Schools, Colleges Closed: Boards, universities postpone exams as Omicron, COVID-19 cases rise

Tamil Nadu Covid Cases: Tamil Nadu registered a dip in new COVID-19 infections with 23,443 cases but the active cases breached the 1.50 lakh mark on Monday. As many as 20 Covid deaths were reported in the state, a health bulletin said. Presently, there are 1,52,348 active Covid cases in Tamil Nadu, reported PTI.

COVID in India: Pune in Maharashtra on Monday recorded 7,708 COVID-19 cases. The total number of cases in the district until now is 12,57,593, an official said, as per a PTI report.

Vikram University, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh has postponed all the ongoing and scheduled exams from January 20. The revised dates will be announced soon, said a statement from the Ujjain university.  

Vikram University Exam News: All exams from Jan 20 postponed

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi and International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi discovered a potential non-vaccine treatment for COVID-19 infection from extracts of the petals of the Himalayan buransh plant. The extracts from Himalayan buransh plant can prevent the coronavirus entry into human cells and also prevent its replication. 

COVID-19 experts in Karnataka expect a peak in coronavirus positive cases by January 25 before coming down gradually, Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashoka said today, as per a PTI report.

COVID-19 experts in Karnataka expect a peak in coronavirus positive cases by January 25 before coming down gradually, Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashoka said today, as per a PTI report.

Due to state elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab, the SSC has postponed the SSC election post phase 9 exam 2021 which was scheduled for February 2 to 10, 2022, for those candidates who have been allotted examination centres in these states. 

Covid cases are decreased in Delhi over the last four days, said Satyendar Jain, Delhi health minister. He assured migrant workers that there will be no lockdown in Delhi. According to him, Delhi recorded 24,383, 20,178, and 18,286 COVID positive cases on January 14, January 15, and January 17, respectively, which indicates a decreasing trend of Coronavirus infection, reported the PTI. 

The Tamil Nadu government completed 100 per cent first dose COVID vaccination for state-run school students of 15-18 years age group, said Ma Subramanian, health minister of Tamil Nadu today, as per a PTI report. 

Totally, 76 per cent of students of the age group 15-18 have been vaccinated in Tamil Nadu. 

Maharashtra School News: Maharashtra government will decide on whether to reopen schools or not within 10-15 days, as there are demands from different quarters, said Rajesh Tope, state health minister. "Since the COVID-19 cases among school students are low in number, and taking into account the learning loss, a decision will be taken soon," he said, reported News18. 

Maharashtra schools and colleges were closed on Saturday till February 15, except for Class 10 and Class 12 in view of the increasing Covid cases in the state. 

India may begin administering COVID-19 vaccines to children of the 12-14 years age group in March, said NK Arora, COVID-19 NTAGI working group chairman. Out of the estimated 7.4 crore population in the 15-18 age group, over 3.45 crore children have been vaccinated so far with the first dose of Covaxin, he said, as per a PTI report. 

As many as 967 schools in Kerala, with above 500 student beneficiaries for COVID-19 vaccine each will be made vaccination centres from January 19 for vaccinating children between the age group of 15 to 18 years. About 8.14 lakh students will get vaccinated in Kerala, said V Sivankutty, education minister of Kerala, reported ANI. 

Exam Postponed News: The University of Kashmir postpones all ongoing and scheduled examinations from January 18, 2022, in view of increasing Covid cases. "The revised schedule will be announced separately in due course of time," said a notice from Kashmir University.

Kashmir University Examination: University of Kashmir postpones due to surge in Covid cases 

"Shutting down schools due to the pandemic cannot be justified. There is no evidence to cite that reopening schools has caused a surge in Covid cases and that schools are not a safe place”, said Jaime Saavedra, director of World Bank’s Global Education. He further said that waiting to open school till children are vaccinated does not make sense as there is “no science” behind it, reported the Indian Express. 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister today reviewed the Covid-19 situation in the state and ordered the authorities to strictly follow Covid-19 guidelines for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Teachers Eligibility Test (UPTET 2021). The Uttar Pradesh chief minister’s office informed that about 39℅ adolescents in the age group 15-18 have received the first dose vaccine and 4.09 lakh eligible people have also received the vaccine dose.

READ | UPTET 2021: UP CM issues Covid-19 guidelines; asks to check past record of exam centre

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Monday said that the city is likely to witness 4,000-5,000 less COVID-19 cases than the number reported on Sunday. He also said the vaccination drive in Delhi completed one year on Monday and a total of 2.85 crore doses have been administered so far. Jain said that Covid cases in the city have been reducing and Monday will be the fourth straight day when the number of cases will be lesser than the cases reported on the previous days.

An MLC from Aurangabad has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray requesting him to rethink the closure of schools and colleges, which he claimed is forcing boys to work in fields while girls are being married off at an early age by their parents, the PTI reported.

"100 percent of school students between 15 to 18 years in Tamil Nadu have been inoculated with the first dose of the #COVID19 vaccine," State Health Minister M Subramanian said, as per ANI.

100% school students vaccinated in Tamil Nadu

A total of 8,209 cases of the Omicron variant have been detected across 29 states and union territories, out of which 3,109 have recovered or migrated. Maharashtra recorded the maximum 1,738 cases

India saw a single-day rise of 2,58,089 new coronavirus infections taking the tally of cases to 3,73,80,253, which included 8,209 cases of the Omicron variant detected so far, according to data updated by the Union Health Ministry on Monday.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur reports 20 new Covid-19 cases on campus, of which 8 of them are students, as per reports.

Covid-19 cases in IIT Kharagpur 

Amid the rising Covid-19 cases in India, Varanasi schools are closed till January 23, 2022. However, it has been informed that the schools will continue online classes for the students.

Varanasi school closed

With India's Covid vaccination drive completing one year on Sunday, BJP president J P Nadda said the task of jabbing the country's huge population seemed impossible but was made possible under the "stellar leadership" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with over 92 per cent of population having received the first dose, PTI reported.

India's COVID-19 vaccination cross the 156 crore mark with more than 57 lakh vaccine doses administered on Saturday, the Union health ministry said, as per PTI reports. 

Covid Vaccination for Children in India: As many as 3,36,09,191 vaccine doses have been administered for children belonging to the 15-18 age group, 

A weekend lockdown has been imposed in the Union territory of The Jammu and Kashmir government has announced from today. About 2,456 new COVID-19 cases have been recorded across J-K. Exams scheduled in the state are postponed, reported WION. 

