VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Her husband locked her inside a windowless house for 15 years: Meet Sonabai Rajwar, who turned her prison into a museum and pioneered clay art in Chhattisgarh | A 1,700-year-old inscription found at a Mithras temple mentions Jesus Christ and may show how Christianity overtook a mysterious Roman cult Delhi-NCR office leasing hits record high; flexible operators account for 45% | Trump announces Turkey sanctions lift at Nato summit, signals possible F-35 fighter jet sale School PGI climbs, but learning score stays frozen (Image/ANI) NEW DELHI: Chandigarh has become the first State/UT in the PGI 2.0 series to enter the top (Uttam) range, scoring 766 out of 1,000 in 2025-26. But a domain-wise reading of the union education ministry’s latest Performance Grading Index 2.0 report released Tuesday shows the recent rise was driven mainly by governance processes, infrastructure and teacher training, while the 240-point learning outcomes domain (the ultimate goal) remained unchanged because the index retained PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 scores for 2025-26.The Performance Grading Index 2.0 evaluates States and UTs by placing them in grade bands rather than assigning ranks. It is built on 70 indicators across two categories — outcomes and governance, and management — and six domains: learning outcomes and quality, access, infrastructure and facilities, equity, governance processes, and teacher education and training.The 2025-26 edition marks a clear shift. Chandigarh became the first State/ UT in the PGI 2.0 series to enter the Uttam range, scoring 766 out of 1,000 in 2025-26 and placing in Uttam-3, the lowest of the three Uttam bands. No State/UT reached Uttam-2, Uttam-1 or Utkarsh. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Punjab, Kerala and Delhi were in Prachesta-1, followed by five in Prachesta-2, 13 in Prachesta-3 and 13 in Akanshi-1. For the first time in the latest three-year comparison, none was in the lowest bands (Akanshi-2 or Akanshi-3). The PGI 2.0 band hierarchy, from highest to lowest, is Utkarsh, followed by Uttam (1-3), Prachesta (1-3), and Akanshi (1-3), one being the top.The climb is also visible at the bottom. Meghalaya, the lowest performer, moved from 448 in 2024-25 to 525.7 in 2025-26, exiting Akanshi-3. The gap between the highest and lowest scores narrowed to 240.3 points, or 31.4%, from 51% in 2017-18. The report notes that Meghalaya scored 53%, while all other States/ UTs were above 50%.A TOI analysis of the State-wise annexures shows 32 of 36 States/ UTs improved over 2024-25. The average gain was 26.4 points, led by governance processes, which contributed 13.6 points on average, followed by infrastructure and facilities at 6.3 points and teacher education and training at 4.7 points. Learning outcomes showed no movement.Governance was the main engine. Meghalaya gained 45.1 points in this domain, Lakshadweep 36.6, Bihar 34.9, Karnataka 33.2, Tamil Nadu 32.5, Goa 32.1 and Andhra Pradesh 32.0. Chandigarh’s own 26.9-point overall rise rested heavily on governance, where it moved from 83.2 to 106, becoming the only State/UT in Uttam-1 in the domain.The same domain explains the reversals. Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Uttarakhand were the only four to decline overall, with each losing ground mainly on governance. Puducherry improved overall but slipped to 39.2 in governance, the only Akanshi-1 score in that domain.Infrastructure was the second driver. Gujarat added 22.5 points, Lakshadweep 17.9, Meghalaya 15.7 and Delhi 15.2. Chandigarh, DNH&DD, Delhi and Lakshadweep reached Uttam-2 in infrastructure. In equity, Chandigarh, Delhi and Tamil Nadu were in Utkarsh; in teacher education and training, Kerala and Lakshadweep reached Utkarsh.The caveat is learning. Punjab remained the national leader and the only State/UT in Uttam-3 in learning outcomes, while Meghalaya stayed last in Akanshi-2. The report calls learning outcomes the “ultimate goal” of the index, but says PRS 2024-based scores were retained for 2025-26.At the district level, PGI-D shows wider but uneven improvement: 462 districts improved in outcomes and 50 moved up a grade, while 19 districts reached Uttam-2. But no district reached Utkarsh, underlining the same message as the State index: systems are moving, but the classroom test is still ahead.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosThree Dead, Several Missing After Massive Landslide Near Kerala Tunnel Project SiteWhy Does Mumbai Flood Every Monsoon? 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Space force stages orbital war game between two spacecraft El Nino impact: India’s hydropower generation sees steepest drop since Feb 2024; piles pressure on grid France’s Marine Le Pen sentenced to house arrest, 2027 presidential bid remains uncertain Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday invoked the popularity of Bollywood film ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ in Indonesia to describe the warmth between the two countries, saying India-Indonesia ties could go far beyond ‘kuch kuch’ and lead to ‘bahut kuch’.Addressing the Indian diaspora during his three-day visit to Indonesia, PM Modi said he had noticed the popularity of the Bollywood song in the country and had mentioned it to President Prabowo Subianto.”I express my heartfelt gratitude to President Prabowo for his words. Excellency, you are a true friend of India. Thank you for being here. I have been overwhelmed by the warmth and affection shown to me by the people of