♦ Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan chaired the 13th Meeting of the Council of National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and Research (NITSER) in New Delhi on 13 January 2026. During the meeting, Mr Pradhan reviewed presentations on elevating academic and research standards, enhancing governance efficiency and further boosting innovation and entrepreneurship at National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and Indian Institutes of Engineering Science and Technology (IIESTs).

♦ The Minister stressed that the curricula provided in these institutes must be aligned with national priorities and should be industry-centric. He also suggested that the institutes create an industry-led curriculum committee for developing a curriculum based on emerging job roles and 21st century requirements. The Minister stated that the country’s premier technological institutions must also come under an accreditation framework.