GS Paper II · Social Justice
Education Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper II)
From the syllabus: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections and their performance; laws and bodies for their protection; social sector services relating to health, education, human resources; poverty and hunger
Why it matters: Civil services questions consistently probe institutional reforms and learning quality because foundational capability building remains central to human resource development.
In the news
October 2026
10 Oct 2026Telangana
School Breakfast Scheme Drives Attendance in TelanganaAn independent field assessment in the Kodangal constituency revealed a significant jump in primary school enrolment and daily classroom attendance following the rollout of the state government's breakfast scheme. The survey found that...
09 Oct 2026Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh Cabinet Approves Policy to Attract Foreign UniversitiesThe Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has formally approved a new higher education policy designed to invite prestigious foreign universities to establish their campuses in the state. This initiative aims to enhance the standard of higher...
06 Oct 2026
Debates Over the Implementation of the Three-Language PolicyDiscussions surrounding the three-language policy in Indian schools have intensified, with educationists arguing that students should be given the freedom to study a third language without the stress of formal board examinations....
06 Oct 2026Andhra Pradesh
AP HRD Minister Directs Upgradation of Low-Performing SchoolsAndhra Pradesh Human Resources Development Minister Nara Lokesh has issued directives to systematically upgrade government schools with a "1-star" infrastructure rating to at least a "3-star" status. The policy aims to improve basic...
04 Oct 2026Telangana
Telangana to operationalise centralized kitchens for student breakfast schemeThe Telangana government announced that automated central kitchens will be operationalized by December to provide nutritious hot breakfasts to government school students. The initiative aims to standardize food quality, reduce...
September 2026
29 Sep 2026
Five Crore Schoolchildren Lack Basic Sanitation Access, Reports UNA joint report by international UN agencies highlighted that nearly five crore children in India still lack access to basic sanitation services in their schools, posing health and educational challenges. However, the report noted that...
12 Sep 2026
Supreme Court Urges Timeline for FSSAI Warning Labels and School Nutritional LiteracyThe Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to provide a clear timeline for implementing Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) warning labels on packaged foods. Noting children's vulnerability to uninformed...
11 Sep 2026
Low R&D spending fuels postdoctoral brain drain in IndiaRecent government data reveals that India spends approximately 13 dollars per capita annually on research and development, compared to 250 dollars by China and over 2,100 dollars by the United States. With only 2,500 government-funded...
03 Sep 2026
Need for Standardization and Quality Oversight in AYUSH EducationPublic health policy experts have called for enhanced regulatory oversight and evidence-based clinical benchmarks across AYUSH institutions in India. Strengthening standardization in medical curricula, drug manufacturing quality, and...
02 Sep 2026
Regulatory Reforms Demanded for AYUSH Medical EducationPolicy experts and healthcare professionals have called for stricter regulatory oversight and quality control in AYUSH medical education institutions. While traditional systems of medicine play an important role in public health, uneven...
August 2026
29 Aug 2026
DPDP Act Compliance Costs Impact Ed-Tech SectorImplementation of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act is imposing significant compliance costs on India's educational technology sector. Ed-tech platforms collect extensive student data, including learning analytics and...
28 Aug 2026
Rapid Expansion of AYUSH Education Sees Growth in Private InstitutionsOfficial data shows that AYUSH educational institutions in India grew by 23 percent between 2021 and 2024, reaching 971 colleges with total admissions approaching 80,000 students. However, the expansion is heavily weighted toward...
27 Aug 2026
AYUSH education expands rapidly but private colleges dominateStatistics show a 23 percent increase in the number of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) colleges in India, growing from 789 in 2021 to 971 in 2024. However, this expansion is heavily lopsided toward private,...
19 Aug 2026
Balancing Unconditional Cash Transfers with Social Capital InvestmentEconomic policy debates have emerged over the rapid expansion of direct, unconditional cash transfer schemes by several state governments. Data shows that growing revenue expenditure on immediate cash assistance risks crowding out...
18 Aug 2026
Debate Surrounds Unconditional Cash Transfers vs Public SpendingRecent economic analyses indicate that an excessive focus on unconditional cash transfer schemes risks diverting resources from long-term public investments in health and education. While direct benefit transfers provide immediate...
18 Aug 2026
Protests and Calls for Examination System ReformsWidespread student protests across multiple states have renewed demands for a total overhaul of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and national examination mechanisms following paper leaks and evaluation errors. Political parties and...
02 Aug 2026
Higher Education Institutes Initiate Voluntary Drug Testing for AdmissionsElite institutions like IITs and IIMs have started voluntary urine drug tests during admissions as part of a national anti-drug mission. The government aims to screen 10 lakh students across 170 central higher education institutions by...
July 2026
31 Jul 2026
Parliament Passes Strict Anti-Paper Leak BillThe Parliament has passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill to combat malpractices in national examinations. The bill introduces larger fines, longer jail terms, and dedicated fast-track courts to deal...
