Current Affairs and Educational Issues
This domain tests awareness of recent educational policy, national programmes and the issues that shape schools. Stable anchors matter more than headline-chasing: NEP 2020, NCF 2023, the RTE Act 2009, Samagra Shiksha, NISHTHA, DIKSHA, PM eVIDYA, UDISE+, digital learning, foundational literacy and numeracy, teacher accountability and inclusive education. For UPSESSB, also know UP-specific initiatives such as Mission Prerna and the state's basic and secondary education structure.
Core anchors
- NEP 2020: replaces NPE 1986; 5+3+3+4 school structure; target of 50% GER in higher education by 2035; emphasis on mother tongue and foundational learning.
- NCF 2023: school curriculum framework aligned to NEP; the NCF for the Foundational Stage appeared in 2022.
- RTE Act 2009: free and compulsory education for ages 6–14; know the no-detention provisions and later amendments.
- Digital: DIKSHA for e-content, NISHTHA for teacher training, PM eVIDYA for multi-mode access.
- UP: Mission Prerna for foundational literacy and numeracy; basic education (classes 1–8) and secondary education are separate departments.
Worked example
If a question asks which framework guides school curriculum after NEP 2020, the answer is NCF 2023, not NPE 1986. Reason: NEP is policy; NCF is the curriculum framework that operationalises it.
Traps that cost marks
- Mixing NEP 2020 with NPE 1986.
- Treating NCF 2023 as a replacement for the RTE Act 2009.
- Using unverified 'latest' figures.
- Confusing NISHTHA (teacher training) with DIKSHA (content platform).
- Ignoring UP-specific schemes.
Working method
Maintain a two-column table: national policy and UP implementation. Revise only verified dates and names.