Recent education developments across India include a public holiday in Kerala, the opening of UP Sainik School entrance examination registrations, proposed inspections of CBSE-affiliated schools over alleged dummy admissions, and discussions about extending the JEE Advanced attempt limit. These announcements affect school schedules, admission planning and examination eligibility.
Kerala Schools and Colleges to Close on October 19th
The Kerala government has declared October 19th, 2026, a public holiday on account of Durgashtami. Schools, colleges and other educational institutions across the state will remain closed on Monday, giving students and staff an extended break ahead of the Durga Puja holidays on October 20th and 21st.
The General Administration Department issued the order covering government and quasi-government offices, public sector undertakings, and educational institutions, including professional colleges. Students and staff should check with their respective institutions for any additional instructions regarding the holiday.
School holiday schedules for the festive period vary across states, so families should follow official announcements rather than assume that the same dates apply nationwide.
UP Sainik School Entrance Exam 2027-28 Registration Begins
The Uttar Pradesh Sainik Schools Society has opened online registration for the UP Sainik Schools Entrance Examination 2027-28. Students seeking admission to Classes 6 and 9 can apply through the official website, upsainikschool.org.
The entrance examination is intended for admission to Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey UP Sainik School in Lucknow and Sainik School in Gorakhpur. The institutions aim to develop students academically, physically, and mentally, including preparing them for potential careers in the Defence Services.
Applicants should note these important dates:
Last date without a late fee: October 25th, 2026, by 5 pm
Last date with a late fee: October 31st, 2026, by 5 pm, with an additional fee of Rs 2,000
Application correction window: November 3rd to 5th, 2026
Tentative entrance examination date: December 20th, 2026
Parents and candidates should review the official prospectus for eligibility, required documents, and application instructions. Submitting the form and paying the fee before the relevant deadline will help applicants avoid last-minute difficulties.
CIC Recommends Surprise Inspections at CBSE Schools
The Central Information Commission (CIC) has recommended surprise inspections of schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) following allegations of dummy admissions. The recommendation aims to strengthen compliance with attendance requirements and school affiliation conditions.
Dummy admissions generally refer to cases in which students are enrolled in a school but do not attend regular classes, while remaining registered to appear for board examinations. The issue has raised concerns about the integrity of school attendance records and whether students are meeting the requirements expected of regular candidates.
The recommendation was made in an order by Information Commissioner Sudha Rani Relangi under Section 25(5) of the Right to Information Act, 2005. Surprise checks could help identify irregularities and reinforce accountability among affiliated institutions.
For schools, the development highlights the importance of maintaining accurate admission records, monitoring attendance and following CBSE rules. EducationNewsNetwork will continue to cover developments affecting students, schools and examination policies as further decisions emerge.
JEE Advanced Attempt Limit Under Discussion
The Joint Admission Board (JAB) has begun deliberations on requests from engineering aspirants for a third attempt at JEE Advanced, or an alternative arrangement allowing two attempts over three consecutive years.
At present, candidates can attempt JEE Advanced twice in two consecutive years, based on when they first appear for their Class 12 board examinations. JEE Main, by comparison, permits candidates to appear over three consecutive years, with two sessions each year.
Supporters of a longer eligibility window argue that students may face illness, personal difficulties, or unequal access to early coaching. An online petition seeking a change has reportedly received more than 12,000 signatures.
However, the proposal remains under discussion. IIT Kanpur director Professor Manindra Agrawal has highlighted the need to consider whether an additional attempt would genuinely help students or lead some candidates to spend another year preparing without improving their chances. The matter requires further consultation, and no change to the existing rules has been confirmed.
Candidates should therefore continue to follow the current eligibility criteria until JAB announces an official decision. The outcome of these deliberations could affect future examination planning for engineering aspirants across the country.
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