🔆 Karnataka Adopts Two-Language Policy for 90% of Schools
📍 Summary (UPSC Focus)
• Karnataka State Education Policy (SEP) Commission recommends a two-language policy for all government, aided & private Kannada and English-medium schools.
• Languages taught: Kannada (1st language) + English (2nd language).
• Exception: Linguistic minority schools (Urdu, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, etc.) will continue three-language teaching, including mother tongue; 3rd language is optional & not assessed.
• Abandons three-language formula (which included Hindi) in the State’s education system.
• Aim: Strengthen local language primacy while balancing with English proficiency.
#EducationPolicy #LinguisticDiversity #UPSC2025
📍 Summary (UPSC Focus)
• Karnataka State Education Policy (SEP) Commission recommends a two-language policy for all government, aided & private Kannada and English-medium schools.
• Languages taught: Kannada (1st language) + English (2nd language).
• Exception: Linguistic minority schools (Urdu, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, etc.) will continue three-language teaching, including mother tongue; 3rd language is optional & not assessed.
• Abandons three-language formula (which included Hindi) in the State’s education system.
• Aim: Strengthen local language primacy while balancing with English proficiency.
📍 Prelims Practice Question
With reference to the language policy in Indian states, consider the following:
1. The three-language formula is uniformly implemented across all states.
2. Karnataka’s new State Education Policy replaces the three-language formula with a two-language system for Kannada and English-medium schools.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only ✅
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
📍 Mains Practice Question
Critically examine the implications of replacing the three-language formula with a two-language policy in state education systems. Discuss in the context of linguistic diversity, national integration, and educational outcomes. (250 words)
#EducationPolicy #LinguisticDiversity #UPSC2025
🔆 Sanchar Mitra Scheme
📍 Why in News?
✅ Department of Telecommunications (DoT) expands Sanchar Mitra Scheme nationwide.
📍 Objective
✅ Promote digital safety, cyber fraud prevention, responsible mobile usage, and EMF radiation awareness through student volunteerism.
📍 Key Features
✅ Volunteers: Named Sanchar Mitras.
✅ Target Group: Students from telecom, electronics, computer science & cybersecurity streams.
✅ Nomination: Via local DoT offices.
✅ Training: By National Communications Academy – Technology (NCA-T) & DoT’s Media Wing.
✅ Focus Areas: 5G, 6G, AI, cybersecurity.
✅ Incentives: Top performers get internships, project work & representation at major events (e.g., India Mobile Congress, ITU conferences).
#DigitalIndia #CyberSecurity
#goverment_schemes
Join @PIB_UPSC
@upsc_government_scheme
📍 Why in News?
✅ Department of Telecommunications (DoT) expands Sanchar Mitra Scheme nationwide.
📍 Objective
✅ Promote digital safety, cyber fraud prevention, responsible mobile usage, and EMF radiation awareness through student volunteerism.
📍 Key Features
✅ Volunteers: Named Sanchar Mitras.
✅ Target Group: Students from telecom, electronics, computer science & cybersecurity streams.
✅ Nomination: Via local DoT offices.
✅ Training: By National Communications Academy – Technology (NCA-T) & DoT’s Media Wing.
✅ Focus Areas: 5G, 6G, AI, cybersecurity.
✅ Incentives: Top performers get internships, project work & representation at major events (e.g., India Mobile Congress, ITU conferences).
💠 Prelims MCQ
Q. Which ministry implements the Sanchar Mitra Scheme?
A. Ministry of Electronics & IT
B. Ministry of Communications ✅
C. Ministry of Education
D. Ministry of Home Affairs
💠 Mains Question
Q. Discuss the role of initiatives like the Sanchar Mitra Scheme in enhancing cyber safety and digital literacy in India. (150 words)
#DigitalIndia #CyberSecurity
#goverment_schemes
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@upsc_government_scheme
🔆 MERITE Scheme (2025–30)
📍 News
✅ Union Cabinet approved the Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) Scheme for 275 technical institutions (175 engineering + 100 polytechnics).
🔹 About the Scheme
✅ Objective → Improve quality, equity & governance in technical education (aligned with NEP 2020).
✅ Collaboration → With World Bank.
✅ Nodal Ministry → Ministry of Education.
✅ Type → Central Sector Scheme.
✅ Budget → ₹4,200 crore (2025–30)
• ₹2,100 crore external loan (World Bank).
🔹 Beneficiaries
✅ 275 Govt/Govt-aided institutions → NITs, State Engineering Institutes, Polytechnics, ATUs.
✅ State/UT technical education departments also supported.
✅ ~7.5 lakh students to benefit.
🔹 Key Benefits & Features
✅ Digitalisation strategies for States/UTs.
✅ Guidelines for multidisciplinary technical programs.
✅ Enhanced learning & employability skills.
✅ Better transition rates across student groups.
✅ Strengthened research & innovation ecosystem.
✅ Improved quality assurance, accreditation & governance.
✅ Labour market-aligned curriculum + blended courses.
✅ Development of future academic administrators, esp. women faculty.
#goverment_schemes
Join @PIB_UPSC
@upsc_government_scheme
📍 News
✅ Union Cabinet approved the Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) Scheme for 275 technical institutions (175 engineering + 100 polytechnics).
🔹 About the Scheme
✅ Objective → Improve quality, equity & governance in technical education (aligned with NEP 2020).
✅ Collaboration → With World Bank.
✅ Nodal Ministry → Ministry of Education.
✅ Type → Central Sector Scheme.
✅ Budget → ₹4,200 crore (2025–30)
• ₹2,100 crore external loan (World Bank).
🔹 Beneficiaries
✅ 275 Govt/Govt-aided institutions → NITs, State Engineering Institutes, Polytechnics, ATUs.
✅ State/UT technical education departments also supported.
✅ ~7.5 lakh students to benefit.
🔹 Key Benefits & Features
✅ Digitalisation strategies for States/UTs.
✅ Guidelines for multidisciplinary technical programs.
✅ Enhanced learning & employability skills.
✅ Better transition rates across student groups.
✅ Strengthened research & innovation ecosystem.
✅ Improved quality assurance, accreditation & governance.
✅ Labour market-aligned curriculum + blended courses.
✅ Development of future academic administrators, esp. women faculty.
✅ Possible Prelims MCQ
Q. With reference to the MERITE Scheme, consider the following statements:
1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at improving equity and governance in technical education.
2. It has been formulated in collaboration with the World Bank.
3. It will support both engineering institutions and polytechnics across India.
4. The scheme aligns with the recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020.
Options:
A. 1, 2 and 4 only
B. 2, 3 and 4 only
C. 1, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: B (It is a Central Sector, not Centrally Sponsored scheme).
#goverment_schemes
Join @PIB_UPSC
@upsc_government_scheme