Education

The Union Cabinet approved the ₹6,000 crore 'One Nation One Subscription' scheme on November 25, 2024, aimed at providing nationwide access to over 13,000 international research journals. This initiative will benefit nearly 1.8 crore students, faculty, researchers, and scientists from government-run higher education institutions and R&D bodies across India, including those in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. The journals will be accessible through a digital platform managed by the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET), promoting both core and interdisciplinary research.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is set to release the date sheet for the 2025 board exams, with exams expected to start on February 15, 2025. The official date sheet will likely be published in December, giving students ample time to prepare. It’s crucial that students rely only on the official CBSE website, cbse.gov.in, for updates to avoid misinformation. Internal assessments and practical exams will begin on January 1, 2025, and students should remain focused on their preparation amidst the false information circulating on social media.

BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, called for doubling the number of universities in India to 2,500 to ensure that 50% of the student population can access higher education. Despite significant growth in educational infrastructure, only 29% of age-eligible students are currently enrolled in universities. Highlighting India’s digital advancements, Subrahmanyam also praised the country as “the biggest laboratory in the digital world,” noting its leadership in financial transactions and fintech innovation. He projected that by 2047, India would become a $30 trillion economy, surpassing the US and China.