Gunjan Sharma

Stories by Gunjan Sharma

How foreign varsities modified campuses to prevent suicides

How foreign varsities modified campuses to prevent suicides

Rediff.com   11 hours ago

Indian educational institutions are adopting physical modifications like "anti-suicide" fans and barriers to prevent student suicides, drawing parallels with measures taken by foreign universities such as Houston, Cornell, Harvard, and NYU. While these measures are seen as "bandaid solutions" by some, experts suggest restricting access to lethal means is a valid part of a comprehensive suicide prevention strategy, alongside crucial mental health support.

Will The NEET Exam Go Online From Next Year?

Will The NEET Exam Go Online From Next Year?

Rediff.com   4 days ago

The ministry of education is actively formulating a computer-based testing strategy to transition the crucial NEET medical entrance exam to an online format.

9% students reported suicidal thoughts, 15% felt overwhelmed: SC panel

9% students reported suicidal thoughts, 15% felt overwhelmed: SC panel

Rediff.com   5 days ago

A nationwide survey by a Supreme Court-appointed panel reveals that 15% of higher education students felt overwhelmed or distressed, and 9% experienced suicidal thoughts in the past six months. The findings, part of an upcoming report, highlight deep-rooted social discrimination, academic pressures, and inadequate counselling services contributing to mental health concerns and rising student suicides in Indian Higher Educational Institutions.

NEET leak fallout: CISF to guard NTA's 'confidential' areas

NEET leak fallout: CISF to guard NTA's 'confidential' areas

Rediff.com   7 days ago

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has moved to a new office and deployed CISF security to safeguard confidential areas, following a major controversy over the NEET paper leak and administrative lapses. This move aims to implement foolproof security arrangements and restore public trust in the examination system.

Machine Learning Uncovers Patterns Of Aggression On Indian X During Key Events

Machine Learning Uncovers Patterns Of Aggression On Indian X During Key Events

Rediff.com   7 days ago

Researchers from Goa Institute of Management (GIM) and Goa Business School conducted a study analysing over 1.31 lakh posts on social media platform X using machine learning models. They found that indirect aggression is most common during major social, financial, sporting, and political events in India. The study classified aggression into overt, covert, and non-aggressive forms, noting that overt aggression remained relatively low but peaked during events like India's T20 World Cup loss. The findings have significant implications for online moderation and communication policies.

IIT Madras Breakthrough: Chemical-Free Surface Fights Superbugs

IIT Madras Breakthrough: Chemical-Free Surface Fights Superbugs

Rediff.com   6 Sep 2026

Researchers at IIT Madras have patented a chemical-free antibacterial surface that physically eliminates harmful bacteria, including "superbugs," without relying on antibiotics or disinfectants. This innovative technology uses specially engineered nanostructures to rupture bacterial cell walls, offering a sustainable solution to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) for biomedical and public health applications.

The rise and fall of Dharmendra Pradhan

The rise and fall of Dharmendra Pradhan

Rediff.com   25 Jul 2026

Dharmendra Pradhan's political career faced an unexpected jolt as he resigned as Education Minister following nationwide protests over the NEET paper leak, marking a significant departure from the government's initial dismissive response to the agitation.

Top education ministry officials shifted amid nationwide protests

Top education ministry officials shifted amid nationwide protests

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2026

The Indian education ministry has undergone a significant reshuffle of top officials, including the removal of higher education secretary Vineet Joshi, amidst widespread controversies surrounding NEET-UG paper leaks and CBSE digital evaluation glitches, with the opposition demanding the resignation of Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

How IIT Guwahati's 3D-Printed Walls Could Revolutionise Earthquake-Resistant Construction

How IIT Guwahati's 3D-Printed Walls Could Revolutionise Earthquake-Resistant Construction

Rediff.com   5 Apr 2026

Researchers at IIT Guwahati have developed a framework for designing earthquake-resistant 3D-printed concrete walls, potentially revolutionising construction in seismic zones.

Why Gender Concordance May Reduce Patient Satisfaction in Telemedicine

Why Gender Concordance May Reduce Patient Satisfaction in Telemedicine

Rediff.com   8 Mar 2026

A new study by the Goa Institute of Management (GIM) reveals that gender matching in telemedicine may negatively impact patient satisfaction, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive virtual healthcare platforms.

Tezpur University VC sent on leave amid protests

Tezpur University VC sent on leave amid protests

Rediff.com   1 Jan 2026

Nearly three months after students and teachers launched protests demanding the removal of Tezpur University Vice Chancellor (VC) Shambhu Nath Singh, the Ministry of Education (MoE) asked him to proceed on leave and ordered the setting up of an enquiry panel to probe into the allegations against him, according to officials.

Rethinking Homework in India's Classrooms

Rethinking Homework in India's Classrooms

Rediff.com   8 Sep 2025

With the rise of digital classrooms, students are often asked to create videos, prepare slideshows or use online research to complete assignments. 'We are glad that children are not spending hours copying notes in the name of homework but even now parents end up doing or supporting a major portion of the homework.'

Hindi or Tamil: Why TN sees red over 3-language formula

Hindi or Tamil: Why TN sees red over 3-language formula

Rediff.com   12 Mar 2025

The three-language formula proposed in the National Education Policy 2020, is at the centre of the political row between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led Tamil Nadu government and the central government.

Explained: How National Testing Agency functions

Explained: How National Testing Agency functions

Rediff.com   27 Jun 2024

Here is an explainer on the functioning of the seven-year-old body.

No need to teach about riots, demolition in schools: NCERT chief

No need to teach about riots, demolition in schools: NCERT chief

Rediff.com   16 Jun 2024

He hinted that the same hue and cry is not made about 1984 riots not being in textbooks.

NEET-UG grace mark row explained: What happened and why

NEET-UG grace mark row explained: What happened and why

Rediff.com   13 Jun 2024

There have been allegations of inflation of marks in NEET-UG which has led to a record 67 candidates sharing top rank with perfect score.

1 year after violence, Manipur is still a divided state

1 year after violence, Manipur is still a divided state

Rediff.com   3 May 2024

'The kind of situation we are seeing...we don't believe that this can happen in a settled democracy like India'

More Kuki outfits join Manipur poll boycott amid fresh violence

More Kuki outfits join Manipur poll boycott amid fresh violence

Rediff.com   15 Apr 2024

The Kukis have already declared that they are not fielding any candidate in the parliamentary polls as an act of boycott.

LS polls: Why 'weapon drop boxes' are put in Manipur

LS polls: Why 'weapon drop boxes' are put in Manipur

Rediff.com   14 Apr 2024

In violence-hit Manipur, the general buzz associated with elections and the related paraphernalia of posters, banners and rallies are missing but it is the presence of these brown boxes with pictures of guns that is symbolic of the strife-ridden society struggling to return to normalcy.

Warring Kukis, Meitis agree on one thing: Not right time for polls

Warring Kukis, Meitis agree on one thing: Not right time for polls

Rediff.com   13 Apr 2024

Living separately and refusing to co-exist in future, many members of both Kukis and Meitis communities ask - why elections at this time and what difference will they make?