West Bengal New Covid Guidelines: West Bengal extended its Covid restrictions till January 31, 2022. "All schools, colleges and universities will remain closed till January 31. Administrative activities will be allowed in educational institutions with half of the staff capacity at a time," said an official order from the West Bengal government, reported PTI. 

Covid in Odisha: Bihar registered 6,325 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, making the total number of Coronavirus infection cases 7,81,716. Four deaths were also reported today, reported PTI. The capital city Patna registered 2,305 fresh infections. 

NGPC: National PG College Lucknow has postponed exams scheduled to be conducted between January 17 to 31,2022. Exam scheduled from February 1 onwards will be held as per schedule. The postponed exams will be rescheduled from February 5 onwards. Candidates are advised to keep an eye on the college website npgc.in for further updates. 

NGPC Lucknow: NGPC postpones exams scheduled to be conducted on January 17

Uttar Pradesh recorded 15,795 new Covid cases on Saturday, making the total number of Coronavirus infections to 95,148. Four deaths have also been reported, making the death toll in the state 22,953, reported PTI. 

Lucknow witnessed the highest number of new Covid cases with 2,769 individuals testing positive followed by 1,873 from Gautam Budh Nagar. 

As many as 20 new COVID-19 cases, including eight students, has been reported from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur campus, an official said on Saturday. Twelve faculty members and non-teaching staff of the premier institute are among the new patients, he said, reported the PTI. 

Previously, 60 Covid cases were reported from IIT Kharagpur campus, out of which 40 were students.  

Delhi registered 20,718 news COVID-19 cases along with 30 deaths on Saturday, says health department data, as per a report by the PTI. 

The reduction in the number of cases could be due to fewer tests being conducted on Friday. Delhi had reported 24,383 cases on Friday. 

The University of Hyderabad (UoH) has asked the students residing on the campus to vacate their hostels owing to a surge of COVID cases on the campus. Covid cases are rising in Telangana and Hyderabad city. The UoH student union has condemned the appeal. 

UOHYD: DSW requests students to vacate hostels owing to increasing Covid cases

Cluster University, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir postponed all the offline examinations, which were scheduled from January 17, 2022, due to increased Omicron, COVID cases in the union territory. 

"The revised CUS exam schedule for the exams shall be notified separately," said a notice issued by the CUS controller of examinations. CU Srinagar: Cluster University postpones all offline exams owing to increased Covid, Omicron cases

Students of Krea University in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh alleged that they were uninformed about the COVID cases on the campus as a faculty and a few students had tested Coronavirus positive, reported the Indian Express. 

Kerala Covid News: Kerala education minister V Sivankutty said that there is no change in the examination dates announced for the Kerala board exams, Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) exam and Higher Secondary (DHSE) exams, reported the PTI. 

Kerala schools are closed as a precautionary measure, he said. 

V Sivankutty, education minister of Kerala, said there was no considerable spread of COVID-19 among students in Kerala, but the hold on offline classes for students of classes 1 to 9 for two weeks was a precautionary step due to the rise in Covid cases in Kerala recently, reported the PTI. 

Offline classes will continue for students of classes 10, 11 and 12 with adherence to all Covid protocols, he said.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration imposed restrictions on non-essential movement during weekends on Saturday due to an increase in Covid cases The union territory saw 2,456 new Covid cases a day earlier. 

Last week, the Jammu and Kashmir administration issued Covid guidelines that enforced online classes up to the college level. 

As the Covid-19 positivity rate rises rapidly in Goa, Goa University (GU) issued a circular on Thursday postponing all its offline exams scheduled from January 14 by three weeks. The exams will now be held from February 7 onwards.

Approximately 24,000 people will be permitted to attend the Republic Day parade on January 26 this year given the COVID-19 situation in the national capital, sources in the defence establishment said on Saturday. In 2020, before the pandemic struck India, around 1.25 lakh people were permitted to attend the parade, they noted. The Republic Day celebrations will now begin every year from January 23 instead of January 24 to include the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Subash Chandra Bose, government sources said on Saturday.

Read | From this year, Republic Day celebrations to begin from Subash Chandra Bose' birth anniversary on Jan 23

In other news, the National Board of Examinations (NBE) has started the NEET PG registration for the NEET PG 2022 exam on the official website nbe.edu.in today, January 15. The NBE has announced that the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate or NEET PG 2022 exam will be held on March 12.

READ | NEET PG 2022 registration begins today at nbe.edu.in; Exam on March 12

Odisha’s COVID-19 caseload mounted to 11,22,735 on Saturday with 10,856 fresh infections, while two more fatalities pushed the death toll to 8,478, the Health Department said in a bulletin. Odisha has shut all colleges, universities and technical institutions in the state until February 1, 2022.

A total of 6,041 Omicron cases have been detected so far, an increase of 5.01 per cent since Friday, the data updated at 8 am showed.

India registered 2,68,833 new Covid infections in a day taking the tally to 3,68,50,962, which includes 6,041 Omicron variant cases, according to the Union Health Ministry data on Saturday. With 402 more deaths, the number of people who have succumbed to the viral disease has risen to 4,85,752. The case fatality rate was 1.32 per cent.

The Kerala government has decided to suspend offline teaching for Classes up to 9. The decision was taken in a high-level Covid review meeting which was held today and chaired by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The government reintroduced online classes for students studying in Class 1 to Class 9, reported the ANI.

Union health ministry informed that a total of 8,58,161 vaccination doses have been administered for the 15-18 years age group on January 14, 2022. The Covid-19 vaccination drive started on January 3.

Covid vaccination update

As many as 84 children in at least eight schools of Jharkhand's Dumka district have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last two days, an official said on Friday. Forty-five school children, including 23 students of RSK High School at Nonihat, tested positive for the infection during the day.

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday said COVID cases in the region have risen 10 times in the past 10 days. The sharp spike has necessitated strict observance of the COVID-appropriate behaviour, protocols, and curtailment of unnecessary movement by the general public, it said. The administration has declared 12 containment zones in the Jammu city as the number of COVID cases rose to 588.

Haryana School News: Unvaccinated children in the age group of 15-18 years will not be allowed to enter schools in Haryana when they reopen, Anil Vij, the state health minister said on Friday. Haryana schools are currently closed due to an increase in Coronavirus cases, reported the PTI. 

Gujarat registered 10,019 new Covid cases today, making the total coronavirus cases in the state cross the 9 lakh mark. Two Covid related death has also been reported, the Health Department said as per a PTI report. 

Gujarat schools has been recently shut for classes 1 to 9 till January 31 in view of the rising Covid cases. 

