Education Current-Affairs Capsule: National and AP (Rolling)

What to remember

• This capsule is a framework, not a news list. Learn the lasting ideas behind the news (NEP 2020, foundational learning, digital platforms, teacher standards). Then update the details from the latest official release.
• National themes: NEP 2020, NCF-SE, NIPUN Bharat, PM SHRI, PARAKH, DIKSHA, APAAR ID, ITEP, NPST.
• AP themes: successor schemes (Thalliki Vandanam, student kit, Dokka Sitamma mid-day meal), parent-teacher meetings, teacher recruitment (DSC) and TET, and digital and English-medium learning. Always check the latest status.

How to use this chapter

Education current affairs in DSC and TET exams are usually of three types: (1) national policy and programmes, (2) AP government decisions, and (3) awards, reports and events. The questions normally ask "what is it," "who runs it," and "what is its purpose." For that reason, learn the purpose and parent body of each item, then check the newest news. Facts such as the number of posts, amounts of money or yearly rankings change often; use only the latest official release for those.

National education policy: NEP 2020

National Education Policy 2020 replaced the 1986 policy (revised in 1992). Its key ideas:

• 5+3+3+4 school structure in place of 10+2.
• Foundational literacy and numeracy as the first priority.
• Mother tongue or home language as the medium of instruction at least up to Class 5, and preferably up to Class 8 and beyond.
• Three-language formula with flexibility, and no language imposed on any State.
• Reduced rote learning, with more competency-based and experiential learning.
• Multiple pathways in Classes 9-12, with no hard separation between arts, science and commerce.
• Holistic progress card showing skills and values along with marks.
• Teacher education: a four-year integrated B.Ed (ITEP) as the long-term minimum qualification route for school teachers.
• Public spending target of about 6% of GDP on education.
• Ministry name: the Ministry of Human Resource Development was renamed the Ministry of Education.

Curriculum frameworks

New NCERT textbooks are being prepared on the basis of NCF-SE. Check the latest release for the classes covered.

National programmes and bodies to know

NEP and examinations: a proposal for two Board examinations a year to reduce exam pressure has been discussed and introduced in stages. Check the latest official notification before answering any question on it.

AP education: recurring news themes

• 1. Renamed schemes. Several popular schemes carry new names: Amma Vodi became Thalliki Vandanam, Vidya Kanuka became the Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidyarthi Mitra student kit, and Gorumudda became the Dokka Sitamma Mid-Day Meal. Verify the latest terms.
• 2. Teacher recruitment. AP announces recruitment of teachers through DSC (District Selection Committee) exams. The notification lists posts for SGT, School Assistant, PGT, TGT and others. Number of posts and dates should be checked in the official release. TET (Teacher Eligibility Test) is a separate eligibility test that is a requirement under RTE and NCTE norms.
• 3. Parent-teacher engagement. AP has held large-scale Mega Parent-Teacher Meetings to link schools and families. The format may be repeated.
• 4. English medium and digital tools. Digital classrooms, interactive panels and tablets were extended in government schools in different phases.
• 5. School reforms. Rationalisation of schools, merging or splitting classes in line with the foundational stage, and school complex arrangements appear in news from time to time.
• 6. Result and exam news. SSC and Intermediate results, supplementary exams and exam reforms are covered every year; do not memorise percentages.
• 7. Residential school news. APREIS and gurukulam admissions and entrance tests are announced yearly.

Teacher-related national themes

• TET is compulsory for appointment as a teacher in Classes 1-8 under NCTE rules, and State TETs follow the national guidelines.
• CTET is the central-level test for central schools.
• NPST sets teacher career stages and professional standards.
• Continuous Professional Development: a minimum number of training hours every year is recommended under NEP (check the latest number).
• NISHTHA training is given through the DIKSHA platform and in-person workshops.

