News / Author / Neelam Pandey

Neelam Pandey

Neelam Pandey covers education sector and gender issues for Hindustan Times. She is a policy wonk with a keen interest in politics.

Articles by Neelam Pandey

HT THIS DAY: October 11, 2014 — Peace Nobel united India, Pak: Kailash Satyarthi shares prize with Malala Yousafzai

Kailash Satyarthi has been heading a more than three-decade-long campaign for child rights in India, while Malala Yousafzai is a schoolgirl and education campaigner who was shot in the head by the Taliban two years ago for advocating girls’ right to education

india news

Published on Oct 10, 2021 08:50 PM IST

ByNeelam Pandey

UGC likely to ease teaching norms for direct PhD holders from IITs

IIT Kanpur professor Dheeraj Sanghi said it was an anomaly as PhD is a higher degree. “So if one has attained that why ask for a master’s? I am glad the UGC is looking into it.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) is likely to end norms that prevent candidates with direct PhDs from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) after bachelor’s degrees from teaching at universities, people aware of the possibility said.(HT File Photo)

india news

Published on Oct 01, 2018 07:59 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey

CBSE Class 10 maths exam to have two test paper options

Students appearing for the CBSE Class 10 board exams in 2019 are likely to have the option to choose whether to answer a standard-level or a higher-level mathematics question paper.

Officials said it may start as a pilot project from March 2019 and, depending on its success, could be extended to the Class 12 board exams.(HT File Photo)

education

Updated on Sep 26, 2018 01:47 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey

Class 10 and 12 CBSE Board exams may begin in February next year

Around 2.8 million students are registered to appear for CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 examinations in 2019.

In 2018, the CBSE board exams were held in March and April.(PTI Photo)

education

Published on Sep 26, 2018 07:01 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey

UGC panel for exam reform rules out ability test for graduates

The UGC committee on exam reform suggested that 75% of internal assessment should be used in conjunction with 25% of external assessment, as it would counter negligence and carelessness by external examiners.

The UGC held a consultative meeting on September 6 with the expert committee and representatives from over 60 universities/institutes,.(File Photo)

education

Updated on Sep 21, 2018 12:04 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey

HRD ministry suspends Manipur University V-C citing concerns over campus peace

The Manipur University vice-chancellor was earlier granted one-month leave on the advice of the HRD ministry amid demands for his removal over alleged administrative negligence.

Manipur University Student's Union (MUSU) protest in New Delhi.(PTI File Photo)

education

Updated on Sep 18, 2018 11:50 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Imphal | ByNeelam Pandey

‘But it was your rule’: Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman counters Congress on Rafale deal

The Defence Minister has also held the previous UPA government responsible for HAL being overlooked for the jet deal. Sitharaman said both HAL and Dassault could not agree on production terms. “It is not for us but the UPA to answer as to why the agreement between Dassault and HAL did not happen,” she said.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman addresses a press conference in New Delhi.(PTI Photo)

india news

Updated on Sep 18, 2018 07:06 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByNeelam Pandey

Nirmala Sitharaman on Rafale LIVE: Navjot Singh Sidhu hugging Pakistan army chief demoralised Indians

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman is addressing the media at Indian women’s press corps in Delhi.Here are the live updates:

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman(ANI/Twitter)

india news

Updated on Sep 18, 2018 04:49 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey

HRD ministry to review performance of all central universities

The review is taking place in the context of an MoU that was signed between universities, the MHRD and the University Grants Commission.

HRD minister Prakash Javadekar during a press conference in New Delhi.(Pradeep Gaur/Mint File Photo)

education

Updated on Sep 16, 2018 07:58 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey

HRD ministry asks education bodies to issue warnings against ‘Momo challenge’

Earlier, the Blue Whale challenge created panic among parents of teenaged kids as it gave players a series of tasks which include watching horror movies, waking up at unusual hours and self-harming to the extent of committing suicide

Youngsters playing Pokemon Go a mobile app based game at Gateway of India in Mumbai, India, on Saturday(Arijit Sen/ Hindustan Times)

india news

Published on Sep 08, 2018 11:31 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey, New Delhi

School syllabus may be cut by 15% next academic year, says HRD minister Javadekar

NCERT is working towards giving the final touches to a curriculum rationalisation programme which will apply to all schools affiliated to the CBSE and state boards that follow NCERT syllabus, the minister said.

