Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025 enters Guinness World Records

News

By

-

August 4, 2025

Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025, the government’s flagship dialogue between students and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has etched its name in the Guinness World Records for achieving the highest number of registrations on a civic engagement platform within a month. With 3.53 crore verified entries on the MyGov platform, the 8th edition of this student-centric initiative has set a global benchmark in public participation and digital outreach.

Launched in 2018, PPC is an annual outreach where the Prime Minister engages directly with students, parents, and teachers to encourage stress-free exam preparation. Over the years, it has grown into one of India’s largest platforms for student engagement, aligning closely with the goals of NEP 2020, which promotes holistic and inclusive learning.

Celebrating the recognition, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed pride on social media platform X, sharing the moment with Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Electronics, IT & I&B, and Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Electronics and IT. He acknowledged the overwhelming response, highlighting over 21 crore cumulative viewership across television and digital channels for PPC 2025.

The official Guinness World Record certificate was presented in a special ceremony in New Delhi, attended by key Union Ministers and top officials from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Electronics & IT. Rishi Nath, official adjudicator from Guinness World Records, validated the record.

Also Read: IIT Jammu, CSIR-IIIM & startups forge Alliance to boost innovation, entrepreneurship in J&K

Ashwini Vaishnaw noted that this mass participation reflects growing trust in digital governance and youth-focused initiatives, while Jitin Prasada credited the seamless technological infrastructure of MyGov for enabling such large-scale civic engagement.

The Ministry underlined PPC’s role in fostering emotional well-being, academic mindfulness, and exam confidence among millions of students nationwide.

IIT Jammu, CSIR-IIIM & startups forge Alliance to boost innovation, entrepreneurship in J&K

By

Kaanchi Chawla

-

August 4, 2025

In a strategic move to promote innovation, technology-led entrepreneurship, and regional development, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu has entered into a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM) and three emerging startups. The agreement was signed on Sunday in Jammu, signaling a major push towards translational research and commercialization of lab-to-market innovations.

The MoU was formally signed by Prof. Manoj Singh Gaur, Director of IIT Jammu, and Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director of CSIR-IIIM Jammu, in the presence of senior faculty, researchers, and officials from both institutions.

The collaboration also brings on board three dynamic startups — Biogreen Projects (represented by Songbaran Chatterjee), Evlogia Eco Care (led by Manigandan Kumarappan), and Crop Domain (represented by Mahadeva Swamy). Their participation strengthens the alliance’s focus on sustainable technologies, eco-friendly products, and agri-biotech innovations.

According to the official statement, the partnership will harness CSIR-IIIM’s research strengths in natural products and drug discovery while leveraging IIT Jammu’s engineering and innovation capabilities. Together, they aim to co-develop scalable, market-ready technologies that address real-world challenges.

Supporting this initiative, IIT Jammu’s Innovation, Incubation & Entrepreneurship Centre (I3C) and CSIR-IIIM’s Technology Business Incubator (TBI) will provide critical incubation support — including mentoring, prototyping infrastructure, investor networking, and training programs — to help these startups grow and succeed.

The MoU envisions the seamless transition of scientific breakthroughs into commercially viable solutions in sectors such as healthcare, sustainable materials, and agricultural biotechnology. In addition, a series of industry-focused workshops, hands-on training sessions, and knowledge-sharing events will be organized to nurture local talent and create employment opportunities in the region.

Also Read: Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launches IIT Bombay’s AI-Powered TARA app

“This tripartite partnership is a milestone in our journey to link advanced research with societal benefit,” said Prof. Manoj Singh Gaur. “By combining the scientific depth of CSIR-IIIM, the technological prowess of IIT Jammu, and the agility of startups, we aim to deliver impactful innovations with national and global relevance.”

Senior officials emphasized that this collaboration is poised to transform Jammu into a thriving hub for scientific innovation and entrepreneurial excellence, fueling India’s vision for an innovation-driven economy.

IIT Bombay launches AI-Driven TARA App

News

By

Kaanchi Chawla

-

August 2, 2025

In a significant stride toward enhancing foundational literacy in India, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, officially launched IIT Bombay’s innovative reading fluency assessment tool – TARA (Teacher’s Assistant for Reading Assessment), at the Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam 2025 held in New Delhi.

