Online education is likely to continue for another academic year in the telangana state

 Hyderabad: Online education is likely to continue for another academic year in the state, owing to the current pandemic situation, and in anticipation of a third wave of Coronavirus in the country, government sources told this correspondent.

An official in the state education department said students and parents should be prepared to further adapt to the lack of physical, face-to-face classes at least until the end of this year for the academic session of 2021-22. "Even with the first wave of the pandemic that was only half as deadly as the second wave, educational institutes were not opened in February. As we prepare for a third wave now, online education is the only way," said the official.

The new academic year in the state is so far scheduled to begin from mid-June, once schools reopen after summer vacations on June 1. Some private schools' bodies like the Telangana Recognised Schools' Management Association (TRSMA) are demanding that the government releases an academic calendar soon so as to prepare teachers as well as students in time.

On Monday, the central and state education ministries will hold a meeting to discuss the future of online education and the expenditure required to set up further facilities. Sources told this newspaper that education secretaries of all states, with Union Education Minister Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' and Education Secretary to GoI Anita Karwal will hold an interactive session to discuss how to make online education the priority for all expenditure even under Samagra Shiksha programme.

https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/140521/online-education-likely-to-continue-till-year-end.html

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Telangana State: Scholarship registration date extended till March 31st

 Hyderabad: The Telangana State government is offering post-matric scholarships for SC, ST, BC, EBC, minorities and physically challenged students and registrations can be done on the Telangana e-Pass website https://telanganaepass.cgg.gov.in/

The last date for registration of students and colleges on Telangana e-Pass website for sanction of fresh and renewal of scholarships for the academic year 2020-21 has been extended up to February 15.

The State government is offering post-matric scholarships for SC, ST, BC, EBC, minorities and physically challenged students and registrations can be done on the website https://telanganaepass.cgg.gov.in/


Due to Covid-19 pandemic rules, all educational institutions remained shut and they have been permitted to conduct online classes for students, who were attending the same from their homes, it said.

“With this, eligible students are not aware about last date of registration. Hence, they have not registered on e-Pass so far. Further, the admissions for various degree and PG courses are not yet completed. Considering these facts, government extended the date to March 31st, 2021 to open the e-Pass website for registrations of students and colleges for sanction of renewal and fresh scholarships for the academic year 2020-21,” it added.

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Subramaniam Swamy Asks Why Govt Being So Obstinate to Postpone NEET, JEE Main Exams

NEET, JEE Main 2020 Latest News: After witnessing massive support from state governments and students and other political leaders calling for postponement of NEET, JEE Main 2020, Rajya Sabha MP Subramaniam Swamy on Tuesday asked why the Centre is so obstinate. Also Read - NEET, JEE Main 2020: After Urging Centre, Mamata Banerjee Writes to PM Modi to Postpone Exams.

Taking to Twitter, Swamy said that the time has come for PM Modi to take a call and order the postponement of the exams. Also Read - NEET, JEE Main 2020: Here’s a Look at Safety Protocols For Aspirants Amid COVID-19.

“With so many state governments calling for postponement of NEET/JEE examination, and even Allen Coaching also, why the Ministry of Education being so obstinate ? PM Modi must take a call and order the postponement—now,” he said in a tweet.

On Monday, the Rajya Sabha MP said if the Central government goes through imposing the NEET/JEE exam now it will be a ‘giant mistake’ like the ‘Nasbandi’ in 1976 that resulted in the undoing of the Indira Gandhi government in 1977.

“If our Modi Government goes through imposing the NEET/JEE exam now it will be the giant mistake like Nasbandi in 1976 that caused the undoing of Indira government in 1977. Indian voters may suffer silently but have long memories,” Swamy had said in a tweet.

This reaction from Swamy comes amid the demands from students, parents and political leaders to postpone the entrance exams keeping in mind the coronavirus situation in the country.

The mass ruckus has broken out across the country after the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced that the JEE (Main) will be held from September 1 to 6 and NEET (UG) on September 13.

Earlier in the day, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urged the Centre to take steps for postponing the Joint Entrance Examination (Main) and the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) as it will be unsafe for students to physically appear in the exams in this pandemic time.

On Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to PM Modi to postpone the JEE and NEET exams due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation, saying lives of students should not be put at risk by taking such unilateral and bureaucratic decisions.

https://www.india.com/education/neet-jee-main-2020-subramaniam-swamy-asks-why-govt-being-so-obstinate-to-postpone-exams-4121840/

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Over 4,000 students demanding postponement of NEET, JEE Main 2020 by a day-long hunger strike

JEE Main, NEET 2020 Exam News: According to the leftist All India Students Association (AISA), over 4,200 students observed the day-long hunger strike at their respective home demanding that CBSE compartment exams of Classes 10 and 12 be cancelled.

