Expanded Morning Meal Programme to Reach 35 Lakh Students Tamil Nadu has renamed its school morning meal programme after former Chief Minister K Kamaraj and extended it to Classes 6–8. The expanded phase begins September 17 and is expected to take total coverage to 35 lakh students across the state. Tamil Nadu Renames Breakfast Scheme After Kamaraj, Expands Coverage Tamil Nadu has renamed its school breakfast programme in hono

The Centre has appointed Naresh Pal Gangwar as India's new Higher Education Secretary, replacing Vineet Joshi in a major bureaucratic reshuffle. With extensive administrative experience, Gangwar now leads higher education policy, university governance and National Education Policy implementation.   The Central Government has appointed senior IAS officer Naresh Pal Gangwar as Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, su

Kandula Jessie’s Journey From School Lab to Space Mission Kandula Jessie, a Class 10 student from an Andhra Pradesh government school, has been selected among 20 Indian participants for Mission ShakthiSAT. Her journey from a school tinkering lab to an international lunar CubeSat programme highlights the importance of STEM education, teacher support, and consistent effort. A Government School Dream Reaches for the Moon Dowleswaram, Andhra Pradesh, July 23, 2026: Fourteen-year-old Kandula Jessie has secured a place among 20 Indian participants selected for Mission ShakthiSAT, an international all-girls lunar CubeSat initiative. Jessie studies at Zilla Parishad Girls High School in Dowleswaram and is reportedly the only student from Andhra Pradesh included in the final Indian group. She was selected through a programme involving nearly 12,000 girls from 108 countries. How Kandula Jessie Earned Her Place Jessie’s journey began at her school’s Atal Tinkering Lab. Her physical science teacher and laboratory in-charge, Manimala, recognised her interest in science and encouraged her to enrol in the programme. The Mission ShakthiSAT curriculum covers subjects far beyond the regular Class 10 syllabus. Its modules include satellite systems, propulsion, thermodynamics, payload development, and other areas of space technology. Jessie continued attending online classes after school, even when she found the advanced concepts difficult. The programme reportedly included around 550 online sessions across 21 learning modules. Her determination to understand unfamiliar subjects helped her progress through the demanding selection process. Selection Tested Knowledge and Communication Skills The selection process involved online coursework, an interview lasting around one hour, and a short video presentation. Jessie was asked to explain Mission ShakthiSAT and discuss the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. The interview was conducted entirely in English with international scientists and programme coordinators. Jessie spent weeks improving her communication skills with the support of her teachers and educational videos. Her selection reflected more than academic knowledge. It also demonstrated her willingness to improve, communicate confidently and continue learning despite the challenges. Family Supported Her Through Financial Difficulties Jessie’s father works as a carpenter. Her parents had earlier moved her from a private school to a government school because of financial difficulties. Her mother, Aruna, described watching Jessie confidently interact with international scientists as one of the family’s proudest moments. The achievement has also brought recognition to her school and the teachers who encouraged her scientific interests. Jessie’s success shows how timely guidance and access to practical learning opportunities can help students from modest backgrounds compete internationally. ShakthiSAT Training to Begin in New Delhi The next stage of Jessie’s programme is scheduled to begin in New Delhi on August 23, 2026. She is expected to work with scientists and other participants on satellite design, payload development, and mission operations. The student-built lunar CubeSat is proposed for launch from Sriharikota on October 11, 2026. The launch schedule may remain subject to technical and operational confirmation. Mission ShakthiSAT aims to give girls from different countries practical exposure to satellite development, space science and STEM education. The programme brings together students from 108 countries for scientific learning and collaborative space projects. Jessie Hopes to Join ISRO Jessie now hopes to build a career in space science and eventually join the Indian Space Research Organisation. Her selection has strengthened her belief that determination and regular effort can help her achieve that goal. She also hopes to support her parents and make her teachers and school proud. Her journey from a government-school laboratory to an international space programme underlines the value of Atal Tinkering Labs, supportive teachers, and accessible STEM opportunities. For students from financially constrained families, Jessie’s achievement offers a powerful message: scientific talent can emerge from any classroom when curiosity receives the right guidance.

