Category: Education

India’s Unemployment Rate Falls to 4.9% in February

New Delhi — India’s unemployment rate fell to 4.9% in February 2026, down from 5% in January, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics. The decline reflects improvements in both urban and rural labor markets.

Pic Credit: Pexel

Among urban residents aged 15 and above, the unemployment rate decreased slightly from 6.7% to 6.6%. In rural areas, the overall rate remained steady at 4.2%. Female employment saw significant gains: urban women’s unemployment dropped from 9.8% to 8.7%, while rural women’s rate fell from 4.3% to 4%.

The labor force participation rate (LFPR) for the overall population remained stable at 55.9%, with rural and urban areas recording 58.7% and 50.4%, respectively. Among women aged 15 and above, participation improved to 35.3%, rising to 40% in rural areas, while remaining unchanged at 25.5% in urban areas.

The monthly unemployment figures were compiled in collaboration with the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), covering 3,74,879 respondents. Previously, India reported only quarterly unemployment statistics, but the government has shifted to publishing both monthly and quarterly data since January 2025 to provide a more timely picture of the labor market.

Analysts say the latest numbers signal steady recovery in employment opportunities across the country, with increased participation of women in the workforce contributing to the overall improvement.

Integrating Ancient Wisdom with Modern Knowledge, crucial to achieve sustainability aver experts at Amity

Mar 17: Amity School of Economics, Amity University Uttar Pradesh Noida campus is organizing its 9th National Conference on the theme “Integrating Diverse Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Dynamic Advancement of Sustainable Development Goals” from 16th-17th March, 2026.

Addressing the students during the Inaugural Session, Ms. Shikha Rai, MLA(Delhi), Bhartiya Janta Party, averred, “Sustainability cannot exist without wisdom and therefore, every citizen needs to be extremely careful, wise and responsible, so as to safeguard the planet. Tribal communities have developed agricultural and ecological practices that sustain both livelihoods and ecosystem. These communities inherited sustainability as a way of life. India is building ancient sustainable systems into modern governance. Under the visionary leadership of our Prime Ministers, India has taken crucial steps in combining ancient wisdom with modern innovation. Therefore, India has launched global missions like “Mission Life” which encourages sustainable living inspired by traditional values. The well- being of humanity and the well-being of nature are inseparable, this is why India model of development is based on “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas.”

Mr. Rajeev Kumar, Director, National Accounts Division, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), said, “If we have to make things sustainable, we must go local and focus on indigenous development, at grassroot level. Traditional knowledge needs to be combined with policy framework, which can be helpful in removing the challenges and obstacles. We need to work on rediscovering traditional medicines since we know the harmful effects of antibiotics on human body. Also, there is a need to brainstorm about how we can revive ancient wisdom and apply it in the present context.”

Mr. Antony Cyriac, Additional Economic Advisor, Ministry of Finance, stated, “When a country is capital deficient, skilled labour cannot flow. Therefore, skill development is essential for making the country economically strong and we need to develop our own systems of resilience. We must know the stage of development in order to make further development in all areas. Ancient wisdom is important, however, we should not be dependent on ancient wisdom for development, rather we must integrate it with modern practices.”

Mr. Atul Kharate, Chief Operating Officer, Indian Oil Adani Ventures, opined, “There is only 6.8% contribution by India in cleaner use of fossil fuels which needs to be increased. Conservation of fossil fuels, biogas and renewable energy are required to achieve a sustainable economy. We should be committed to holistic energy conservation system which includes a comprehensive approach to saving energy, thereby contributing to sustainability.”

Keynote Speaker, Ms. Tanushri Roy, Policy Consultant, Niti Aayog, asserted, “It is important to align traditional medicine with Sustainable Development Goals. Some of the initiatives which have been taken by the government to achieve sustainability include building traditional knowledge digital library, bringing back ayurveda and ancient systems of medicine, establishment of National Innovation Foundation which is working to strengthen technological innovations by integrating it with traditional knowledge, adopting chemical-free agriculture practices, participation of tribal communities in various sectors and many other initiatives. We all must support these initiatives of the government and make our own contribution towards achieving sustainability.”

Welcoming the guests, Prof. (Dr.) Kavita Indapurkar, Assistant Director, Amity School of Economics, said “The Conference will demonstrate the role of Indigenous Knowledge systems for attaining the Sustainable Development Goals. It will also help in facilitating interdisciplinary studies between heritage, science and sustainability in the light of Indian ethos, by providing a national platform to bring together policymakers, practitioners and innovators towards achieving SDGs.”