In February, the HRD minister Prakash Javadekar announced that NCERT syllabus would be reduced in the next one or two years.(PTI File)

india news

Updated on Sep 06, 2018 09:45 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey

Got over 1 lakh suggestions on reducing NCERT syllabus, says Prakash Javadekar

The Union HRD minister hoped that in the new academic session 10-15% of the NCERT syllabus would be reduced.

Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar in New Delhi.(Mint File)

education

Updated on Sep 06, 2018 08:32 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey

Panel discusses how to improve minority education in India

The National Monitoring Committee for Minorities Education (NMCME) had held a meeting on July 6 and the minutes were issued on August 20.

Students attend a class at the ‘madrasa’ of Vasi Ullah mosque, in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.(PTI File Photo)

education

Updated on Sep 03, 2018 08:38 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey

JNU may start sports quota in admissions

Unlike other institutions, Jawaharlal Nehru University does not give any weightage to a student’s performance in sports while granting admission .

The JNU administration has said that it is working on a proposal to introduce a sports quota for admissions.(HT File Photo)

cities

Published on Sep 01, 2018 12:08 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey

Parents’ literacy, income level no bar for IIT entry, study shows

An analysis done by IIT Kanpur shows that the annual parental annual income of 8,531 students out of 31,988 who qualified for JEE Advanced was up to ₹1 lakh per year, the report accessed by HT shows.

Of the 31,988 students who qualified for admission to IITs/ NITs/IIITs, among other institutes,parents of 796 students were illiterate(HT Photo)

education

Updated on Aug 29, 2018 08:13 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey

National Education Policy maybe delayed for fourth time since announcement

The National Education Policy (NEP) is likely to be delayed for the fourth time since it was first announced, with the government-appointed committee entrusted with the task of drafting the policy getting yet another extension till October 2018, officials said.

The panel was set up in June 2017. It was supposed to submit its report by December 2017 but was given an extension till March 2018. Later, it was given another extension till August, which has now been extended by another two months.(Picture for representation)

india news

Published on Aug 27, 2018 10:56 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey

Manmohan Singh urges PM Modi not to change ‘nature, character’ of Nehru library

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru belongs to whole of India, not just the Congress, says Manmohan Singh in letter.

Jawaharlal Nehru, freedom movement icon and India’s first prime minister.

india news

Updated on Aug 27, 2018 08:17 PM IST

ByNeelam Pandey

CBSE to offer help to those who lost Board certificates in Kerala floods

The board exam certificates are crucial for higher education, while seeking jobs or even as a proof of date of birth. There are more than 1300 schools affiliated to CBSE in Kerala.

A group of flood affected people, mostly children, sit together to have a meal at a relief camp set up inside a school in Kochi.(AP Photo)

education

Updated on Aug 25, 2018 07:16 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey

UGC to ease norms to admit more SC/ST students in PhD

If seats for SC/ST/OBC remain unfilled despite this relaxation, universities will launch a special admission “for that particular category within one month from the date closure of admission of general category”.