Developed by Prof. Preeti Rao from the Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Bombay, and her research team, TARA is a cutting-edge mobile application designed to evaluate Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) in children using voice-based artificial intelligence. The app measures reading attributes such as word decoding accuracy, reading pace, and expressive intonation, aligning with the foundational learning goals of the NIPUN Bharat Mission.

TARA utilizes patented audio signal processing technology and is powered by an AI engine trained on expert-annotated recordings of children reading texts at various skill levels. This ensures consistent, objective evaluation based on standardized rubrics, giving teachers actionable insights into individual student performance.

The project has been supported both financially and technically by the Tata Centre for Technology and Design (TCTD) at IIT Bombay and the Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship (2020–2025).

Adding further momentum to this initiative, IIT Bombay and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) have formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to scale the deployment of this digital ORF assessment platform across Indian schools. The MoU was signed by Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, and Mr. Aman Sharma, Secretary, NCERT.

Also Read: Banaras Hindu University welcomes Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi as the new Vice Chancellor

As part of the implementation, year-long assessments will be conducted using level-appropriate reading passages in both English and regional Indian languages. The system will offer a real-time dashboard to monitor reading proficiency trends across schools, grades, and regions. At the student level, a personalized report card will detail performance metrics like accuracy, words correct per minute (WCPM), pace, and expression. Moreover, the feedback will be mapped to curricular learning outcomes, enabling educators to address learning gaps effectively and adapt instruction accordingly.

This strategic collaboration between academia and policy aims to usher in a data-driven approach to literacy evaluation, empowering teachers and improving educational outcomes at scale.

Banaras Hindu University welcomes Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi as the new Vice Chancellor

By

Kaanchi Chawla

-

August 2, 2025

After a gap of over seven months since the departure of Prof Sudhir Kumar Jain on January 7, 2025, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has welcomed a new Vice-Chancellor. Prof Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi, a distinguished academician from IIT Kanpur, has been officially appointed as the 29th Vice Chancellor of BHU.

The appointment was confirmed through a communication from the Union Ministry of Education addressed to the BHU Registrar. As per the official letter, President Droupadi Murmu, in her capacity as the Visitor of BHU, has approved Prof. Ajit’s appointment for a three-year term starting from the date he assumes office, or until he turns 70, whichever comes earlier.

Prof. Ajit Chaturvedi holds BTech, MTech, and PhD degrees in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kanpur, completed in 1986, 1988, and 1995, respectively. His academic journey began at the Department of Electronics Engineering, IIT-BHU (then IT-BHU), where he taught from 1994 to 1996. He subsequently joined IIT Roorkee and later moved to IIT Kanpur in 1999.

Over the years, Prof. Ajit has held several key leadership roles. At IIT Kanpur, he served as Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering, Dean of Research & Development, and Deputy Director. In 2012, he was elevated to the prestigious HAG Professor rank and was honored with the Sanjay and Rachna Pradhan Chair Professorship in 2015.

In 2017, he became the Director of IIT Roorkee, a role he served in until October 2022. His leadership portfolio also includes tenure as Director of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla (2017–2018) and Director of IIT Mandi (2020–2022). Following these assignments, he returned to his alma mater, IIT Kanpur.

An expert in communication theory and wireless communications, Prof Chaturvedi has made significant contributions to India’s telecom sector. He led the BSNL-IITK Telecom Centre of Excellence, which played a critical role in policy and technological advancements in telecommunications.

Also Read: EdTech startup Arivihan secures $4.17 million

His accolades include the INSA Teachers Award, IIT Kanpur’s Distinguished Teacher Award, and the Tan Chin Tuan Fellowship from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He is also a founding member of the Telecom Standards Development Society of India (TSDSI) and served on the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) spectrum allocation committee in 2008.

With his extensive academic background, administrative expertise, and forward-thinking vision, Prof Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi is poised to usher in a new era for Banaras Hindu University, aligning it with global standards in education and research.

EdTech startup Arivihan secures $4.17 million

News

By

Kaanchi Chawla

-

July 31, 2025

Indore-based edtech startup Arivihan has secured $4.17 million in a recent funding round led by Dutch investment giant Prosus, with participation from Silicon Valley-based Accel and GSF Investors.

The newly raised capital will support Arivihan’s plans to expand into three additional Indian states, accelerate AI research and development, enhance regional language support, and strengthen offline distribution and marketing strategies.

Targeting school students from Tier II, Tier III, and rural regions, Arivihan offers a fully automated, personalised learning platform that helps learners prepare for State Board exams, CBSE, and NEET, at just ₹300 per month.

