Category education

New Delhi — India’s unemployment rate fell to 4.9% in February 2026, down from 5% in January, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics. The decline reflects improvements in both urban and rural labor markets.

Pic Credit: Pexel

Among urban residents aged 15 and above, the unemployment rate decreased slightly from 6.7% to 6.6%. In rural areas, the overall rate remained steady at 4.2%. Female employment saw significant gains: urban women’s unemployment dropped from 9.8% to 8.7%, while rural women’s rate fell from 4.3% to 4%.

The labor force participation rate (LFPR) for the overall population remained stable at 55.9%, with rural and urban areas recording 58.7% and 50.4%, respectively. Among women aged 15 and above, participation improved to 35.3%, rising to 40% in rural areas, while remaining unchanged at 25.5% in urban areas.

The monthly unemployment figures were compiled in collaboration with the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), covering 3,74,879 respondents. Previously, India reported only quarterly unemployment statistics, but the government has shifted to publishing both monthly and quarterly data since January 2025 to provide a more timely picture of the labor market.

Analysts say the latest numbers signal steady recovery in employment opportunities across the country, with increased participation of women in the workforce contributing to the overall improvement.

Mar 17: Amity School of Economics, Amity University Uttar Pradesh Noida campus is organizing its 9th National Conference on the theme “Integrating Diverse Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Dynamic Advancement of Sustainable Development Goals” from 16th-17th March, 2026.

Addressing the students during the Inaugural Session, Ms. Shikha Rai, MLA(Delhi), Bhartiya Janta Party, averred, “Sustainability cannot exist without wisdom and therefore, every citizen needs to be extremely careful, wise and responsible, so as to safeguard the planet. Tribal communities have developed agricultural and ecological practices that sustain both livelihoods and ecosystem. These communities inherited sustainability as a way of life. India is building ancient sustainable systems into modern governance. Under the visionary leadership of our Prime Ministers, India has taken crucial steps in combining ancient wisdom with modern innovation. Therefore, India has launched global missions like “Mission Life” which encourages sustainable living inspired by traditional values. The well- being of humanity and the well-being of nature are inseparable, this is why India model of development is based on “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas.”

Mr. Rajeev Kumar, Director, National Accounts Division, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), said, “If we have to make things sustainable, we must go local and focus on indigenous development, at grassroot level. Traditional knowledge needs to be combined with policy framework, which can be helpful in removing the challenges and obstacles. We need to work on rediscovering traditional medicines since we know the harmful effects of antibiotics on human body. Also, there is a need to brainstorm about how we can revive ancient wisdom and apply it in the present context.”

Mr. Antony Cyriac, Additional Economic Advisor, Ministry of Finance, stated, “When a country is capital deficient, skilled labour cannot flow. Therefore, skill development is essential for making the country economically strong and we need to develop our own systems of resilience. We must know the stage of development in order to make further development in all areas. Ancient wisdom is important, however, we should not be dependent on ancient wisdom for development, rather we must integrate it with modern practices.”

Mr. Atul Kharate, Chief Operating Officer, Indian Oil Adani Ventures, opined, “There is only 6.8% contribution by India in cleaner use of fossil fuels which needs to be increased. Conservation of fossil fuels, biogas and renewable energy are required to achieve a sustainable economy. We should be committed to holistic energy conservation system which includes a comprehensive approach to saving energy, thereby contributing to sustainability.”

Keynote Speaker, Ms. Tanushri Roy, Policy Consultant, Niti Aayog, asserted, “It is important to align traditional medicine with Sustainable Development Goals. Some of the initiatives which have been taken by the government to achieve sustainability include building traditional knowledge digital library, bringing back ayurveda and ancient systems of medicine, establishment of National Innovation Foundation which is working to strengthen technological innovations by integrating it with traditional knowledge, adopting chemical-free agriculture practices, participation of tribal communities in various sectors and many other initiatives. We all must support these initiatives of the government and make our own contribution towards achieving sustainability.”

Welcoming the guests, Prof. (Dr.) Kavita Indapurkar, Assistant Director, Amity School of Economics, said “The Conference will demonstrate the role of Indigenous Knowledge systems for attaining the Sustainable Development Goals. It will also help in facilitating interdisciplinary studies between heritage, science and sustainability in the light of Indian ethos, by providing a national platform to bring together policymakers, practitioners and innovators towards achieving SDGs.”

