Education

After Australia, why is the UK banning social media for under-16s? How will it work?

The UK is set to introduce one of the world's toughest online safety measures by banning social media access for under-16s. Inspired by Australia's model, the proposal would also restrict gaming, livestreaming and AI chatbot features, as governments worldwide move to protect children from online harms

Word of the Week is CBSE... as India’s largest school board faces its biggest crisis in years

The removal of CBSE’s top leadership amid the On-Screen Marking controversy has raised questions about accountability, exam reforms, and governance. As millions of students await results, Firstpost takes a look at how CBSE evolved into India’s largest school education board and why it is under the scanner now

CBSE extends Class 12 re-evaluation deadline amid portal access issues

CBSE on Saturday extended the deadline for submitting applications for verification and re-evaluation of Class 12 answer sheets by one day, following complaints from students about technical difficulties

What the Neet, CUET and CBSE crises reveal about India’s pressure-cooker education system

The Neet paper leak controversy, then CBSE's OSM row, along with uproar at recent CUET disruptions, have put India's education system under the scanner. As students juggle board exams and high-stakes entrance tests, questions are growing over whether the current model truly serves young minds

Nearly 40,000 students complete CBSE re-evaluation applications after portal restoration

The CBSE on Wednesday said that nearly 40,000 students of Class 12 have successfully completed the application process for verification of marks and re-evaluation after the restoration of its online portal.

CUET-UG 2026: NTA to re-conduct exam for candidates affected by technical glitch

The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Saturday announced that candidates affected by a technical disruption during the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) 2026 will be given another opportunity to appear for the examination.

Artemis II astronauts fly farther than ever during Moon flyby: What did they discover?

Nasa’s Artemis II astronauts made history by travelling farther from Earth than any humans before during a dramatic Moon flyby. From observing meteor impacts on the lunar far side to witnessing a rare solar eclipse, the mission delivered groundbreaking scientific insights and unforgettable views

Starmer to urge UK & Europe to step up commitments to Nato: Is it a rebuttal to the US?

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that his country and Europe need to step up their commitments to the Nato to avoid the risk of being overly dependent on the United States for defence.

How Budget 2026 speaks directly to Gen Z for the first time

Budget 2026 marks a shift in India’s economic storytelling, moving beyond taxes and deficits to reflect Gen-Z realities. From creative careers and AI-driven jobs to global travel, concerts, mental health and sports, the Budget aligns policy with how young Indians live, earn and spend

Centre orders X to remove ‘obscene, sexually explicit’ content, flags misuse of Grok AI

The Centre has issued a notice to X over the misuse of its AI tool Grok, citing violations of IT laws after it was allegedly used to generate and circulate obscene and sexually explicit content targeting women and children.

Is social media damaging your child’s ability to focus?

A new long-term research, tracking over 8,300 children in the US, has found a clear link between social media use and the rise in inattention symptoms between ages 10 and 14. While TV viewing and video games did not affect concentration, apps like Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat were associated with declining focus

Alaknanda: How Indian astronomers found a Milky Way-like galaxy

Indian astronomers have identified a surprisingly mature, Milky Way-like galaxy from the universe’s early era. Named Alaknanda, the spiral system — visible thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope and gravitational lensing — formed just 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang. Its structure challenges long-standing theories about when well-organised galaxies first emerged

'Baby shark, doo, doo...': How a 90-second children’s video created a $400-million brand

Pinkfong’s transformation from a small South Korean startup into a global children’s media powerhouse began with a 90-second video released in 2016. 'Baby Shark Dance' became the most-watched YouTube video ever, driving new franchises and now an IPO that valued the company at nearly $400 million

'Sorry, I forgot to pay': Indian woman in US caught shoplifting in viral video

A video of a young Indian woman in the US allegedly caught shoplifting from a clothing store has gone viral on social media, showing her crying and pleading with police not to handcuff her.