Launched with a focus on Class 12 State Board students in Madhya Pradesh, the platform later expanded to support NEET aspirants. Encouraged by the positive response, Arivihan has already launched in Rajasthan and is now moving into Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh.

Unlike general-purpose language models, Arivihan uses a custom-trained open-source AI model, fine-tuned with millions of syllabus-specific data points. The platform delivers highly contextual responses in Hindi and Hinglish, tailored to the student’s curriculum and level of understanding.

Also Read: Galgotias University inks MoU with UAE–India CEPA Council

With a goal to acquire 80,000 to 100,000 new subscribers this year, Arivihan is positioning itself as a pioneering AI-enabled education platform for regional learners. It had earlier raised $750,000 through Accel’s Atoms seed-stage program.

Dhruv Gupta, investor at Prosus, commented, “Education is one of the most promising areas where AI can create lasting impact. Arivihan is innovating where it matters most—making quality education accessible to students in underserved regions.”

Galgotias University inks MoU with UAE–India CEPA Council

News

By

Kaanchi Chawla

-

July 31, 2025

Galgotias University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UAE–India CEPA Council, paving the way for high-potential student startups to enter global markets through the UAE–India Start-Up Series Roadshow.

This collaboration, spearheaded by the university’s innovation arm GIC RISE (Galgotias Incubation Centre for Research Innovation Startup & Entrepreneurs), marks a major milestone in promoting cross-border entrepreneurial growth. The agreement was formalized by Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, CEO of Galgotias University, and Mr. Ahmed Aljneibi, Director of the UAE–India CEPA Council, during the seventh stop of the prestigious roadshow.

The partnership is aimed at providing selected startups from Galgotias with direct exposure to the UAE’s dynamic startup ecosystem. This includes access to investors, mentorship from global leaders, incubation in innovation hubs, and fast-track business licensing support across leading UAE free zones.

“Through this MoU, we are unlocking global opportunities for our student entrepreneurs,” said Dr. Dhruv Galgotia. “At GIC RISE, we are committed to creating a launchpad that connects local innovation to global impact.”

Echoing the sentiment, Mr. Ahmed Aljneibi said, “The UAE–India Start-Up Series is building a robust pipeline between Indian innovation and the UAE’s expanding knowledge economy. Startups from Galgotias will benefit from tailored incubation support, investor connections, and strategic market access.”

Also Read: What if your next big break starts with a dice roll at an education event in 2025?

GIC RISE has been nurturing innovation through a wide range of programs including startup bootcamps, innovation fellowships, pitch competitions, and accelerator connects. The centre’s focus on hands-on mentoring, infrastructure, and ecosystem development makes it one of the leading university-based incubation models in India.

With this international tie-up, Galgotias University reinforces its role as a catalyst in shaping globally competitive, innovation-driven entrepreneurs.

What if your next big break starts with a dice roll at an education event in 2025?

Blog

By

digitalLEARNING Network

-

July 31, 2025

Somewhere in Hyderabad, a university was bleeding talent.
In Gujarat, a newly minted private institute couldn’t crack its first industry MoU.
And in the outskirts of Bengaluru, a team of deans tried unsuccessfully for months to get a meeting with a national accreditation leader.

Sound familiar?

They all had one thing in common: they weren’t in the room.

Then came a whisper, a link, a lead.
A buzz about Asia and the Middle East’s most influential higher education gathering: The 33rd Elets World Education Summit.

They didn’t know it then, but that one move? It rewired their entire trajectory.

Roll the Dice – Which Player Are You in the Education Event 2025 Game?

The Visionary VC

You’re reimagining your institution with AI, XR, or blended industry programs. But you need frameworks, funding, or the right global partners to scale.

Your Next Move?
Meet Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe – the man behind India’s tectonic NAAC shake-up and Chairman of NETF, NAAC, and NBA.
He’s not just speaking – he’s strategising with insiders.

The Partnership Seeker

You’ve tried LinkedIn DMs, cold calls, and email chains. Nothing.
Now imagine shaking hands directly with:

Prof. (Dr.) T G Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE
Rishikesh Patankar, VP, NSDC
Delegates from Digital India, Bhashini, and MeitY Startup Hub
And Temjen Imna Along, Hon’ble Minister from Nagaland, is here as Guest of Honour

These aren’t just speakers. These are decision-makers. The ones who sign, seal, and fund.