During the two-day Conference, Technical Sessions on “Integrating Diverse IKS for Dynamic Advancement of Sustainable Development Goals: A Global and Inclusive Approach”, “Enabled Digital Finance and Accounting: Inclusion, Sustainability, and Transparency, “Inspired Governance and Public Service Innovation: Sustainability, Inclusion, and Digital Transformation in a Global Framework”, “Infused Tech Solutions for Sustainable Socio-Economic Progress”, and many others will be conducted.

National Mission on Libraries Strengthens Digital Access and Upgrades Library Infrastructure Across India

New Delhi, March 17: The National Mission on Libraries (NML) is progressing across multiple components aimed at strengthening library infrastructure, digital access to knowledge, and capacity building of library professionals across India, the government informed in the Lok Sabha.

In a written reply, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, said the mission operates through four key components, including the National Virtual Library of India, model libraries, library surveys, and capacity-building programmes.

Digital Knowledge Access through NVLI

Under the National Virtual Library of India (NVLI) component, the Indian Culture Portal was launched in December 2019 to provide unified digital access to resources related to India’s cultural traditions, history, literature, arts and heritage.

The Version 2.0 of the portal, launched on March 5, 2026, introduces a modern architecture with a React-based frontend and Drupal backend, improving performance and scalability.

The upgraded portal features an AI-powered chatbot “Bharti”, integrated with the Government of India’s Bhashini language platform, enabling assistance in 22 Indian languages. It also offers advanced multi-level search, operates as a Progressive Web App, and includes 3D walkthroughs, virtual tours, 46 curated cultural categories, and interactive learning activities.

Model Libraries Across States

Under the Setting up of NML Model Libraries component, financial assistance has been sanctioned for 28 State Central Libraries, 41 District Libraries, and five libraries under the Ministry of Culture to upgrade facilities and services.

Libraries upgraded under the scheme are spread across states and union territories including Port Blair, Itanagar, Ambala, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram and Bhubaneswar, among others.

For instance, in Rajasthan, financial assistance has been provided to Dr. Radhakrishnan Rajya Kendriya Pustakalaya, Jaipur with ₹183.51 lakh sanctioned (₹94.81 lakh released) and Rajakiya Sarvajanik Mandal Pustakalaya, Kota with ₹63.46 lakh sanctioned (₹63.21 lakh released).

Survey and Capacity Building

The Quantitative and Qualitative Survey of Libraries component has been completed and the report has been accepted by the Ministry.

Under the Capacity Building Programme, 54 training programmes have been organised so far, training 2,465 library professionals from across the country.

State Responsibility for Libraries

The government clarified that libraries fall under the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, and therefore public libraries are managed by respective State and Union Territory authorities.

However, the NML scheme provides financial assistance for upgrading one State Central Library and one District Library in each State or Union Territory, based on recommendations from the concerned state authorities.

According to the government, a total of ₹8,671.01 lakh has been sanctioned under the mission, of which ₹6,716.56 lakh has been released so far for library development across the country.

The initiative aims to modernise India’s library ecosystem, expand digital knowledge access, and strengthen the country’s reading and research infrastructure.

University of Birmingham Future-Proofs its Campus Learning Experience

Education Ministry Holds Interactive Workshop with Union Territories in New Delhi

New Delhi: The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) under the Ministry of Education organised a one-day interactive workshop with representatives from Union Territories on March 13, 2026, at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.

The workshop brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Education, representatives from various ministries and departments, and officials from all Union Territories to deliberate on key administrative, financial and legal issues related to school education.

Secretary, DoSEL, Sanjay Kumar inaugurated the workshop and emphasised the importance of regular engagement with Union Territories to strengthen coordination and improve the implementation of education programmes. He highlighted the need to fill vacancies in teaching and non-teaching positions in a timely manner, strengthen academic institutions such as State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs), District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) and State Institutes of Education (SIEs), and ensure prompt responses to parliamentary matters and financial proposals.

Economic Advisor, DoSEL, A. Srija outlined the context of the workshop and noted that the platform would enable Union Territories to exchange ideas and address operational challenges in the education sector.

During the inaugural session, Additional Secretary, DoSEL, Dheeraj Sahu spoke about the importance of strengthening institutional capacity and improving administrative efficiency across Union Territories. Ajay Gupta, Joint Secretary in the Department of Legal Affairs, addressed key issues related to handling litigation and court cases.

Prachi Pandey, Joint Secretary, DoSEL, emphasised that all schools in the Union Territories should be affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Bhupal Nanda, Principal Chief Controller of Accounts in the Ministry of Education, highlighted matters related to financial management and accounting systems.