The chorus for postponing various examinations, including NEET and JEE, grew louder on Sunday with over 4,000 students observed a day-long hunger strike to press for the demand in view of rising COVID-19 cases.

The protest came on a day Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the government must listen to the ‘mann ki baat’ of students and arrive at “an acceptable solution” and his party demanded that the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) be deferred.

According to the leftist All India Students Association (AISA), over 4,200 students observed the day-long hunger strike at their respective home demanding that CBSE compartment exams of Classes 10 and 12 be cancelled and entrance exams such as the UGC-NET, CLAT, NEET and JEE be postponed.

Using the hashtag, SATYAGRAHagainstExamInCovid, many students also took to Twitter to appeal to the government to heed to their demands.

Manoj S, a JEE aspirant from Karnataka, said, “We have to report to the JEE exam centre at 7 am. My centre is almost 150 kilometres away and there are no train or bus services available currently. “Many of my friends have said that their centres are 200 to 250 kilometres away. How are we supposed to travel? How will we write exams wearing masks for seven to eight hours?”

He urged the government to postpone the exams till normalcy is restored.

Anisha, hailing from Odisha, said with all the hotels and guest houses closed, where would they stay in case they have to travel for exams.

“I am from Balasore and my NEET exam centre is in Bhubaneswar. I will have to travel for five hours to take my exam. There are no hotels or guesthouses that are open. Where will we stay?” she said.

Siddh Dutt, who will be appearing for CBSE compartment exam, said, “I am an asthma patient. I am scared of what may happen to me if I catch COVID-19.”

Madhurima, who said she has to take four different entrance exams, wants authorities to listen to her appeal — “Please produce a vaccine so that we can take exams. “I am a JEE, IISER, DUET aspirant and also have to take another entrance exam,” she said.

Md Danish Khan from Bhagalpur in Bihar said he has been “allotted an exam centre in Patna, which is a COVID-19 hotspot”. “I do not want to risk the lives of my relatives by staying at their place when I go to take the exam. I also stay in a joint family and if I contract the virus, it will create a chain of infection,” he said.

A Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) aspirant from Kolkata, who requested anonymity, said she fears for her parents’ safety during this time.

“My father is a diabetic and my mother just had an operation for a tumour. Even if they go to drop me to the exam centre using public transport, I will be putting them at risk. The government is not ready to listen to us.

“We will have to sit and write the exams wearing masks, gloves and headgear under hot weather conditions,” she said.
Other students also shared similar woes and urged the government to postpone entrance exams and declare the academic year as a “zero year”.

The AISA lent solidarity to the demands of the students.

A day ago, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had appealed to the central government to cancel medical and engineering entrance exams JEE and NEET in view of the COVID-19 situation. He also said an alternative admission methodology should be used this year and the exams should not be conducted.

On Friday, Education Ministry officials had said the Joint Entrance Examination (Main) and the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) will be conducted in September as scheduled.

Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union president Aishe Ghosh said student representatives of some universities, including Hyderabad Central University, Aligarh Muslim University and JNU, have written to the National Testing Agency over issues pertaining to the recently declared exam date of UGC NET.

“We request the authorities to address the logistical issues, before going ahead with the exam,” she tweeted. JNU Students’ Union president Aishe Ghosh tweeted

Universities and schools across the country have been closed since March 16 when the Centre announced a countrywide classroom shutdown as part of measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. A nationwide lockdown was announced on March 24, which came into effect the next day and threw economic activities out of gear.

India’s COVID-19 tally sprinted past the 30-lakh mark on Sunday, just 16 days after it crossed 20 lakh, while 22,80,566 people have recuperated in the country so far pushing the recovery rate to 74.90 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

https://indianexpress.com/article/education/jee-main-neet-over-4000-students-observing-a-day-long-hunger-strike-demanding-postponement-of-exams-6567584/

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6 top research scholarships for Indian students

Research scholarship is a broad category of scholarships and fellowships that are given to students for the purpose of research at graduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and postdoctoral levels. Research plays a crucial role in a variety of fields including science, technology, engineering, medicine, etc.

There are various research institutions that offer scholarships for students to carry out research in specific fields. Furthermore, institutions such as IITs, IISc, IISERs, NITs, ICAR also offer fellowships and grants to support the research study of scholars in various fields. Here is the list of top six research scholarships for Indian students that one must keep track.

Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Scholarships: This scholarship is meant for postgraduate students who are registered or admitted in a PhD programme at a recognised university or institution in India. Applicable for two years, this scholarship supports research in specialisations including sociology, Indian history, economics, geography, ecology, and environment etc. The candidates who are below 35 years of age and have obtained at least 60 per cent marks in both graduation and postgraduation can apply for this scholarship.

Provider Details: Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund
Eligibility: Students enrolled in PhD programmes
Awards: Up to Rs 18,000 per month and other benefits
Application Timeline: Between May and June (tentative)
Application Mode: By post (to Administrative Secretary of Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund)

Institute Post-Doctoral Fellowship – IIT Ropar: Introduced with an objective to encourage bright minds to carry out research programmes at IIT-Ropar, this fellowship offers financial support to students having a PhD degree. It is mandatory for students to apply within five years after the completion of PhD. The fellowship is also open for candidates who have completed their PhD thesis under the supervision or co-supervision of IIT-Ropar faculty members. In this case, students are allowed to apply after three years of completion of their PhD degree.

Provider Details: Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar
Eligibility: PhD degree holders
Awards: Rs 45,000 to Rs 55,000 and other benefits
Application Timeline: Round the year
Application Mode: By post or in-hand application submission to the department/center in which the candidate intends to join as a Post-Doctoral Fellow

SERB National Post-Doctoral Fellowship (N-PDF): This fellowship aims to identify motivated young researchers and provide them with support to carry out research in frontier areas of science and engineering. Under this fellowship, the students below the age of 35 who have obtained a PhD/MD/MS degree from a recognised university can avail variable benefits to carry out research at postdoctoral level. The candidates who have submitted their PhD/MD/MS thesis and are awaiting award can also apply. However, they will receive a lower fellowship amount till they qualify the degree.

Provider Details: Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)
Eligibility: PhD/MD/MS degree holders
Awards: Monthly stipend up to Rs 55,000 and other benefits
Application Timeline: Between April and May (tentative)
Application Mode: Online, through the official website of SERB

Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence (TARE): This initiative of SERB is meant for students having a PhD degree in Science or MD/MS in medicine or ME/MTech in engineering or technology. The key objective of the scheme is to facilitate mobility of faculty members working in state universities/colleges and private academic institutions to carry out research in renowned institutions such as IITs, IISc, IISERs, etc. The age of the candidates should be less than 45 years and they must not hold any ongoing research projects or fellowship at the time of application submission.

Provider Details: Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)
Eligibility: PhD in Science or MD/MS in medicine or ME/MTech in engineering or technology degree
holders
Awards: Rs 60,000 per annum and research grant of Rs 5 lakh per annum
Application Timeline: Between March and April (tentative)
Application Mode: Online, through official website of SERB

ICMR Centenary-Post Doctoral Research Fellowship Scheme: This fellowship aims to support PhD/MD/MS degree holders to pursue research in the area of basic science, communicable and non-communicable diseases, and reproductive health including nutrition at ICMR institutions and centers. The candidates are required to apply for this fellowship within three years of completion of PhD/MD/MS. The age of the candidates should be below 32 years on the date of application.

Provider Details: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Eligibility: PhD/MD/MS degree holders
Awards: Rs 50,000 per month and other benefits
Application Timeline: Between July and December (tentative)
Application Mode: By post (to the Director General of ICMR)

Prime Minister Research Fellowship (PMRF): This fellowship aims to promote technical research studies and attract the meritorious students to pursue doctoral programmes at leading institutions in India. The students who have completed or pursuing BTech or MTech, MSc or integrated MTech or MSc degree can avail benefits under this scheme.

They are required to apply for a PhD programme at one of the PMRF granting institutes either through direct entry channel or lateral entry channel.

Provider Details: Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India
Eligibility: BTech graduate, final year BTech, integrated MTech, integrated MSc students from IISc/IITs/NITs/IISER/IIITs
Awards: Stipend up to Rs 80,000 per month and other benefits
Application Timeline: Round the year
Application Mode: Apply through the PMRF granting institutions

https://indianexpress.com/article/education/top-6-research-scholarships-for-indian-students-6566150/

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Education Minister calls exam reforms in National Institute Of Open Schooling

The National Institute of Open Schooling needs to introduce reforms in its examination process so that the integrity of the institution cannot be questioned, Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' said on Monday. He made the comments at a review meeting with officials of the open school. The meeting was also attended by School Education Secretary Anita Karwal.

"During the meeting, the minister discussed strengthening the examination mechanism. He said if we found some irregularities within the institution, we should take tough action against the culprit. He directed the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) officials that if they received any complaint against NIOS examination centres, they should resolve the complaint as soon as possible," the Ministry of Education (MOE) said in a statement.

