Education conversations on 8 January 2026 revolve around three big themes: stricter oversight in medical education, fresh digital learning and scholarship opportunities, and weather-driven school closures that continue to disrupt timetables across North India. Alongside these, India’s long-term AI-in-school push and curriculum revamps at premier institutions signal a deeper structural shift in how students will learn in the coming decade.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has withdrawn permission for the MBBS course at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Sciences for the 2025–26 session, cancelling an intake of 50 seats after citing gaps in infrastructure, faculty strength, and clinical material. The Jammu & Kashmir administration has questioned the inspection process, calling it flawed and predetermined, which has reignited debate about transparency and fairness in medical education regulation. For aspirants, this episode is a reminder to closely track college recognition status before taking admission.
Digital and international learning avenues saw a boost as Banaras Hindu University launched new SWAYAM online courses in science, engineering, and medicine, expanding free access to university-level content nationwide. The University of East Anglia in the UK announced merit-based postgraduate scholarships for international students, including Indians, aiming to attract high-achieving graduates amid intense global competition for foreign enrolments. Together, these moves widen both domestic and overseas pathways for learners seeking flexible or research-driven study options.
Curriculum change is also in focus, with IITs preparing to revamp MTech and PhD programmes after a council meeting concluded that current opportunities are underutilised in the age of artificial intelligence. Officials indicate that upcoming changes will align advanced engineering education more closely with AI-driven research, interdisciplinary work, and industry needs rather than traditional, rigid specialisations. This aligns with broader concerns that higher education must adapt quickly if it is to keep pace with emerging tech and new forms of work.
At the school level, India’s plan to roll out an AI curriculum from Grade 3 across all schools by the 2026–27 academic year remains a defining long-term reform. The Ministry of Education has tied this to NEP 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework, with learning materials, teacher guides, and digital content slated for completion by December 2025 and large-scale teacher training running under NISHTHA and similar programmes. The goal is to treat AI and computational thinking as fundamental skills that support “AI for Public Good,” moving classrooms from rote memorisation to problem-solving.
Weather continues to disrupt day-to-day schooling, as winter vacations and emergency closures are extended in multiple northern states due to a severe cold wave. Delhi schools remain shut as per the Directorate of Education’s winter break schedule, while states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand have announced closures between January 6 and 10 to protect children from unsafe temperatures. Administrations are urging schools to rely on home-based study and digital assignments so learning loss remains limited during the extended break
