NCERT’s 65th Foundation Day

• 02 Sep 2025

Why in News?

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan commemorated the 65th Foundation Day of NCERT by launching multiple initiatives.

• He urged the institution to adopt a reform-oriented and technology-driven approach to education.

Key Initiatives Launched

• PM eVidya Mobile Application: It is a centralized gateway for accessing all key digital and broadcast initiatives under PM eVidya, developed in collaboration with BISAG-N.
• DIKSHA 2.0: It has structured lessons, adaptive assessments, performance feedback, discussion forums, and AI tools like Read Aloud, Closed Caption, and Translation of text files into 12 languages.
• PRASHAST 2.0: It is a Pre-Assessment Holistic Screening Tool that enhances mobile and web platforms for early identification of children with disabilities.
• Kitab Ek Padhe Anek: It is an NEP-2020-aligned initiative to create Universal Design of Learning (UDL)-based accessible digital and printed textbooks for inclusive classrooms, especially benefiting Divyangjan students and children from socio-economically disadvantaged groups.
• Utkal Jananinkara Sujogya Santana: It is a book containing the life and contributions of 100 great personalities of Odisha who have contributed to the development of modern Odisha and also participated in the National Freedom Movement.

NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training)

• Established: 1st September 1961
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Mandate: As an autonomous organisation under the Government of India, it assists and advises the central and state governments on academic matters related to school education.
• Functions: Develops textbooks, teaching-learning materials, and innovative pedagogical tools, while also conducting research, training, and capacity-building programmes.