Digital Education, Research, and Creative Tech Initiatives Expanded
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Schemes
Why in news
The Ministry of Education has detailed its digital education and infrastructure expansion under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, including the PM Research Chair scheme, MERITE scheme, and AVGC Content Creator Labs announced in Budget 2026-27. This highlights the government's focus on integrating technology into education and research.
Background
The government has been promoting digital education through initiatives like PM e-Vidya and DIKSHA, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. The Samagra Shiksha scheme is the flagship centrally sponsored scheme for school education.
Key facts
Digital education is funded under Samagra Shiksha, not a separate allocation of ₹100 crore.
PM Research Chair (PMRC) scheme supports Indian-origin researchers abroad in 13 thematic areas of engineering, science, and technology.
PMRC has three categories: Young Research Fellow (up to 5 years post-PhD), Senior Fellow (5-10 years), and Research Chair (over 10 years).
Budget 2026-27 announced 15,000 AVGC Content Creator Labs in secondary schools and 500 in colleges, in collaboration with IICT Mumbai.
MERITE scheme (Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education) launched with ₹4,200 crore outlay for 275 technical institutions.
PM e-Vidya includes 200 DTH TV channels and 400 radio channels for supplementary education in Indian languages.
Gujarat has been allocated five dedicated channels (GJ PM e-Vidya 78-82) under PM e-Vidya.
Budget 2025 announced broadband connectivity via BSNL's BharatNet project for all government rural secondary schools, including 1,416 in Gujarat.
NISHTHA program (National Initiative for School Heads' and Teachers' Holistic Advancement) is implemented via DIKSHA platform in all states and UTs.
Prelims pointers
- Samagra Shiksha
- PM e-Vidya
- DIKSHA
- PM Research Chair (PMRC)
- MERITE scheme
- AVGC Content Creator Labs
- BharatNet
- NISHTHA
- IICT Mumbai
- Budget 2026-27
Mains angles
- Discuss the role of digital initiatives in improving education quality and equity in India.
- Critically examine the effectiveness of schemes like PM e-Vidya and Samagra Shiksha in bridging the digital divide.
- Analyze the impact of the PM Research Chair scheme on reversing brain drain and boosting research in India.
- Evaluate the potential of AVGC labs in enhancing creative skills and employability among students.