Current Affairs - Education

The launch of 500 new Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) in Jammu & Kashmir under the Frontier Region Programme aims to strengthen innovation at the school level. These labs provide students with access to 3D printing, robotics, AI kits, and coding platforms, enabling them to develop STEM skills, solve local challenges, and prepare for future careers. The initiative, supported by ATL Sarthi and private sector partners like Boeing and Amazon India, also includes mentorship and teacher training, creating an ecosystem that fosters hands-on learning and cultivates creativity and problem-solving abilities among young learners in remote and underserved regions.

IIT Madras has been nominated as a UN Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Artificial Intelligence, highlighting India’s growing influence in global AI development. This designation supports efforts to address the AI skills gap, foster ethical AI governance, and promote collaboration across the Global South. Under India’s AI Mission, initiatives include training 10 million people annually, deploying 38,000 GPUs, and making 300 open-source AI models available. IIT Madras’s recognition as a CoE strengthens its role as a leading research and education hub in AI, positioning India at the forefront of innovation and responsible AI deployment internationally.

India’s logistics cost has been officially estimated at 7.97% of GDP, replacing earlier inflated figures of 13–14%. This estimate is based on a hybrid methodology combining secondary data with large scale nationwide surveys, ensuring a precise and data driven assessment. The report highlights improved efficiency in logistics, as reflected in reduced freight costs and turnaround times, and supports policy measures under the National Logistics Policy. Platforms like ULIP, NICDC, and programs such as SMILE and GatiShakti contribute to streamlining infrastructure, enhancing multimodal transport, and promoting India as a competitive global logistics hub.

India’s first overseas Atal Innovation Centre was inaugurated in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at the IIT Delhi–Abu Dhabi campus in September 2025. This landmark step extends India’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) beyond its borders, creating a hub for research, entrepreneurship, and collaboration in global education and innovation. The centre is expected to strengthen India–UAE academic ties while encouraging students and researchers to develop solutions for international challenges. Alongside the inauguration, new academic programs in Energy and Sustainability (Ph.D.) and Chemical Engineering (B.Tech) were also launched, highlighting the commitment to knowledge exchange and innovation.

The government of Uttar Pradesh has initiated a probe into the recognition of courses and admissions across all universities, colleges, and institutions in the state. Divisional Commissioners have been directed to set up Special Investigation Teams (SITs) comprising administrative, police, and education officers to carry out the investigation. Institutions are required to provide affidavits, recognition certificates, and detailed information about their courses. Any cases of illegal admissions or unapproved courses will invite strict action, including mandatory refunds of fees along with interest. This move underscores the state’s commitment to ensuring transparency, accountability, and quality standards in higher education.