Awards, reports and events: how to prepare

• National Teachers' Awards (Shikshak Puraskar) are announced around Teachers' Day. Learn that the Ministry of Education gives them and the President presents them.
• Annual education reports (for example, a household survey of learning levels by a civil-society group) are quoted in news. Remember only the purpose and the type of survey, not the number.
• Global education reports by UNESCO and others appear in the news. Remember which body publishes which report.
• International Day of Education (24 January), International Literacy Day (8 September) and World Teachers' Day (5 October) usually come with a theme chosen by UNESCO each year.
• Teacher Training and Institutes: note new institutes, new campuses and new codes only from official announcements.

A simple revision routine

• Keep a one-page sheet with four columns: item, parent body, purpose, latest official note.
• Revise it every week before the exam.
• For each news item, ask: Who? What? Why? For whom? If you can answer these, you can answer most MCQs.
• Prefer official government websites and the Gazette for the final check.

Pedagogy angle of the news

Most national initiatives point in the same direction: learn with understanding, not by rote. NIPUN Bharat uses play, stories and reading practice. NCF-SE stresses competencies, critical thinking and local context. PARAKH and the holistic progress card shift assessment from marks to skills. Digital platforms such as DIKSHA support teachers with content, but the teacher stays at the centre. A teacher should be able to connect any new scheme to one of these three ideas: foundations, competencies, and fair assessment.

Reading a news item in four steps

• 1. Identify the body: is it the Ministry of Education, NCERT, NCTE, SCERT or the AP School Education Department?
• 2. Identify the level: is it pre-school, elementary, secondary or teacher education?
• 3. Identify the aim: access, quality, equity, nutrition or governance.
• 4. Identify the status: announced, started, completed or revised. Do not assume that an announced item is in force.

Items that often recur

• Merging of old schemes under new umbrella names.
• Revision of textbooks and syllabus.
• Learning-level surveys and what they show about reading and arithmetic in early classes.
• School safety, anti-bullying and child-protection guidelines.
• Digital attendance and monitoring tools for teachers and students.
• Teacher transfers and rationalisation rules.

Key vocabulary for the capsule

• Foundational stage: ages 3 to 8 (pre-school and Classes 1-2).
• Competency: a mix of knowledge, skill and attitude that a child can use in real life.
• Holistic progress card: a report that shows skills, values and self-assessment along with marks.
• Mother-tongue instruction: teaching in the language the child speaks at home.
• Multidisciplinary education: learning that crosses the boundaries of subjects.
• Rationalisation: reorganising teachers and schools based on enrolment.
• Learning outcomes: statements of what a child should be able to do after a class.

Link with the other topics

When you read news, place it in the right box: bodies (SCERT, DIET, Commissioner, APREIS), programmes (Nadu-Nedu, Thalliki Vandanam, kit, mid-day meal), curriculum (classes, standards, calendar) and general knowledge (awards, days, firsts, literacy). Almost every education news item fits one of these four boxes. This habit also makes it easier to remember, because a new fact is tied to an old one.

Exam traps

• 1. NEP 2020 vs NPE 1986: NEP 2020 is the newer policy and replaced the 1986 one.
• 2. NCF-FS vs NCF-SE: FS is for the foundational stage; SE is for school education.
• 3. NIPUN Bharat vs Vidya Pravesh: NIPUN is a mission for Class 3 outcomes; Vidya Pravesh is a school-readiness module for Class 1 entry.
• 4. DIKSHA vs SWAYAM: DIKSHA is for school content and teachers; SWAYAM mostly serves higher education.
• 5. PM SHRI vs PM POSHAN: model schools vs mid-day meal.
• 6. TET vs DSC: TET is an eligibility test; DSC is the recruitment exam.
• 7. TET vs CTET: State-level versus central-level.
• 8. Old and new scheme names: check which name the question asks for.

