The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023, released on Tuesday, highlights several key findings about the state of children's education in rural India. One of the key insights is that over 82% of children aged 14-16 are proficient in using smartphones, but only 57% are leveraging them for educational purposes. This underscores a gap in the use of technology for learning despite widespread access. Additionally, the report revealed that the percentage of underage children

The Role of National Education Policy (NEP) in the Union Budget 2025: The Union Budget 2025-26 is crucial for shaping the future of India's education system, especially with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 being a significant focus. The BJP-led NDA government, entering its third term, continues to prioritize education and skill development. The NEP aims to modernize educati

In one of the strongest public criticisms in recent years, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the Taliban's acting deputy foreign minister, has called on his senior leadership to lift restrictions on girls' education in Afghanistan. During a speech over the weekend, Stanekzai stated that the Taliban's policy of restricting education for girls and women was not in line with Islamic Sharia law, urging the leadership to open schools for girls. Stanekzai, who previously led the

In a landmark ruling, Bangladesh's Supreme Court acquitted former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case, clearing her of all charges. The verdict, delivered by a bench led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, also exonerated Tarique Rahman, the Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and other suspects involved in the case. Zia, who had faced a combined 17 years in prison across multiple corruption charges, had been imprisoned in 2018 but w

On Friday, Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a third six-year term as Venezuela's president, despite widespread accusations of election fraud and a growing wave of international opposition. Having served as president since 2013, Maduro has weathered numerous crises, including a collapsing economy, US sanctions, and ongoing protests. His controversial victory in the July 2024 elections was followed by violent crackdowns, which saw over 2,400 people arrested and at least 28 killed. This marks

 In a significant political development ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, Arvind Kejriwal, National Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), announced that both the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Samajwadi Party (SP) had pledged their support for his party. The former Delhi Chief Minister expressed his gratitude towards West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and SP President Akhilesh Yadav for their backing, recalling their previous support during the 2020 Delhi elections. Kejriwal

Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, has publicly rejected the idea of engaging in revenge politics following his wrongful arrest by Jagan Mohan Reddy over a questionable skill scam case. After Jagan's rise to power, a section of TDP loyalists believed that Naidu might retaliate and have Reddy jailed as payback for the political vendetta. However, Naidu dismissed these speculations, maintaining his commitment to serving the public rather than seeking personal revenge.

The political landscape of West Bengal has been rocked by a renewed focus on the Sandeshkhali region, with Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee exchanging sharp statements regarding the controversial island. Sandeshkhali had been in the news earlier this year during the Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP highlighted allegations of land grab and exploitation of women. In response to these claims, Mamata Banerjee dismissed them as false, pointing to a financi

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino firmly rejected any negotiations with US President-elect Donald Trump regarding control of the Panama Canal, affirming that the canal belongs solely to Panama. Mulino emphasized that the canal, which was transferred to Panama in 1999 after being built by the United States, cannot be the subject of talks with Washington. Trump's recent comments, which criticized the tolls for US vessels passing through the canal and expressed concern over China's a

In a major setback to the unity of the opposition bloc, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has demanded that Congress be removed from the INDIA alliance unless the party takes action against its Delhi leader, Ajay Maken. AAP leaders Atishi and Sanjay Singh accused Maken of helping the BJP in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, claiming that Maken's statements were made at the BJP's behest. The dispute intensified when Maken called AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal "anti-national," a comm

STEM Scholarships for 2024: Opportunities and Application Strategies As the demand for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) graduates continues to grow worldwide, numerous scholarships have been designed to support students pursuing education in these critical fields. While earning a STEM degree can be expensive, scholarships help make it more accessible for students, including those from India. This guide provides insights into STEM schol

Chandrababu Naidu has quickly emerged as one of the most influential leaders in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the central level, as evidenced by his recent busy visit to Delhi. His meetings with several key Union ministers, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, reflect his growing prominence within the alliance. The day began with Naidu paying his respects at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial in Delhi, f

In a significant change to school education, the Centre has scrapped the 'no-detention policy' for classes 5 and 8 in schools under its control. This means that students who fail the year-end exams will no longer automatically be promoted. Instead, they will have the chance to retake the exam after additional coaching within two months of the results. If they still fail, they will be held back in the same grade. This move follows amendments to the Right to Education Act (RTE

Bangladesh's interim government has sent a diplomatic note to India requesting the extradition of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been in exile in India since August 5, 2023. Hasina fled Bangladesh after student-led protests led to the downfall of her 16-year rule. The Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina, accusing her and several former officials of "crimes against humanity and genocide." Foreign Affairs A

The Sandhya Theatre controversy continues to escalate, with no resolution in sight. The issue has caught the attention of Telangana’s Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and his cabinet ministers, who are actively discussing the matter. The controversy centers around a tragic incident in which a woman named Revathi lost her life, and her son remains critically injured, after a large crowd was gathered outside the theatre during the release of Allu Arjun's film. Cinematography Min

Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, announced on Thursday his intent to strengthen relations with Pakistan, a step that could further strain the already tense ties between Bangladesh and India. Yunus, who met Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at a summit in Cairo, emphasized the importance of addressing unresolved issues stemming from Bangladesh’s brutal 1971 war of independence. The two countries, once united, split after a violent conflict, with Bangladesh la

Indian students are increasingly looking beyond traditional study destinations like the US and UK to explore new opportunities in countries such as Malta, Singapore, Dubai, Italy, and various European nations. These countries have simplified their visa regulations, and their competitive living and tuition fees, along with diverse academic programmes, are attracting a growing number of students. The ease of access and affordable education options are key factors driving this trend. Many expert

 Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest individual, is increasingly becoming involved in global politics, extending his influence far beyond the business world. In recent developments, Musk has met with Nigel Farage, the leader of the Reform UK party, to discuss possible financial support, with Musk considering a $100 million donation to help the party. Farage has expressed admiration for Musk's political strategies, especially his cash incentives to encourage voter turnout, a tactic

Bangladesh's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, has confirmed that general elections will likely take place by the end of 2025 or in the first half of 2026. Yunus, who was appointed the country’s "chief adviser" after a student-led uprising in August toppled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is overseeing a temporary administration that is focused on restoring democratic institutions in the country. Yunus, 84, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning microfinance pioneer, h

The aftermath of the YSR Congress' landslide defeat in the 2024 general election has left the party in turmoil, with many senior leaders defecting. Prominent figures like Alla Nani, Breda Mastan, Avanti Srinivas, and Grandhi Srinivas have already parted ways with Jagan Mohan Reddy’s leadership, signaling the party’s deepening crisis. Adding to the woes, seasoned Andhra Pradesh politician and former Congress MLA Gone Prakash Rao has claimed that 4-5 more MLAs are likely to leav