UGC is also set to permit universities to launch a special ad–mission drive to fill vacant seats by setting their own criteria.(HT File Photo)

education

Published on Aug 23, 2018 11:04 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey

States push for attendance to be given weightage in schools

Rajasthan has specifically suggested that instead of teaching the entire syllabus to students who do not perform at age-appropriate levels, only specific core competencies should be developed

Students attend a class at Shaheed Balwant Singh Government Model Senior Secondary School , in Ujholi , Kot Kasim, of District Alwar , Rajasthan(HT File Photo)

education

Updated on Aug 22, 2018 11:22 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey

NTA announces schedule for NEET, UGC NET, JEE Main, CMAT and GPAT exams

The Centre on Tuesday announced the dates for various exams to be conducted by the National Testing Agency till May 2019.

education

Updated on Aug 21, 2018 06:42 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNilesh Mathur and Neelam Pandey

Dates for JEE, NEET and NET exam announced

The exams for JEE Main I, JEE Main II, CMAT and GPAT, NEET (UG), and UGC (NET) will be conducted by the National Testing Agency, the human resources development ministry announced.

Students coming out of an exam centre in Lucknow after appearing for JEE-2018 exam.(HT File Photo)

education

Updated on Aug 21, 2018 05:50 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey

UGC to withhold grants if 21 Delhi University colleges don’t appoint principals

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has warned 21 Delhi University (DU) colleges that it would withhold their grants if they do not appoint regular principals

The institutes include top colleges such as the Hindu College, Jesus and Mary College, Kamala Nehru College and Gargi College, a UGC official said.(HT File Photo)

cities

Updated on Aug 20, 2018 03:18 AM IST

ByNeelam Pandey

More agencies set to accredit institutions

Multiple government and semi-government agencies will be allowed to accredit educational institutions in addition to the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and National Board of Accreditation (NBA)

JNU Students put the placard of their demands on the gate of UGC chairman on the issue of SC/ST reservations in faculty posts at UGC Office ITO in New Delhi.(HT File Photo)

education

Published on Aug 17, 2018 09:07 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey

Now govt, semi-govt agencies to accredit educational institutions

This will be in addition to the National Assessment and Accreditation Council and National Board of Accreditation.

So far, the NAAC has accredited close to 1,200 colleges and 59 universities, a small fraction of around 40,000 colleges and 1,200 universities that India has.(HT File Photo)

india news

Published on Aug 15, 2018 11:04 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey

NCERT tells schools to introduce ‘yogic activities’ from Class 6

The guidelines have been shared with all states and union territories for implementation.

Every school needs to offer health and physical education as a compulsory subject from classes 1 to 10 as part of the plan.(HT File Photo)

india news

Updated on Aug 11, 2018 09:12 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey

IIT Council proposes scrapping JEE advanced, allowing students to choose campus over course

One of the proposals is for scrapping the advanced test under the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), passing which is a prerequisite for admission to the 23 IITs, three persons familiar with the development said on condition of anonymity.

The proposals have been submitted to the human resource development ministry by two different IITs.(PTI File Photo)

india news

Updated on Aug 09, 2018 01:48 PM IST

ByNeelam Pandey

More students opting for PhD in Indian languages, reveals new report

Since 2014-15, the number of students enrolled in a PhD programme in Indian languages increased from 5,874 to 7,850 in 2017-18.

At 2,270 the highest number of students are enrolled for a PhD in Hindi.(HT File Photo)

education

Updated on Aug 04, 2018 11:41 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey

IIMs set to admit graduates directly in PhD programmes

Earlier, the IIMs were being asked to adhere to the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) norms on award of PhD degrees. As per the commission’s, notification, only people with a master’s degree are eligible to pursue PhD.

There are 20 IIMs in the country and all are likely to benefit from the move to allow them to admit students directly for PhD after completing four year graduation or professional courses.(HT File Photo)

education

Updated on Aug 04, 2018 09:41 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey

Manipur varsity vice-chancellor granted leave on HRD ministry advice

Manipur University’s vice-chancellor AP Pandey was granted one-month leave on the Union human resource development (HRD) ministry’s advice

The academic activities at the university have been under suspension for days as students and teachers are agitating for Pandey’s removal.(Twitter/Manipur University)

education

Updated on Aug 02, 2018 11:28 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNeelam Pandey, New Delhi

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Neelam Pandey

Neelam Pandey covers education sector and gender issues for Hindustan Times. She is a policy wonk with a keen interest in politics.

