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Gujarat continues to struggle with alarming school dropout rates, according to the latest Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2024&ndash;25 report under the NEP 2020 framework. The data highlights weak retention, teacher shortages, and infrastructural gaps compared with the national average.
At the secondary level, 13.6% of Gujarat students drop out, against 8.2% nationally. Girls are disproportionately affected, with 14.9% leaving school compared with 12.4% of boys. Middle-stage dropouts stand at 5.8% versus the national 3.5%. Smooth transitions between school phases are also poor: 92.6% move from foundational to preparatory stage (98.6% nationally) and only 86.1% advance from preparatory to middle (92.2% nationally). Completion through Class 12 remains weak at 28.6%, far below the national 47.2%.
A Pattern of Struggle Since 2022 The problem has persisted for years. In 2022&ndash;23, almost 23% of students in Grades 9 and 10 dropped out, totaling over 1.15 lakh children, nearly 10 percentage points above the national average. Subsequent years saw slight improvement, with secondary-level dropout rates ranging between 16&ndash;18%, still above India&rsquo;s 10.9%. By 2024&ndash;25, the rate fell to 13.6%, but Gujarat lags behind the national reduction from 13.8% to 8.2%.
Teacher Shortages and Single-Teacher Schools Gujarat now has 2,936 single-teacher schools serving more than 1.05 lakh students, up from 1,754 schools with 71,506 students in 2022&ndash;23 and 2,462 schools with 87,322 students in 2023&ndash;24. These schools rely on one teacher for multiple grades and administrative duties, limiting quality instruction. The state also has 63 zero-enrolment schools and a pupil&ndash;teacher ratio of 30, among the highest in India.
Dr. Manish Doshi, Chief Spokesperson of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee, criticized the government: "The condition of Gujarat&rsquo;s education system is deeply worrying. In many schools, a single teacher is running the entire institution. Burdened with both teaching and administrative responsibilities, they cannot maintain quality education, which directly harms students&rsquo; futures. This situation is the outcome of the BJP government&rsquo;s policies. