Education News | Latest Updates, Trends, and Insights - Edinbox

In a ruling that can alter the lives of thousands, the Odisha government has approved an 11.25% reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs) in institutions of higher education. This long-awaited step, approved by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi's cabinet, finally addresses a glaring lacuna—although these groups account for 54% of Odisha's population, they've had no education quotas until now.

Governments neglected bright children of backward society for decades. Now, state colleges and universities will reserve seats in:

Higher secondary classes

Undergraduate programs

Postgraduate classes

The quota is according to existing reservations:

Nominally STs (22.5%)

SCs (16.25%)

Physically handicapped (5%)

Ex-servicemen (1%)

"This is not a policy decision, it's restoration of constitutional freedoms," said CM Majhi, juxtaposing his government's initiative with the previous inactivity of BJD. The initiative is evocative of the National Education Policy 2020's push for inclusivity and the nation's central government's "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" vision.

This had been sought by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan since 2019. "Education can be the greatest equalizer," he stated, "but if only everyone gets an equal chance."

231 SEBC groups receive access to reserved seats

Target is to implement it immediately—benefits start this academic year

Levelling the playing field for students who've faced systemic disadvantages

Even though there were 11.25% job reservations for SEBCs in Odisha, academic deprivation remained a recurring hurdle. The policy bridges the gap, giving the marginalized youth a firmer ground to compete.

As classrooms become more representative, the real test will be in implementation—preventing quality from suffering and ensuring reserved seats actually reach those who need them the most. But for today, Odisha takes a bold leap towards re-writing its education future. 

"Through unlocking education, we unlock potential." — CM Majhi

Joint Entrance Examination Council, Uttar Pradesh (JEECUP) will release the UP Joint Entrance Examination (UPJEE) 2025 admit cards on May 14, 2025. Test candidates can download the test admit card from the official portal or website — jeecup.admissions.nic.in — by using application number and password or date of birth.

UPJEE is held for Polytechnic Diploma and Post-Diploma in Industrial Safety courses to get admission in different Uttar Pradesh institutions. Different groups — A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, L, and K1 to K8 — will be given the test between May 20 to May 28, 2025.

Principal Updates

Last date for submission changed to May 10 from April 30 due to allowing more applications. Window of modification in application shut on 13 May. No modification prior to exam were accepted.

Step for Downloading JEECUP Admit Card 2025:

Login official website: jeecup.admissions.nic.in

Click on "JEECUP/UPJEE 2025 Admit Card" on homepage.

Login with application number and password or date of birth.

Open and save your admit card.

Print on exam day as well as for future use.

JEECUP 2025 exam will be of MCQ type. There will be four options for each question, one of which will have to be selected. There will be only one correct option. All the correct options will be given four marks. Miraculously, there will be no negative marking. If the question is wrong or there are multiple correct options, full marks will be given to all such candidates who have answered the question.

This entry test is an important factor while accepting admissions in 2025–26 batch of Uttar Pradesh polytechnic colleges' diploma and post-diploma courses.

In a significant drone defence technology milestone, India has inducted 'Bhargavastra', a future-proof low-cost counter-drone system developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL). Designed to counter the emerging threat from drone swarms and UAVs, Bhargavastra is a significant step ahead in India's air defence capability and Atmanirbhar Bharat indigenisation drive.

India's First Micro-Missile Based Anti-Drone System

The Bhargavastra system uses guided micro-rockets to identify and eliminate enemy drones from a long range. The system successfully accomplished all mission objectives in a series of successful live tests conducted at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur on May 13.

The tests included three separate firings—two solo shots and a salvo of two micro-missiles launched in just two seconds. According to SDAL, both the four micro-rockets cleared the minimum launch parameters, demonstrating precision firing as well as readiness to operate.

1. Bhargavastra Features:

• Identifies drones at a distance of over 6 km range
• Engagement range of over 2.5 km
• Concurrent launching of over 64 guided micro-missiles
• Operational in various environments as well as high-altitude regions
• Deployment via Economic Explosives Ltd-designed mobile launcher platforms at higher speeds
• Designed to fill a critical capability gap in Army Air Defence; also evoking interest from the Indian Air Force

With few comparable systems available globally, Bhargavastra places India at the forefront of low-cost counter-UAV technology, providing a mobile and scalable option to costly, fixed, surface-to-air missile systems.