The Global Connector

Want to expand across South Asia or the Middle East?
Guess who’s walking into the summit with bilateral intent?

Sri Lanka – Confirmed Country Partner
HE Mahishini Colonne, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India
India’s top scientific, digital, and skilling missions — all under one roof

This isn’t a keynote fest. This is a real-time collaboration lab. Where what’s said on stage becomes what’s drafted in a breakout. Where policies get clarified, campuses get invited, and ideas get funded.

If you’re still waiting for a call back from a bureaucrat or a Fortune 500 contact, maybe you’re playing the wrong game.

Also Read: What if the future of Indian higher education is being rewritten at this education summit in Delhi?

Join the Simulation Before It’s Sold Out

Only 2 days.
Only a few hundred seats.
Infinite plays — if you’re in the room.

This is the summit where:

Government regulators are supporting.
Country partnerships aren’t theoretical.
And access to people like Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe or Prof. T G Sitharam isn’t a fantasy — it’s a handshake away.

Ready to Play?

Your ticket to the 33rd Elets World Education Summit isn’t just entry. It’s your next career pivot.

Ask yourself:
Are you going to keep emailing?
Or are you going to sit at the table where next-gen decisions are being made?

Register today for the most influential and premier gathering of education leaders.

Get in Touch: http://bit.ly/4l1Jlsx

Be in the room where higher education changes course.

Top Australian Universities set to launch campuses in India under NEP push

News

By

Kaanchi Chawla

-

July 30, 2025

Marking a significant milestone on the fifth anniversary of India’s National Education Policy (NEP), three premier Australian universities have received the Letter of Intent to establish campuses in India, according to senior officials from the Ministry of Education. This move aligns with India’s vision of internationalising its higher education ecosystem and fostering global academic partnerships.

The three institutions granted approval are Western Sydney University (WSU), Victoria University (VU), and La Trobe University. Each is poised to bring its unique academic strengths and global expertise to the Indian education landscape.

Western Sydney University – Greater Noida

Founded in 1989, WSU is a prominent public research university in Australia, operating 13 campuses with over 49,000 students. Renowned for its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and social impact, WSU will be establishing its India campus in Greater Noida.
The proposed courses include:

BA in Business Analytics
BA in Business Marketing
MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
MBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Victoria University – Noida

Established in 1916, Victoria University is among Australia’s few dual-sector universities offering both vocational and higher education programs. With a robust international presence in countries like China, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka, VU is recognised for its applied research in sports science, IT, and business. Its Noida campus is expected to launch the following programs:

Undergraduate Courses:

Business
Data Science
Cyber Security

Postgraduate Courses:

MBA
Master’s in Information Technology

La Trobe University – Bengaluru

Founded in 1964, La Trobe University is celebrated for its cutting-edge research in biotechnology, smart city solutions, and molecular science. The university’s upcoming Bengaluru campus will focus on fields that align with India’s development priorities.
Planned offerings include:

Bachelor’s in Business
Bachelor’s in Computer Science
Bachelor’s in Public Health

This initiative follows the 2023 UGC guidelines, allowing Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) to operate independently in India, ensuring global quality standards while catering to domestic demand.

Also Read: IIIT Hyderabad builds AI Platform SARAL

With the introduction of these globally reputed universities, India is set to strengthen its standing as an emerging hub for international education in South Asia.

IIIT Hyderabad builds AI Platform SARAL

News

By

Kaanchi Chawla

-

July 30, 2025

In a breakthrough aimed at making scientific research more accessible and understandable to the wider public, researchers at the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIITH), under the guidance of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), have developed an AI-powered platform named SARAL. The tool simplifies complex research papers into concise video presentations available in 11 Indian languages, making them accessible to students, professionals, and science enthusiasts alike.

The platform is part of a broader initiative to democratise research and make academic content more digestible for non-scientific audiences. Developed by a team led by Prof. Ponnurangam Kumaraguru (Prof. PK), SARAL takes inspiration from tools like Google’s NotebookLM but goes a step further by creating visual presentations rather than just text-based summaries.

How SARAL Works

SARAL’s process is as streamlined as its name suggests:

Users can upload research papers via LaTeX files, arXiV URLs, or PDF uploads.
The tool automatically breaks down the content into slide formats based on standard academic sections: Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion.
Users can edit slide content, incorporate figures, and generate video summaries using AI tools like Gemini, Claude, GPT, and Sarvam’s Text-to-Speech engine.
Videos can be generated in regional languages with voice customization and are shareable across platforms.

