Published: July 11, 2025
NCERT Makes Art, Theatre, Music, and Drama Compulsory for Class 8
Starting from the 2025-26 academic year, Class 8 students across India will study theatre, music, drama, and visual arts as regular subjects, with art now a compulsory part of the curriculum. This historic move by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023, aiming to foster holistic development and creativity among students.
- New Textbooks: NCERT has launched ‘Kriti’ as the core art textbook for Class 8, along with updated English (‘Poorvi’) and Hindi (‘Malhar’) textbooks. For Class 5, ‘Santoor’ (English) and ‘Veena’ (Hindi) have also been introduced.
- Policy Impact: All students must pass art to progress to the next grade, giving creative subjects the same importance as traditional academics.
NEET PG Aspirants Warned Against Fake Exam Messages
The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has issued a strong advisory for NEET PG 2025 candidates, cautioning them against fake notices, emails, and social media posts that falsely claim to offer exam help or high scores. Only official NBEMS notices—published on natboard.edu.in and nbe.edu.in and carrying a QR code—should be trusted.
Key Points:
- NBEMS does not send exam-related guarantees or shortcuts.
- Aspirants should ignore and report any fraudulent messages or offers to NBEMS and local authorities.
- The only official NBEMS WhatsApp channel is provided on their site.
ISRO Launches Short-Term Course on Space Technology in Agriculture
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), in collaboration with IN-SPACe and academia, has announced a short-term certificate course on “Essentials of Space Technology in Agriculture.” The program will run from July 27 to August 1, 2025, at Amity University, Noida, with registration open until July 11.
- Who Can Apply: Graduates, postgraduates, academicians, industry professionals, and researchers interested in the intersection of space tech and agriculture.
- Course Details: The program covers satellite applications, remote sensing, climate impact on crops, and agri-innovation. The fee is ₹15,000, with additional accommodation available. A mandatory quiz will be held on the final day for certification.
Delhi to Add 21,000 Smart Classrooms in ₹900 Crore Education Push
The Delhi government has approved a ₹900 crore plan to modernise government schools by adding over 21,000 smart classrooms by 2029-30. The initiative, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, is the first major education reform under the new administration and aligns with NEP 2020.
Implementation:
- Immediate installation of 2,446 smart blackboards in 75 government schools under the “CM Shri School” scheme.
- The project will upgrade facilities, introduce digital learning tools, and provide teacher training in digital methods.
- The goal is to bring government schools on par with private institutions and foster a tech-enabled, student-centred learning environment.