The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) 2021-22 scheduled for January 16 has been postponed. The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) Examination for Class VIII has also been postponed, reported the Times of India. 

Telangana registered 2,398 new COVID-19 cases, along with three deaths on Friday. The total number of Covid cases in Telangana rose to 7, 05,199. Hyderabad saw the highest number of fresh cases in Telangana with 1,233 cases. 

Covid in Karnataka: Karnataka has registered 28,723 new Covid cases, with 14 deaths in the last 24 hours. The active Coronavirus infection cases in the state increased to 1,41,337. 3105 individuals in the state have recovered today, reported ANI. 

NIOS today declared the result of Class 10 and Class 12 November-December, 2021 exam. Candidates can view the NIOS result from the official website, results.nios.ac.in and the Digilocker platform at digilocker.gov.in.

NIOS has declared today,the result of Secondary Course & Sr. Secondary course Nov-Dec,2021 Exam.A total
number of 57258 learners for Secondary course & 82043 learners for Sr.Secondary course
Exam were registered.Learners can view result from: https://t.co/sHScgOTDAW. @ANI pic.twitter.com/xGLPIdAP64

— NIOS (@niostwit) January 14, 2022

Online classes for students of classes 1 to 9 of Kerala will begin from January 21 for two weeks. "The decision on continuance of online mode of education will be taken after the second week of February. The school authorities in Kerala will take the decision to close schools for two weeks if the institution becomes a cluster," said a statement from the Kerala chief minister's office. 

Kerala Covid News: Kerala government suspends offline teaching for Classes up to 9 in view of rising Covid cases in Kerala. The decision was taken in a Covid review meeting chaired by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The government has directed schools to continue academic activities in online mode for students studying in Class 1 to Class 9, reported the ANI.

Panjab University will conduct undergraduate and postgraduate odd semester theory examinations and practical examinations in online mode, in January. The theory exam will begin on January 24, 2022, and the practical examinations on January 17, 2022.  

Panjab University limits movements of people on the campus, asking wardens to allow hostellers to go out only if necessary, in a newly issued advisory due to an increase in Covid cases. The university had recently closed the student centre for four days, reported the Hindustan Times. 

Campus residents are barred from going out unless for valid reasons. Visitors are not allowed inside the hostels. If parents want to meet their wards, they will have to take permission from the wardens. 

Central University of Karnataka (CUK) reported 11 new Covid cases on Thursday, making the total number of Coronavirus cases in the CUK campus 59, reported the Deccan Herald. 

Those infected are being treated at the isolation facility in the university. Classes are going on in online mode.

Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla, Odisha has postponed the MBBS exams, which was scheduled to start on January 15, due to the increasing number of Covid cases in Odisha, reported the Odisha TV. 

Odisha recorded 10,273 fresh COVID-19 cases on Friday, making the total number of cases 11,11,879, a health department bulletin said, as per PTI report. 

Four individuals died due to the disease. As many as 1,065 children were infected with the Coronavirus.

The third wave of COVID-19 is much faster than the first two waves, said Sudhakar K, Karnataka health minister. He further shared data regarding the doubling rates of Covid cases in all three waves in social media. 

3rd wave is much faster than the first two waves. How fast is it actually? Here's a look at the doubling rates of all three waves.#COVID19 #Omicron #ThirdWave #doublingrate pic.twitter.com/GmmViAn2aH

— Dr Sudhakar K (@mla_sudhakar) January 14, 2022

University of Lucknow has postponed all semester exams scheduled between January 15 to 31, 2022 after the university reported 50 Covid-19 cases. Lucknow University had yesterday asked first-semester undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) students to vacate hostels and return home for their safety. Fresh dates of examinations will be announced soon at www.lkouniv.ac.in.

Lucknow University postpones exams due to rise in Covid-19 cases on campus

The union territory of Puducherry clocked 1,471 fresh coronavirus cases during the last 24 hours pushing the cumulative caseload to 1,35,337, a senior Health department official said

More than 75 per cent of those who succumbed to the novel coronavirus infection in the current wave in Delhi were unvaccinated, Health Minister Satyendra Jain said

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the schools for Classes 1 to 12 have been closed till January 31 due to rise in COVID-19 cases. The decision was taken in a review meeting today.

Lucknow University on Thursday postponed all the scheduled examinations between January 15 and January 31.

Rajasthan education minister Bulaki Das Kalla said, “The practical examinations of Class 12th which are going to start from January 17 in the state have been postponed till further orders. Due to the increasing corona infection, 25 districts in the state have come under the Red Zone. In view of these circumstances and on the advice of experts, this decision has been taken.”

प्रदेश में 17 जनवरी से शुरू होने जा रही 12वीं की प्रायोगिक परीक्षाओं को आगामी आदेश तक स्थगित कर दिया गया है। बढ़ते कोरोना संक्रमण के कारण राज्य में 25 जिले रेड जोन में आ गए हैं। इन परिस्थितियों को देखते हुए तथा विशेषज्ञों की सलाह पर यह निर्णय लिया गया है। @RajGovOfficial

— Dr. Bulaki Das Kalla (@DrBDKallaINC) January 13, 2022

Bihar Education Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary informed students that the Bihar board intermediate, matric board exams will be conducted as per the schedule released earlier, the News18 reported.

READ | Bihar board exam 2022 won’t be postponed; BSEB 12th admit card likely on January 20: Report

Eleven more people at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad have tested positive for coronavirus, raising the infection tally at the leading business school to 81 in the last two weeks, the IIMA said on Thursday. Out of the 98 people who were tested on Tuesday by health teams, the reports of 11 came out positive for the coronavirus, the institute said in a release.

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad

India saw a single day jump of 2,64,202 new coronavirus infections, the highest in 239 days, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,65,82,129 which includes  5,753 cases of the Omicron variant, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. There has been a 4.83 per cent increase in Omicron cases since Thursday. The  active cases have increased to 12,72,073, the highest in 220 days

30 MBBS students of Fakir Mohan Medical College and Hospital (FM MCH) in Balasore, Odisha tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday. With the new cases, the total number of infected students in FM MCH reached 43. On Tuesday, 13 students had tested positive for Covid, as per the Indian Express report.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad has shared facts on the situation of COVID-19 in the institute.

