On September 1, 2025, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), operating under the Ministry of Education(MoE), celebrated its 65th Foundation Day at its headquarters in New Delhi, Delhi.
Exam Hints:
- Event: 65th Foundation Day of NCERT
- When? 1 September 2025
- Ministry: Ministry of Education (MoE)
- Chief Guest: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, MoE
- Objective: Strengthen digital, inclusive, and foundational learning in line with NEP 2020.
- Key Initiatives: Bal Vatika DTH TV channel, DIKSHA 2.0 platform, PRASHAST 2.0, Kitab Ek Padhe Anek, VR labs, multilingual primers, PM eVidya app, Utkal Jananinkara Sujogya Santana, vocational education handbook.
Highlights of the Event:
Inauguration:The event was inaugurated with Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Education (MoE),as the chief guest.
Key Launches:During the event, he unveiled multiple new initiatives, including the Bal Vatika DTH TV (Direct-To-Home television services) channel and the upgraded DIKSHA 2.0 (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing) platform, to strengthen digital and inclusive learning in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Highlights of New Initiatives:
Bal Vatika DTH TV Channel: Launched under Pradhan Mantri (PM) eVidya programme on DTH Channel No. 35
- It caters to teachers, Anganwadi workers, parents, and children aged 3 to 6 years, with a strong emphasis on developing Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) skills.
DIKSHA 2.0 Platform: Upgraded with structured lessons, adaptive assessments, performance feedback, and AI tools like Read Aloud, Closed Captioning, and translation in 12 languages for inclusive learning.
Launch of Multilingual Primers: Promotes foundational learning by covering multiple regional languages, including Hindi, Sanskrit, Ho-Hindi, and Koya.
PM eVidya Mobile App: Released PM eVidya mobile app as a centralised gateway for digital learning.
VR Labs: Introduced Virtual Reality (VR) labs at four demonstration schools in Ajmer (Rajasthan), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Bhubaneswar (Odisha), and Mysuru (Karnataka).
PRASHAST 2.0: Rollout of Pre-Assessment Holistic Screening Tool( PRASHAST 2.0) for comprehensive pre-assessment and screening of children with disabilities.
- Integrated with Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+), Annual Physical Progress and Academic Achievement Report (APAAR), and Swavlamban Card portals.
Kitab Ek Padhe Anek: Initiative to create accessible textbooks for inclusive classrooms.
Utkal Jananinkara Sujogya Santana: Publication highlighting 100 eminent personalities from Odisha contributing to the state’s development and India’s freedom movement.
Handbook on Vocational Education: Released by Pandit Sunderlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education (PSSCIVE) under NCERT, emphasizing vocational education in schools under NEP 2020.
About National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT):
Director – Dr. Dinesh Prasad Saklani
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1961