One-liners

• 1. NEP 2020 introduced the 5+3+3+4 structure.
• 2. NEP 2020 gives first priority to foundational literacy and numeracy.
• 3. NIPUN Bharat aims at reading and numeracy by the end of Class 3.
• 4. PM SHRI schools are model schools for NEP.
• 5. PARAKH is a national assessment centre.
• 6. DIKSHA hosts QR-coded learning material.
• 7. NISHTHA is a teacher training programme.
• 8. ITEP is a four-year integrated teacher-education programme.
• 9. APAAR ID is a lifelong student identity number.
• 10. Thalliki Vandanam succeeded Amma Vodi (verify the latest terms).
• 11. TET is a basic eligibility test for teachers.
• 12. DSC is the recruitment route for AP teachers.

Practice questions

1. The school structure proposed by NEP 2020 is

   1. 6+3+3
   2. 5+3+3+4
   3. 8+4
   4. 10+2
   Answer

   B. 5+3+3+4

   NEP 2020 replaced the 10+2 structure with 5+3+3+4.

2. NEP 2020 gives first priority to

   1. Private tuition
   2. Foundational literacy and numeracy
   3. Sports scholarships
   4. University rankings
   Answer

   B. Foundational literacy and numeracy

   Foundational learning is the base for all later learning.

3. NIPUN Bharat aims to ensure reading with understanding and basic numeracy by the end of

   1. Class 1
   2. Class 8
   3. Class 5
   4. Class 3
   Answer

   D. Class 3

   NIPUN Bharat targets Class 3 outcomes.

4. PM SHRI schools are meant to be

   1. Model schools showing NEP implementation
   2. Teacher hostels
   3. Adult literacy centres
   4. Mid-day meal kitchens
   Answer

   A. Model schools showing NEP implementation

   PM SHRI schools showcase the best of NEP.

5. DIKSHA is a national

   1. Mid-day meal scheme
   2. Digital platform for school education content
   3. Residential school society
   4. Teacher recruitment exam
   Answer

   B. Digital platform for school education content

   DIKSHA hosts QR-coded learning material for schools and teachers.

6. PARAKH is a national

   1. Assessment centre
   2. Scholarship fund
   3. Teacher union
   4. School bus service
   Answer

   A. Assessment centre

   PARAKH sets assessment standards and runs large-scale assessments.

7. NISHTHA is a national programme for

   1. Distribution of school bags
   2. Adult literacy
   3. Mid-day meals
   4. Training of teachers and school heads
   Answer

   D. Training of teachers and school heads

   NISHTHA stands for a national initiative for school heads' and teachers' holistic advancement.

8. ITEP stands for

   1. Inclusive Teaching Education Project
   2. Internal Training and Evaluation Plan
   3. Integrated Teacher Education Programme
   4. Indian Teachers' Eligibility Programme
   Answer

   C. Integrated Teacher Education Programme

   ITEP is a four-year integrated programme.

9. APAAR ID is a

   1. Mid-day meal card
   2. Teacher's salary slip
   3. School bus pass
   4. Lifelong student identity number linked to academic records
   Answer

   D. Lifelong student identity number linked to academic records

   APAAR gives each student one national ID.

10. Under NEP 2020, the Ministry of Human Resource Development was renamed

    1. Ministry of Schools
    2. Ministry of Education
    3. Ministry of Learning
    4. Ministry of Culture
    Answer

    B. Ministry of Education

    NEP restored the name Ministry of Education.

11. NCF-FS is the curriculum framework for the

    1. Adult education
    2. Higher education
    3. Foundational stage
    4. Vocational education only
    Answer

    C. Foundational stage

    NCF-FS covers ages 3-8.

12. NPST stands for National Professional Standards for

    1. Teachers
    2. Textbooks
    3. Tutors
    4. Technicians
    Answer

    A. Teachers

    NPST defines teacher career stages and standards.

13. In AP, teachers are recruited mainly through the

    1. DSC
    2. NIPUN exam
    3. Census
    4. TET alone
    Answer

    A. DSC

    DSC is the recruitment exam; TET is an eligibility test.