• Only double vaccinated students have been invited to the IIT Hyderabad campus.
• Currently, the institute has 211 rooms for isolation and will be further increased on the basis of requirement.
• IIT Hyderabad currently has 112 Covid-positive active cases among the students. All of them have been isolated into separate isolation areas.
• Almost all the reported cases are either mild or asymptomatic and are showing good signs of recovery within 4-5 days.
• Sanitization or disinfection of isolation facilities, washrooms are being done at regular intervals.

 To know more Read | ‘Only doubly vaccinated students on campus’: IIT Hyderabad shares facts on COVID-19 situation

Pune district on Thursday recorded 9,645 new COVID-19 cases, taking its overall tally to 12,19,426, while the death toll increased by three to touch 19,277, an official said. While West Bengal reported 23,467 new COVID-19 cases, 1,312 more than the previous day, which raised the tally to 18,41,050, the health department said in its bulletin. Twenty-six more COVID deaths were recorded in the state, On the other hand, Assam recorded 3,238 new COVID-19 cases, 36 less than the previous day, as the overall caseload in the state increased to 6,38,288, a National Health Mission (NHM) bulletin said.

Covid-19, Omicron cases in India

Uttar Pradesh schools and colleges shut after the state recorded fresh Covid-19 cases. On Thursdady, Uttar Pradesh reported 14,765 fresh COVID-19 cases, raising the tally of active cases in the state to 71,022 while six more fatalities pushed the death toll to 22,946, an official statement said.

Amid the soaring COVID-19 cases in Delhi, the number of containment zones have gone up from less than 1,000 to nearly 24,000 within the past fortnight, officials said on Thursday. There were 800 containment zones in the national capital on December 30, 2020. According to the latest official figures, the number rose to 23,997 by mid-January. South Delhi topped the list of 11 districts in the city with 8,383 containment zones.

Due to a steady rise in COVID-19 cases in Chhattisgarh, the state government on Thursday ordered that offline classes in colleges and universities be stopped with immediate effect, and also set an attendance cap for academic and non-academic staffers in these institutions, an official said, as per PTI.

Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi has been hospitalised after he tested positive for COVID-19, an official said on Thursday, PTI reported.

Observing that the COVID-19 outbreak is now being called as an epidemic of the unvaccinated, the Delhi High Court Thursday said the government must vaccinate at the earliest those people who are old and unwell. The court was hearing a plea seeking formulation of a policy on urgent door-to-door COVID-19 vaccination for bed-ridden senior citizens here, PTI reported.

Over 56,000 eligible teenagers received their first COVID-19 vaccine doses in Delhi on Thursday, while more than 24,000 precaution shots were also administered, according to official figures, PTI reported.

A Covid 19 review virtual meeting with all chief ministers, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was held today. 

ಕೋವಿಡ್ ನಿರ್ವಹಣೆ ಕುರಿತು ಮಾನ್ಯ ಪ್ರಧಾನಮಂತ್ರಿ ಶ್ರೀ @narendramodi ಅವರ ನೇತೃತ್ವದಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ರಾಜ್ಯಗಳ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳ ಜತೆ ನಡೆದ ವರ್ಚುವಲ್ ಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾನ್ಯ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ ಶ್ರೀ @BSBommai ಅವರೊಂದಿಗೆ ಪಾಲ್ಗೊಂಡೆ.

ಈ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಚಿವರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ @JnanendraAraga, ಶ್ರೀ @BCNagesh_bjp ಉಪಸ್ಥಿತರಿದ್ದರು.@PMOIndia https://t.co/a7VOt7x1US pic.twitter.com/x58yg9vJpc

— Dr. Ashwathnarayan C. N. (@drashwathcn) January 13, 2022

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) counselling dates has been released by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) at mcc.nic.in. The NEET counselling 2021 registrations for round one will start from January 19, onwards. 

Goa University Latest News About Exams: Goa University postponed offline examinations for all programmes, which were scheduled from January 14 by three weeks. The postponed exams will commence from February 7 onwards, said a circular posted on Goa University official website. Goa University postpones all exams by three weeks

Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that the NEET UG Counseling will begin from January 19 by MCC.  He extended wishes to all the candidates. 

प्रिय छात्रों, MCC द्वारा NEET-UG के लिए काउंसलिंग 19 जनवरी से प्रारंभ की जा रही है।

आप सभी देश का भविष्य हैं और आशा है की आप सभी सेवा ही धर्म के मंत्र के साथ अपने करियर को आगे नई दिशा देंगे। मैं सभी को हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं देता हूँ।

— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) January 13, 2022

UPPSC AE Exam Date 2022 Postponed: The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission Combined State Engineering Services exam for the post of Assistant Engineer has been postponed. The UPPSC AE exam was scheduled to be conducted on January 27, 2022. The exam will now be conducted on April 17, 2022. UPPSC AE Exam Date Postponed: The exam will now be conducted on April 17, 2022

RTU Exam News: All upcoming exams of Rajasthan Technical University, Kota is postponed, owing to rising Covid cases till further orders. Students are advised to keep an eye on the RTU official website, www.rtu.ac.in

RTU Exam Date 2022: RTU exams are postponed. New exam dates will be announced soon on RTU website, www.rtu.ac.in  

Over 25,000 new Covid cases have been reported in Karnataka, out of which more than 18,000 new Coronavirus positive cases are from Bangalore, said Karnataka health minister Sudhakar K

New cases cross 25k in Karnataka and 18k in Bengaluru:
◾New cases in State: 25,005
◾New cases in B'lore: 18,374
◾Positivity rate in State: 12.39%
◾Discharges: 2,363
◾Active cases State: 1,15,733 (B'lore- 91k)
◾Deaths:08 (B'lore- 03)
◾Tests: 2,01,704#COVID19 #Omicron

— Dr Sudhakar K (@mla_sudhakar) January 13, 2022

Aligarh Muslim University: New postgraduate students attend orientation session of department of commerce in online mode due to rise in Covid cases in Uttar Pradesh 

#??? ??? ???????????? ???????? ?????? ?????????? ?? ???????? ?????? ???????????
?https://t.co/0McwoNHj56@PIBHRD @dpradhanbjp @ProfTariqManso1 @PMOIndia @CimGOI @EduMinOfIndia @rashtrapatibhvn @ANI @ugc_india pic.twitter.com/9J4MaXWEMS

— Aligarh Muslim University (@AMUofficialPRO) January 13, 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday interacted with chief ministers over the COVID-19 situation in the country amid a surge in coronavirus cases due to its Omicron variant. The interaction has been held via video-conferencing, PTI reported.

The Delhi High Court Thursday pulled up the Delhi Government for “inaction and lethargy” in making operational a COVID care centre at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus even though space has been earmarked for it, PTI reported.