"The minister also directed the NIOS officials to reform the examination process so that no one can question the integrity of the prestigious institution. It was suggested that a dashboard must be created containing detailed information and contacts of all centres across the country.

It will have all the information and suggestions from stakeholders so that transparency will be increased in the system," it said.

During the meeting, suggestions were made about drafting NIOS syllabus on the lines of NCERT so that students can get a better understanding of the subject.

"The minister also reviewed the work of NIOS during COVID-19 crisis. NIOS officials briefed him that they are running four channels for their students, out of which, two are dedicated for secondary and higher secondary level.

The NIOS officials also informed that they are now providing six hours fresh content daily to their students, including weekends, which were only for two hours before the COVID-19 crisis," the statement added.

https://www.timesnownews.com/education/article/education-minister-calls-for-exam-reforms-in-national-institute-of-open-schooling-details/642144

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Unlock 4.0 guidelines: Will educational institutions reopen?

New Delhi, Aug 24: The Ministry of Home Affairs will soon announce the Unlock 4.0 guidelines. While announcing Unlock 3.0, the MHA had allowed Yoga institutes and gymnasiums to open. The MHA had however extended the lockdown until August 31 and had said that educational institutions would remain closed.

Educational institutions have remained shut for the past five months. A decision on whether or not to open educational institutions is likely to be taken on September 1. Guidelines on the same would be issued by the end of this month. There is however no confirmation on whether the schools would allowed to open or not. Guidelines are being prepared and a final decision is expected soon. There are reports which suggest that educational institutes may open in a staggered manner to ensure that there is maximum precaution taken. Further relaxations on public transport etc are also expected. Last week the MHA had instructed all states not to prevent any inter and intra-state transport for both persons as well as the movement of goods.

https://www.oneindia.com/india/unlock-4-0-guidelines-will-educational-institutions-open-3138385.html

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Online higher education sector to be worth $5 billion by FY25

 If the implementation of the latest National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 goes as planned, the move is set to open up several opportunities for online higher education. With the policy paving way for more formal education and skill development, an analysis by RedSeer Management Consulting has found that the online higher education and lifelong learning will be a $5-billion opportunity by financial year (FY) 2024-25. This will be a ten-fold growth from an industry size of $500 million in FY20.

The RedSeer Analysis juxtaposes growth of online higher education and lifelong learning on the potential growth in higher education among students and skill development among working professionals going forward. For instance, currently of the total addressable market (TAM) in FY20 for higher education stands at around 40 million students and 50 million working professional for lifelong learning. However, at present online paid users in FY20 is still 500,000 or 0.5 million each, which has a potential to grow on the back of the government's target of achieving 50 per cent gross enrolment ratio (GER) by 2035.

Hence, growth in opportunity for online higher education can come on the back of expected growth in student enrolment in higher education, up from 40 million in FY20 to 53 million by FY25, to 70 million by FY30 and 92 million by FY35, with the GER climbing from current 26 per cent to 32 per cent, 40 per cent and 50 per cent, respectively.

Online higher education players like Great Learning too are bullish about the trends and agree with the RedSeer analysis.

"The concept of lifelong learning is the new normal now and this is being proven out by the interest we are witnessing among students and working professionals to upskill and power ahead in their careers. Despite the pandemic, we have seen a 5X growth in our learner base during the lockdown.

And we believe we have barely scratched the surface. Going ahead, we expect to grow at an even faster clip with the New Education Policy bringing several reforms to the higher education space. I am confident that over the next few years, this need for upskilling will spur ed-tech companies with massive scale and impact. The report by RedSeer further confirms this," said Hari Krishnan Nair, Co-founder of Great Learning.

The online higher education businesses can be broadly classified into two including full stack versus aggregators and niche versus mass segments. However, in terms of business models in online higher education and lifelong learning, the analysis pegs full stack models as best positioned to capture the growth though multiple models have emerged in recent times.

https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/online-higher-education-sector-to-be-worth-5-billion-by-fy25-report-120082101227_1.html

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NEET, JEE Exam 2020 Not to be postponed, NTA releases clarification - confirms the exam schedule

NEET, JEE Main 2020 Postponement: Secretary Education Ministry has clarified that the NEET and JEE Main 2020 exams scheduled for September cannot be postponed as per SC order.

NEET, JEE Main 2020 would not be postponed. Dashing the hopes of thousands of students, Amit Khare, Secretary, Ministry of Education has confirmed that the entrance examinations cannot be postponed. Referring to the Supreme Court order, he has stated that the SC was very clear in its order and the examinations cannot be postponed. National Testing Agency, NTA has also release a clarification confirming the same, stating that the examination cannot be postponed.

