Latest news with #DelhiPublicSchool
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
CLAT 2025 Topper: Meet Saksham Gautam; a humanities student with a love for Math
At a time when the counselling process of the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) UG is underway, with the second merit list out and the third expected by June 20, The Indian Express caught up with the CLAT 2025 exam topper, Saksham Gautam. A humanities student from Delhi Public School, Faridabad, Gautam also aced his boards with a stunning 98.6 per cent. Speaking to this publication, Gautam shared his preparation strategy, mindset, and advice for future aspirants. Inspiration to choose law For Gautam, the decision to pursue law was rooted in both intellectual curiosity and a deeper civic aspiration. 'I began looking beyond Engineering and Medical as early as Class 7,' Gautam said, noting that despite coming from a family of engineers, STEM never quite clicked for him. 'Social Sciences, especially English and History, fascinated me. By Class 9 and 10, law emerged as a compelling avenue,' he added. He also emphasised his interest in public engagement. 'I don't want a corporate job. Many of our national leaders and freedom fighters were lawyers. Even in UPSC, law graduates have a good selection ratio,' he explained, hinting that public service remains a long-term option. Balancing CLAT with Class 12 boards 'It was challenging to balance CLAT with Class 12 boards,' Gautam admitted candidly. While attending regular school, he simultaneously prepared for CLAT with Legal Edge by Toprankers in Delhi. 'Prioritisation was key. If CLAT demanded more time, school took a backseat and vice versa,' he said. He began serious preparation in Class 11 by keeping 2-3 hours daily for CLAT. 'In 12th, I didn't track hours. I followed a task-based schedule. My goal was to complete all tasks by night,' he added. Challenging sections Reading comprehension, Gautam said, was 'one of the most demanding aspects of CLAT' since the exam is heavily passage-based. 'I wasn't an avid reader, so developing reading habits – especially newspapers and long-form articles – was hard at first,' he said. Logical Reasoning also posed challenges. 'Critical reasoning is dominant in CLAT. Being thorough with assumptions, arguments, and conclusions is essential,' he said, recommending consistent practice and attention to previous year questions. Speaking on Legal Reasoning, Gautam busted a common myth: 'You don't need to be legally literate. Familiarity with current legal developments is more important than rote learning legal jargon.' Importance of mock tests and coaching 'Mocks are non-negotiable. They show where you stand and how to adjust your preparation. CLAT changed drastically post-2020, so being aware of evolving patterns through mocks is crucial,' the CLAT topper said. While Gautam strongly benefited from coaching, he emphasised its purpose. 'Coaching doesn't make you successful – your effort does. What coaching gives is structure, discipline, and mentorship,' he said, noting that Legal Edge provided helpful material and guidance, particularly in General Knowledge. 'Mentorship, for me, meant someone analysing my mock scores, helping identify weak areas, and showing how to work on them,' he added. Tips on staying focused Addiction to social media, Gautam revealed, was his biggest challenge during preparation. 'I was distracted in Class 11 and even into 12th. The turning point was admitting to myself that it was hurting my preparation,' he shared. Deleting apps and seeking his parents' and teachers' supervision helped him regain control. 'Distractions will vary, but the first step is honest acceptance,' he said. Advice for future aspirants 'Start reading newspapers, editorials, anything,' he advised. 'Focus on improving reading speed and comprehension. Simultaneously, begin basic maths: percentages, averages, ratios,' Gautam added. He also urged aspirants not to ignore maths. 'Many fear it irrationally. But CLAT maths is of Class 8-9 level. You must tackle it. Maths and GK are game-changers in top ranks,' he said. Delay in CLAT results Calling the five-month delay in publication of CLAT results from December 2024 to May 2025 'distressing', Gautam said uncertainty was the real burden. 'At one point, it seemed the counselling process had been pushed indefinitely. Aspirants shouldn't be the ones suffering due to others' errors,' he said. The road ahead Gautam has not yet committed to a legal specialisation but is keeping his options open. 'College will help me figure that out,' he said. He's currently reading Dr B R Ambedkar's Annihilation of Caste and prefers spending leisure time walking or talking to friends rather than engaging in sports. In his words, 'CLAT may be unpredictable, but with consistency, mentorship, and self-discipline, it's absolutely conquerable.'