Eleven more people at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad have tested positive for coronavirus, raising the infection tally at the leading business school to 81 in the last two weeks, the IIMA said on Thursday, as per PTI.

We just got the news from UPUMS Saifai,tht most of the students with their #Democratic #rights are now on #protests against the university administration to #postponeMBBSexam
We are in support with students but at same time advice them to have #socialdistance to avoid infection. pic.twitter.com/Bp6hRe1371

— RDA Uttar Pradesh (@RDA_UP) January 13, 2022

Senior BJP MLA from Nilagiri in Odisha’s Balasore district Sukanta Nayak has tested COVID-19 positive for the third time in a span of 18 months, the lawmaker said Thursday. Nayak told PTI that he tested positive for the virus on Wednesday and is isolating at home. He had first contracted COVID-19 in July 2020 and again in September that year, PTI reported.

The number of candidates appearing for the IELTS exam in India for studying in or migrating to an English-speaking country has increased by up to 15 per cent since the pre-pandemic years, according to official figures, reported PTI.

प्रधानमंत्री @narendramodi जी के नेतृत्व में अब तक 15-18 आयु वर्ग के 3 करोड़ से अधिक युवाओं को #COVID19 वैक्सीन की पहली खुराक लग चुकी है। #LargestVaccinationDrive को लेकर किशोरों का उत्साह, कोरोना के विरुद्ध देश की लड़ाई को और मज़बूत करने में उनकी ज़िम्मेदारी का प्रतीक है। pic.twitter.com/1uxjAnAha2

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) January 13, 2022

BC Nagesh, Karnataka state minister of primary and secondary education visited Basavanagudi government girls undergraduate college and girls high school as Bengaluru is undergoing vaccination for children of age group 15 to 18 years. He interacted with the students, teachers, and medical staff. 

15 ರಿಂದ 18 ವರ್ಷದೊಳಗಿನವರಿಗೆ ಲಸಿಕಾಕರಣ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ
ಬಸವನಗುಡಿ ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಬಾಲಕಿಯರ ಪದವಿಪೂರ್ವ ಕಾಲೇಜು ಹಾಗೂ ಬಾಲಕಿಯರ ಪ್ರೌಢಶಾಲೆಗೆ ಭೇಟಿ ನೀಡಿ ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳು, ಶಿಕ್ಷಕರು, ಉಪನ್ಯಾಸಕರು, ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಸಿಬ್ಬಂದಿಗಳ ಜೊತೆ ಮಾತನಾಡಲಾಯಿತು.@CMofKarnataka #vaccinationDrive pic.twitter.com/8byZBBxfjN

— B.C Nagesh (@BCNagesh_bjp) January 13, 2022

Pondicherry University (PU) Latest News: The MBBS theory examination for first and second-year MBBS students scheduled to be conducted from January 17 is postponed to February 7, 2022, owing to increasing Covid-19, Omicron cases, said a letter from Pondicherry University. The revised exam dates will be announced soon. 

PondiUni: MBBS exams postponed owing to rising Covid-19, Omicron cases

Mansukh Mandaviya, minister of health and family welfare urged eligible children of the age group 15 to 18 to get vaccinated against the Coronavirus infection as soon as possible.

He shared a video on social media, of a young individual sharing his view on vaccination. 

वैक्सीन को लेकर बच्चों में काफ़ी उत्साह हैं।

ध्रुव से सुनिए उनका वैक्सीन को लेकर क्या कहना है। pic.twitter.com/PvvgzqNEGp

— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) January 12, 2022

According to various media reports, Madhya Pradesh school students will not participate in the republic day celebration owing to an increase in Covid-19 cases. 

In other news, the Arvind Kejriwal government's ‘Desh ke Mentor’ programme scheme may expose children to potential crime and abuse, said the National Commission For Protection Of Child Rights (NCPCR). The commission recommended the suspension of the programme. The programme, which facilitated Delhi government school students with career guidance by citizens successful in their respective fields, was launched on October 11.

The semester examination for 5 years and 3 years UG honours degree students of Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University scheduled to be held from January 20, 2022, has been postponed by the university, in view of the increasing Covid cases in the state. The new schedule will be announced later. 

TNDALU: Ambedkar Law University postpones semester examination 

Many final-year engineering students of Tamil Nadu are worried about the delay in end-semester exams, as company deadlines for joining may expire by the time the course ends, reported the Hindu. 

OSSC Odisha: The mains examination for the post of assistant curator, assistant conservator etc. scheduled to be held on January 17 has been postponed. The revised date will be informed later through the OSSC official website, www.ossc.gov.in OSSC Recruitment 2022: Mains examination for the assistant curator, conservator postponed

OPSC Odisha: Interview for the Professor, Associate Professor and Assistant Professor in Home Science, which was scheduled to be conducted from January 17 to 21 has been postponed.

OPSC Odisha: Interview postponed 

Odisha recorded 10,059 fresh COVID-19 cases on Thursday, as the biggest single-day spike in over seven months pushed the tally to 11.02 lakh, a Health Department bulletin said.

Delhi expected to see around 27,500 COVID-19 cases today. "We have got deaths audited & they are mostly among those with comorbidities," minister Jain said.

With the administration of over 76 lakh Doses (76,32,024) vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 154.61 Cr (1,54,61,39,465) as per provisional reports till 7 am today, ministry of health said.

• 26.73 lakh precaution doses administered
• 2.98 crore doses administered in 15-18 age group
• More than 76 lakh doses administered in the last 24 hours

The official circular issued by Lucknow University registrar Vinod Kumar Singh read, “The decision to send students back home was taken after graduates tested positive for coronavirus and many started showing Covid-19 symptoms like cough, cold and fever.” The university further announced that the classes will resume in online mode. The first semester Lucknow University UG and PG exams are likely to be held in February 2022.

India logged 2,47,417 new coronavirus infections, the highest in 236 days, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,63,17,927 which includes 5,488 cases of the Omicron variant, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday. The country saw a single day jump of 620 cases of the Omicron variant, the highest so far, taking the total tally of such cases to 5,488, out of which 2,162 people have recovered or migrated so far.

The University of Lucknow has asked first-semester undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) students to vacant hostels and return home. Lucknow University has also postponed exams to be conducted on January 14 due to public holiday and rescheduled them to January 27.  The university has also asked to start free Covid testing and Covid vaccination camps in its campus for the benefit of the students and the teaching and non-teaching staff.