During the two-day Conference, Technical Sessions on “Integrating Diverse IKS for Dynamic Advancement of Sustainable Development Goals: A Global and Inclusive Approach”, “Enabled Digital Finance and Accounting: Inclusion, Sustainability, and Transparency, “Inspired Governance and Public Service Innovation: Sustainability, Inclusion, and Digital Transformation in a Global Framework”, “Infused Tech Solutions for Sustainable Socio-Economic Progress”, and many others will be conducted.

New Delhi, March 17: The National Mission on Libraries (NML) is progressing across multiple components aimed at strengthening library infrastructure, digital access to knowledge, and capacity building of library professionals across India, the government informed in the Lok Sabha.

In a written reply, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, said the mission operates through four key components, including the National Virtual Library of India, model libraries, library surveys, and capacity-building programmes.

Digital Knowledge Access through NVLI

Under the National Virtual Library of India (NVLI) component, the Indian Culture Portal was launched in December 2019 to provide unified digital access to resources related to India’s cultural traditions, history, literature, arts and heritage.

The Version 2.0 of the portal, launched on March 5, 2026, introduces a modern architecture with a React-based frontend and Drupal backend, improving performance and scalability.

The upgraded portal features an AI-powered chatbot “Bharti”, integrated with the Government of India’s Bhashini language platform, enabling assistance in 22 Indian languages. It also offers advanced multi-level search, operates as a Progressive Web App, and includes 3D walkthroughs, virtual tours, 46 curated cultural categories, and interactive learning activities.

Model Libraries Across States

Under the Setting up of NML Model Libraries component, financial assistance has been sanctioned for 28 State Central Libraries, 41 District Libraries, and five libraries under the Ministry of Culture to upgrade facilities and services.

Libraries upgraded under the scheme are spread across states and union territories including Port Blair, Itanagar, Ambala, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram and Bhubaneswar, among others.

For instance, in Rajasthan, financial assistance has been provided to Dr. Radhakrishnan Rajya Kendriya Pustakalaya, Jaipur with ₹183.51 lakh sanctioned (₹94.81 lakh released) and Rajakiya Sarvajanik Mandal Pustakalaya, Kota with ₹63.46 lakh sanctioned (₹63.21 lakh released).

Survey and Capacity Building

The Quantitative and Qualitative Survey of Libraries component has been completed and the report has been accepted by the Ministry.

Under the Capacity Building Programme, 54 training programmes have been organised so far, training 2,465 library professionals from across the country.

State Responsibility for Libraries

The government clarified that libraries fall under the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, and therefore public libraries are managed by respective State and Union Territory authorities.

However, the NML scheme provides financial assistance for upgrading one State Central Library and one District Library in each State or Union Territory, based on recommendations from the concerned state authorities.

According to the government, a total of ₹8,671.01 lakh has been sanctioned under the mission, of which ₹6,716.56 lakh has been released so far for library development across the country.

The initiative aims to modernise India’s library ecosystem, expand digital knowledge access, and strengthen the country’s reading and research infrastructure.

Delhi NCR, Mar 16: Sunfeast Bounce of Joy (BOJ), ITC Foods’ flagship initiative promoting outdoor play and physical activity among children, celebrated the successful conclusion of its year-long edition with a grand closing event in Delhi NCR. The program underscores the brand’s commitment to fostering confidence, teamwork, and holistic development through sports.

The finale event, held at St. Mary’s School, Mayur Vihar Phase III, brought together government representatives, sports professionals, educators, and community stakeholders to commemorate the program’s impact. Chief Guest Dr. Parvez Ali, District Sports Officer, G.B. Nagar, lauded the initiative, stating,

“Sports play a critical role in shaping confident, disciplined, and healthy young citizens. Initiatives like Sunfeast Bounce of Joy bring sporting opportunities to children who may otherwise not have access to them, encouraging participation and promoting nation-building values.”

The program, spanning across 250 schools, has reached over 1 lakh students and more than 1.2 lakh beneficiaries in communities across Gautam Buddha Nagar and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Muzaffarpur and Munger in Bihar, and Ranchi in Jharkhand. Activities included the provision of sports equipment, structured coaching sessions, and capacity-building workshops for school physical education teachers.

Indian National footballer Jyoti Chauhan, who has represented the National Women Football Team and Croatian Women’s Club Dinamo Zagreb, participated in the event, inspiring children to embrace sports as a part of their lifestyle.

