Current Affairs - Education

The Bharat Forecasting System (BFS), launched on May 26, 2025, represents a groundbreaking advancement in India’s meteorological infrastructure. Developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, the system delivers ultra-local weather forecasts at a resolution of 6 km x 6 km—currently the highest in the world. This level of detail is a substantial upgrade from the earlier 12 km models. BFS operates on the supercomputer Arka, capable of 11.77 petaflops and equipped with 33 petabytes of storage. It significantly reduces data processing time from 10 hours to just 4, enabling rapid and accurate forecasting for critical sectors like agriculture, disaster response, and public safety.

Mizoram has been officially recognized as India’s first fully literate state, a significant achievement in the realm of education and social progress. The declaration was made by Chief Minister Lalduhoma during a ceremony in Aizawl, attended by prominent dignitaries, including Minister Jayant Chaudhary and Dr. Vanlalthlana. This milestone was achieved through persistent efforts, including comprehensive door-to-door literacy surveys and effective educational initiatives conducted under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram. Surpassing a literacy rate of 95%, Mizoram’s accomplishment highlights the impact of focused governance and community-driven education models in uplifting social indicators.

IIT Delhi launched the ‘Manasvi’ mentorship programme to encourage high-school girls to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The programme is managed by the Academic Outreach and New Initiatives Office at IIT Delhi and aims to reduce gender disparities in STEM by providing mentorship and skill-building opportunities. ‘Manasvi’ helps girls build confidence and gain the necessary skills to succeed in STEM fields, reflecting IIT Delhi’s dedication to fostering inclusivity and inspiring young women to explore science and technology.

HCLTech has collaborated with IIT Guwahati to launch a comprehensive upskilling program in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. The program, delivered as a four-year online Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree, is part of HCLTech's broader TechBee initiative aimed at fostering early-career talent development. This strategic partnership allows employees to gain advanced technical knowledge while continuing their professional roles, blending academic learning with practical industry exposure. Such collaborations between academia and industry are essential to equip the workforce with relevant, future-ready skills in emerging technologies like AI, ensuring a competitive edge in the digital economy.

The NSDC-PDEU Centre of Excellence was inaugurated in Gandhinagar by Jayant Chaudhary, highlighting a major step towards aligning educational efforts with emerging industry needs. This centre is focused on skill development in crucial sectors such as semiconductor manufacturing, smart technologies, and renewable energy. With over 40 online and hybrid courses planned, the initiative aims to equip youth with the expertise required in future-oriented industries. Gandhinagar, being a hub of educational and technological innovation in Gujarat, serves as a strategic location for launching such a forward-looking skill development centre.