Lessons from Operation Sindoor

The evolution of the system precedes Operation Sindoor, when India had utilized its S-400 Triumf missile defence system to successfully repel Pakistani drone and missile attacks. Although the S-400 remains important for the defence against high-value targets, greater use of low-cost drone swarms requires cost-effective and scalable drone defence systems.

Bhargavastra stands poised to revolutionize counter-drone warfare, providing the Indian military with a low-cost, multi-purpose option to neutralize and counter unmanned threats without wiping out expensive strategic missile inventories.

The Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate (CUET UG) 2025 formally began today, with the National Testing Agency (NTA) holding the first session of the examination at numerous centres in the nation. Early feedback and specialist review of the first session indicate a mix of anticipated trends and unexpected changes across major subjects like English, General Test (GAT), Economics, and Chemistry.

Here's the analysis of CUET UG 2025 Day 1, Shift 1, by Karan Mehta, Co-founder at Toprankers

ENGLISH LANGUAGE: VOCABULARY TAKES CENTRE STAG

The English part this year was more vocabulary-oriented. A lot of questions were synonyms and antonyms, so students who had a good word stock had an advantage. Just three reading passages came up—one factual and two narrative—comprising about 12 questions in total. Grammar-based questions were fewer than before, and the general level of difficulty was said to be between easy and moderate.

GENERAL TESTS: LOGICAL REASONING PREVAILS

General Test, that addressed a spread of aptitude subjects, was slightly more challenging compared to last year, especially in the Quantitative Aptitude section. Logical Reasoning was presented with the maximum number of questions, whereas Current Affairs took a smaller place. Nevertheless, Static General Knowledge questions that are usually related to recent events dominated. Students averaged around 12–13 questions from the GK and Current Affairs category on average. This section was typically assigned a moderate level of difficulty.

ECONOMICS: MICROECONOMICS TAKES CENTER STAGE

Aspirants who were writing the Economics paper reported a clear emphasis on Microeconomics at the expense of Macroeconomics, with some newly introduced topics brought in by the NTA.

The passage had two reading passages and consisted of a few questions based on NCERT books and the Annual Government Budget. The bulk of the paper was easy to moderate in level, but some tricky questions stiffened even well-prepared students.

CHEMISTRY: A BALANCED AND REASONABLE PAPER

The Chemistry paper had a well-balanced set of questions from Physical, Organic, and Inorganic Chemistry. The Physical and Organic sections had each about 14 to 16 questions, whereas Inorganic Chemistry consisted of 9 to 11 questions. Numerical problems were largely formula-based and straightforward, with one or two taking more detailed derivations. The general feeling among test-takers was that the Chemistry section was the easiest of the bunch.

The CUET UG 2025 will be held in multiple shifts up to June 3. Candidates are advised to remain current by regularly checking the official NTA website for updates on shift timings, admit cards, and other necessary information.

As the exam continues, further insights are likely to be revealed that would assist future test-takers in fine-tuning their preparation plans for the next few days.

The government on Tuesday made former defence secretary Dr Ajay Kumar chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in consideration of the vacancy created by the retirement of outgoing chairperson Preeti Sudan on April 29.

A Meteoric Career with Defence, Technology & Governance Interests

Dr. Kumar, an alumnus of IIT Kanpur and a PhD holder from the University of Minnesota, has four decades of diverse experience to his credit. As Defence Secretary (2019–2022), he spearheaded path-breaking reforms, such as:

• Establishment of India's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) position in 2020.
• Implementation of the Agniveer scheme (2022) to transform armed forces recruitment.

Previously, as the force behind Digital India (2014), he initiated:

• Unified Payments Interface (UPI) – a global standard in digital payments today.
• Aadhaar – the largest biometric ID system in the world.
• myGov and Jeevan Pramaan – citizen-centric e-governance initiatives.

What's Next for UPSC?

As Chairman until October 2027 (or age 65), Dr. Kumar will lead India's top civil services recruitment agency at a time when:

• Reforms in exam patterns and transparency are on the agenda.
• Aspirants demand more inclusivity in the selection process.

