Category Archives: Education

Odisha’s Bhavesh Patra Secures AIR 13 in JEE Main 2026 Session 2

Bhubaneswar, Apr 21 (BNP): Bhavesh Patra has emerged as the top performer from Odisha in the JEE Main 2026 Session 2 examination, securing an outstanding All India Rank (AIR) 13, as per results announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Monday.

The examination witnessed strong competition nationwide, with over 11 lakh candidates appearing across India and abroad. A total of 26 students achieved 100 percentile scores in the exam.

The JEE Main 2026 Session 2 was conducted from April 2 to April 8 at 566 centres across 304 cities in India and 14 international locations. The provisional answer key was released on April 11, 2026, before the declaration of final results.

The achievement highlights Bhavesh Patra’s strong academic performance in one of the country’s most competitive engineering entrance examinations.

IMS-DIA Showcases Innovation and Design Thinking at Open Day

Noida, Apr 20 (BNP): IMS Design & Innovation Academy (IMS-DIA) successfully organised Open Day 2026. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, parents, and educators interested in understanding career opportunities in the field of design. During the programme, participants attended live workshops in various disciplines including Fashion, Jewellery, Interior, Communication, Luxury Product Design, and Foundation. Through these sessions, attendees actively engaged in creative processes and gained valuable hands-on experience.

IMS-DIA Vice President Mr. Chirag Gupta said that the institution’s aim is not only to provide academic knowledge but also to prepare students for future challenges and emerging opportunities. He added that under the National Education Policy (NEP), the academy is placing special emphasis on skill-based learning and a creative education model.

He further stated that through partnerships with schools, IMS-DIA is connecting students at an early stage with design thinking, innovation, and practical learning. Gupta also highlighted that the institute strongly focuses on project-based learning, ensuring that students move beyond theoretical knowledge and work on real projects aligned with industry requirements. This approach helps develop problem-solving abilities, innovation, and professional skills among students.

IMS-DIA Dean Professor (Dr.) MKV Nair said that the main attraction of the event was the panel discussion, where experts shared their views on contemporary topics such as the real impact of AI versus perceived threats, sustainability, the creator economy, freelancing versus jobs versus entrepreneurship, and design as a business tool. The session helped students and parents better understand the evolving landscape of design careers.

He added that the design industry is changing rapidly and offers immense opportunities for young people. Keeping this in mind, IMS-DIA is providing students with industry-oriented education, modern labs, and expert guidance to help them build successful careers.

IIIT-Delhi Team Wins AI for Bharat Hackathon by AWS in the Student Track

New Delhi, Apr 20: The Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi (IIIT-Delhi), has achieved a significant milestone with its student team, Rayquaza EX, securing first place in the Student Track at the ‘AI for Bharat Hackathon’ organised by Amazon Web Services.

The team included Ammar Saifee (CSE), Sarthak Bhudolia (CSAI), Sakshat Sachdeva (CSSS), and Prabal Minotra (CSD) with their unmatched coordination. They came out victorious in an extremely competitive environment by outperforming 96,000 developers from across the nation. The team made it to the Top 36 Grand Finalists before ultimately rising to the top position, displaying its exceptional technical and problem-solving skills.

This Hackathon designed in two-phases had three problem statements in the Student’s track, with IIIT-Delhi students winning the first position under the theme ‘AI for Communities, Access & Public Impact’. The platform encouraged participants to build scalable solutions that could face real-world challenges.

IIIT-Delhi’s winning solution was named ‘Bimasathi’. It is a WhatsApp-first insurance claim assistant with voice-control and multilingual features that can simplify and speed up the claiming process. The team focused on integrating multiple language features to minimise complexities, positioning it as a reliable and secure solution. The solution aims to make insurance claims more accessible for a diverse user base.

Bimasathi draws inspiration from the impact of UPI on digital payments in India and visualises a similar shift in the insurance ecosystem. It aims to bridge the gaps in accessibility to make insurance processes simpler for the people, especially in communities that are underserved.

This achievement shows how IIIT-Delhi has always focused on learning through innovation, while utilising new technologies like AI for the public good.