Kailash Satyarthi has been heading a more than three-decade-long campaign for child rights in India, while Malala Yousafzai is a schoolgirl and education campaigner who was shot in the head by the Taliban two years ago for advocating girls’ right to education

IIT Kanpur professor Dheeraj Sanghi said it was an anomaly as PhD is a higher degree. “So if one has attained that why ask for a master’s? I am glad the UGC is looking into it.

Students appearing for the CBSE Class 10 board exams in 2019 are likely to have the option to choose whether to answer a standard-level or a higher-level mathematics question paper.

Around 2.8 million students are registered to appear for CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 examinations in 2019.

The UGC committee on exam reform suggested that 75% of internal assessment should be used in conjunction with 25% of external assessment, as it would counter negligence and carelessness by external examiners.

The Manipur University vice-chancellor was earlier granted one-month leave on the advice of the HRD ministry amid demands for his removal over alleged administrative negligence.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman is addressing the media at Indian women’s press corps in Delhi.Here are the live updates:

The review is taking place in the context of an MoU that was signed between universities, the MHRD and the University Grants Commission.

Earlier, the Blue Whale challenge created panic among parents of teenaged kids as it gave players a series of tasks which include watching horror movies, waking up at unusual hours and self-harming to the extent of committing suicide

NCERT is working towards giving the final touches to a curriculum rationalisation programme which will apply to all schools affiliated to the CBSE and state boards that follow NCERT syllabus, the minister said.

The Union HRD minister hoped that in the new academic session 10-15% of the NCERT syllabus would be reduced.

The National Monitoring Committee for Minorities Education (NMCME) had held a meeting on July 6 and the minutes were issued on August 20.

Unlike other institutions, Jawaharlal Nehru University does not give any weightage to a student’s performance in sports while granting admission .

An analysis done by IIT Kanpur shows that the annual parental annual income of 8,531 students out of 31,988 who qualified for JEE Advanced was up to ₹1 lakh per year, the report accessed by HT shows.

The National Education Policy (NEP) is likely to be delayed for the fourth time since it was first announced, with the government-appointed committee entrusted with the task of drafting the policy getting yet another extension till October 2018, officials said.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru belongs to whole of India, not just the Congress, says Manmohan Singh in letter.

The board exam certificates are crucial for higher education, while seeking jobs or even as a proof of date of birth. There are more than 1300 schools affiliated to CBSE in Kerala.

If seats for SC/ST/OBC remain unfilled despite this relaxation, universities will launch a special admission “for that particular category within one month from the date closure of admission of general category”.

Rajasthan has specifically suggested that instead of teaching the entire syllabus to students who do not perform at age-appropriate levels, only specific core competencies should be developed

The Centre on Tuesday announced the dates for various exams to be conducted by the National Testing Agency till May 2019.

The exams for JEE Main I, JEE Main II, CMAT and GPAT, NEET (UG), and UGC (NET) will be conducted by the National Testing Agency, the human resources development ministry announced.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has warned 21 Delhi University (DU) colleges that it would withhold their grants if they do not appoint regular principals

Multiple government and semi-government agencies will be allowed to accredit educational institutions in addition to the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and National Board of Accreditation (NBA)

This will be in addition to the National Assessment and Accreditation Council and National Board of Accreditation.

The guidelines have been shared with all states and union territories for implementation.

One of the proposals is for scrapping the advanced test under the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), passing which is a prerequisite for admission to the 23 IITs, three persons familiar with the development said on condition of anonymity.

Since 2014-15, the number of students enrolled in a PhD programme in Indian languages increased from 5,874 to 7,850 in 2017-18.

Earlier, the IIMs were being asked to adhere to the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) norms on award of PhD degrees. As per the commission’s, notification, only people with a master’s degree are eligible to pursue PhD.

Manipur University’s vice-chancellor AP Pandey was granted one-month leave on the Union human resource development (HRD) ministry’s advice

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