantage since CBSE usually repeats question styles across years. 

3. Stress Conceptual Clarity Over Memorization The current CBSE evaluation philosophy is succinct: reasoning supersedes memorising. The high scorers in the Biology and Physics papers last year received better marks because they explained the processes logically and used labelled diagrams, not because they reproduced paragraphs from textbooks. For conceptual clarity, students are encouraged to have questions like "how" and "why" for each definition, practice teaching concepts aloud, and make mind maps or flowcharts between ideas. This would ensure enhancement not only on long-term retention but also quality of written answers.

 4. Structure Answers Smartly for Higher Marks Presentation plays a silent yet vital role in scoring well. Examiners appreciate clarity, visible steps, and well-organized responses. A majority of marks in Maths and Chemistry come through stepwise reasoning, while in Humanities, the answers come through structured paragraphs with subheadings. Students are supposed to begin longer questions by stating what needs to be done, underlining key keywords, and leaving margins or space for formulae and units. A neat, confident answer sheet ensures ease in evaluation-and often better marks. 

5. Just 10 minutes every evening going through one subject that you are not studying that day can substantially consolidate long-term memory. With the CBSE moving fast toward application-based and skill-oriented assessment, students who can judiciously blend depth of understanding with smart presentation will enjoy a clear edge. Mastery over NCERTs, practicing under timed settings, maintaining a conceptual focus, structuring answers effectively, and consistent revision would help students realistically gain 10-15% marks in two months of focused preparation. Clarity, confidence, and strategy will be rewarded in the 2026 board examination, and the time to start building these begins now.

Uttar Pradesh has introduced a novel 10-day bagless school program for all government schools as part of an effort to make learning fun and to reduce the academic burden on their students in Classes 6 to 8.

This initiative supports the NEP and brings a shift from rote learning of lessons to activity-based, hands-on, and experiential learning, helping students understand concepts in a practical way.

For this, SCERT has formulated guidelines under the title 'Anandam' or Joyful Learning. The idea behind the guidelines is to bring down the student's level of stress and make them learn through fun and games rather than just lessons inside classrooms. In this process, on 10 bagless days, students would go on educational tours, attend creative workshops, and participate in skill-based activities that would foster learning and development in a much healthier manner.

According to TOI, The Anandam module includes 34 activities grouped into three main areas  like science, environment and technology; public offices, local industries and businesses; and art, culture and history. To begin the programme smoothly, Monika Rani has instructed all basic education officers to ensure that block education officers give proper orientation to headmasters and teachers during their monthly meetings in upper primary schools, composite schools and KGBVs on the fourth Saturday of this month. The bagless day activities shall be conducted on 3rd and 4th Saturdays of November and January 2026, all Saturdays in December, and the 1st and 2nd Saturdays of February. The head teachers have been instructed to arrange the labs, equipment, projectors and first aid kits as per the requirements besides working with local artisans, craftsmen, experts, and community members for successful conduct of these activities.

In Sadopur, Ambala, Maharishi Markandeshwar College of Medical Science and Research (MMCMSR) is a newly built college of medicine that provides a wide range of healthcare courses that are intended to create qualified and caring medical practitioners. The college follows the latest National Medical Commission (NMC) curriculum that emphasizes practical training and community service. 

Undergraduate Program

MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery).

Its flagship undergraduate degree of 150 students annually and oriented towards producing competent medical graduates who would be prepared to cope with contemporary healthcare issues.

Postgraduate medical courses (MD/MS)

The range of postgraduate specialties provided by MMCMSR is rather broad and allows further medical education and research. The courses are also perfect for doctors who are interested in specializing in different clinical as well as non-clinical areas. Here is the list of available disciplines:  

• Anatomy
• Biochemistry
• Physiology
• Pharmacology
• Microbiology
• Pathology
• Community Medicine
• Forensic Medicine
• General Medicine
• General Surgery
• Orthopaedics
• Paediatrics
• Obst. & Gynae.
• Anaesthesia
• Psychiatry
• Radio-Diagnosis
• Ophthalmology
• E.N.T.
• Dvl(Skin)
• Respiratory Medicine
• Emergency Medicine
• Dentistry
• Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation

Professional Development and Research Experiences

The college also has well equipped laboratories and a research centre that facilitates new medical research and skill development. The holistic nature of MMCMSR curriculum guarantees an equal amount of theoretical and practical experience with the goal of creating doctors that are capable and willing to serve communities with competency and honesty.

Why Choose MMCMSR?

1. Modern facilities and bed-side conducive environment of practical clinical education.
2. Professional faculty of accomplished clinicians and researchers.
3. Focus on ethics, professionalism and service to the community.
4. Extensive course programs that span almost all major areas of medicine.
5. Research excellence, innovation, and interdisciplinary learning.

All-in-all, MMCMSR is devoted to developing the future leaders of the medical field through academic excellence via top courses, state-of-the-art clinical exposure and mentorship.

As the 2026 board examinations draw closer, students throughout the nation are wading into the familiar yet ever-evolving challenge regarding CBSE Classes 10 and 12. The CBSE papers have gradually been undergoing a shift over the last few years-from direct recall to application-based assessment-thus demanding understanding rather than rote memory.

