'Eliminate BA courses from IITs.': NITI Aayog member urges industry-linked courses

A social media update fueled controversy surrounding India's education agenda, stating: "India doesn't need more IITs. It needs more ITIs." The update pointed to the government's ₹60,000-crore skill mission — upgradation of 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes, establishment of five National Centres of Excellence, industry tie-ups, and crafting courses that are job-oriented to train 20 lakh youth within five years.

The viral post blamed "mindless" Bachelor of Arts degrees in tier-3 and tier-4 cities for being irrelevant in jobs, urging their replacement with vocational studies in areas such as CNC machining, electronics assembly, and electronics testing.

Joining the debate, former Chief Economic Adviser and NITI Aayog member Dr. Arvind Virmani said even the Indian Institutes of Technology can have more practical learning. "Arts and humanities subjects in IITs could be supplanted or supplemented by CNC machining, electronics testing and assembly, construction of houses, and assembly of machinery," he said, contending that engineers through practical skills can fill the gap between what they are taught and what the industry needs.

Under the new scheme approved by the Union Cabinet, the Centre will bear ₹30,000 crore, states ₹20,000 crore, and industry ₹10,000 crore. The Centre's half share will be taken care of by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

In the next five years, ITIs will implement revised, industry-specific courses, introduce new trades, and train 50,000 trainers. Five National Skill Training Institutes — Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Ludhiana — will be upgraded.

Acting as "government-owned, industry-managed" centers, redesigned ITIs will provide industries, including MSMEs, with a continuous flow of industry-ready workers.

APAAR ID mandatory for CBSE board exams 2026; exam fee hiked and AI-facilitated centre on the cards

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made it mandatory for students to link their APAAR ID with academic records for Classes 9-12. The board will introduce the measure from the 2026 board examinations.

In addition to the APAAR ID mandate, the board has also approved a fee structure change in registration and examination fees for Indian, Nepalese, and other foreign countries' students. The CBSE will also establish an AI-based digital experience centre to make educational resources more accessible.