Published: Monday, August 11, 2025
CBSE Launches Community Radio Station for Educational Outreach
The Central Board of Secondary Education has approved the establishment of its own community radio station exclusively for students, teachers, and educational stakeholders. The proposal received approval during a recent Governing Body meeting, with the board deciding to proceed with license acquisition for the broadcasting initiative.
Building on Existing Digital Platforms
CBSE currently operates 'Shiksha Vani,' a podcast platform available on the Google Play Store that disseminates audio content for grades 9-12 subjects in a clear and accessible manner. The platform has uploaded approximately 400 pieces of content aligned with the NCERT curriculum, establishing a foundation for expanded audio-based educational delivery.
The community radio station will complement existing digital initiatives, though content modalities will be finalised once the broadcasting license is secured. Community radio represents an important third tier in radio broadcasting, distinct from public service and commercial radio, typically operated by local communities with low-power transmissions.
Strategic Educational Communication
Community radio provides platforms for local community voices, particularly marginalised sections, addressing health, nutrition, education, and agriculture concerns. Broadcasting in local languages and dialects enables stronger community connections, making it particularly valuable for educational institutions serving diverse populations.
India currently operates 540 commissioned community radio stations through non-profit organisations, including educational institutions, NGOs, and societies. The government actively promotes community radio growth, especially in rural and remote areas, through various initiatives and schemes, positioning CBSE's station within this broader ecosystem.
IIT Madras Launches Free STEM Faculty Training Program
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras Teaching Learning Centre is conducting residential training programs for college faculty in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biotechnology under the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme. The comprehensive initiative is offered free of cost to eligible participants.
Comprehensive Faculty Development Approach
The program includes modules on interdisciplinary approaches, skill development, research and innovation, global competitiveness, and experiential learning. It aims to support faculty in strengthening student performance, increasing STEM discipline enrollment, and contributing to diversity and inclusion in science education.
Each subject training runs over nine days with 50 participants per batch. College faculty engaged in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses in relevant disciplines are eligible, with shortlisted candidates receiving email notifications.
Training Schedule and Implementation
- Biotechnology: August 22-30, 2025
- Chemistry: October 7-17, 2025
- Physics Batch 1: November 11-19, 2025
- Physics Batch 2: November 20-28, 2025
- Mathematics: December 15-24, 2025
Applications can be submitted online through tlc.iitm.ac.in. Sessions will be held in-person at the TLC Hall and Central Library on the IIT Madras campus, covering fundamental and advanced topics with practical laboratory sessions and current research exposure.
Partnership and Policy Alignment
IIT Madras TLC has partnered with BodhBridge Education to deliver the program, which is open to faculty from colleges across India. The training incorporates innovative teaching methodologies and supports inquiry-based STEM curricula development aligned with National Education Policy 2020 objectives.
IIT Delhi Develops Sustainable Denim Recycling Innovation
Researchers at IIT Delhi have successfully developed a method to recycle post-consumer denim waste into high-quality knitted garments without compromising fabric quality. The breakthrough addresses India's textile waste challenge, where 3.9 million tonnes of domestic post-consumer textile waste are generated annually, with only 4% currently recycled.
Technical Innovation and Quality Maintenance
The research team, led by Professors Abhijit Majumdar and BS Butola from the Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering, optimised process conditions to minimise fibre property damage during denim-to-yarn conversion. The yarns were then used to produce knitted fabric through seamless whole garment technology, with recycled yarn content ranging from 25% to 75%.
Research revealed that up to 50% recycled yarns can be incorporated into knitted garments without affecting tactile feel. A softening treatment applied to fabric ensures the final product maintains the same tactile qualities as virgin products. Although demonstrated with denim waste, the method could be applied to other textile waste materials.
Environmental Impact Assessment
The research, published in the Journal of Cleaner Production, included a Life Cycle Assessment specific to the Indian context. PhD scholar Satya Karmakar collected data from Panipat's textile recycling cluster to measure environmental impacts comprehensively.
Analysis showed denim waste recycling could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, acid rain, and fossil fuel depletion by 30-40%, while cutting ozone layer depletion by approximately 60%. As recycled fibres replace virgin cotton, significant savings occur in pesticides, fertilisers, and water use, particularly important since cotton cultivation contributes 24% to global warming.
The team is now exploring whether textile waste can be recycled multiple times without quality compromise, representing a step toward sustainable textile production while reducing landfill dependency.
US Considers Fixed-Term Student Visas Affecting Indian Students
The US Department of Homeland Security is reviving proposals for fixed-term student visas, potentially ending the current "duration of status" system that allows F-1 and J-1 visa holders to remain enrolled throughout their programs. This change could significantly impact over 4.2 lakh Indian students currently studying in the United States.
Policy Shift and Implications
The proposed rule would establish strict time limits regardless of program length, forcing students to renew visas even mid-course. The proposal cleared White House review and will soon be open for public comment through the Federal Register. This represents a revival of similar 2020 Trump-era proposals that were previously withdrawn by the Biden administration.
The fixed-term approach could create significant challenges for Indian students enrolled in multi-year programs, including master's degrees, PhDs, or long-term research. Mid-course renewals could interrupt studies if programs run longer than expected, creating additional paperwork, stress, and potential legal status complications.
Current Status and Timeline
DHS submitted the draft rule on June 27, which recently cleared White House review. The proposal will likely enter a 30-60 day public comment phase once published in the Federal Register. Universities, consulates, and international student groups will submit feedback before DHS potentially revises and releases a final rule.
Specific year limits for the new visa terms have not been disclosed. Students are advised to monitor official US consulate and university channels closely, prepare for potential mid-program renewals, and consider joining advocacy efforts during the public comment period.
Strategic Considerations
The change could make the US less attractive for Indian students considering long-duration courses or research work, potentially accelerating discussions about alternative visa options or faster green card pathways. The US higher education sector's reliance on international students for diversity, fees, and academic contributions makes this policy shift particularly significant.
Sources
- The Indian Express. (2025, August 11). CBSE to set up its own community radio station. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/education/cbse-to-set-up-its-own-community-radio-station-10181247/
- The Indian Express. (2025, August 11). IIT Madras to conduct free STEM training for college faculty; important dates, how to apply. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/education/iit-madras-free-stem-course-important-date-how-to-apply-tlc-iitm-ac-in-10182620/
- India Today. (2025, August 11). IIT Delhi develops process to turn denim waste into high-quality knitted garments. Retrieved from https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/iit-delhi-develops-process-to-turn-denim-waste-into-high-quality-knitted-garments-2769488-2025-08-11
- India Today. (2025, August 11). US eyes fixed-term student visas: What it means for Indian students. Retrieved from https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/us-eyes-fixed-term-student-visas-what-it-means-for-indian-students-2769455-2025-08-11
