Microsoft to invest $3 billion in India, boost AI, cloud infra

BENGALURU: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced plans to invest $3 billion in India in cloud and AI infrastructure, including setting up new data centres over the next two years. He added the company is committed to training 10 million people with AI skills by 2030.
The $3-billion additional investment in India, Nadella said, would represent the single-largest expansion into the region. "The diffusion rate of AI in India is exciting. This is the golden age for systems when it comes to innovation," he told a crowd of over 3,000 developers who had gathered to listen to him in a massive exhibition centre in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

In his nearly 11 years as CEO, Nadella has transformed Microsoft with his bets on cloud computing and AI, and the infusion of a culture of collaboration, enabling the pioneering computing company to become the second in the world to touch $3 trillion in market capitalisation (the first was Apple).

A lot of Microsoft's work is today driven by its vast base of engineers in India. The company also sees India as an increasingly attractive market. "I had a chance to meet PM Modiji yesterday and it was fantastic. It's great to listen to his vision of how he wants to drive AI missions. It's the combination of the yojanas (schemes), the India Stack, the entrepreneurial energy in this country, and the demographics on both the consumer and business sides that are all coming together in a virtuous cycle," Nadella said.
Nadella said infrastructure today needs to be thought of differently from the traditional ways. "With infrastructure, there's a new formula for any country or company. I think of that formula as tokens per dollar per watt. Fundamentally, their (country or company) growth depends on how efficiently they can drive that equation," he said.


Tokens per dollar per watt is a measure of the efficiency of AI applications, essentially signifying how many tokens (units of information) can be generated per dollar spent on computing power, while also considering the energy consumption (measured in watts) required to produce those tokens. Essentially, it highlights the cost-effective and energy-efficient performance of an AI system.


This infra, Nadella said, needs to be the highest priority. And Microsoft, he said, is innovating in every layer of it. Microsoft, which counts Air India, PwC, and Biocon as customers in India, said it's copiloting South Asia's AI transformation with 800 customers and fivefold returns for every dollar the company invests in GenAI, with 70% of its clients seeing productivity benefits.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/microsoft-to-invest-3-billion-in-india-boost-ai-cloud-infra/articleshowprint/117035643.cms

Marathi to be made compulsory in all schools from next academic year: Education minister

Mumbai government mandates Marathi as a core subject in all schools from 2025-26, enforcing compliance and evaluating students on a marks-based system.

Mumbai: The state government is determined to enforce Marathi as a mandatory core subject in all schools, irrespective of board or medium, starting from the academic year 2025-26. The announcement, made on Tuesday by school education minister Dadaji Bhuse, signals the end of previous concessions that allowed schools to treat Marathi as a graded subject due to pandemic-related disruptions.

Marathi to be made compulsory in all schools from next academic year: Education minister


“Schools must ensure that Marathi is taught and evaluated as a core subject. Any reluctance to comply with this mandate will not be tolerated,” Bhuse said. To ensure strict adherence, the government clarified that the policy applies to all private, CBSE, ICSE, and other English medium schools in the state as well.

A government resolution (GR) that was issued in September had outlined a revised framework for Marathi language instruction. Under the new policy, students will be evaluated on a marks-based system, in the place of grading approach that is being used. The marks-based approach will also apply in schools across boards, reinforcing Marathi’s importance in state’s educational framework.

Bhuse also noted how schools often attempt to bypass regulations mandating Marathi instruction, particularly English medium institutions. To address this, the School Education Department will closely monitor compliance. Parents are also encouraged to report schools reluctant to implement the policy.


As it is necessary for the teachers who teach Marathi to be proficient in the language, the school education department is considering testing teachers in the Marathi language subject, including those who do not have an educational background in Marathi.