28 Jul 2026
Deep-Rooted Vulnerabilities in the National Examination SystemBeyond the immediate crisis of paper leaks in the NEET examinations, experts have highlighted systemic vulnerabilities in India's testing infrastructure. These issues stem from institutional blind spots, insider networks, and powerful...
27 Jul 2026
High-Level Task Force Created for National Exam ReformsTo restore integrity and public trust in national-level competitive examinations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a high-level task force led by tech pioneer Nandan Nilekani. The task force is mandated to evaluate and...
24 Jul 2026
Sonam Wangchuk Ends 26-Day Hunger StrikeClimate activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his 26-day fast in New Delhi following a written assurance from the Union government. The government agreed to withdraw non-violent cases against student protestors and consider compensation for...
23 Jul 2026
Central Government Proposes Fast-Track Courts for Exam Paper LeaksPrime Minister Narendra Modi announced plans to set up specialized fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for individuals involved in academic paper leaks. The announcement comes amid nationwide student protests over...
21 Jul 2026
CIC Directs IITs to Form Student Suicide Prevention PanelsThe Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed all Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to constitute high-level committees to curb student suicides. The directive mandates that details of these committees and their mental...
17 Jul 2026
Higher Education Bill raises regulatory concernsA joint parliamentary committee is reviewing a new Higher Education Bill that critics suggest might lead to a heavy concentration of power in a single central regulator. The Bill aims to replace multiple existing bodies, but lawmakers...
17 Jul 2026
US tightens visa rules for students and journalistsThe US administration has introduced a final rule creating fixed time periods for F (student), J (cultural exchange), and I (media) visas. This replaces the 'duration of status' system, potentially making it more difficult for foreign...
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July 2026
16 Jul 2026
Inclusion of Screwpine Art Song in Kerala CurriculumIn a bid to preserve the dying traditional craft of screwpine weaving, the Kerala state education department has integrated 'Thazhappattu' (a folk song dedicated to the craft) into the school curriculum. Screwpine art, once a thriving...
16 Jul 2026
National Medical Commission Toughens Rules for Medical CollegesThe National Medical Commission (NMC) has drafted strict regulations to bar approval for new medical colleges that have incomplete infrastructure or inadequate teaching staff. The draft rules mark a regulatory shift aiming to prioritize...
15 Jul 2026
Goa Mandates Government Approval for Outside School SpeakersThe Goa government has issued a directive making it mandatory for schools to obtain official state approval before inviting outside speakers or hosting external organizations. While the administration frames this as a measure to protect...
15 Jul 2026
Supreme Court Questions "Native" Language DefinitionThe Supreme Court of India questioned the use of the term "native" in a Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) circular. The Court asked whether English could be considered an indigenous Indian language given its widespread,...
14 Jul 2026
Women enrollment in higher education sees significant growthNew data from the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) indicates a rise in women's participation in higher studies. However, experts warn that while enrollment is increasing, policy support is needed to ensure these women find...
11 Jul 2026
Education Delays Marriage Rather Than Restricting Family SizeWith a significant majority of Indian states having already completed their fertility transition, analysts pointing to NFHS-6 data state there is now limited scope for further fertility rate reductions through schooling. However, female...
08 Jul 2026
Resetting Engineering Education for Artificial IntelligenceAcademics and policymakers are calling for an urgent overhaul of India's engineering curricula to address the disruptive challenges posed by generative Artificial Intelligence. Traditional rote learning and legacy programming courses...
08 Jul 2026
High Court Clarifies Constitutional Stance on Moral Instruction in SchoolsRejecting a petition against the recitation of the Gayatri Mantra in state-aided schools, a High Court clarified that the Constitution does not ban moral instruction. The court distinguished moral teaching, which builds character and...
05 Jul 2026
Reforming India's Climate Literacy and Sustainability EducationExperts have emphasized that India must shift its sustainability and climate change education from rote academic theory to practical, community-level application. Integrating climate literacy as a core pillar of social infrastructure...
05 Jul 2026
Evaluating the CBSE Third Language Mandate and InclusivityThe debate surrounding the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) mandate requiring students to study multiple Indian languages has resurfaced. Critics argue that forcing students to learn at least two local Indian languages, at...
Practise Education
10 of our latest questions on this topic (out of 24).
Question 1 of 10
To prevent malpractices in recruitment examinations, the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has proposed a three-layer OMR sheet system. Where is the third copy of the OMR sheet planned to be stored?
Mains practice
While secure logistics are necessary to prevent exam paper leaks, the deeper challenges facing India's competitive examination system lie in systemic institutional failures and commercialized interests. Critically analyze this statement in light of recent controversies. Suggest institutional reforms required to restore credibility in national-level examinations.
15 marks
Previous years' questions
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