Lucknow University asks students to vacate hostels

Assam on Wednesday reported 3,274 fresh COVID-19 cases, 437 more than the previous day, with the tally rising to 6,35,050, a National Health Mission (NHM) bulletin said.

Bihar registered 6,413 fresh COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day spike in the last nine months, with the tally rising to 7,62,461, a health department bulletin said.

Maharashtra recorded 46,723 fresh coronavirus cases on Wednesday, up more than 27 per cent from a day ago, taking the overall tally above the 70-lakh mark, while 32 more patients succumbed to the infection, the health department said. The new cases included 86 infections of the highly contagious Omicron strain, pushing their cumulative count in the state to 1,367, the health department said in a bulletin.

Maharashtra recorded 46,723 fresh coronavirus cases on Wednesday, up more than 27 per cent from a day ago, taking the overall tally above the 70-lakh mark, while 32 more patients succumbed to the infection, the health department said. The new cases included 86 infections of the highly contagious Omicron strain, pushing their cumulative count in the state to 1,367, the health department said in a bulletin.

Maharashtra recorded 46,723 fresh coronavirus cases on Wednesday, up more than 27 per cent from a day ago, taking the overall tally above the 70-lakh mark, while 32 more patients succumbed to the infection, the health department said. The new cases included 86 infections of the highly contagious Omicron strain, pushing their cumulative count in the state to 1,367, the health department said in a bulletin.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with chief ministers over the COVID-19 situation on Thursday amid the surge in coronavirus cases due to its Omicron variant, according to sources, PTI reported.

विवि से सम्बद्ध समस्त संस्थानों में 10 से 16 जनवरी, 2022 तक समस्त कक्षाएं ऑनलाइन मोड में संचालित किए जाने के निर्देश दिए गए हैं। पूर्व से निर्धारित एवं वर्तमान में गतिमान परीक्षाएं यथावत संचालित होती रहेंगी। धन्यवाद@Vineetkansal2 @74_alok @JitinPrasada @UPGovt @Aktucoe

— AKTU (@AKTU_Lucknow) January 10, 2022

The Directorate of Education (DoE) on Wednesday directed its officials to take various measures to ramp up COVID-19 vaccination of children in the age group of 15-17, as per PTI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated 11 government medical colleges in Tamil Nadu and said the future will belong to societies that invest in healthcare. After virtually inaugurating the medical institutions, Modi said the covid-19 pandemic has reaffirmed the importance of the health sector and listed out the various health and medical education related initiatives of his government, according to PTI.

As many as 860 students of classes 1 to 10 and 85 teachers have tested Covid positive across Karnataka between December 8 and January 10, reported the Times of India. 

The deputy commissioners of Karnataka have the responsibility to make a call on school closure outside Bengaluru Urban district. 

Andhra Pradesh recorded new 3,205 Covid cases on Wednesday. There are 10,119 active cases in the state currently. The number of active cases shot up by 2,924 in 24 hours, reported PTI. 

J.C. Bose University of Science and Technology, YMCA, Faridabad, Haryana, has postponed the end semester theory examinations which were scheduled to commence from January 17, 2022.

Haryana Covid Cases: JC Bose YMCA postponed end semester exams 

Most countries across the world are reporting a huge rise in the number of Covid-19 cases. Currently, there are around 4.49 crore active Covid cases in the world. 25.13 lakh average daily Covid cases were recorded globally in the last week, reported PIB India. 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) considers the Omicron variant to be spreading at an increased rate compared to the Delta variant. Data from countries such as South Africa, the UK, Canada, and Denmark concluded that the risk of hospitalization is comparatively less for Omicron compared to Delta, says the report by PIB. 

159 countries around the world are reporting a high surge in #COVID19 cases

There are more than 4.49 crore active cases in the world; 25.13 lakh average daily cases were recorded globally in last one week

- @MoHFW_INDIA
#IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/iNC4TdO8lJ

— PIB India (@PIB_India) January 12, 2022

GTU exam Postponed@ pic.twitter.com/RXAnl2dl6i

— Vinay__ (@Vinay96975347) January 11, 2022

The Jammu and Kashmir new Covid guidelines to limit the spread of Covid cases in the state, failed to mention universities. The latest guidelines issued on January 9 directs all schools, colleges, polytechnics, coaching centres and ITIs among others to adopt online education, reported the Greater Kashmir.   

Circular regarding online exam postponed 11/01/2022 #vnsgu #university#circular#exams#colleges#education #student #studentcorner #helpdesk #surat pic.twitter.com/cDsug7WjX5

— VNSGU (@VNSGUNIVERSITY) January 11, 2022

"Most of the MBBS students of the state are unable to take the exam due to being corona positive. ccsuniversity Meerut has postponed the examinations only after the first paper of RDA_UP The remaining other universities of the state should also postpone the examinations," RDA UP tweeted.

प्रदेश के अधिकतर एमबीबीएस छात्र कोरोना पॉजिटिव होने के कारण परीक्षा देने मे असमर्थ है।#ccsuniversity मेरठ ने @RDA_UP के प्रथम पत्र के बाद ही परीक्षाएं टाल दी है

प्रदेश की शेष अन्य विश्वविद्यालयों को भी परीक्षाएं टाल देनी चाहिए@GovernorofUp @myogioffice @SureshKKhanna @UPGovt pic.twitter.com/FNPr9azpOU

— RDA Uttar Pradesh (@RDA_UP) January 12, 2022

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain announced that the city government's online yoga classes for coronavirus patients in home isolation kicked off on Wednesday. The city had 74,881 active coronavirus cases of which 50,796 were in home isolation on Tuesday, PTI reported.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has decided to hold Central University Common Entrance Test (CUCET) for admission from this academic year 2022-23. The decision was taken in the 159th academic council meeting on Wednesday. The Delhi University has also decided to implement the CUCET for DU UG admission from this year. 

Read More: After DU, JNU decides on CUCET for admission from this academic year

I got my vaccination without any hassle. There was no rush in the vaccination center and things were properly managed: Sumit from Chandigarh#SabkoVaccineMuftVaccine #vaccine4youth pic.twitter.com/dGvgpvOMeL

— PIB India (@PIB_India) January 12, 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lauded the "sense of responsibility" of the country's youth and said it manifested in the pace of Covid-19 vaccination in the 15-18 years age group that has covered over two crore children since its rollout this month, PTI reported.

ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಶಾಲೆಗಳು, ಪಿಯು ಕಾಲೇಜುಗಳು, ವಸತಿ ಶಾಲೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ವರದಿಯಾಗಿರುವ ಕೋವಿಡ್-19 ಪ್ರಕರಣಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಪಡೆದು, ಮುಂಜಾಗ್ರತಾ ಕ್ರಮಗಳು, ಸುರಕ್ಷತಾ ಕ್ರಮಗಳನ್ನು ಕೈಗೊಳ್ಳುವ ಕುರಿತು ಜಿಲ್ಲಾಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ಹಾಗೂ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ ಇಲಾಖೆ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳ‌ ಜೊತೆ ವಿಡಿಯೋ ಕಾನ್ಫರೆನ್ಸ್ ಮೂಲಕ ಸಭೆ ನಡೆಸಲಾಯಿತು#KarnatakaFightsCorona@BSBommai pic.twitter.com/MrBaTJHWvY

— B.C Nagesh (@BCNagesh_bjp) January 12, 2022

Online Yoga Classes Delhi: The first session of the free online yoga classes for the corona positive patients in home isolation by the Delhi government under the "Dilli ki Yogshala" programme commenced today. 

"This is a brilliant initiative undertaken by the Delhi govt to keep the people engaged in physical activities while they are in isolation," said Satyendar Jain, minister of health on social media. 

Delhi govt kicks off the first session of the yoga classes that was facilitated for the corona positive patient’s in home isolation.

This is a brilliant initiative undertaken by delhi govt to keep the people engaged in physical activities while they are in isolation. pic.twitter.com/0ymcjEjMco

— Satyendar Jain (@SatyendarJain) January 12, 2022

Eight yoga sessions will be provided to Delhi residents with one hour each from 6 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 7 pm.

The number of Covid related hospital admissions in Delhi has stabilised over the last five days, said Satyendra Jain, Delhi health minister on Wednesday. This could be a sign that the Covid third wave may have peaked and cases may decline in two-three days, he said, as per a PTI report.

Covid Vaccination for Children in India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the high vaccination pace in children of 15-18 years age group reflects the sense of responsibility of India's youth. He spoke during the inauguration of the 25th National Youth Festival held in Puducherry, reported PTI. 

The Covid vaccination for children which began on January 3, covered over two crore children since its rollout. 

Punjab Covid Cases: Amarinder Singh, former Punjab chief minister, who recently formed the Punjab Lok Congress, said on social media that he has tested Covid positive. Singh is 79 years old.

I have tested positive for #Covid with mild symptoms. Have isolated myself and request all those who came in contact with me to get themselves tested.

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) January 12, 2022

Mumbai COVID 19 cases are slowing down, including the fast-spreading Omircon variant, said Kishori Pednekar, Mumbai mayor on Wednesday. He also appealed to the public to get vaccinated against the Coronavirus infection, reported PTI.

Covid in Maharashtra: Mumbai saw 11,647 new Covid cases on Tuesday, marking a drop of 2,001 from the previous day's cases, said a report by PTI.

Covid in India: About 58 students of the Rajah Muthiah Medical College, Annamalai University tested COVID-19 positive, reported The Hindu. The campus is located in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. 

As many as 22 boys and 36 girls from three hostels got admitted to the RMMCH hospital. The hostels have been declared as a containment zone, a health official told The Hindu. 

Tamil Nadu Covid Restrictions: Recently, the Tamil Nadu government postponed all university exams scheduled for the end of January as Tamil Nadu Covid cases are on the rise. 

Varsha Gaikwad, minister of school education of Maharashtra has directed officials to update the online education infrastructure to ensure smooth functioning of online classes. She further directed to make sure that schools are providing online learning effectively, especially to underprivileged students. 

Our students are our responsibility. #माझे_विद्यार्थी_माझी_जबाबदारी. We've had to temporarily discontinue physical classes to contain the current COVID-19 spread, but continued learning for each of our students remains our prime focus.

— Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) January 10, 2022

Maharashtra schools, colleges were closed recently till February 15 in view of the rising Covid cases. But offline classes continue for Class 10 and Class 12, according to the provisions in the new Maharashtra Covid guidelines. 

Covid in UP: Chaudhary Charan Singh University postponed MBBS semester exams due to rising covid-19 cases in India

The University of Kashmir suspended all end semester examinations for Law (LLB, BALLB and LLM) students of the School of Law and affiliated law colleges, owing to the rise in Covid-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir. The revised schedule of the rest of the examinations will be available on the departmental website, law.uok.edu.in by February 1, 2022.

Kashmir University Notification: School of Law suspends end-sem exams as Covid Cases in Kashmir rise  

Karnataka School News: Video classes for classes 5 to 9 will be broadcast on a television channel in Karnataka from January 13 onwards, said the minister of primary and secondary education, BC Nagesh. 

The minister posted the schedule of the television session on social media. "The schedule for the television broadcasting sessions has been released," he said. 

ದೂರದರ್ಶನ ಚಂದನ ವಾಹಿನಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಜನವರಿ 13ರಿಂದ
5ನೇ ತರಗತಿಯಿಂದ 9ನೇ ತರಗತಿವರೆಗಿನ ವಿಡಿಯೋ ಪಾಠಗಳನ್ನು‌ ಪ್ರಸಾರ ಮಾಡಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.

ವೇಳಾಪಟ್ಟಿಯನ್ನು ಬಿಡುಗಡೆ ಮಾಡಲಾಗಿದೆ. ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳು ವಿಡಿಯೋ ಪಾಠಗಳ ಸದುಪಯೋಗ ಪಡೆಯಿರಿ.@BSBommai @CMofKarnataka @ddchandanabng @DDChandanaNews pic.twitter.com/SgPoAIQMDi

— B.C Nagesh (@BCNagesh_bjp) January 11, 2022

Bengaluru and Mysuru schools have been closed owing to increasing Covid cases. 

Karnataka School News: Schools in Karnataka districts will be closed only if the Covid-19 test positivity rate breaches the 5 per cent mark, said BC Nagesh, minister for primary and secondary education, reported the Times of India, 

Karnataka schools will be closed at taluk levels. There will not be a complete closure at the district or state level like it was done during the first and second Covid waves, says a report by TOI. 

Osmania University (OU) has postponed all examinations scheduled from January 8 to 16, 2022, as the Telangana government has declared holidays for all educational institutions due to increasing Covid cases in the state. “The revised schedule of the exams which were scheduled to be held between January 8 and January 16, 2022, will be issued in due course of time,” said a statement from Osmania University.