14. SWAYAM is a platform for

    1. Hostel admission
    2. School uniform supply
    3. Mid-day meals
    4. Online courses
    Answer

    D. Online courses

    SWAYAM offers online courses mostly for higher education.

15. Vidya Pravesh is a

    1. Scholarship scheme
    2. Play-based school preparation module for Class 1
    3. Textbook series
    4. Teacher exam
    Answer

    B. Play-based school preparation module for Class 1

    It is a three-month school-readiness module.

16. UDISE+ is a national

    1. School data system
    2. Mid-day meal menu
    3. Teacher award
    4. Student scholarship
    Answer

    A. School data system

    UDISE+ collects data on schools, teachers and students.

17. NEP 2020 recommends that the medium of instruction be the mother tongue or home language at least up to

    1. Class 10
    2. Class 12
    3. Class 2
    4. Class 5
    Answer

    D. Class 5

    It is preferred up to Class 5 and, if possible, up to Class 8 and beyond.

18. Thalliki Vandanam is described as the successor of

    1. Vidya Deevena
    2. Gorumudda
    3. Amma Vodi
    4. Nadu-Nedu
    Answer

    C. Amma Vodi

    Verify the latest terms in official releases.

19. CTET is a test conducted at the

    1. Village level
    2. Mandal level
    3. Central level
    4. District level only
    Answer

    C. Central level

    CTET is the central-level teacher eligibility test.

20. The holistic progress card in NEP 2020 shows

    1. Skills and values along with marks
    2. Only marks
    3. Only attendance
    4. Only fee details
    Answer

    A. Skills and values along with marks

    It gives a 360-degree view of the child.

21. NEP 2020 prefers learning that is

    1. Based only on rote memory
    2. Competency-based and experiential
    3. Based only on tuition
    4. Based only on dictation
    Answer

    B. Competency-based and experiential

    It reduces rote learning.

22. NCF-SE is the basis for preparing

    1. Bus timetables
    2. New national textbooks
    3. Teacher salary scales
    4. Hostel menus
    Answer

    B. New national textbooks

    New NCERT textbooks follow NCF-SE.

23. Multiple pathways in Classes 9-12 mean

    1. Only one subject for all
    2. Dropping languages
    3. Closing the boards
    4. No hard separation of arts, science and commerce streams
    Answer

    D. No hard separation of arts, science and commerce streams

    Students can mix subjects.

24. In reading an education news item, the first step is to

    1. Identify the body or ministry concerned
    2. Memorise the money amount
    3. Skip the aim
    4. Ignore the date
    Answer

    A. Identify the body or ministry concerned

    Knowing the body helps place the news correctly.

25. The main difference between TET and DSC is that

    1. TET is for students while DSC is for teachers
    2. TET is national while DSC is international
    3. TET is an eligibility test while DSC is a recruitment exam
    4. TET is only oral while DSC is a project
    Answer

    C. TET is an eligibility test while DSC is a recruitment exam

    Passing TET makes a candidate eligible; DSC selects candidates for posts.

26. Rationalisation of teachers means

    1. Increasing teacher salaries
    2. Reorganising teachers and schools based on enrolment
    3. Closing all schools
    4. Replacing teachers with machines
    Answer

    B. Reorganising teachers and schools based on enrolment

    It matches teacher posts to student numbers.

27. A competency is a combination of

    1. Chapters, units and tests
    2. Teachers, books and buildings
    3. Marks, rank and fees
    4. Knowledge, skill and attitude
    Answer

    D. Knowledge, skill and attitude

    Competency-based education targets usable abilities.

28. PM POSHAN is the name of the national

    1. Teacher training programme
    2. Mid-day meal scheme
    3. Model schools programme
    4. Adult literacy scheme
    Answer

    B. Mid-day meal scheme

    PM POSHAN is the mid-day meal scheme.

