The Ministry of Education, on the advice of the UGC, has declared the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) as an Institution deemed to be a university under a distinct category. In its statement, the Ministry informed that an online application was uploaded on UGC Portal for grant of Institution deemed to be University status under distinct category to NCERT. The Ministry added that the recommendation of the UGC Expert Committee was considered and approved by the commission. The Ministry also directed the NCERT to take appropriate steps to commence research programmes as well as doctoral and innovative academic programmes.

The NCERT is an autonomous organisation set up in 1961 by the Government to assist and advise the Central and State Governments on policies and programmes for qualitative improvement in school education. The major objectives of NCERT and its constituent units are to undertake, promote and coordinate research in areas related to school education, prepare and publish model textbooks, supplementary material, newsletters, journals among others.

The Khelo India Tribal Games concluded today in Chhattisgarh. The closing ceremony, held this evening, was attended by the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai, as the Chief Guest. Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao was also present on the occasion. International boxer Mary Kom and footballer Bhaichung Bhutia attended as special guests.

On the final day of the Games, Men’s football final and various archery finals were held.

In the Men’s football final played in Raipur, West Bengal defeated Chhattisgarh by one goal to nil to clinch the gold medal, while
Chhattisgarh settled for silver.

In Archery, Jharkhand’s Komalika Bari won the gold medal in the women’s recurve individual event, while Nagaland secured gold in the women’s recurve team event. In the men’s recurve individual category, Arjun Khara of Odisha won the gold medal, while Jharkhand clinched gold in the men’s recurve team event.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday unveiled a new curriculum on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computational Thinking for Classes 3 to 8. Speaking at the launch, Pradhan described the initiative as a “transformative step towards future-ready learning” at the start of the academic year. He emphasised that structured AI education is now formally integrated into the school ecosystem at scale.

The curriculum is supported by detailed modules, comprehensive teacher handbooks, and robust student assessment frameworks. According to the minister, this approach will ensure early and systematic exposure to emerging technologies, laying a strong foundation for young learners to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan today said that the 58 Murals in the Samvidan Sadan are more than just works of art, but they are the visual representation of India’s civilisational journey.

Mr Radhakrishnan said this while releasing the book, Tides of Time, authored by Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty in New Delhi.

The Vice President noted that the book captures the timeless beauty and the professional symbolism of the Parliamentary Murals.

Mr Radhakrishnan said that Democracy is often seen as a modern system that came from the West. He added that India’s ancient texts clearly testify that the concept of democracy is not new to the country.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya-GSV have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to train youth in broad areas of Aviation, including Aviation Engineering and Aviation Management. The Ministry of Civil Aviation said, the agreement was signed by DGCA Faiz Ahmed Kidwai and Vice Chancellor of GSV Prof Manoj Choudhury.

During the signing ceremony, Minister of Civil Aviation K Rammohan Naidu, Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw and other senior officials from DGCA, Railways and GSV were present. Speaking on the occasion, the Civil Aviation Minister said that this MoU is going to transform the overall aviation sector in terms of the workforce that the government is trying to build for tomorrow. He said, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has witnessed tremendous success in the last 12 years.

Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth on Wednesday (April 1, 2026) assumed charge as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff after the Indian Army announced a series of top-level appointments across key operational commands.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Lt. Gen. Seth was commissioned to the Armoured Corps in December 1986. Over nearly four decades, he has built an operational profile across varied terrains and conflict environments, including counter-insurgency experience. He has commanded an armoured regiment in the desert sector, an armoured brigade, and a counter insurgency force in Jammu & Kashmir. As a Lieutenant General, he led the Sudarshan Chakra Corps and later served as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area.

Indian-origin chess prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan has become England’s top-rated female player, according to the latest rating list of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

The 11-year-old, whose parents moved from Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu to England in 2007, has a FIDE rating of 2366.

The primary school student from north London has overtaken four-time British women’s champion Lan Yao, 25, at the top of the FIDE list for England.

With this achievement, she has also broken into the world’s top 100 women for the first time and is currently ranked number 72, the English Chess Federation said in a press release.

“It is an extraordinary rise for a Harrow schoolgirl who took up the game during (the 2020 COVID-19) lockdown after finding a chessboard and set in a bag her father wanted to throw out," the release added.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today said that India’s dedicated venture capital fund for the space sector is progressing steadily, with investment in selected startups expected to begin from the first quarter of FY2027.

In a written reply to an Unstarred Question in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament, Dr. Jitendra Singh informed that the “Antariksh Venture Capital Fund”, set up to boost India’s emerging spacetech ecosystem, has been operationalised with key institutional mechanisms now in place.

The question was raised by Shri Bastipati Nagaraju regarding the status, investments, beneficiaries, returns, and employment generation under the venture capital fund for the space sector.

Government announced the extension of the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) Scheme for exports of apparel, garments and made-ups until September 30, this year, or until the scheme is approved under the 16th Finance Commission cycle, whichever comes earlier. Operational since 7th March 2019, the RoSCTL Scheme aims to rebate all embedded State and Central taxes and levies not covered under any other scheme. The Scheme is based on the principle of zero-rating of exports, ensuring remission of unrefunded taxes embedded in exported products. The Ministry of Textiles said that the scheme serves as a key support mechanism for the textile export sector, particularly benefiting MSME exporters, who constitute a major share of its beneficiaries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Samrat Samprati Museum in Koba, Gandhinagar, on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti today. The museum is dedicated to Jain history and the life of Samrat Samprati, his rule and the message of Non-violence. Addressing a public meeting on the occasion, the Prime Minister said, at Koba Tirth the values are preserved, cultural ethos is strengthened and knowledge is nurtured. He called it a confluence of three streams-study, spiritual practice, and self-discipline.

He said, it forms the very bedrock of Indian civilization. The Prime Minister highlighted that it is the collective duty of every one to ensure that this sacred confluence flows smoothly. The Prime Minister said, the mistake that previous governments made by neglecting manuscripts is being corrected by his government. Referring to the current situation in the world, Mr. Modi said that the message of this museum is important for the entire humanity.