The technical sessions covered several important topics including the implementation of Section 12(1)(c) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, educational indicators and data reporting for evidence-based policy formulation, onboarding of Union Territories with legislatures onto the SNA-SPARSH platform, and strengthening digital financial management systems.

The sessions also highlighted the role of the Legal Information Management and Briefing System (LIMBS) in monitoring court cases and addressed procurement-related issues on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal to improve transparency and efficiency in government procurement.

Representatives from Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, and Delhi made presentations on issues including court cases, vacancies in teaching and non-teaching positions including special educators, vacancies in SCERTs, DIETs and SIEs, release of funds under Samagra Shiksha, submission of annual reports and audited accounts, parliamentary matters, and challenges faced while using the GeM portal.

The workshop concluded with an interactive discussion and a summary of key takeaways. The deliberations reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Education and the Union Territories to strengthen coordination, enhance institutional capacity, and ensure effective implementation of school education initiatives to improve learning outcomes across the Union Territories.

Hyderabad’s Pride: Upsc Toppers S. Varshith Reddy (Air 259) & Vijaya Simha Reddy (Air 682) Inspires Aspirants At Vision Ias Seminar

Hyderabad, Mar 14: Vision IAS Hyderabad hosted an inspiring seminar on 14th March 2026, bringing together successful UPSC aspirants to share their journeys and strategies. Among the standout speakers was S. Varshith Reddy and Vijaya Simha Reddy, who secured an impressive All India Rank (AIR) 259 and 682 respectively in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025.

A native of Hyderabad, Telangana, S VARSHITH REDDY is a graduate in B.E from BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus (2023). Prior to his UPSC journey, he gained 2 years of professional experience working with leading tech firms like Eltropy and Porter, showcasing a strong foundation in both technical expertise and professional discipline. Currently he is working as an INSPECTOR in DGGI, VIJAYAWADA.

VIJAYA SIMHA REDDY is a B. Tech graduate in computer science and Engineering from Sree Needhi institute of engineering and technology. He cleared state services exam and currently under training at Hyderabad.

S. VARASHITH REDDY chose Economics as his optional subject while Sociology is the optional of Vijaya Simha Reddy. Their success is a testament to his unwavering dedication, strategic preparation, and deep commitment to public service. Speaking at the seminar, they emphasized the importance of consistency, self-discipline, and resilience across their attempt journey.

The event was presided over by Mr. Harekrishna Singh, South Region Branch Head of Vision IAS, who congratulated S. VRASHITH REDDY and praised him for being a role model for future aspirants. “We are extremely proud of S. VARSHITH REDDY’S and VIJAYA SIMHA REDDY’S achievement. They represent the excellence and determination that we aim to cultivate in our students. Their journey is a source of motivation for all aspiring civil servants,” said Mr. Singh.

The seminar included insights into effective preparation strategies, answer writing techniques, and mental wellness during preparation — offering valuable guidance to students enrolled in the “GS Foundation Course” and beyond.

Narayana Schools Empowers Young Global Leaders Through Model United Nations

Narayana Schools hosted the Grand Finale of Narayana MUN (Model United Nations) 2026 across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab, marking the sixth consecutive year of the institution’s flagship Model United Nations initiative and reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing confident, well-articulated, and globally aware young leaders.

Since its launch in 2020, Narayana MUN has evolved into a prominent leadership platform for Grade IX students. Designed to simulate real-world global diplomacy, it enables students to assume the roles of international delegates, debate pressing global issues, and draft resolutions that reflect the functioning of global policy forums.

Over the years, the programme has grown steadily in scale and impact, engaging hundreds of students annually through structured rounds culminating in the Grand Finale, while strengthening analytical thinking, research capability, and public speaking skills.

The 2026 edition of Narayana MUN received 650 student nominations from 13 Campuses in Delhi, out of which 78 students made it to the finale, while in Uttar Pradesh, out of 255 student delegates from 6 campuses, 45 made it to the Finale, and in Punjab, out of 283 student delegates from 6 campuses, 24 made it to the final round. Representing a total of 57 countries across the three regions, participants deliberated on critical global issues aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through debates, moderated caucuses, negotiations, and collaborative resolution drafting, students presented well-researched, practical, and solution-oriented approaches to contemporary international challenges, demonstrating strong research aptitude, diplomatic skills, and global awareness.

Addressing the occasion, Ms. Sharani Ponguru, Director, Narayana Educational Institutions, stated, “Narayana MUN has consistently demonstrated how experiential platforms can transform young minds. The student delegates displayed exceptional maturity, research depth, and diplomatic confidence. MUN 2026 stands as a testament to our commitment to nurturing informed, responsible, and future-ready global citizens who are prepared to fulfil their dreams, because at Narayana, your dreams are our dreams.”