Kavita Chaturvedi, BU Chief Executive, Biscuits & Confections, ITC Ltd., emphasized,

“At ITC, we believe that sports can be a powerful catalyst for holistic development. Through Sunfeast Bounce of Joy, we aim to create meaningful opportunities for children and communities to engage in physical activity while building life skills such as teamwork, confidence, and leadership. Sports, along with academics, are essential to nurturing well-rounded individuals.”

Highlighting the educational value of physical activity, Pratik Kumar, CEO, Sashakt Foundation, added,

“Structured play is essential for healthy development and effective learning. Physical activity supports attention, memory, and problem-solving, helping students concentrate better and engage more actively in class.”

The closure event also featured participation from school principals, teachers, students, and community elders, including women participants, who shared experiences and acknowledged the positive influence of the program on their schools and communities.

New Delhi: The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) under the Ministry of Education organised a one-day interactive workshop with representatives from Union Territories on March 13, 2026, at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.

The workshop brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Education, representatives from various ministries and departments, and officials from all Union Territories to deliberate on key administrative, financial and legal issues related to school education.

Secretary, DoSEL, Sanjay Kumar inaugurated the workshop and emphasised the importance of regular engagement with Union Territories to strengthen coordination and improve the implementation of education programmes. He highlighted the need to fill vacancies in teaching and non-teaching positions in a timely manner, strengthen academic institutions such as State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs), District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) and State Institutes of Education (SIEs), and ensure prompt responses to parliamentary matters and financial proposals.

Economic Advisor, DoSEL, A. Srija outlined the context of the workshop and noted that the platform would enable Union Territories to exchange ideas and address operational challenges in the education sector.

During the inaugural session, Additional Secretary, DoSEL, Dheeraj Sahu spoke about the importance of strengthening institutional capacity and improving administrative efficiency across Union Territories. Ajay Gupta, Joint Secretary in the Department of Legal Affairs, addressed key issues related to handling litigation and court cases.

Prachi Pandey, Joint Secretary, DoSEL, emphasised that all schools in the Union Territories should be affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Bhupal Nanda, Principal Chief Controller of Accounts in the Ministry of Education, highlighted matters related to financial management and accounting systems.

The technical sessions covered several important topics including the implementation of Section 12(1)(c) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, educational indicators and data reporting for evidence-based policy formulation, onboarding of Union Territories with legislatures onto the SNA-SPARSH platform, and strengthening digital financial management systems.

The sessions also highlighted the role of the Legal Information Management and Briefing System (LIMBS) in monitoring court cases and addressed procurement-related issues on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal to improve transparency and efficiency in government procurement.

Representatives from Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, and Delhi made presentations on issues including court cases, vacancies in teaching and non-teaching positions including special educators, vacancies in SCERTs, DIETs and SIEs, release of funds under Samagra Shiksha, submission of annual reports and audited accounts, parliamentary matters, and challenges faced while using the GeM portal.

The workshop concluded with an interactive discussion and a summary of key takeaways. The deliberations reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Education and the Union Territories to strengthen coordination, enhance institutional capacity, and ensure effective implementation of school education initiatives to improve learning outcomes across the Union Territories.

Study will follow thousands of young children during a critical window for language development

HOUSTON, March 12 – University of Houston researchers have secured an $11.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to conduct a first-of-its-kind study of early language development, tracking thousands of Houston toddlers during a critical period of early childhood.

Led by Elena Grigorenko, the Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished Professor of Psychology, and research professor Jack Fletcher, the project will follow 3,600 children ages 18 to 24 months to better understand how language skills emerge during this early stage and why some children experience delays that can shape later development.

The NIH funding will support a new national Clinical Research Center on Developmental Language Disorders at UH, bringing together experts from psychology, education, health and measurement sciences to study one of the most fundamental questions in human development: how children learn language. This will be the 14th national research center established at UH.

How the Study Will Work

To recruit participants, the research team will partner with the pediatric clinic network at Texas Children’s Hospital, one of the largest in the region. Children will be screened for early language development, allowing researchers to identify those who show signs of delayed speech.

From that group, the team will follow a cohort of about 2,400 children — including both late talkers and children with typical language development — through early childhood to examine how language abilities evolve over time and how early delays may lead to later challenges.

“This will be the first national study to estimate how common late talking is using a large, representative sample of Houston toddlers,” Grigorenko said. “By following these children as they grow, we hope to better understand the developmental pathways that can lead to conditions such as developmental language disorder and autism.”

The Houston Community as a Partner in Discovery

Houston’s linguistic and cultural diversity makes it an ideal setting for this work. The study will include children from a wide range of backgrounds who speak English, Spanish or both, enabling researchers to examine how early communication develops across different home environments and socioeconomic contexts.