“While English proficiency is important, the significance of Marathi in Maharashtra cannot be undermined. The language has now been granted classical language status by the Centre, and we are committed to upholding its legacy through education,” Bhuse asserted.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/marathi-to-be-made-compulsory-in-all-schools-from-next-academic-year-education-minister-101736277511460.html

UGC draft norms face flak from Delhi University’s Academic Council members

In terms of promotion, the AC members pointed out that in clause 3.8 of the draft guidelines, too much emphasis is given to activities which have no direct bearing on teaching and research.



NEW DELHI: A day after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan released UGC draft guidelines stating that clearing the National Eligibility Test (NET) will no longer be a mandatory qualification for appointment as an assistant professor, the academic council members of Delhi University issued a statement saying that the new recruitment criteria show a shift in focus from cutting edge research to merely reiterating existing knowledge since core competence is done away with.

In response to the draft guidelines, the AC members talked about the recruitment process, stating that there has been a massive dilution of the quality of faculty by doing away with specialisation in a core discipline while the recruitment criteria endorse the NEP’s emphasis on the common courses which are poor and substandard.

“The recruitment gives 100% weightage to the selection committee which is subjective in nature and does not give any credit to academic qualification, research publications and teaching experience. Also, the recruitment criteria shows a shift in focus from cutting-edge research to merely reiterating existing knowledge since core competence is done away with,” said Rudrashish Chakraborty, Associate Professor, Kirori Mal College.

He also mentioned how there’s no mention of the maximum hours to be put in for direct teaching in a week for teachers. “A dangerous ploy to increase workload and to reduce jobs,” the professor said.

In terms of promotion, the AC members pointed out that in clause 3.8 of the draft guidelines, too much emphasis is given to activities which have no direct bearing on teaching and research.

The academicians also highlighted that a PhD has become a mandatory qualification for promotion to level 12, which is “draconian” and will adversely affect the teachers.

“The requirement of publications for direct recruitment to Associate Professor in the University departments has increased from 7 to 8, thus adding to the already heavy requirement in the existing regulation,” a DUTA member added.

Source: https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2025/Jan/08/ugc-draft-norms-face-flak-from-delhi-universitys-academic-council-members

AICTE Launches ‘One Student One Mentor’ Program Under Neat 4.0 With Intercell

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), under the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India, has evaluated the Intercell Career Mentoring Program as a valuable initiative for students. This program aims to provide holistic education through industry mentors and AI-powered tools, offering career guidance aligned with both Indian and global standards.

Intercell, an AI-based career mentoring platform, enables students to become placement-ready. The online platform offers live one-on-one industry mentoring from senior professionals and enhances students’ skills with various AI mentoring tools, including:


* Mentor Match

* InstaResume

* Talent Finder


* Internship/Jobs Support

* Skill Assessment


* English Coach

On January 2, AICTE officially launched Phase 4 of the National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT 4.0) at an event held at AICTE Headquarters in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. The launch event, which included an MoU signing ceremony, was graced by distinguished personalities such as Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman of AICTE, Prof. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of NETF, and Buddha Chandrasekhar, Chief Coordinating Officer of NEAT AICTE.

NEAT 4.0 represents a significant stride toward bridging the gap between learners and industry-relevant skills, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for students across the country.




Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman of AICTE, remarked, “The launch of NEAT 4.0 brings renewed hope to the Indian education sector. The use of AI tools on the portal enables personalized learning, ensuring better outcomes for students. Moreover, the dynamic onboarding process allows for evaluations every 2-3 months, expediting the inclusion of innovative solutions.”


During the event, Prof. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of NETF, stated, “NEAT 4.0 is poised to revolutionize online learning in India by providing learners with industry-oriented skills, enhancing their employability.”

Dr. Buddha Chandrasekhar, CCO of AICTE, emphasized, “Through the Public-Private Partnership model, NEAT 4.0 makes cutting-edge EdTech solutions accessible to students from weaker sections. The inclusion of emerging domains such as Biomedical Engineering, Health & Wellness, and Space Technology highlights the portal’s versatility.”

