Education News This Week: CBSE practical exam dates; IIT Delhi suicide; IIT Bombay’s facelift

NEW DELHI: From CBSE’s 2025 exam schedule announcement to infrastructure expansion at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, this week saw significant developments in India’s education sector.

Major stories include cyclone-related school closures, Supreme Court’s review of madrasa education, tragic demise of an IIT Delhi student, and NCPCR’s suspended madrasa directive. The Supreme Court also resumed hearing in the NEET PG results controversy on Friday, but postponed the matter till Monday.

Here’s a roundup of five key educational updates.

CBSE board exam 2025 schedule announced

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has set January 1, 2025, as the start date for Class 10 and 12 practical examinations, with theory papers beginning February 15. Winter-bound schools will conduct practicals earlier, from November 5 to December 14, 2024. The board has issued detailed guidelines for marks distribution across theory, practical, and internal assessments.

Full story | CBSE Board Exam 2025: Class 10, 12 practical exam dates out; passing marks

IIT Delhi student dies by suicide

A second-year MSc Cognitive Science student at IIT Delhi, Yash Kumar, was found deceased in his hostel room on Tuesday night. No suicide note was discovered, though police reported he was under psychiatric treatment.

This marks the second student death at IIT Delhi this year, following MTech student Varad Sanjay Nerkar's death in February. This incident adds to recent student suicides at other IITs, including Kanpur and Guwahati.

Full story | IIT Delhi MSc student dies by suicide; second death this year

IIT Bombay plans infrastructure upgrade

IIT Bombay has announced ambitious expansion plans to increase its built-up area by 75% to 16 lakh square metres. The vertical expansion will preserve existing trees and ecology while adding 4,000 new student rooms.

Of a total budget of about Rs 2,000 crore, the institute has invested Rs 500 crore in advanced research equipment, including liquid helium and high-performance computing facilities, funded through a Rs 1,000 crore government grant under the Institute of Eminence status. Additionally, the institute plans to implement flipped classrooms to enhance learning effectiveness and strengthen industry collaborations and international partnerships.

Full story | IIT Bombay plans to strengthen infra, introduce flipped classroom to enhance learning

The announcements came with the release of a review that recommended modifications to the placement process, setting up outreach campuses and a human resource welfare division.

Full story | IIT Bombay should modify placement process, set up outreach campuses, suggests review panel

Cyclone Dana forces school closures

In response to the impending Cyclone Dana, both West Bengal and Odisha governments announced school closures in multiple districts for four days from October 23. The India Meteorological Department warned of a severe cyclonic storm developing over the Bay of Bengal with wind speeds of 100-110 kmph.

As precautionary measures, 14 districts in Odisha and 9 districts in West Bengal kept schools closed, while President Murmu's Odisha visit was postponed.

Schools and Anganwadi centres remained shut in Bengaluru Urban district too on Wednesday in view of a heavy rain forecast.

Full story | West Bengal schools shut from October 23 to 26 in view of cyclone Dana: Report

Supreme Court reviews UP madrasa law

The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on appeals challenging the Allahabad High Court's decision that declared the 2004 UP Madrasa Education Act unconstitutional. The High Court had ruled that the law violated secular principles and directed the state to integrate madrasa students into formal schooling.

The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, heard arguments from senior lawyers over two days and had previously stayed the verdict affecting 17 lakh madrasa students. The final judgment will determine the fate of the state’s madrasa education system.

Full story | SC reserves verdict on pleas against Allahabad HC judgement revoking UP madrasa law

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NCERT’s NAS renamed PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024: The National Achievement Survey (NAS) has been rebranded as PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024, and is set to be conducted on December 4. Administered by NCERT, it introduces new assessment frameworks, focusing on Classes 3, 6, and 9.

Full story | ‘PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024’ replaces NCERT’s NAS; test for 23 lakh school kids in December

AICTE approvals to BBA, BCA colleges: The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has approved 5,814 institutions for Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Computer Application and Bachelor of Management Studies (BBA, BCA and BMS) courses.

However, nearly 3,000 institutes remain unapproved citing concerns over AICTE’s standards and infrastructure requirements.

Full story | Over 5,800 BBA, BCA colleges now AICTE-approved but 33% yet to comply

ICAR reforms for agriculture courses: A panel set up by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research has recommended widespread reforms for programmes in agriculture and allied fields. A three-part series explores the changes proposed in curriculum, new BSc Agriculture courses and the effort to make graduates employable.

Part I: ICAR paves way for multiple exits, exam reforms in agriculture courses

Part II: ICAR’s new UG courses – Natural farming, agribusiness management

Part III: Agriculture Courses: ICAR makes internships a must, adds skills training in revamped curriculum

India-Canada row hits admissions: Ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada are causing anxiety for Indian students in Canada. Concerns over visa processing, work permits, and job opportunities are exacerbated by new Canadian restrictions on international students. Many are now exploring alternative study destinations.

Full story | India-Canada row hits admissions; students, study-abroad consultants fret

Politicians whose children opted to study abroad: Vice President Jagadeep Dhankhar recently labelled the trend of studying abroad as a “new disease”, but it turns out, his own daughter has been afflicted by it. Here’s a list of serving or former ministers and members of parliament whose children studied abroad.

Full story | ‘New Disease’: Nirmala Sitharaman, S Jaishankar and 16 politicians whose children studied abroad

If you know someone – friend or family member – at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. Those in distress or having suicidal thoughts or tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling 9820466726 or visiting AASRA’s official website or can call iCALL on 9152987821. Here are some more helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.