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Time of India
03-08-2025
- General
- Time of India
CBSE begins preparing students for board exams
Ranchi: Schools have begun to orient students for next year's board exams on the basis of sample papers and marking schemes which has been recently released by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for the academic session 2025–26. According to the official CBSE circular, there has been no change in the exam pattern or marking scheme from the previous academic year (2024–25). This year, the CBSE released the sample papers earlier than usual, providing students more time to familiarise themselves with the structure of the upcoming exams. Alongside the sample papers, the marking schemes were also made available on the board's official website: Ravi Shekhar, academic coordinator at Oxford Public School, said, "These resources aim not only to aid exam preparation but also to strengthen classroom learning and conceptual understanding. CBSE has encouraged schools to integrate the sample papers into regular teaching practices." According to the circular, the sample papers cover all subjects, with most provided in both English and Hindi (excluding language-specific papers). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is this legal? Access all TV channels without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo The board examinations for both classes will be conducted in Feb 2026, with general instructions, section-wise distribution, and maximum marks clearly defined in the sample documents. "CBSE's sample papers guide students preparing for competitive exams. It fully incorporates NCERT content. Students should start early and understand these papers thoroughly to perform better in boards," said Jaya Chauhan, Principal of Delhi Public School. An important change highlighted in CBSE's new approach is the decision to conduct Class X board examinations twice a year starting 2026. The main examination will be held in Feb–March, while a second attempt, termed the improvement exam, will be conducted in May. Following this, concerns emerged among students regarding possible changes in marking patterns, which the board has now addressed by maintaining consistency in the marking scheme. Principal of Gurunanak Higher Secondary School, captain Sumit Kaur, said, "To begin with, teachers need to thoroughly understand the sample papers and adjust their teaching methods accordingly to help students practice efficiently. When students become familiar with the exam pattern early on, it becomes easier for them to grasp the concepts and perform well in the exams." Aarav Kumar, a class X student at Dani Public School, Khunti, said, "The early release of CBSE sample papers has really helped us understand the exam pattern and focus on important topics. It's like a roadmap that guides our preparation and boosts our confidence for the board exams." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
DeepDive: India's green hydrogen journey starts at Rs 397 per kg
Mumbai: India's recent green hydrogen price discovery through Indian Oil Corporation 's (IOCL) landmark tender has drawn mixed reactions from industry experts, reflecting both optimism about market potential and concerns over long-term competitiveness. The final price — Rs 397/kg which is about $4.67/kg — discovered in the reverse auction process is being seen as a turning point for India's emerging green hydrogen sector. India's bid seen as globally competitive According to Ravi Shekhar , managing director of Eninrac Consulting, L&T's $4.67/kg green hydrogen bid is globally competitive, lower than EU imports and close to Middle East prices. 'India, led by players like L&T Energy Green Tech, is emerging as a competitive hub for green hydrogen production. With a price of $4.67/kg (Rs 397/kg), L&T's hydrogen offering is already aligned with global low-cost producers such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, whose prices range between $4.50–$6.00/kg,' he said. Live Events He added that when factoring in logistics and import costs, Indian green hydrogen was cheaper than most EU imported hydrogen, which landed at Rs 500/kg to Rs 600/kg. This cost advantage is further reinforced by India's ultra-low solar tariffs of Rs 2.5 to Rs 3 per unit, among the lowest globally, which significantly reduce the cost of electrolysis-based hydrogen production. However, not all stakeholders are as optimistic. Green v/s grey Prashant Vasisht , senior vice-president and co-group head at ICRA , said that the prices discovered recently were in line with current trends and almost double the price of grey hydrogen derived from natural gas and therefore not very competitive. He said that economics and technology were yet to refine further for green hydrogen to become competitive. 'The price of green hydrogen is still some time away from attaining parity with grey hydrogen. Importantly, renewable electricity prices have to reduce substantially along with the capex of electrolysers among other things for green hydrogen to become competitive,' he said. In contrast, Nitin Yadav, head of hydrogen - India at Gentari, a clean energy company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Petronas, called the price discovery a 'significant milestone' and said that their initial assessment suggested the prices were 'quite competitive'. 'The price discovery through the IOCL tender sends a strong signal to project developers that green hydrogen has a viable business case in India. The finalisation of this tender has instilled much-needed confidence in the market and laid the groundwork for scaling the hydrogen economy,' said Yadav. He added that the price discovery should lead to an increased demand for in-situ green hydrogen projects in India. Shekhar said that between 2024 and 2027, early industrial adopters, particularly in refineries and fertilizer production will drive initial demand for green hydrogen. 'This foundational uptake will be critical for de-risking investments, with $2–3 billion expected to flow into domestic electrolyzer manufacturing. By 2030, deeper decarbonisation in hard-to-abate sectors like steel and transport will take shape, positioning India to capture 5-10% of the global electrolyzer market,' he added. Impact on offtake Regarding impact on offtake, ICRA's Vasisht added that as prices were significantly higher, offtake agreements would remain limited. 'If we aim for competitive pricing, the offtake must be firm and committed for the full 25-year term,' said Gentari's Yadav. He added that there should be more competition in this sector amongst project developers, which would help the green hydrogen ecosystem as well as the consumers. On offtake, Shekhar added that the Panipat project's 25-year offtake deal at Rs 397/kg with IOCL would secure price certainty and enhance project bankability, setting a credible pricing benchmark for future bids. With scale-driven efficiencies and larger capacities, prices might fall below Rs 350/kg, he added.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
DeepDive: India's green hydrogen journey starts at ₹397 per kg
Mumbai: India's recent green hydrogen price discovery through Indian Oil Corporation 's (IOCL) landmark tender has drawn mixed reactions from industry experts, reflecting both optimism about market potential and concerns over long-term competitiveness. The final price — ₹397/kg which is about $4.67/kg — discovered in the reverse auction process is being seen as a turning point for India's emerging green hydrogen sector. India's bid seen as globally competitive According to Ravi Shekhar , managing director of Eninrac Consulting, L&T's $4.67/kg green hydrogen bid is globally competitive, lower than EU imports and close to Middle East prices. 'India, led by players like L&T Energy Green Tech , is emerging as a competitive hub for green hydrogen production. With a price of $4.67/kg (₹397/kg), L&T's hydrogen offering is already aligned with global low-cost producers such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, whose prices range between $4.50–$6.00/kg,' he said. He added that when factoring in logistics and import costs, Indian green hydrogen was cheaper than most EU imported hydrogen, which landed at ₹500/kg to ₹600/kg. This cost advantage is further reinforced by India's ultra-low solar tariffs of ₹2.5 to ₹3 per unit, among the lowest globally, which significantly reduce the cost of electrolysis-based hydrogen production. However, not all stakeholders are as optimistic. Green v/s grey Prashant Vasisht, senior vice-president and co-group head at ICRA, said that the prices discovered recently were in line with current trends and almost double the price of grey hydrogen derived from natural gas and therefore not very competitive. He said that economics and technology were yet to refine further for green hydrogen to become competitive. 'The price of green hydrogen is still some time away from attaining parity with grey hydrogen. Importantly, renewable electricity prices have to reduce substantially along with the capex of electrolysers among other things for green hydrogen to become competitive,' he said. In contrast, Nitin Yadav, head of hydrogen - India at Gentari, a clean energy company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Petronas, called the price discovery a 'significant milestone' and said that their initial assessment suggested the prices were 'quite competitive'. 'The price discovery through the IOCL tender sends a strong signal to project developers that green hydrogen has a viable business case in India. The finalisation of this tender has instilled much-needed confidence in the market and laid the groundwork for scaling the hydrogen economy,' said Yadav. He added that the price discovery should lead to an increased demand for in-situ green hydrogen projects in India. Shekhar said that between 2024 and 2027, early industrial adopters, particularly in refineries and fertilizer production will drive initial demand for green hydrogen. 'This foundational uptake will be critical for de-risking investments, with $2–3 billion expected to flow into domestic electrolyzer manufacturing. By 2030, deeper decarbonization in hard-to-abate sectors like steel and transport will take shape, positioning India to capture 5-10% of the global electrolyzer market,' he added. Impact on offtake Regarding impact on offtake, ICRA's Vasisht added that as prices were significantly higher, offtake agreements would remain limited. 