This shift was visible in last year's board papers with longer reading passages, multi-step case studies, and a greater stringency in step-marking across subjects.

For students studying today, the implication of this development means that "more studying" is simply not sufficient.

Success lies in studying smartly, understanding what changed, why it matters, and how to adapt. Based on the paper trends of last year, together with the official CBSE sample sets, here are five must-use strategies every student needs to follow in order to score better marks this year.

Does the church have a theology of thanksgiving?

1. Master NCERT line by line before going ahead.

Papers from the CBSE still derive their foundation from NCERT textbooks, and many students tend to overlook diagrams, in-text questions, and data tables.

In the 2025 exams, there were several questions in Science, Social Science and Business Studies that came directly from smaller NCERT boxes and figure captions – not just the main text.

Strategy:

Read all the chapters of NCERT twice: once for concepts, once for hidden details like tables, graphs, captions.
After reading each chapter, list three ways you can actually use the concept in real life.
Make a "revision map" which links each topic to at least one example question from past papers.

2. Practise Previous Papers with Timed Drills

Poor time management is one of the common mistakes every year wherein many students leave easy sections unfinished. Also, the papers were longer with multiple-choice sub-parts and integrated caselets.

Strategy:

Try to do one 90-minute half-paper drill twice a week.
Practice using a stop watch and mark yourself with official marking schemes.
Keep an error log with columns for concept gap, reading slip, missing steps or unit error.
Stop repeating random questions; instead, review this log weekly.
This practice develops not only speed but also pattern recognition, which is very important as question trends often repeat across years.

3. Stress conceptual clarity, not rote memory.

The existing format of CBSE promotes reasoning and explanation over memorization. Most of the toppers in Class 12 Biology, for instance, wrote functional explanations with labelled diagrams instead of longish textbook paragraphs.

Strategy:

For each definition, write how it works and why it works.
Explain each concept out loud – if you can explain it in your own words, it's learned.
Use diagrams, flowcharts, or mind maps to link concepts together that are related.

4. Structure Answers for Visibility and Marks

Examiners mark on the basis of the steps visible, clarity and sequence, not on length. In last year's Maths and Chemistry papers, step marks determined final outcomes.

Strategy:

Begin every 3 or 5-mark question with an intention statement ("We have to prove").
Leave margins for formulae and underlined keywords.
Write units beside every numerical step.
In Humanities, use short paragraphs with clear subheadings for each point.
A well-structured paper shows discipline and confidence, which qualities the evaluators reward unconsciously.

5. Edit in short frequent cycles rather than right before the test

The recurring pattern among this year's toppers, too, is: short, repeated revision sessions instead of marathon late-night studies. In the 2025 examinations students who presented concepts clearly and wrote their answers in neat and orderly fashion did better than those who tended to mug and write answers in a jumbled manner. The trend will continue with the 2026 examinations. Mastering NCERTs, practising under timed conditions and showing visible working in answers can lift marks together by 10–15% within two months of consistent effort.

In an eye-opening revelation that has been revealed by Defence Analyst Major General DC Katoch (Retd), India is confronted by a high-level and lethal terror threat that is known as the White Coat Terror Nexus. This shadow group, consisting of radicalised physicians and professionals associated with the terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), has been organising a series of planned terror attacks in India with major strikes planned until January 26, 2026 the Republic Day in India.

Major General Katoch emphasised that this was not a one time event, but rather a pan-India conspiracy to destabilise the country. The network includes sleeper cells that were planted over the years in various states, with some of them taken to different countries to attend militant training. Using their esteemed status as doctors and professionals, these people have also covered up terrorist activities, such as transporting explosives, pulling in agents and executing massive bombings of vital infrastructures and busy population areas. The scale and gravity of the present threat can be illustrated by the recent seizure of more than 350 kg of explosives and assault rifles at the Faridabad module.

The schedule is tactically frightening and timed on the key events of the country such as Republic Day and Diwali, which are meant to bring in maximum chaos and psychological effects. These attacks are classic regime change operations that occur due to geopolitical interests to undermine the Indian defence and internal stability, and this is part revenge to India for its successful operation Sindoor to combat terror networks in Kashmir (Maj Gen Katoch).

The most perilous aspect of this white-collar terror is that it violates the trust of people and turns them against those who are supposed to save their lives to commit terror. The advanced levels of encrypted communications and global facilitators emphasise a developing method of terror that is using institutional credibility to elicit suspicion. This tendency claims an increased vigilance on behalf of both the security agencies and the people.

The government of India has already declared the plot as an act of war and powerful words by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that a restrained yet resolute retaliation would be meted out, at a time and scale of India at its own behest.

To citizens and security students, the realisation of this new threat makes intelligence, counter-terrorism preparedness, and citizen education important. It is a wake-up call of white-coat terrorism to understand that terror is changing outside of conventional boundaries, and only a cohesive and educated society can be strong.

Awareness and alertness are then our greatest weapons in the presence of such threats. The next few months will be critical and the determination of India will determine how effective it will be in foiling a terror plot that aims at shaking the very foundation of the country.