29. The foundational stage in NEP 2020 covers the age group of

    1. 3 to 8 years
    2. 14 to 18 years
    3. 11 to 14 years
    4. 6 to 10 years
    Answer

    A. 3 to 8 years

    It combines pre-school and Classes 1-2.

30. Consider the following statements: 1. NEP 2020 replaced the 1986 policy. 2. NEP 2020 retains the 10+2 structure unchanged. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    NEP adopts 5+3+3+4, so statement 2 is false.

31. Consider the following statements: 1. NIPUN Bharat targets reading and numeracy by Class 3. 2. Vidya Pravesh is a play-based preparation module for Class 1. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both statements are correct.

32. Consider the following statements: 1. DIKSHA is meant only for higher education. 2. SWAYAM provides online courses. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    DIKSHA serves school education, so statement 1 is false.

33. Consider the following statements: 1. PM SHRI is the mid-day meal scheme. 2. PM POSHAN is a programme of model schools. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    D. Neither 1 nor 2

    The two are interchanged; both statements are false.

34. Consider the following statements: 1. TET is an eligibility test. 2. DSC is a recruitment exam for teachers. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both statements are correct.

35. Consider the following statements: 1. NCTE norms require TET for teachers of Classes 1-8. 2. CTET is a State-level test. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    CTET is a central-level test, so statement 2 is false.

36. Consider the following statements: 1. NISHTHA is a student scholarship. 2. NPST sets professional standards for teachers. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    NISHTHA is a teacher training programme, so statement 1 is false.

37. Consider the following statements: 1. ITEP is a four-year integrated teacher education programme. 2. APAAR ID is a lifelong student identity number. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both statements are correct.

38. Consider the following statements: 1. NCF-FS covers the foundational stage. 2. NCF-SE covers adult education. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    NCF-SE covers school education, so statement 2 is false.

39. Consider the following statements: 1. NEP 2020 dropped the three-language formula completely. 2. NEP 2020 requires one language to be imposed on all States. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    D. Neither 1 nor 2

    NEP keeps flexibility and imposes no language; both statements are false.

40. Consider the following statements: 1. Thalliki Vandanam is a mid-day meal scheme. 2. Dokka Sitamma is the mid-day meal scheme. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    Thalliki Vandanam helps mothers, so statement 1 is false (verify latest names).

41. Match the programme (P-S) with its purpose (a-d). P. NIPUN Bharat Q. PM SHRI R. PARAKH S. NISHTHA a. Model schools b. Assessment centre c. Teacher training d. Foundational learning

    1. P-d, Q-a, R-c, S-b
    2. P-d, Q-b, R-a, S-c
    3. P-a, Q-d, R-b, S-c
    4. P-d, Q-a, R-b, S-c
    Answer

    D. P-d, Q-a, R-b, S-c

    NIPUN-foundational learning, PM SHRI-model schools, PARAKH-assessment, NISHTHA-teacher training.

42. Match the framework (P-R) with its area (a-c). P. NCF-FS Q. NCF-SE R. NCFTE a. Teacher education b. Ages 3-8 c. School education

    1. P-b, Q-a, R-c
    2. P-c, Q-b, R-a
    3. P-b, Q-c, R-a
    4. P-a, Q-c, R-b
    Answer

    C. P-b, Q-c, R-a

    FS-foundational stage, SE-school education, NCFTE-teacher education.

43. Consider the following statements: 1. The holistic progress card shows only marks. 2. NEP 2020 gives priority to rote learning. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    D. Neither 1 nor 2

    Both statements are false.

44. Which pair is correctly matched?

    1. PARAKH - mid-day meals
    2. PM SHRI - adult literacy
    3. DIKSHA - teacher salaries
    4. NIPUN Bharat - foundational literacy and numeracy
    Answer

    D. NIPUN Bharat - foundational literacy and numeracy

    NIPUN Bharat targets foundational learning.