Osmania University postpones all exams

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur director Virendra Kumar Tewari said that the decision on conducting the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering from February 5 or GATE 2022 exam postponement will be taken soon. "We are consulting with our members associated with the GATE exam, and in constant touch with the administration, authorities, the decision on whether to conduct the GATE exam or postpone will be taken soon," IIT Kharagpur director said. The candidates are advised to follow the official website- gate.iitkgp.ac.in only regarding the exam dates, hall ticket.

READ | Decision on GATE 2022 exam postponement soon: IIT Kharagpur director

The Central Board of Secondary Education has announced the revised dates for the postponed CBSE CTET exam 2021. The postponed CTET 2021 exam at Purnia/Purnea will be on January 12, 2022. For the CTET 2021 exam other centres which were scheduled on December 16 (Shift 2) and December 17, 2021 will be held on January 17 and 21, 2022 respectively.

The Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education (RBSE) will hold board exams for classes 10 and 12 from March 3 onwards, as per the decision taken at the high-level examination committee meeting on Monday, announced Bulaki Das Kalla, Rajasthan’s education minister.

Rajasthan Class 10, 12 board exams from March 3

Madhya Pradesh school education minister Inder Singh Parmar said that a review meeting will be held to discuss whether to conduct or postpone Class 10, 12 exams. As per reports, the meeting will be held before the MP Class 10, 12 board exam in February. Amid the rising Covid-19, Omicron cases in India, it is likely that the government will postpone the offline exams. 

Mizoram reported 880 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, which was 633 less than the previous day, a health official said. On Tuesday, the state had reported 1,513 cases, the highest single-day rise in three months.

Last year, several boards cancelled Class 10, 12 board exams due to Covid-19 pandemic. This year, CBSE has already conducted Class 10, 12 term 1 exams. However, the CBSE had in its circular informed that the CBSE term 2 exam 2022 will be conducted if the Covid-19 situation gets better. West Bengal board informed that the WB board exams 2022 will be held as per schedule. While states including Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan have announced their decision to allow schools, universities to continue online learning.

In other news, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has tested positive for COVID-19 and is in home quarantine. In a tweet, he said he has "mild symptoms" and is under home quarantine. "I have tested positive for Covid 19 today with mild symptoms. Following all the necessary protocols, I have isolated myself and I am under home quarantine. I request all those who have come in contact with me to isolate themselves and get tested," Gadkari said in a social media post.

A CBSE official told Careers360 that the evaluation process of both CBSE Class 10 and 12 exams are underway, and the board will review the evaluation process next week. The official, however, did not confirm the result announcement date and said, "The Covid-19 pandemic situation has put an impact on the evaluation process, we are trying our best to announce the result soon. Can't confirm the result date now, as it depends on the progress of the evaluation process amid pandemic situations.”

A second major Covid cluster was identified at IIT Madras, as sources said as many as 58 people, including 17 students were tested positive on the campus between January 5 and 9.

Covid-19: Second major cluster at IIT Madras

The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H) campus reported new Covid-19 cases. 119 students and staff have tested positive for Covid over the past week, the Times of India reported.

India added 1,94,720  new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,60,70,510 which includes 4,868 cases of Omicron variant, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. The  active cases increased to 9,55,319, the highest in 211 days, while the death toll climbed to 4,84,655 with 442 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.

Covid-19 cases in India highest today 

As Karnataka reports a surge in COVID-19 cases, Mysuru Deputy Commissioner announced that schools will remain closed for LKG to Class 10 from today till further orders, as per The Hindu report. Anganwadi centres will also reportedly remain closed from Wednesday until further orders. The Deputy Commissioner has instructed schools to hold online classes for these students. The government had earlier decided to shut schools and pre-university colleges except for Class 10 and 12 standard students for two weeks. 

The Haryana government has decided to shut schools, colleges in the state in view of a sudden spike in Covid-19, Omicron cases in India. The Haryana education minister Kanwar Pal said that all schools are instructed to shut schools, colleges till January 26, 2022. “In view of the increasing cases of Covid-19 pandemic, the government has decided to keep the schools and colleges of the state closed till 26 January for the safety of the students,” the Haryana education minister said. 

Haryana schools, colleges to continue online classes 

As per reports, the education minister K Ponmudi said, "All university exams are being deferred indefinitely due to the surging covid numbers. The revised schedule will be announce later." "A circular has been already issued that colleges should not hold physical classes", he said.

The University of Madras earlier postponed all semester exams scheduled to begin from January 21. Regular practical exams which began on January 3 also stands postponed, as per reports. The decision was taken owing to the rise in Covid-19, Omicron cases in India.

The Tamil Nadu government announced that the university semester exams slated for later this month have been postponed indefinitely due to the Covid-19 situation. Higher Education Minister K Ponmudi said the decision has been taken after a meeting with Chief Minister MK Stalin.

The West Bengal University of Health Sciences (WBUHS) has postponed the examination for nursing and MBBS 1st year examination, which was scheduled to be held in the last week of January.

WBUHS postpones MBBS, nursing exams 

There is no plan to change the schedule of upcoming offline board exams in West Bengal for now, given the fact that the dates decided upon are some three to four months away and the COVID-19 situation could improve by then, authorities said. The West Bengal Higher secondary board Class 12 exams are slated to be held from April 2 to April 20 and Class 10 exams between March 7 and March 16.

The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) has written to the University Grants Commission (UGC) urging it to ensure that all colleges, universities across the country opt for both online and offline modes to conduct classes amid rising COVID-19 cases in India. 

NSUI writes to UGC to ensure colleges conduct classes in hybrid mode

Banaras Hindu University (BHU) to shift to online mode of education till January 16, 2022, as per the new Covid guidelines issued by the Indian government as Uttar Pradesh Covid cases are on the rise. 

वैश्विक महामारी #Covid19 की स्थिति के मद्देनज़र काशी हिन्दू विश्वविद्यालय में 16.01.2022 तक सभी कक्षाएं भारत सरकार के दिशानिर्देशों के अनुरूप ऑनलाइन मोड में चलेंगी। कुलपति प्रो. सुधीर कुमार जैन की अध्यक्षता में विश्वविद्यालय के वरिष्ठ अधिकारियों की बैठक में ये निर्णय लिया गया। pic.twitter.com/NNFGSXAuNp

— BHU Official (@bhupro) January 10, 2022

Amid the surge in Covid-19 cases in India, many states have shut schools till January end and some have announced winter vacation for students. Though Class 10, 12 students were allowed to attend physical classes keeping in mind the upcoming board exams 2022, the state governments have now instructed schools to resume online classes.