“This level of investment from the National Institutes of Health reflects the significance of this work to address a complex challenge affecting children, families and communities,” said Claudia Neuhauser, vice president for research at UH. “By bringing together experts from multiple disciplines and partnering with major health systems across the region, the project reflects our commitment to advancing discoveries that impact our community.”

This research center brings together investigators from multiple UH colleges and departments, along with partners at Baylor College of Medicine and the Texas Center for Learning Disorders. The work also aligns closely with the mission of the Consortium for Translational and Precision Health — a partnership led by Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Houston to accelerate the translation of research into practical health solutions.

“By studying early language development in Houston toddlers, we’re building the knowledge needed to identify developmental challenges sooner and support children at the earliest possible stages,” Grigorenko said.

Bengaluru, Mar 11: Education company PhysicsWallah (PW) has expanded its presence in Bengaluru with the inauguration of a new tech-enabled PW Vidyapeeth centre in Rajarajeshwari Nagar.

 PW Vidyapeeth offers tech-enabled offline centres where students attend in-person classes led by experienced teachers. The new PW Vidyapeeth centre is located at 2nd floor, No. 466/A, Ideal Homes Township, 80 Feet Road, Kenchenhalli, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560098. PW’s other existing Vidyapeeth centres in the city are situated in JP Nagar, Whitefield, Banaswadi, Yelahanka, Rajajinagar and HSR Layout – Harlur Road.

Ankit Gupta, CEO of Vidyapeeth-Offline, PhysicsWallah (PW)said, “At PW, we always try to find avenues of making students’ learning experience better. By opening a new centre in Bengaluru, in addition to our existing centre, we aim to provide our service to more students and bring quality education closer to their homes.”

Furthermore, 11 students from PhysicsWallah in Bengaluru secured a percentile of 99 or above in the recently announced JEE Mains 2026 Session 1 results.

DGT, MSDE Signs Flexi-MoU with Bajaj Auto Ltd. to train Youth in Advanced Automotive Manufacturing Under Industry-Integrated Skilling Model

Chandigarh, Mar 7: In a significant step towards strengthening industry-driven skill development and deepening Government–industry collaboration, the Directorate General of Training (DGT), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, has signed a Flexible Memorandum of Understanding (Flexi-MoU) with Bajaj Auto Ltd., one of India’s leading automotive manufacturers, under the revised Flexi-MoU Scheme (June 2024).

 The partnership will enable Bajaj Auto Ltd. to operate as an Industry Training Partner (ITP) and deliver NSQF-aligned, industry-integrated training programs at its manufacturing facilities in Maharashtra and Uttarakhand. In the first year, Bajaj Auto has proposed an intake of 1,000 trainees, with structured training programs of up to 24 months combining classroom instruction with intensive shopfloor exposure using advanced manufacturing systems.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India said:

“I welcome this partnership as an important step towards strengthening industry-linked skilling in India. Initiatives like these reflect how our skilling ecosystem is evolving to become more closely aligned with the needs of industry. When training is connected to real production environments and modern technologies, it helps young people gain practical experience and become truly job-ready. Such collaborations play a vital role in building a strong pipeline of skilled talent for the country and will be instrumental as India moves towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and positions itself as a global hub for skilled workforce.”

The signing ceremony was graced by Smt. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, MSDE, Shri Dilip Kumar, Director General, Directorate General of Training (DGT) and Shri Sunil Kumar Gupta, Deputy Director General, DGT who attended the event and emphasized the importance of deepening industry partnerships to strengthen demand-driven skilling. The event was also attended by Shri Pranav Choudhary, Director (Curriculum Development), DGT, and Shri Hemant D Ganjare, Director (CFI) DGT, along with officials from the DGT. From Bajaj Auto Limited, Shri Ravi Kyran Ramasamy, Chief HR Officer, along with other representatives of the company, participated in the ceremony, marking a significant step towards expanding industry-integrated training opportunities for India’s youth.

The Flexi-MoU Scheme, implemented by DGT under MSDE, provides industries the flexibility to design customized training programs aligned with emerging technologies and sectoral demands while maintaining alignment with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF). The scheme mandates a minimum annual training capacity of 100 trainees, industry-led practical and formative assessments, and centralized Computer-Based Theoretical (CBT) examinations conducted by DGT. Successful candidates are awarded a National Trade Certificate (NTC), making them eligible for apprenticeship opportunities.