Why This Matters

His joining is an indicator of technology-led governance and forward-thinking leadership in determining India's future civil servants. Renowned for his problem-solving abilities, Dr. Kumar's time at UPSC may redefine the agency's role in nation-building.

In His Words:

"Technology must empower, not exclude. Our systems should reflect India's aspirations."

CUET UG 2025 starts: Students find first shift moderately demanding

The Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate (CUET UG) 2025 formally began today, with the National Testing Agency (NTA) holding the first session of the examination at numerous centres in the nation. Early feedback and specialist review of the first session indicate a mix of anticipated trends and unexpected changes across major subjects like English, General Test (GAT), Economics, and Chemistry.

Here's the analysis of CUET UG 2025 Day 1, Shift 1, by Karan Mehta, Co-founder at Toprankers

ENGLISH LANGUAGE: VOCABULARY TAKES CENTRE STAG

The English part this year was more vocabulary-oriented. A lot of questions were synonyms and antonyms, so students who had a good word stock had an advantage. Just three reading passages came up—one factual and two narrative—comprising about 12 questions in total. Grammar-based questions were fewer than before, and the general level of difficulty was said to be between easy and moderate.

GENERAL TESTS: LOGICAL REASONING PREVAILS

General Test, that addressed a spread of aptitude subjects, was slightly more challenging compared to last year, especially in the Quantitative Aptitude section. Logical Reasoning was presented with the maximum number of questions, whereas Current Affairs took a smaller place. Nevertheless, Static General Knowledge questions that are usually related to recent events dominated. Students averaged around 12–13 questions from the GK and Current Affairs category on average. This section was typically assigned a moderate level of difficulty.

ECONOMICS: MICROECONOMICS TAKES CENTER STAGE

Aspirants who were writing the Economics paper reported a clear emphasis on Microeconomics at the expense of Macroeconomics, with some newly introduced topics brought in by the NTA.

The passage had two reading passages and consisted of a few questions based on NCERT books and the Annual Government Budget. The bulk of the paper was easy to moderate in level, but some tricky questions stiffened even well-prepared students.

CHEMISTRY: A BALANCED AND REASONABLE PAPER

The Chemistry paper had a well-balanced set of questions from Physical, Organic, and Inorganic Chemistry. The Physical and Organic sections had each about 14 to 16 questions, whereas Inorganic Chemistry consisted of 9 to 11 questions. Numerical problems were largely formula-based and straightforward, with one or two taking more detailed derivations. The general feeling among test-takers was that the Chemistry section was the easiest of the bunch.

The CUET UG 2025 will be held in multiple shifts up to June 3. Candidates are advised to remain current by regularly checking the official NTA website for updates on shift timings, admit cards, and other necessary information.

As the exam continues, further insights are likely to be revealed that would assist future test-takers in fine-tuning their preparation plans for the next few days.

Tensions are running high at Kerala University following the cancellation of a seminar hosted by the Department of Tamil, in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. The acting Vice-Chancellor of the university, Dr Mohanan Kunnummal, cancelled the May 9 event on grounds that the subject and material presented in relation to it were "anti-national."

The row broke out when a PhD researcher posted an article from a Tamil language website in a departmental WhatsApp group, according to The Hindu. The piece, "Pahalgam Attack: Truths Drowned in Nationalist Frenzy," critically analyzed the event and hinted at political agenda in the way it was depicted—most notably amidst national polls.

Although the event had been cancelled, no disciplinary measure was said to have been imposed on either the scholar or the Head of the Tamil Department. The scholar merely received a memo for which he later apologized, prompting the department to remove the controversial subject matter from the agenda of the seminar.

But the matter has since escalated into a political hot button. The Students Federation of India (SFI) has criticized the Vice-Chancellor's action, accusing him of promoting an agenda of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the guise of administrative impartiality.

Things escalated at a recent University Syndicate meeting, where Left-leaning members accused the VC of misrepresenting the scholar's intention, according to India Today. They pointed out that the article was posted prior to the start of Operation Sindoor counter-terror operation, questioning the basis for calling the seminar anti-national. BJP members in the syndicate defended the VC's action, citing it as a necessary measure to maintain national sentiment.

The campus community continues to be polarized with arguments ongoing about academic freedom, political interference in universities and limits of debate in sensitive national issues.