New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, Sept 1: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) celebrated its 65th Foundation Day with grandeur and a renewed commitment to educational transformation.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who graced the occasion as chief guest, hailed NCERT as a “pillar of India’s education system” and a “Gyan-Kumbh” (fountain of knowledge) that has shaped generations of learners.

Glad to be with the @ncert family on their 65th Foundation Day. Inaugurated and launched a host of educational initiatives. Also, released a book on the life and contribution of 100 great personalities of Odisha—‘Utkal Jananinkara Sujogya Santana.’

Extend my best wishes to NCERT… pic.twitter.com/mkTTj0SiV9 — Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) September 1, 2025

Addressing dignitaries, educators, and students, Minister Pradhan emphasized the need for NCERT to evolve into a research-driven university that leads global educational reform. He urged the institution to adopt a tech-enabled, reform-oriented approach, focusing on multilingual education, digital content development, and competency-based learning aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

On the occasion, Pradhan launched DIKSHA 2.0, an upgraded digital learning platform featuring structured lessons, adaptive assessments, performance feedback, and AI-powered tools like Read Aloud and multilingual text translation in 12 Indian languages. He interacted with students who have benefited from the platform, highlighting its role in personalized learning.

The Minister also unveiled the book Utkal Jananinkara Sujogya Santana, celebrating the lives and contributions of 100 eminent personalities from Odisha who played pivotal roles in the state’s development and India’s freedom movement. He praised NCERT’s efforts to integrate regional heritage into national education narratives.

Other initiatives launched included:
• Primers in Hindi, Sanskrit, Ho-Hindi, and Koya languages to promote inclusive and mother-tongue-based education.
• Bal Vatika – PM eVidya DTH Channel No. 35, offering foundational literacy content for children aged 3–6 years.
• Virtual Reality (VR) labs in four demonstration schools to enhance experiential learning.
• PRASHAST 2.0, a screening tool for early identification of children with disabilities.
• PM eVidya mobile app, a centralized gateway for digital learning resources.
• Kitab Ek Padhe Anek, a universal design initiative for accessible textbooks.

Pradhan stressed that building a Samriddh Bharat (Prosperous India) by 2047 requires nurturing critical and creative thinking among students. He called for NCERT to lead this transformation by fostering multilingual education and converting knowledge into practical skills.

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Secretary of the Ministry of Education Sanjay Kumar, NCERT Director Prof. Dinesh Prasad Saklani, Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti Chairman Chamu Krishna Shastry, UGC Chairman Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar, and former ISRO Chairman Dr. S. Somanath were, among others, present on the occasion.

As NCERT embarks on its next chapter, the 65th Foundation Day marked a turning point in its journey toward becoming a global leader in educational innovation and inclusivity.

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