Intercell Founder and CEO Arunabh Varma stated, “We are pleased to participate in NEAT 4.0 and fully support the Ministry of Education’s vision to deliver innovative, world-class EdTech solutions that accelerate Indian students’ career advancement.”

Source: https://theprint.in/ani-press-releases/aicte-launches-one-student-one-mentor-program-under-neat-4-0-with-intercell/2434859/

FDPs on cards as AICTE and DST take the quantum leap

Under the AICTE FDP scheme faculty will get to visit industries and get hands-on training at research labs

To train faculty, develop infrastructure for quantum technologies, and create appropriate study materials for students is on the map charted by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), following the launch of the Undergraduate (UG) Minor Programme in Quantum Technologies.

The regulatory bodies will ensure faculty members have a solid understanding of quantum mechanics and technologies. They will provide financial support to conduct the Faculty Development Programme (FDP) to institutions/individuals under the AICTE FDP scheme, which will facilitate faculty visits to industry/research labs for hands-on training. Meanwhile, the UG Minor course will be available starting from the 2025-26 Academic Year (AY), and students can opt for it from the fifth semester of the UG programme, that is, the third year onwards.

“The curriculum is designed to include practical projects encouraging students to collaborate directly with quantum startups. Students will have opportunities to work with startups through internships, fellowship programmes and project-based themes. AICTE will facilitate networking events, hackathons, and innovation challenges where students undergoing this course can solve the real-world problems presented by startups. Through partnerships with quantum startups supported under the National Quantum Mission (NQM), students can engage in research, co-develop solutions, and gain mentorship. Thematic Hubs established under NQM will also serve as platforms for student-startup collaboration,” says TG Sitharam, chairman, AICTE.

In the first phase, AICTE will designate the best 50 AICTE-approved institutions to run minor degree programmes and establish quantum labs.

“As per mutual collaboration with DST, the financial and technical support for creating quantum technology laboratories in the institutions will be provided by DST through their Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) established under NQM. AICTE will assist in mapping existing resources and facilitating the procurement of essential equipment through grants and funding programs. Institutions will also receive access to shared facilities in T-Hubs,” says Sitharam.

FDPs will be initiated to upskill educators in quantum technologies, ensuring they are equipped to teach theoretical and practical components. Hands-on training sessions, recorded lectures, conferences, workshops, and online certification programmes will be conducted so faculty members can stay updated on the latest developments and trends in quantum technologies. The development of related textbooks and course materials on quantum technology for faculty and students and the creation of infrastructure and resources for quantum labs in the institutions will be prioritised.

“The curriculum supports NQM’s objectives of creating a quantum-ready workforce and fostering a robust quantum research and innovation ecosystem. By nurturing talent at the UG level, the programme lays the groundwork for research and industry-ready professionals, aligning with NQM’s workforce development goals. Plans are underway to develop specialised PG programmes in quantum technologies, for which collaborations with leading research institutions and universities will be explored to design advanced coursework and interdisciplinary modules,” says Sitharam.

“India can succeed in quantum technologies only if we have trained manpower. The biggest bottleneck in implementing this initiative is determining who will teach the courses and where the teaching materials will come from. We must ensure that all these resources are readily available. The NQM team has agreed to train faculty, and the programme will commence soon. Elite institutions such as IISc Bangalore and IITs will also participate in this initiative. We are developing MOOCs on quantum mechanics and recording lectures to support the programme. Releasing the curriculum was the first step; it will be followed by faculty training and lab establishment. Universities and colleges offering this programme will connect with these labs through a hub-and-spoke model,” says Prof Rajive Kumar, member secretary, AICTE.

Kumar adds, “We are writing to the universities to adopt the programme or some courses. But in the initial phase, access to trained faculty could be a challenge.”

UGC draft norms remove NET as must for assistant prof post

 

Source: The Times of India dated 07/01/2025.

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