'If we aim for competitive pricing, the offtake must be firm and committed for the full 25-year term,' said Gentari's Yadav. He added that there should be more competition in this sector amongst project developers, which would help the green hydrogen ecosystem as well as the consumers. On offtake, Shekhar added that the Panipat project's 25-year offtake deal at ₹397/kg with IOCL would secure price certainty and enhance project bankability, setting a credible pricing benchmark for future bids. With scale-driven efficiencies and larger capacities, prices might fall below ₹350/kg, he added.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
Schools ban plastics, urge students to adopt eco-friendly alternatives
Ranchi: Various schools across the city have strictly enforced no-plastic rules within their campuses to ensure environmental sustainability. From classrooms to canteens, plastic is now off-limits, and students are being actively encouraged to adopt eco-friendly alternatives as part of a broader mission to reduce plastic waste and instil environmentally conscious behaviour from an early age. Educational institutions are now viewing environmental education as a way towards sustainable development. Schools have not only banned plastic water bottles, pencil boxes, and carry bags, but some have gone a step further by disallowing chocolates on campus, as they often come wrapped in plastic packaging. At many schools, canteens have adopted sustainable serving practices where food is now served in paper containers or steel plates, eliminating single-use plastics altogether. Disposable plastic spoons, straws, and containers have been replaced with biodegradable or reusable alternatives. Academic coordinator at Oxford Public School, Ravi Shekhar, said, "Children are the best agents of change. When they stop bringing plastic bottles or snacks wrapped in plastic, it influences parents as well. This habit, once developed in school, will shape their outlook towards sustainability for life." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo In addition to bans, schools organise awareness campaigns, debates, poster-making competitions, and cleanliness drives through the eco club. These programmes aim to engage students and educate them about the dangers of plastic pollution, microplastics, and the importance of the 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Principal of Kairali School, Rajesh Pillai, said, "This is not a temporary campaign. Through the eco club, various activities are being organised from time to time. By banning plastic and encouraging alternatives, we are preparing our students not just for exams, but for a future where sustainability will be a key survival skill."
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Doctor shares the signs and first-aid steps for immediate care after asthma attack
If you or a loved one is experiencing an asthma attack, it can feel overwhelming. It can turn any moment into a serious medical emergency. During an attack, it's vital to follow the right steps, not just to manage the high stress of the situation, but most importantly, to reduce the life-threatening risks associated with asthma. Timely intervention can make all the difference, sometimes between life and death. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Ravi Shekhar Jha, Director of Pulmonology at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, shared the first effective ways to address the situation. He gave a glimpse of the large number of people in India affected by asthma, making it all the more important to know first aid, as it could be either a loved one or someone stranger in need in your immediate vicinity. Dr Ravi Shekhar said, 'For over 34 million Indians with asthma, the fear of a sudden attack is a constant reality. While many live symptom-free for long periods, an asthma exacerbation, triggered by allergens, infections, or pollution, can escalate within minutes. In such moments, knowing what to do at home can mean the difference between recovery and crisis.' Dr Ravi Shekhar provided this detailed guide that covers, from identifying the early signs of when an asthma attack is about to happen to first aid steps: How to recognise the signs of an asthma attack? ALSO READ: Allergic vs non-allergic asthma types: Comparing triggers and symptoms for better management If the trigger is known—smoke, dust, pollen, or strong odors—remove the person from that environment immediately. In many urban Indian homes, incense, mosquito coils, and cooking fumes can act as potent irritants. Good ventilation matters. Homes need to be well-cleaned, as they can trigger asthma attacks, whether it's due to dust mites or poor air quality caused by rising pollution in urban areas. Managing indoor air quality is just as important. Dalila El Zein, Dyson Senior Research Engineer, shared some effective ways you can keep your indoors clean: ALSO READ: Can asthma disappear and recur? Doctor explains why this happens Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
