May 8, 2025
A dynamic Thursday in the Indian education sector saw the declaration of crucial Tamil Nadu Class 12 board results, IIT Delhi's Abu Dhabi campus opening new admissions, a landmark approval for the first US university to set up a campus in India, and an important alert from the UGC regarding fake news. These developments highlight a sector focused on growth, internationalisation, and navigating digital-age challenges.
Tamil Nadu HSE Class 12 Results Declared: Girls Outshine Boys Again
The Directorate of Government Examinations (DGE), Tamil Nadu, announced the Class 12 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) results today, May 8, 2025, at 9:15 am. Over 8 lakh students had appeared for these exams, held between March 3 and March 25, 2025.
Continuing a familiar trend, girls outperformed boys with a pass percentage of 96.70%, compared to 93.16% for boys. The overall pass percentage climbed to 95.03%, showing an improvement from last year's 94.56%. Notably, 26,887 students achieved full marks in at least one subject.
Students can check their scores on official websites tnresults.nic.in and dge.tn.gov.in, using their registration number and date of birth. Results are also accessible via SMS, a mobile app, and DigiLocker, where digital marksheets are now available.
IIT Delhi Deepens Global Reach: Abu Dhabi Campus Opens New MTech & PhD Admissions
IIT Delhi's Abu Dhabi campus has announced admissions for its second batch for the 2025-26 academic year, inviting applications for its MTech in Energy Transition and Sustainability and PhD in Energy and Sustainability programs. The application deadline is June 11, 2025, with the semester starting in August 2025.
The two-year MTech program is designed for recent graduates and working professionals, focusing on renewable energy, sustainable transport, and decarbonization economics. The research-oriented PhD program targets solutions for global energy challenges. The campus, a collaboration between India and the UAE, has seen a 400% rise in enrollment in its second year, highlighting strong international interest. Merit-based scholarships are available.
Landmark Move: Illinois Tech Gets UGC Nod for First Full US University Campus in India
In a significant step for Indian higher education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) to establish a degree-granting campus in Mumbai. This makes Illinois Tech the first US university authorized to operate an independent campus and award degrees in India under the UGC's latest regulations for foreign institutions.
Scheduled to open in 2026, the Illinois Tech Mumbai campus will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs in high-demand fields like computer science, engineering, and business. This aligns with India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, encouraging international collaboration. The Mumbai campus will deliver the same curriculum as in Chicago, taught by globally qualified faculty, and will include Illinois Tech's "Elevate" program for real-world experience. This development responds to a 70% increase in interest from Indian students for Illinois Tech's graduate programs over the past five years.
UGC Sounds Alarm: Warns Students Against Fake Exam Cancellation Notice Amidst Airstrikes
The University Grants Commission (UGC) today issued an urgent warning about a fake notice circulating online, which falsely claimed that all university exams across India were cancelled due to a "war-like situation" and advised students to return home.
This misinformation spread following India's "Operation Sindoor" airstrikes. The UGC swiftly debunked the claim via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, confirming the notice was fabricated and no such directive was issued. The UGC emphasised that all official announcements are made only through its official website and verified social media, reminding the public that spreading misinformation is a punishable offence. Students were urged to stay vigilant and rely only on official UGC sources.
In Conclusion
May 8, 2025, has been a day of significant milestones and necessary vigilance in Indian education. From the Tamil Nadu Class 12 results and IIT Delhi's global expansion to the landmark approval for a US university campus in India and the UGC's fight against fake news, the sector shows ambition and resilience. These events reflect a multi-pronged strategy focused on scale, excellence, internationalisation, and regulatory oversight, all crucial for India's journey towards becoming a global knowledge powerhouse.