NEET Row Intensifies as Annamalai and Anna Hazare Seek Accountability K Annamalai and Anna Hazare have separately questioned the handling of the NEET controversy as student protests continue in Delhi. Their interventions place renewed focus on alleged paper leaks, delayed talks, ministerial responsibility, and trust in the examination system. NEET Protests Bring New Pressure for Dialogue and Responsibility New Delhi,

TVK Seeks State Control Over Medical Education, End to NEET Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has renewed its demand to abolish NEET and give states complete authority over education and medical admissions. The party has also proposed constitutional changes to transfer education-related powers from the Centre to the states. TVK Expands Its Position Against NEET Chennai, July 22, 2026: The TVK state control over medica

CJP Rejects Nadda Meeting, Says Key NEET Demands Remain Unanswered CJP representatives disputed the Centre’s account of talks with JP Nadda, saying the meetings produced no firm commitment on demands linked to the NEET paper leak protest. The government urged protesters to end their sit-in and help restore normalcy in Delhi.   CJP Rejects Nadda Meeting, Says Key NEET Demands Remain Unanswered Cockroach Janta Party representa

CJP Says Government Reached Out as Leaders Head to Meet Nadda CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka said they were heading to meet Union Minister JP Nadda after the government reportedly reached out for talks. The development coincided with Abhijeet Dipke ending his hunger strike. Two CJP representatives were heading to meet Union Minister JP Nadda on Monday, July 20, 2026, after the organisation claimed that the government had approached it for talks o

CJP Parliament March: Tear Gas Fired as Gates Shut Police used tear gas and crowd-control measures as CJP supporters attempted to march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament on July 20, 2026. Security was tightened, Parliament gates were closed, and restrictions were enforced across New Delhi. The CJP Parliament march tear gas confrontation intensified in New Delhi on Monday, July 20, 2026, as protesters attempted to move towards Parliament on the opening day of

Why ITPI’s Authority Over Planning Colleges Is Under Scrutiny The ITPI planning college recognition row has renewed concerns about who can legally approve planning institutions in India. Experts say the professional body can grant membership but cannot provide statutory accreditation to colleges or academic programmes. Why ITPI’s Authority Over Planning Colleges Is Under Scrutiny The ITPI planning college recognition row

Health Fears Grow as Wangchuk Prepares Parliament March New Delhi, July 17, 2026: The proposed Sonam Wangchuk July 20 march to Parliament has become the central focus of the youth-led protest at Jantar Mantar as the activist’s indefinite hunger strike entered its 20th day on Friday. Despite growing concerns about his deteriorating health, Wangchuk has indicated that he intends to remain alive and continue the protest until the planned

Wangchuk’s health raises concern as fast continues Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health has become a major concern as his indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar entered its 11th day on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Doctors monitoring him reported that he has lost more than 7 kilograms since beginning the hunger strike, with his weight now recorded at 59.40 k

DMK Moves Child Rights Panel Against Minister Keerthana Over School Visit Row DMK MP Rajathi alias Salma has filed a complaint with the NCPCR against Tamil Nadu Minister S Keerthana over a government school visit row. The complaint alleges that a minor student was embarrassed during an English interaction and that the video was circulated without protecting the child’s identity.   Complaint Filed With NCPCR DMK MP Raja

IIM Bangalore To Open Indonesia Campus As India Expands Education Footprint Abroad India’s higher education push overseas is gaining fresh momentum, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing that the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore will set up a campus in Indonesia. The announcement was made in Jakarta on July 7, 2026, during a joint press statement with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. The proposed IIM Bangalore Indo

Who Is Jainam Jain? 14-Year-Old AI Founder Building Mengo Engine From Burj Khalifa   Indian-Origin Teen Entrepreneur Goes Viral Jainam Jain, a 14-year-old Indian-origin entrepreneur, has drawn attention online for building an artificial intelligence startup from one of Dubai’s most iconic business addresses — the Burj Khalifa. Jainam is the founder of Mengo Engine, an AI platform aimed at helping businesses automate

CBSE Three-Language Policy 2026: 7 Key Updates Students And Parents Should Know CBSE has issued fresh clarification on its three-language policy for the 2026-27 academic session, bringing relief to current students and clearing confusion among parents and schools. The clarification comes after the board’s earlier circular on the three-language framework created questions over foreign languages, Class 10 board exams, transition batches, and textbook ava