Indonesia; words fall short to describe it… I saw a clear reflection of love, respect, and a deep sense of connection towards India on every face,” PM Modi said.”I noticed that the Bollywood song ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ is very popular here. Today, I told President Prabowo that when India and Indonesia move forward together, it goes far beyond just ‘kuch kuch’; it leads to ‘bahut kuch’…,” he added.PM Modi, in his speech, also spoke about Indonesia’s passion for football, linking his visits to the country with FIFA World Cup years.”Football fever is sweeping the world these days. Here in Indonesia, too, the passion for football is immense, and it is evident that you have all brought that same energy and enthusiasm with you here,” PM Modi said.He recalled that his earlier visits in Indonesia had also coincided with World Cup years.Indonesia President Subianto, who also addressed the diaspora, struck a light-hearted note while speaking about his own connection with India.He said that before his state visit to India, he had undergone a genome sequencing test and found that he had Indian DNA.”Just before my state visit to India, I had done the genome sequencing test and I found out that I had Indian DNA,” he said, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.”So whenever I hear Indian music, I find my body moving… Today at the state banquet, I cannot help; my ministers and generals they all like to dance and sing. Maybe most of them have Indian DNA also… It’s true. Most of my ministers sing Indian songs really well,” he added.During the visit, Subianto conferred the ‘Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia’ Medal of Honour on Modi in recognition of his role in strengthening India-Indonesia friendship.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWhy Does Mumbai Flood Every Monsoon? The Real Reasons Explained’New Species Of Girgit’: Yogi Adityanath Slams SP, Congress Over Ram Temple Donation Theft CaseWho Was Jaswant Singh Khalra? 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NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday put the spotlight on the number eight during his address to the Indian diaspora in Jakarta, using a series of numerical references to underline his friendship with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and the close ties between the two countries.Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said, “Friends, India celebrated its Republic Day with great enthusiasm on January 26 last year. Twenty-six… 2 plus 6 equals 8, and my friend the President’s birthday is on the 17th, 1 plus 7 also equals 8. President Prabowo attended the Republic Day celebrations as the Chief Guest. During that visit, we had detailed discussions on many issues. But one particular remark from that visit remains special to me. Mr President, you had then said, and you repeated it again today, that you have India’s DNA. That one statement won the hearts of millions of Indians, and even today, it received the loudest applause. It truly touched the hearts of the people of India.”The reference drew attention because the number eight carries special significance in Indonesia. Influenced by Chinese cultural traditions and Feng Shui, the number is widely regarded as a symbol of prosperity, success and good fortune. In Mandarin, the pronunciation of the number eight, “ba”, closely resembles the word “fa”, which means wealth or prosperity, making it one of the most auspicious numbers in many Asian societies.President Prabowo Subianto was born on October 17, 1951. PM Modi’s reference to his birth date, where 1 plus 7 equals 8, followed another numerical connection to India’s Republic Day on January 26, where the digits two and six also add up to eight.The symbolism extended beyond birthdays. Indonesia celebrates its Independence Day on August 17 every year, commemorating its declaration of independence in 1945. Once again, the date 17 reduces to eight, reinforcing the cultural importance of the number.PM Modi’s speech blended symbolism with references to the growing India-Indonesia partnership. Calling Prabowo “a true friend of India”, he thanked the Indonesian people for their warm welcome and highlighted the deep civilisational ties between the two countries.The Prime Minister also used a Bollywood reference to connect with the audience, saying, “I noticed that the Bollywood song ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ is very popular here. Today, I told President Prabowo that when India and Indonesia move forward together, it goes far beyond just ‘kuch kuch’; it leads to ‘bahut kuch’…”During the event, PM Modi described India-Indonesia relations as “civilisational”, said India’s economy is playing a major role in driving global growth, and stressed that both countries share the common goal of development.His visit to Indonesia saw the two nations sign 20 agreements across defence, maritime security, education, digital technology and critical minerals. PM Modi also addressed the Indonesian Parliament, received Indonesia’s highest civilian honour, the Bintang Adipurna, and announced that India would help conserve the 1,000-year-old Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that stands as a symbol of the two countries’ shared cultural heritage.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWhy Does Mumbai Flood Every Monsoon? The Real Reasons Explained’New Species Of Girgit’: Yogi Adityanath Slams SP, Congress Over Ram Temple Donation Theft CaseWho Was Jaswant Singh Khalra? 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