In the letter tweeted by NTA, the agency has shared Supreme Court's order stating that that examination cannot be postponed any further. NTA has also clarified that the examination centres for students were changed as per request and further requests were also being catered to. Apart from this, elaborate precautions have also been taken for the safety of the students.

The plea for postponing JEE and NEET 2020 examinations was presented to the Supreme Court. 3 other petitions were also filed, asking the SC to ensure that the examinations were not postponed. Supreme Court had dismissed the petition to postpone the examinations, noting that the exams cannot be indefintely deferred. Pursuant to that, pleas were sent to the PMO for the same.

Earlier in the day. Dr. Subramaniam Swamy had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking him to ask the Education ministry to postpone NEET, JEE Main 2020 examinations. In the letter, the Union Minister points out the Supreme Court''s decision is not binding to the government. He has earlier tweeted his intent of the same after students approached him and asked for assistance to get NEET, JEE Main 2020 postponed. He has urged that the exam be postponed till after Diwali.

Taking to the social media channel – Twitter, he tweeted that he has already reached out to the Education Minister and asked him to conduct the examination after Deepavali. He decided to intervene after he was approached by students after the Supreme Court dismissed the plea to postpone the examination. He tweeted to confirm that he mean NEET and JEE and other such entrance examinations. Later he shared the letter he has written and shared he is 'hopeful but also pointed out that the students had been 'very late' in approaching, since the case has already been to the Supreme Court.

Updates on the same, once available, would be provided on this page. Students and parents are however asked to please be patient and continue the efforts. Delaying the examination may not be possible. Whatever may be the decision, we request the parents to please counsel their wards and discuss the matter with them.
NEET, JEE 2020 Exam

Meanwhile, Supreme Court has dismissed the plea and NTA has released the admit card for JEE Main 2020 examination. NTA has also released a notice confirming that the admit cards for NEET 2020 would also be released on ntaneet.nic.in shortly. The students, however, continue to reach out to twitter and the various authorities with plea to postpone the examination.

Clamour for postponing NEET gained momentum after a student in Tamil Nadu committed suicide, soon after SC’s dismissal of the plea. All students are again urged to please be patient and prepared for the examination. All necessary steps shall be taken for the safety of the students.As of now, JEE Main 2020 is scheduled to begin from September 1 and NEET 2020 is scheduled for September 13.

https://www.timesnownews.com/education/article/neet-2020-likely-to-be-postponed-emergency-meeting-underway-tweets-subramaniam-swamy/640535

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Postpone JEE Main, NEET 2020: MPs, Students Ask Education Minister

JEE Main and NEET 2020: With less than a month to go, demands for postponement of the engineering and medical entrance exam are rising sky high.

New Delhi:With less than a month to go, demands for postponement of Joint Entrance Examination Main, or JEE Main 2020, and the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate, or NEET 2020, are rising sky high. The National Testing Agency, or NTA, is all set to conduct the engineering and medical entrance exams in September.

Concerned about health and safety, students have been running social media campaigns for months. Several politicians from Bihar, which has been facing floods, have also argued for the postponement of JEE Main 2020 and NEET 2020.

Member of Parliament, Chirag Paswan, also wrote to the education minister highlighting the health and safety concerns related to the conduct of JEE Main 2020 and NEET 2020 in September.

“Wrote to the Education Minister highlighting concerns of parents about JEE and NEET,” Mr Paswan said on social media.
The opposition leader in Bihar, Tejashwi Yadav, too, has sought a postponement. He wrote on social media: “Central Govt, NTA, UGC and IIT Delhi must have a considerate and humane view of the plight of the students and youth of this country! This hurry to conduct exams amidst spiking COVID cases will prove to be costly! In Bihar floods+Govt apathy will compound problems!”

BJP MP Subramanian Swamy, too, has asked for rescheduling. “I have just spoken to the Minister of Education suggesting that NEET and other exams be conducted after Deepavali, he said on social media.

Meanwhile, students have flooded all recent social media posts by the Education Minister with ‘Postpone JEE’ and ‘Postpone NEET’ demands.
Despite student protests, NTA or the education ministry has not decided to postpone JEE Main and NEET 2020.

NTA has recently released JEE Main admit card. According to government sources, 6,49,223 out of 8,58,273 candidates have downloaded their admit cards. Out of the total candidates, 99.07% candidates have been alloted the test centres of their preference and 120 candidates have requested for a change in centre cities allotted to them. The agency will release NEET 2020 admit card soon.

https://www.ndtv.com/education/postpone-jee-main-2020-postpone-neet-2020-students-mps-to-education-minister-latest-news

 

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