With the successful conclusion of Narayana MUN 2026, Narayana Schools continues to strengthen their focus on building future leaders equipped with critical thinking, global awareness, and the confidence to navigate an interconnected world.

NIH Awards UH $11.8 Million to Study Early Language Development in Houston Toddlers

Study will follow thousands of young children during a critical window for language development

HOUSTON, March 12 – University of Houston researchers have secured an $11.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to conduct a first-of-its-kind study of early language development, tracking thousands of Houston toddlers during a critical period of early childhood.

Led by Elena Grigorenko, the Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished Professor of Psychology, and research professor Jack Fletcher, the project will follow 3,600 children ages 18 to 24 months to better understand how language skills emerge during this early stage and why some children experience delays that can shape later development.

The NIH funding will support a new national Clinical Research Center on Developmental Language Disorders at UH, bringing together experts from psychology, education, health and measurement sciences to study one of the most fundamental questions in human development: how children learn language. This will be the 14th national research center established at UH.

How the Study Will Work

To recruit participants, the research team will partner with the pediatric clinic network at Texas Children’s Hospital, one of the largest in the region. Children will be screened for early language development, allowing researchers to identify those who show signs of delayed speech.

From that group, the team will follow a cohort of about 2,400 children — including both late talkers and children with typical language development — through early childhood to examine how language abilities evolve over time and how early delays may lead to later challenges.

“This will be the first national study to estimate how common late talking is using a large, representative sample of Houston toddlers,” Grigorenko said. “By following these children as they grow, we hope to better understand the developmental pathways that can lead to conditions such as developmental language disorder and autism.”

The Houston Community as a Partner in Discovery

Houston’s linguistic and cultural diversity makes it an ideal setting for this work. The study will include children from a wide range of backgrounds who speak English, Spanish or both, enabling researchers to examine how early communication develops across different home environments and socioeconomic contexts.

“This level of investment from the National Institutes of Health reflects the significance of this work to address a complex challenge affecting children, families and communities,” said Claudia Neuhauser, vice president for research at UH. “By bringing together experts from multiple disciplines and partnering with major health systems across the region, the project reflects our commitment to advancing discoveries that impact our community.”

This research center brings together investigators from multiple UH colleges and departments, along with partners at Baylor College of Medicine and the Texas Center for Learning Disorders. The work also aligns closely with the mission of the Consortium for Translational and Precision Health — a partnership led by Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Houston to accelerate the translation of research into practical health solutions.

“By studying early language development in Houston toddlers, we’re building the knowledge needed to identify developmental challenges sooner and support children at the earliest possible stages,” Grigorenko said.

MagicMinds Opens First Experiential Maths Lab at Manaskriti School

Faridabad,  Mar 9: MagicMinds has officially launched its first experiential Maths Lab at Manaskriti School, Faridabad, marking a significant step toward transforming how children experience mathematics in classrooms.

The lab was inaugurated around the end of February 2026 in the presence of school leadership, teachers, and students. The event included a live demonstration of how children will actively engage with mathematical concepts using hands-on learning models and interactive tools.

Unlike conventional math classrooms focused primarily on textbooks and memorization, the MagicMinds Maths Lab has been designed to make mathematics visible, tangible, and relatable.

The initiative was born from a simple observation: children do not struggle with numbers—they struggle with abstraction.

Before designing the lab, the MagicMinds team conducted interactive sessions with students and in-depth discussions with teachers to understand where the fear of mathematics truly begins. The findings revealed that when concepts are disconnected from real-life experiences, children lose confidence and interest.

The Maths Lab addresses this gap by allowing students to explore mathematical ideas through shapes, patterns, movement, models, and hands-on activities. The approach encourages children to understand first and memorize later.

“Math doesn’t become difficult because it is hard. It becomes difficult when children stop relating to it. Before building this Maths Lab, we didn’t just design materials—we listened. We understood that the real challenge isn’t numbers, it’s abstraction. This lab is our effort to make math visible and real. When a child says, ‘I understand this,’ that is the moment learning truly happens.”- -Chaitanya Sanganeria, Magic Minds.

The purpose of the lab is not to add more academic content, but to build confidence and remove the fear associated with mathematics at an early stage.

MagicMinds plans to expand this initiative by launching similar Maths Labs in multiple schools across different cities in the coming months, aiming to create engaging, hands-on learning ecosystems that make mathematics meaningful and enjoyable for students.

With this launch at Manaskriti School, MagicMinds takes its first step toward reshaping math education, turning confusion into clarity and hesitation into confidence.