Paytm Foundation launches second mobile learning bus to expand digital education in Odisha

Apr 17 (BNP): Paytm Foundation has launched its second “Wisdom on Wheels” mobile learning bus in Odisha, expanding its effort to bring digital and computer education directly to rural and school communities.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

The initiative is designed to reach students in remote areas where access to computer labs and digital infrastructure is limited. The specially equipped mobile bus will travel across villages and schools, offering hands-on training in basic computer skills, digital literacy, and financial awareness.

The bus functions as a fully functional mobile classroom, equipped with computers, internet connectivity, and learning tools, allowing students to practice real-world digital skills during sessions.

According to officials, the programme aims to:

• Improve digital literacy among government school students
• Bridge the urban–rural technology gap
• Promote basic coding and computer skills
• Support financial and internet awareness in rural communities

This is the second such bus in Odisha, indicating an expansion of the programme after earlier success in reaching students through mobile learning units.

The initiative was showcased at an event at VSS University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla, as part of broader collaborations between industry and educational institutions in the state.

Anant National University Announces Scholarships for UCEED 2026 Rank Holders

Odisha Mandates Odia Language in All Educational Institutions

Bhubaneswar, Apr 16 (BNP): Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced that the Odia language will be made compulsory in all schools across the state, reinforcing efforts to strengthen linguistic heritage and cultural identity.

The announcement was made during the concluding ceremony of the ‘Odia Paksha’ celebrations, highlighting the state government’s focus on promoting the mother tongue among students from an early age.

The Chief Minister stated that the directive will be implemented across all educational institutions in Odisha. As part of the initiative, more than 18,000 copies of Odia Barnabodha and Shishu Lekha Pustak will be distributed to students to deepen their understanding of the language and its cultural significance.

Officials said the move is aimed at strengthening students’ connection with Odia language, literature, and traditions, while ensuring its wider usage in academic learning.

The government also reiterated its commitment to expanding educational infrastructure and promoting inclusive learning through initiatives aligned with national education objectives.

EDII Announces National Entrepreneurship Summer Camps for Youth & Children for 2026

New Delhi, Apr 16: The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, a pioneer in the field of entrepreneurship development, education, and training, has been organising national summer camps since 1992. These unique summer camps, organised for children in the age group of 12–16 years and youth aged 16–22 years, aim to imbibe winning skills in them, alongside building an entrepreneurial mindset at an early stage.

This year, the 46th and 47th editions of the camps on ‘Entrepreneurial Stimulation for Children’ will be held from May 3–8 and May 24–29, respectively, at the institute’s campus. Similarly, the 49th and 50th editions of the camps on ‘Entrepreneurial Adventures for Youth’ will be held from May 11–20 and June 1–10, respectively.

• Over the last three decades, through the national summer camps on ‘Entrepreneurial Stimulation for Children’, EDII has provided a platform to help children understand their strengths and weaknesses, develop a growth perspective, and imbibe in them, learning that fosters winning skills. So far, 45 camps have groomed 3,228 children. Participants develop a strong ‘spirit of enterprise and achievement’, enabling them to aim for higher-order success. After the camp, parents receive a comprehensive report on their ward, highlighting personality traits and suggesting future developmental directions.
• Similarly, through its national summer camps on ‘Entrepreneurial Adventures for Youth’, EDII has been developing entrepreneurial traits among youth across the country. A total of 2,100 youth have been trained so far. Participants discover their hidden potential and build capabilities to face future challenges by acquiring entrepreneurial traits such as risk-taking, creative thinking, conflict management, effective communication, teamwork and problem solving. Career counselling is also extended during the camps.

Interactions with achievers and field visits to observe classroom learnings in practice leave a lasting impact on participants of both the camps.

With such focussed, competency-based training, the participants have evolved into high-achieving individuals.

Dr Pankaj Bharti, Faculty at EDII, is the camp leader and can be reached at pbharti@ediindia.org / camps@ediindia.org.

 

IncluEd Shiksha Samvaad Highlights Need for Practical Inclusion in Classrooms

The British School New Delhi Hosts Global Education and Admissions Forum

New Delhi, Apr 15 (BNP): The British School New Delhi hosted the first CIS India Institute on International Admission and Guidance from April 10 to 12, 2026.

Organised in collaboration with the Council of International Schools (CIS), the event brought together representatives from over 60 universities across 14 countries, along with 20 schools from India.