Collaboration with ANRF

The initiative aligns with ANRF’s broader vision to foster research and innovation across India.
Dr. Shivakumar Kalyanaram, CEO of ANRF, highlighted that tools like SARAL will be instrumental in promoting inclusivity in scientific discourse.
“We see the democratisation of research via AI and technology as essential to our mission of enhancing India’s research ecosystem,” he noted.

From Idea to Impact

Prof. PK explained that the idea evolved from discussions around presenting research in more public-friendly formats—ranging from blogs to podcasts. “Eventually, the team zeroed in on automated videos since slides are already widely used in academic presentations,” he said.

The core team behind SARAL includes Dr. Lakshmanan Natraj, Rahul Sundar, Imandi Sai Ganesh, Arihant Rastogi, and Vishnu Sathwik. Their collective effort aims to encourage wider dissemination of scientific knowledge—particularly beneficial for students, early-career researchers, and science communicators.

Scope for Future Development

While the current version offers static slides, the team is working toward animated video outputs and expanding formats to include conference-style posters.
“We received feedback asking for more flexible formats. It’s a technically challenging task, but we’re actively working on it,” said Prof. PK.

A Larger Vision: DemocratiseResearch.in

SARAL is the first tool hosted under the newly created platform democratiseresearch.in. Future offerings may include tools to simplify patents and help bridge the gap between academia and industry.
“Researchers are publishing extensively, but industry access to this knowledge is limited. Our aim is to create a platform that facilitates tech transfer and collaboration,” added Prof. PK.

Also Read: RV University welcomes 2,000 new students at Navodaya 2025, announces new Mysore campus

Community Engagement & Open Access

The platform is open-source and available on GitHub, encouraging collaboration. Science communicators and educators have already begun experimenting with the tool.
Workshops like “Using AI and Social Media for Research,” run by Prof. PK, help researchers understand how to disseminate their work post-publication using digital tools.

To further boost innovation and adoption, the SARAL team is planning hackathons and competitions on the theme of democratising research and invites interested contributors to reach out.

RV University welcomes 2,000 new students at Navodaya 2025, announces new Mysore campus

By

Kaanchi Chawla

-

July 29, 2025

RV University, a next-gen liberal education institution, inaugurated its academic year with Navodaya 2025, warmly welcoming over 2,000 new students across eight interdisciplinary schools. This marked a significant milestone with the announcement of a new campus opening in Nanjangud, Mysore by 2026.

The ceremony saw participation from top leaders in academia and business. Dr. M.R. Jayaram, Chancellor of MS Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences and Chairman of Gokula Education Foundation, graced the morning session as Chief Guest, urging students to build strong foundations for future-readiness.

The noon session featured Prof. (Dr.) M.K. Sridhar, Member of UGC and former Chancellor of Chanakya University, who encouraged students to think innovatively and drive meaningful change.

Dr. (h.c.) AVS Murthy, Chancellor of RV University, highlighted the university’s vision of nurturing future leaders through value-based, interdisciplinary education. Dr. MP Shyam, President of Rashtreeya Sikshana Samithi Trust, presided over the afternoon session, along with other key dignitaries from the RSST and RVU leadership.

Prof. (Dr.) Dwarika Prasad Uniyal, Vice Chancellor (i/c), shared exciting updates including the launch of a world-class Career Opportunity Center in June 2025, equipped with tech labs for over 350 students. He emphasized the university’s focus on developing socially conscious, globally equipped professionals.

RVU now boasts nine schools, 27+ degree programs, and continues to push for gender inclusion, with female students making up 20% of the cohort.

Also Read: PhysicsWallah set to launch ₹4,600 cr IPO after SEBI approval

Merit scholarships were awarded to top-performing students, and vibrant cultural performances by current batches set the tone for the dynamic university life ahead. A week-long orientation, including RVU Santhe—an academic fair on July 29-30—will help students explore clubs, electives, and faculty across schools.

RV University remains committed to shaping well-rounded individuals ready to challenge norms and lead across disciplines.

Sound familiar?

The Visionary VC

The Partnership Seeker

The Global Connector

Join the Simulation Before It’s Sold Out

Ready to Play?

LATEST NEWS

Top Trending News

Top Trending Categories