NDTV
4 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"Children Deserve Compassion...": Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta On School Hiring Bouncers
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta condemned school hiring bouncers to intimidate parents and students, emphasizing children deserve compassion, not coercion. New Delhi: Amid "alarming" reports of schools employing bouncers to intimidate parents and students, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday asserted that children deserve compassion and not coercion. "There have been alarming reports of schools employing bouncers to intimidate parents and students. Education is a right, not a business." "Our children deserve compassion, not coercion. Schools must remain spaces of learning, values and nation-building," she said. The Delhi government has already announced that it will bring an ordinance to implement the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025, to control arbitrary fee hikes by private schools. The chief minister's post on X came a day after the Delhi High Court called out Delhi Public School, Dwarka, for using "bouncers" to block the entry of students in its premises over a fee dispute. Noting such a practice had no place in an institution of learning, Justice Sachin Datta said public shaming and intimidation of a student due to financial default not only constitute mental harassment but also undermine the psychological well-being and self-worth of a child.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Very special moment, say J&K students after meeting PM Modi on inaugural Vande Bharat journey
New Delhi: It was a moment of immense pride and excitement for a group of students who had an opportunity to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi onboard the inaugural run of the Vande Bharat Express connecting Katra to Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. These students, selected through various competitions, were among the first passengers of the high-speed train flagged off by the PM, and shared their overwhelming experiences. One student remarked, 'He interacted with us and asked what we did to get the chance to come here. There were many competitions, like poem recitation and drawing, from which we were selected. I felt very proud after meeting our Prime Minister. He is such a famous personality, and it is very rare to meet someone like him.' 'It felt very special and made me feel extremely proud because he is the Prime Minister of the was in front of everyone gets the opportunity to meet him,' she added. Another student from Delhi Public School (DPS) Katra said, 'I never thought of meeting PM Modi in my lifetime. He is my idol, and I felt very nice and fortunate to meet him. He asked us what competitions we participated in, and we told him how we got selected. After winning these competitions, we got the opportunity to enter the train and meet the PM.' The occasion was part of a historic day for Jammu and Kashmir, as Prime Minister Modi inaugurated a series of transformative infrastructure projects, including the world's highest railway bridge, the Chenab Bridge, and the country's first cable-supported rail bridge, the Anji Bridge. These projects mark a major leap in connectivity and development in the region. Following the inauguration, PM Modi flagged off the Vande Bharat Express, a symbol of modern transportation, bridging key destinations in Jammu and Kashmir. The train's maiden journey was marked not only by engineering marvels but also by unforgettable moments for the students who got to witness and be part of history, up close with the Prime Minister himself.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Schoolchildren spread ‘green' message through their paintings
Visakhapatnam The Hindu Future India Club (FIC) and AMNS organised a painting and elocution competition for school students from across Visakhapatnam, at Visakha Public Library on Thursday, marking the World Environment Day. The speakers stressed the need for environmental protection and gradually phasing out the use of plastic products. The painting made by the participants vividly depicted the role of every citizen in working collectively for environmental protection. 'My daughter, B. Prathyeka, a student of Delhi Public School, got the first prize in the painting competition. Such events give wings to the creativity of children and hone their talent. I am sure this programme will be a good experience for all participants,' says Sailatha Behara, a parent of a praticipant. Model building Symbiosis Technologies (Visakhapatnam) CEO O. Naresh Kumar, who participated as the chief guest in the programme, said, 'The government should focus on constructing at least one model green building in each district. So far, there is not a single green building of 100% compliance with the mandatory parameters in the State. The government should promote green concept by exempting taxes on e-vehicles,' he said. Mr. Naresh Kumar praised The Hindu and AMNS for organising such competitions for schoolchildren. AMNS Head (HR&Admin) D.S. Varma said, 'With the joint initiative of The Hindu and AMNS, nearly one lakh saplings have been planted so far.' The painting competition was judged by freelance artist Sandhya Patnaik Chowdhuri, while the elocution competition was judged by S.V. Rama Rao, Senior Lecturer in English at Dr. V.S. Krishna Government Degree & PG College (A), Visakhapatnam. Students from the city and its surrounding areas participated in the competition. Students from classes 5-7 were considered juniors, while students from classes 8-10 were considered seniors. Winners of the painting in junior category were B. Prathyeka of Delhi Public School - Vizag steel plant (first prize); D. Rithik Sai of Sri Prakash School, TPT Colony (second prize); Aarvi Gupta of Kendriya Vidyalaya-2 Nausena Bagh (third prize). The consolation prize winners were Ch. Jasmitha Padman (Visakha Valley