Under the proposed implementation plan, trainees will receive exposure to advanced automotive manufacturing systems, production dojos, quality control systems, plant maintenance technologies, mechatronics systems, welding technologies, assembly operations and logistics management, among others. All courses will be NSQF-aligned and delivered through a structured industry-integrated model leveraging Bajaj Auto’s existing training infrastructure.

The collaboration aims to strengthen industry-aligned skill development within the automotive manufacturing ecosystem while enhancing employability and placement outcomes through exposure to real-time production environments. It is expected to help create a sustainable pipeline of skilled technicians, suppliers, and vendor networks, while also expanding structured career pathways through apprenticeships and long-term employment opportunities.

As per Flexi-MoU Scheme guidelines, Industrial Training Partners are required to ensure placement of at least 50% of successful trainees and may leverage CSR funds to support training costs and stipends. Bajaj Auto has demonstrated a strong commitment to skill development, with nearly 70–80% of its CSR expenditure focused on skilling initiatives. Through initiatives such as Bajaj Engineering Skills Training (BEST), Bajaj Manufacturing Systems (BMS) and Bajaj STEP (Service Technician Excellence Program), the company is already impacting over 90,000 students annually across India.

The Flexi-MoU signed between DGT and Bajaj Auto will remain valid for ten years, extendable subject to performance outcomes in enrolment, learning achievements and placements, in line with the scheme provisions.

This collaboration with Bajaj Auto Ltd. marks another milestone in MSDE’s mission to create a future-ready workforce, aligned with India’s manufacturing growth ambitions and the larger national objective of building a skilled, self-reliant and globally competitive India.

ESCP Business School has announced the appointment of Professor Cédric Denis-Rémis as Executive Vice-President of Executive Education and Corporate Relations, and Dean of ESCP School of Technology, effective February 23. He will report to Léon Laulusa, Executive President and Dean of ESCP Business School, and will serve as a member of the Executive Committee.
 
A graduate of École des Mines de Paris, Cédric Denis-Rémis holds a PhD and a Habilitation to (Supervise) Direct Research (HDR). He has built his career at the intersection of technological innovation, entrepreneurship, and higher education. He previously served as Vice-President of PSL University, where he oversaw development, innovation, entrepreneurship, and Executive Education. Prior to that, as Deputy Director of Mines Paris–PSL, he founded and directed the Institute of Higher Education in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IHEIE).
 
He has also led several international academic initiatives, particularly in China, where he served as European Executive Director of the China-EU Institute for Clean and Renewable Energy (ICARE), and later as Dean of the Shanghai JiaoTong–ParisTech Institute of Technology.
 
Deeply involved in disruptive technologies and defence topics, he was head of the French Ministry of the Armed Forces’ Red Team Defence programme. In 2018, he created the Specialised Master’s degree in DeepTech Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Mines Paris–PSL and developed two investment funds between PSL and Elaia that have invested in more than 40 deeptech companies.
 
Author of approximately sixty publications, his research focuses on the intersection of risk management and innovation management. He is also co-founder of Zénon, a think tank dedicated to climate technologies, and serves as a member of the French Defence Procurement Council.
 
By entrusting him with Executive Education, Corporate Relations, and the launch of the School of Technology, ESCP accelerates its 2026–2030 strategic plan to transform its educational model and prepare future leaders with the hybrid skills required to address the major challenges of the 21st century.
 
The ESCP School of Technology will welcome its first cohort in September 2027. The school will train students at the intersection of technological expertise, strategic vision, and managerial responsibility.

“In a context where technologies are profoundly transforming business models and skills, we need leaders capable of bridging innovation, academic excellence, and the corporate world. The appointment of Cédric Denis-Rémis fully aligns with this ambition and will contribute to the implementation of our Bold & United strategic plan,” says Professor Léon Laulusa, Dean and Executive President of ESCP Business School. 

“The convergence of management and technology has become essential. Throughout my career, I have worked at this interface, in close collaboration with academic and industry stakeholders. Joining ESCP today means contributing to a European academic project that places this convergence at the heart of its development,” says Cédric Denis-Rémis, Executive Vice-President in charge of Executive Education and Corporate Relations and Dean of ESCP School of Technology.

The creation of the ESCP School of Technology in 2027 marks the first major milestone of the Bold & United strategic plan. This plan also includes the creation of the ESCP School of Governance in 2029, completing ESCP’s ambition to establish itself as the first European University of Management by 2030.