The institute served as a platform for interaction between Indian schools and global universities, aiming to strengthen guidance systems and create clearer pathways for students seeking higher education abroad.

Participants discussed international admissions processes, student counselling strategies, and opportunities for expanding global academic collaboration.

Ashoka University’s Economics Professor Kanika Mahajan Receives Prestigious Elizabeth Adiseshiah Award 2026

New Delhi, April 14: Ashoka University, Delhi-NCR, India’s premier institution for interdisciplinary higher education and research, is delighted to share that Kanika Mahajan, Associate Professor of Economics, has been selected for the prestigious Elizabeth Adiseshiah Award 2026 by the Malcolm & Elizabeth Adiseshiah Trust, in recognition of her impactful contributions to development studies. This recognition comes at a significant moment for the Department of Economics at Ashoka University, which has recently been ranked #1 in India by the Research Papers in Economics (RePEc) rankings, reflecting the strength and depth of its research output.

The Elizabeth Adiseshiah Award is conferred annually to a young scholar below the age of 45 for outstanding contributions to development studies. The award carries a citation and a cash prize of INR 1 lakh and is widely regarded as a recognition of impactful research shaping policy and discourse in India’s development landscape. The awardees are selected by a jury of eminent scholars, with the final decision reflecting excellence in research and its contribution to development studies. As part of the honour, Kanika Mahajan will deliver the Elizabeth Adiseshiah Memorial Lecture at the award ceremony scheduled for August 2026.

Kanika Mahajan’s research lies at the intersection of labour economics, firms, and gender, with a strong focus on understanding the structural constraints shaping women’s economic participation in India, as well as firm growth and adaptation in the country. Her widely cited work has examined issues such as declining female labour force participation, wage inequality, and firm adaptation in the face of economic shocks. Her research has been published in leading international journals and has contributed significantly to policy conversations around inclusive growth.

“It is an honour to receive the Elizabeth Adiseshiah Award. It is particularly meaningful given the award’s emphasis on research that engages directly with policy and development challenges. Much of my work has focused on understanding the persistent gaps in women’s participation in India’s labour markets, as well as the factors that can sustain employment growth in the country, issues shaped by both structural constraints and evolving economic opportunities. There is still much to uncover, and I hope this recognition draws greater attention to the need for sustained research in these areas, while also encouraging more women to contribute to the field.”, said Kanika Mahajan, Associate Professor of Economics, Ashoka University, Delhi-NCR.

The Department of Economics at Ashoka University has further institutionalised its commitment to data-driven research and public engagement through the Centre for Economic Data and Analysis (CEDA). CEDA serves as a key platform for enabling informed debate on India’s economic and social landscape by making high-quality data accessible to researchers, policymakers, and the public. Its work spans critical themes such as work and wages, agrarian economy, household economics, and human development, alongside the development of tools like the Economic Enterprise Tracker, which provides integrated insights into India’s formal and informal economy, and publishing of the monthly newsletter, Women and Work, which examines the structures shaping women’s economic realities, mapping women’s participation in the workforce and persistent gaps.

Commenting on the recognition, Ashwini Deshpande, Head of the Department of Economics and Founding Director, Centre for Economic Data and Analysis (CEDA), Ashoka University, Delhi-NCR said,

‘Kanika’s recognition is well-deserved and a source of genuine pride for the Economics Department at Ashoka. Her work exemplifies the kind of rigorous, policy-relevant research that we have always believed economics must aspire to. This award is not just a personal milestone — it reflects the intellectual environment we have collectively worked to build, one that takes empirical questions seriously and engages with the world beyond the seminar room.’

“Ashoka University has been building a culture of rigorous, inquiry-driven research that engages meaningfully with real-world challenges. We place a strong emphasis on academic excellence that is both interdisciplinary and socially relevant. The Economics Department exemplifies this approach through its growing body of high-quality, policy-relevant research and its commitment to advancing data-driven public discourse. Kanika Mahajan’s recognition is a testament to this ethos and this honour is both well deserved and deeply encouraging for the wider academic community” stated Somak Raychaudhury, Vice-Chancellor, Ashoka University, Delhi-NCR.

Together, these developments mark a forward looking moment as Ashoka University continues to expand its academic and research pursuits in the years ahead.