School), K. Tanmayee Sharvya (Sri Prakash KGH), B. Tanvi Praneetha (Timpany School). Painting senior category winners were Ch. Bhavagya of Sri Prakash Sidhartha (first) , Tasmia Sabreen of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (second), J. Hemanth of DAV Public School (third). Biswa Chowdhary of SSV Gurukulam), Ch. Ritvik Achal of Sri Prakash School, TPT Colony, and Vasi Ullah Sajid of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's NHS won consolation prizes. In the elocution competition in junior category, the winners were G. Bhuwana of KV1 Sri Vidya Nagar Colony (first), Ch. Jasmitha of Visakha Valley School (second), P. Srinidhi of DAV, Buchirajupalem (third). The consolation winners were K. Tanmayi Shriya of Sri Prakash School, Kapuluppada, B. Tanvea of Timpany School, and Shabeena of School of Wonderkids. In the senior category, the winners were Y. Poorintha of VT High School (first), S. Poojitha Akshra of Kendriya Vidyala, SVN (second), P. Aakshitha of Presidential School (third). The consolation winners were M. Pranavi of VT High school, AV Viswas of SSV Gurukulam and Y. Kankshitha of Satya Sai Vidya Vihar.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Delhi: Minutes before court verdict, DPS Dwarka revokes student ousters
The Delhi Public School (DPS) Dwarka on Thursday informed the Delhi high court that it had withdrawn its order expelling 31 students for non-payment of hiked fees --just minutes before the court was to pronounce its verdict in the case. As justice Sachin Datta assembled to deliver his ruling on the parents' plea, the school's counsel submitted that the expulsion order had been withdrawn. The students' names had been reinstated, subject to parents paying fees in line with an earlier order by the high court on May 16. That order directed students to pay 50% of the increased fees for the 2024-25 session, pending a final decision by the UT's department of education (DoE). The school's lawyer also informed the bench that an affidavit to that effect had already been filed earlier in the week. Taking note of the submission, justice Datta noted that the immediate controversy had become moot. However, the bench laid down clear procedural safeguards for any future actions under the Delhi School Education Rules, 1973. The school must issue prior communication specifying the proposed date for striking a student off the rolls and must give reasonable opportunity to the students or their guardians to show cause against such action, it directed. On Thursday, the court's judgment, released shortly after the matter was closed, expressed 'dismay' over the school's engagement of 'bouncers' to physically block students from entering the premises and called this 'a reprehensible practice' that has 'no place in an institute of learning.' The judgment further pointed out the psychological impact of such coercive tactics, noting: 'Public shaming/intimidation of a student on account of financial default, especially through force or coercive action, not only constitutes mental harassment but also undermines the psychological well-being and self-worth of a child. The use of 'bouncers' fosters a climate of fear, humiliation and exclusion that is incompatible with the fundamental ethos of a school.' The court underlined the special status of educational institutions, emphasising that while schools charge fees to maintain infrastructure and staff, they 'cannot be equated with a pure commercial establishment.' It maintained: 'The driving force and character of a school (particularly a school such as the petitioner, which is run by a pre-eminent society) is rooted not in profit maximisation but in public welfare, nation building and the holistic development of children.' Highlighting the fiduciary and moral responsibilities schools bear towards their students, the judgment insisted on a compassionate and just approach to fee recovery without compromising students' dignity. The court development comes just a day after Delhi education minister Ashish Sood announced the government's intent to bring in an ordinance to implement the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025, aimed at curbing arbitrary fee hikes by private institutions. The school struck off the names of the students on May 9 and barred them from entering the premises on May 13, triggering protests by dozens of parents. The move escalated an ongoing standoff over fee hikes, with many parents refusing to pay the revised structure without the Directorate of Education's (DoE) approval. In response, DoE passed an order on May 15 directing immediate reinstatement of the students. The controversy stems from DPS Dwarka's hike in fees for the 2025-26 academic session, which over 100 parents have challenged before the high court. They demanded that the school be directed to collect only DoE-approved fees for both current and future academic years. In their plea, the parents alleged that DPS Dwarka violated previous court orders prohibiting schools from harassing students over non-payment of unauthorised fees. They also claimed the school deployed bouncers to prevent students from entering, despite judicial restraint. On April 16, the high court rebuked the school for treating the students in a 'shabby and inhuman' manner by confining them to the library over failure to pay increased fees. Citing an inspection report by the district magistrate, the court had remarked that 'the school deserves to be shut down'. On its part, the school submitted that the action followed proper procedure of issuing show cause notice, mails, messages and phone calls after the unpaid dues of the students in question touched approximately ₹42 lakh till the academic year 2024-25. Senior advocate Pinaki Mishra, representing the school, submitted that fees collected from students was the only source of income for the school since it catered to various expenses, and the school was surviving with a deficit of ₹31 crores for over 10 years.
