india
Filtering by topic india(3)Clear all filters
- NewsThe PIE News23 Jul 2026
From exam leaks to a national movement: Inside the protests reshaping India’s education debate
Thousands of students and supporters in Mumbai protested the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) exam leak, demanding the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The controversy has expanded into a broader debate about the psychological impact of India's high-stakes entrance exam system, with reports of student suicides linked to the scandal.
Original abstract
“Dharmendra Pradhan istifa do.” (“Dharmendra Pradhan, resign.”) The chant rolled across Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on Wednesday evening as thousands of students, graduates, parents, job seekers and supporters gathered around one of the city’s most recognisable public spaces. For hours, demonstrators occupied the roads surrounding the historic ground, long associated with political rallies and public movements. From balconies overlooking the procession, residents watched the march unfold. Some applauded as protesters passed below, while others filmed the demonstration from their homes. The immediate demand was clear: the resignation of union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protests trace their origins to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG), India’s nationwide entrance examination for undergraduate medical and dental programs. More than 2.2 million candidates sat this year’s examination before authorities cancelled it following allegations that the question paper had been leaked, forcing students to sit an unprecedented nationwide re-examination weeks later. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing the alleged leak, has arrested 13 people and says it has uncovered what investigators describe as a multi-state network involving individuals linked to the examination process, coaching teachers and intermediaries. According to the agency, questions from the Physics, Chemistry and Biology papers were allegedly circulated to students before the examination in exchange for money, with searches conducted across dozens of locations continuing as investigators prepare to file a chargesheet. The controversy has also been accompanied by reports of dozens of NEET-linked student suicides this year, transforming what began as an examination scandal into a broader debate about the psychological toll of India’s intensely competitive entrance examination system. For many protesters, Pradhan has become the face of the crisis, with demonstrators a
- NewsThe PIE News23 Jul 2026
Students across Mumbai join protests seeking education reforms in India
Students across Mumbai have joined protests calling for education reforms in India, highlighting ongoing discontent with the current system.
Original abstract
The post Students across Mumbai join protests seeking education reforms in India appeared first on The PIE News .
- PaperOpenAlex — TESOL research22 Jul 2026
Learners’ perceptions and challenges of microlearning in Indian ESL tertiary education
K. Arunesh Kumar, N. Hema
A quantitative study of 48 Indian ESL undergraduates found positive perceptions of microlearning's flexibility and interactivity, but identified challenges such as poor internet connectivity and content fragmentation. A significant negative correlation between perceptions and challenges indicates that greater obstacles worsen attitudes toward microlearning, highlighting the need for context-sensitive technology integration.
Original abstract
The swift digitalization of higher education has fuelled the curiosity surrounding microlearning as a new form of pedagogy in the field of English Language Teaching (ELT), particularly English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction. Although microlearning is increasingly used globally, little empirical evidence has investigated on how learners perceive microlearning in the context of tertiary level ESL learners in India. This paper explores perceptions of microlearning among ESL learners at the tertiary level, challenges faced by these learners, and the correlation between their perceptions and challenges. Using a quantitative research design, a study involving 48 Indian ESL undergraduate students was conducted, where a structured questionnaire with perception and challenge scales was administered. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, and Pearson correlation. The results indicate that students tend to have positive attitudes towards microlearning, especially its flexibility, interactivity, and vocabulary/grammar acquisition support. Nevertheless, there are still important limitations, including the lack of internet connectivity and issues with content depth and fragmentation. The correlation between the perceptions of learners and the challenges met was statistically significant and negative, denoting that greater impediments have a negative impact on attitudes towards microlearning. The research highlights the significance of technology integration that is learner-focused and context-related and provides pedagogical implications in support of educators, curriculum developers, and policymakers aiming to maximize the use of microlearning in Indian tertiary ESL institutions.