Supreme Court Orders Reforms After NEET-UG 2026 Cancellation The Supreme Court on Friday intensified its scrutiny of the National Testing Agency (NTA) following the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination due to a paper leak, emphasizing the need for institutional reforms to prevent recurring failures. A bench comprising Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe highlighted the ad-hoc nature of the NTA, urging the agency to adopt a more structured approach akin to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which has not faced similar issues in its exams. The court directed the Union of India to file an affidavit outlining mechanisms to establish "institutional memory of continuity" through specialized personnel, ensuring the NTA is equipped to conduct exams without blemishes in the future. The hearing centered on petitions seeking to disband the NTA, with the court questioning the agency’s accountability and effectiveness. Justice Narasimha stressed that accountability must be tied to specific individuals rather than vague liability, stating, "Unless you identify the specific duty bearers, it will be difficult." He criticized the NTA’s institutional structure, calling it "ad hoc" and noting that such issues are prevalent across the country. The judge also underscored the trauma caused to students, remarking that the cancellation was "traumatic" for those who invested years in preparation. The court’s focus shifted to the Monitoring Committee, chaired by former ISRO chairman Dr. K Radhakrishnan, which was established in 2024 to address the 2024 NEET-UG paper leak. Radhakrishnan informed the bench that the committee had submitted 35 long-term and 60 short-term recommendations, most of which had been implemented.#supreme_court #union_public_service_commission #national_testing_agency #ministry_of_education #dr_k_radhakrishnan
Akola teen wins bronze at International Philosophy Olympiad A 17-year-old student from Akola, Sarthak Kamalkishor Dhole, has made history by securing a bronze medal at the International Philosophy Olympiad 2026, held in Warsaw. This achievement marks India’s first medal in the competition since 2019, ending a seven-year drought for the nation in one of the world’s most prestigious intellectual contests for high school students. Dhole’s success highlights the growing potential of students from smaller cities to excel on the global stage. The International Philosophy Olympiad, organized by the Polish Philosophical Society in collaboration with the University of Warsaw and supported by Poland’s Ministry of Education, brought together 124 participants from 57 countries. Contestants were tasked with composing philosophical essays on a given theme. This year’s central theme was “Freedom and Reason,” and Dhole’s essay engaged with the ideas of ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, exploring themes such as freedom, reason, choice, and moral responsibility. His work demonstrated a deep understanding of philosophical concepts and their relevance to contemporary issues. Dhole’s academic journey has been marked by consistent excellence. He secured first rank in India’s national selection process three times and previously represented the country at the Olympiad in Helsinki in 2024 and Bari in 2025. At age 15, he received an Honourable Mention in 2024, making him one of the youngest participants globally to be recognized at the event. His achievements are not limited to philosophy.#ministry_of_education #sarthak_kamalkishor_dhole #international_philosophy_olympiad #polish_philosophical_society #university_of_warsaw
Centre Unifies School Governance: Single SMC to Oversee Balvatika to Class 12 The Union government has introduced comprehensive guidelines to unify school governance across India, replacing fragmented systems with a single School Management Committee (SMC) structure that will oversee all educational levels from Balvatika to Class 12. This marks a significant shift from the previous framework, which operated separate bodies for primary and secondary schools. The new guidelines, issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) under the Ministry of Education, supersede earlier frameworks such as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, and Samagra Shiksha. The core change involves merging the dual system of School Management Committees (SMCs) for primary schools and School Management Development Committees (SMDCs) for secondary and senior secondary schools into a unified structure. Under the new rules, a single SMC will govern all grades, with its composition tailored to the school’s enrollment. Schools with up to 100 students will have 12 to 15 members, those with 100 to 500 students will have 15 to 20 members, and schools with over 500 students will have 20 to 25 members. The guidelines mandate that 75% of SMC members must be parents or guardians of enrolled children, with 50% of the total membership reserved for women. Proportionate representation is also required for children from socio-economically disadvantaged groups and those with special needs. The new framework introduces two formal subcommittees within each SMC: an Academic Committee and a School Building Committee. The Academic Committee will oversee learning outcomes, teacher attendance, student progress, and foundational literacy and numeracy goals.#poCSO_act #department_of_school_education_and_literacy #ministry_of_education #school_management_committee #prashast_app
