
Daughter inspires Tamil Nadu mother to chase old dream at 49, crack NEET together
Samyuktha, a CBSE student, had enrolled in coaching and studied hard — her books became her mother's too. She scored 450 marks in NEET 2024 and is eyeing a seat in the general or SC quota, preferably outside Tamil Nadu.Amuthavalli scored 147 marks and has now secured a seat in the government medical college in Virudhunagar under the PwBD category. On July 30, she attended the counselling for special categories — including children of ex-servicemen, PwD, and government school students.'I found the syllabus very different from my time. But with her help, I studied,' she added.While Samyuktha wants to chart her own path and not share a college with her mother, she remains the biggest reason her mum is finally pursuing the dream she once had to give up.'My husband was very supportive. He encouraged both of us to study,' said Amuthavalli.This unique NEET success story is all heart — proving that with the right push, old dreams can still take flight.(With PTI inputs)- Ends

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Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Indian Express
For Class 9, CBSE clears open-book exam from next year
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has approved a proposal to integrate open-book assessments in Class 9 from the 2026-27 academic session, after a pilot study showed 'teacher support' for such assessments. The CBSE's Governing Body, the board's highest decision-making authority, approved the proposal at a meeting held in June. According to the minutes of the meeting, the proposal involves integrating open-book assessments in Class 9 'as part of three pen-paper assessments per term', covering core subjects like language, mathematics, science and social science. This is in line with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023, which is based on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. NCFSE mentions open-book tests as a possible form of assessment. 'An open-book test is one where the students have access to resources and references (e.g., textbooks, class notes, library books) while answering questions. These tests assess the ability to process or use available information and apply the same in various contexts. These tests shift the focus from recall to application and synthesis,' the NCFSE states. The minutes of the meeting noted that the NCFSE underscores the need to transition from rote memorisation to competency-based learning, with open-book assessments serving as a catalyst for this shift. As first reported by The Indian Express in February 2024, the Board had, in December 2023, approved a pilot study on open-book assessments for Classes 9 to 12. The pilot was meant to examine aspects like completion time, and stakeholders' perceptions. On the pilot study, the minutes of the meeting stated: 'Analysis of student performance revealed scores ranging from 12% to 47%, indicating challenges in effectively utilising resources and grasping interdisciplinary concepts.' 'Despite these hurdles, teachers expressed optimism about OBAs (open-book assessments), noting their potential to foster critical thinking. Feedback highlighted the necessity for structured guidance to help students navigate reference materials and apply knowledge contextually,' it said, adding that the pilot study focused on 'cross-cutting themes' from the curriculum, and avoided additional reading material. The pilot study revealed 'performance challenges but also teacher support for OBAs,' the governing body noted. The CBSE's plan now involves developing standardised sample papers to ensure question quality and promote critical thinking. Open-book assessments are not necessarily easier than traditional pen-and-paper exams; they are designed to test understanding beyond facts and definitions. For teachers, the challenge lies in framing questions that go beyond direct recall. With this, a framework will be created for open-book exams to be part of the internal exams that schools have in Class 9, a source said. While this is unlikely to be mandatory for schools, the framework will suggest how they can offer it, if they choose to do so, the source said. Since open-book exams will test higher-order thinking skills, it requires capacity in schools, the source added. 'The initiative aims to reduce exam stress, encourage real-world application of knowledge, and shift from rote learning to conceptual understanding,' the minutes stated. The NCFSE calls for a move away from testing rote memorisation, and focus instead on conceptual understanding, problem-solving abilities, and critical thinking. Open-book exams aren't new for the Board. In 2014, CBSE brought in an Open Text Based Assessment (OTBA) to ease the load of rote learning and push students towards processing information. It was tried in Class 9 for Hindi, English, Mathematics, Science and Social Science, and in the final exam of Class 11 for Economics, Biology and Geography. Students got the reference material four months ahead. The Board dropped it in 2017-18, saying it hadn't helped build 'critical abilities' among students.


Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Indian Express
Unsung Heroes: From a barefoot Karnataka village boy to an educationist and social worker, how Dr Eregowda is transforming lives with knowledge
Gangasamudra, a small village in Nagamangala Taluk, Mandya district, Karnataka, may seem an unlikely starting point for a transformative figure in education and social work. Yet, it is here that Dr Eregowda GB, born to uneducated parents Bhadragowda and Nengamma, began a journey that would not only defy his circumstances but also reshape the educational landscape for thousands of students. At a young age, Eregowda found a guiding light in Adichunchanagiri Mutt, where he spent 15 years under the mentorship of Sri Sri Balagangadharanatha Mahaswamiji. Life at the mutt was austere –two meals a day – but it instilled discipline and purpose. 'The guidance of Swamiji kept us motivated,' he said. Eregowda's academic journey took a decisive turn when he chose to pursue chemistry, a subject in which he initially struggled. A challenge from his chemistry lecturer sparked a transformation. 'He told me to prove myself in chemistry if I respected him,' Eregowda recounted. This ignited a fire within him, spurring him to top chemistry in his class during BSc, get a distinction in Master's, and a PhD funded by the central government. 'My connection with chemistry grew so profound that, even today, I cannot sleep without reading the subject for hours. That incident changed my perspective, and I developed a deep connection with chemistry,' he said. In 1997, Eregowda cracked a test conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) and was selected as a chemistry lecturer in a government pre-university college. Over the next 28 years, he served in various colleges, including as acting principal, with a mission to increase the number of students from Karnataka passing national-level entrance exams like NEET and JEE. His tenure began in Battalahalli, Chintamani Taluk, where he turned around a college with zero admissions by personally enrolling 80 science students. 'We built the college from scratch, with no chairs or boards initially,' he recalled. His longest stint was at Yelahanka Government Pre-University College, where he served for 18 years, maintaining an annual enrolment of 3,000 students. His efforts ensured students secured free MBBS seats without needing additional tuition, proving the potential of government institutions. 'Poor families have bright students who can't afford private colleges,' he noted. Spurred by a colleague's remark that lecturers in Bengaluru merely taught from others' books, he embarked on a mission to write his own. 'That comment hurt me, and I decided to write a book,' he said. Despite initial financial losses, his family's support, particularly from his wife, kept him going. 'My wife would stay up late with me, taking care of our child while I wrote,' he shared. Today, his chemistry books are used by over a lakh students and lecturers annually across Karnataka. In a bold move, Eregowda took voluntary retirement from government service to establish the Jeevith Education Trust, named after his son, to share his knowledge more widely. His institution achieved a remarkable 50 per cent success rate in its first batch, with 16 out of 32 students securing free medical seats. Eregowda's contributions to research are equally talked about. His work on cancer drugs, conducted under Professor K N Thimmaiah, led to the discovery of 21 new organic compounds and seven international publications. 'The drugs we developed worked better than existing ones, but they had too many side effects,' he said. Despite setbacks, including a costly experiment that failed, his passion for research persisted. Appointed as a scientific officer at Adichunchanagiri Cancer Research Center, he continued to contribute to medical advancements while balancing his teaching career. Eregowda's institution emphasizes discipline and application-based learning through NCERT books. He counsels parents against pressuring students into fields like medicine for prestige, advocating for alignment with students' capabilities. 'We assess students' capacity first,' he said, citing an example of guiding a student toward an IAS career via a medical degree. In 2016, he received the State-Level Best Lecturer Award, followed by the Aryabhata International Award, Sangama Ratna Award, Siddaganga Shri Award, Dr Abdul Kalam Lifetime Achievement Award, and the VK and BM Education Excellence Award, presented by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. Looking ahead, Eregowda plans to write a book on the current education scenario, drawing on extensive research and student input. 'Research isn't limited to labs; I do it through teaching,' he said, emphasizing his ongoing commitment to education. His institution, now three years old, continues to grow under his wife's and son's leadership, serving as a beacon for students from underprivileged backgrounds.


News18
15 hours ago
- News18
NEET PG Result 2025 Date And Time: When And Where To Check Scorecards?
Last Updated: NEET PG Result 2025: According to NBEMS, the results will be declared on and by September 3, 2025. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) conducted the NEET PG exam on August 3, 2025 at various centres across the country. This exam serves as a gateway for admission to MD, MS, and PG Diploma courses for doctors. As always, lakhs of candidates appeared for the exam, and now everyone is eagerly awaiting the NEET PG Result 2025 update. According to NBEMS, the results will be declared on and by September 3, 2025. Based on past trends, the result is typically released between 1 pm and 4 pm. The NEET PG final answer key may be released along with the result or shortly after. Similar to previous years, the result will be available online in PDF format, containing details such as roll number, name, score, and All India Rank (AIR) of the candidates. Alongside the NEET PG 2025 result, the cut-off and qualifying percentile will also be announced. How To Check NEET PG Result? Step 1. Visit the official website or Step 2. Click on the 'NEET PG Result 2025' link on the homepage. Step 3. Enter your user ID and password on the login page. Step 4. Download the result PDF and search for your roll number. Step 5. You can also download your personal scorecard separately, which will include your section-wise marks and all-India rank. NEET PG Cut-off And Qualifying Percentile: Along with the NEET PG result, the qualifying percentile and cut-off scores will be released. Last year's cut-off details are as follows: – General Category: 50th Percentile – SC/ST/OBC: 40th Percentile – PwD (General): 45th Percentile The cut-off score changes each year based on the exam's difficulty and candidates' performance. NEET PG Result: What's Next? Following this, the counselling process will commence at both the all-India and state levels. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and state-level authorities will manage the counselling process. A. All India Counselling: MCC will conduct counselling for All India Quota (50%) seats, including deemed and central universities, AIIMS, JIPMER, and AFMS institutes. B. State-level counselling: State authorities will manage counselling for their respective State Quota (50%) seats. Candidates need to register separately on the state's official website. Candidates should keep their documents ready for NEET PG counselling. view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 09, 2025, 16:42 IST News education-career NEET PG Result 2025 Date And Time: When And Where To Check Scorecards? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.