Summary: 

• Education Minister announces reforms for zero-error entrance tests 

• UGC cautions students about ODL and online learning courses 

• GATE 2025 examination schedule released 

• CBSE refutes claims of syllabus reduction for board exams 

• IIM Raipur extends PhD programme application deadline 

• IIM Kozhikode launches Chief Operations Officer programme 

• UGC hosts southern zone meet on NEP 2020 implementation 

• UP government revises decision on key job exams amid protests 

• Delhi primary schools shift to online mode due to pollution 

• Rajasthan University declares BEd 2nd Year Results 2024 

Education Minister Announces Reforms for Zero-Error Entrance Tests 

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has announced that the Centre will introduce reforms for entrance examinations starting January 2025. The minister emphasised the need for zero-error entrance tests and appealed to state governments for their support in implementing these reforms. The announcement came after the inauguration of a national workshop on higher and technical education, where secretaries from various states and Union Territories were present. 

UGC Issues Cautionary Guidelines for ODL and Online Learning Courses 

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released guidelines cautioning students about enrolling in programmes offered under Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Online Learning (OL) modes. The commission advises students to verify the recognition status of higher education institutions offering these courses on the UGC-DEB website. Students are also urged to check programme details on university websites and be aware of prohibited programmes and franchising arrangements. 

GATE 2025 Examination Schedule Released 

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has announced the schedule for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2025. The examination will be conducted on February 1, 2, 15, and 16, 2025, in two shifts each day. The exam will cover 30 test papers, with candidates allowed to appear for one or two papers only. The schedule is now available on the official GATE 2025 website. 

CBSE Refutes Claims of Syllabus Reduction for Board Exams 

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has dismissed reports claiming a 15% reduction in the syllabus for Class 10 and 12 board exams in 2025. The board clarified that no changes have been made to its examination system or internal assessment process. CBSE emphasised that any policy changes would be officially announced through its website and circulars. 

IIM Raipur Extends Application Deadline for PhD Programme 

The Indian Institute of Management Raipur has extended the application deadline for its four-year PhD programme in Management (Practice Track) for the 2024-2025 academic year. Interested candidates now have until November 17, 2024, to apply. The programme is designed for experienced management professionals and offers specialisations in various domains including Economics, Finance, Information Systems, and Strategic Management. 

IIM Kozhikode Launches Chief Operations Officer Programme 

IIM Kozhikode, in collaboration with Emeritus, has introduced a 12-month Chief Operations Officer (COO) programme. Starting from December 29, 2024, the course aims to strengthen expertise in areas such as technology, design thinking, AI, digital supply chain, and risk resilience. The programme features live online lectures, asynchronous learning modules, and a three-day campus immersion experience. 

 UGC Hosts Southern Zone Meet on NEP 2020 Implementation 

The University Grants Commission (UGC) organised a Southern Zone Conference for Autonomous Colleges on the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 at IIT Madras. The conference focused on strategies to enhance graduate employability, promote Indian languages in higher education, and integrate skill-based courses into degree programmes. UGC Chairman Professor M Jagadesh Kumar highlighted the importance of making higher education affordable, fair, and supportive for students. 

 UP Government Revises Decision on Key Job Exams Amid Protests 

Following protests by aspirants, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to conduct the Provincial Civil Services (PCS) preliminary exam in a single day instead of two shifts. The Review Officer and Assistant Review Officer (RO-ARO) preliminary examination, previously scheduled for December 22 and 23, has been postponed. These changes come in response to concerns about exam integrity and transparency raised by candidates. 

 Delhi Primary Schools Shift to Online Mode Due to Pollution 

In response to rising pollution levels in the capital, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi Marlena has announced that primary schools will shift to online classes until further notice. This decision comes as Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) reached the 'severe' category, with the average AQI reported at 432 by the Central Pollution Control Board. 

 Rajasthan University Declares BEd 2nd Year Results 2024 

Rajasthan University has officially declared the results for the Bachelor of Education (BEd) 2nd year examinations for the 2024 session. Students can check their results on the university's official website: result.uniraj.ac.in. The results are available in digital format, displaying essential details such as the student's name, roll number, subject-wise marks, overall percentage, and pass/fail status. 

 Conclusion 

These developments highlight the dynamic nature of India's education sector, with reforms and new initiatives aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of education. From entrance exam reforms to new specialised programmes and policy implementations, the landscape of Indian education continues to evolve. 

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 FAQs 

1. What are the key changes in entrance exam reforms announced by the Education Minister? 

   The specific details of the reforms have not been released yet, but they aim to achieve zero-error entrance tests starting from January 2025. 

2. How can students verify the legitimacy of ODL and online learning courses? 

   Students should check the recognition status of institutions on the UGC-DEB website and review programme details on the respective university websites. 

3. When will the GATE 2025 examination be held? 

   GATE 2025 is scheduled for February 1, 2, 15, and 16, 2025, with two shifts each day. 

4. Has CBSE reduced the syllabus for Class 10 and 12 board exams? 

   No, CBSE has refuted claims of any syllabus reduction and stated that no changes have been made to the examination system. 

5. What is unique about IIM Raipur's PhD programme in Management? 

   It is a four-year programme specifically designed for experienced management professionals, combining scholarly learning with practical expertise. 

6. Who is eligible for IIM Kozhikode's Chief Operations Officer programme? 

   The programme is designed for aspiring and evolving COOs and operational leaders looking to enhance their expertise in various management areas. 

7. How is UGC promoting the implementation of NEP 2020? 

   UGC is organising zonal conferences and focusing on strategies to enhance employability, promote Indian languages, and integrate skill-based courses in higher education. 

8. Why did the UP government revise its decision on PCS and RO-ARO exams? 

   The revision came in response to protests by aspirants concerned about exam integrity and transparency in multiple-shift examinations. 

9. Why have Delhi primary schools shifted to online mode? 

   The shift to online classes is due to severe air pollution in Delhi, with AQI levels reaching the 'severe' category. 

10. How can Rajasthan University BEd students check their 2nd year results? 

    Students can check their results on the official university website, result.uniraj.ac.in, using their roll numbers.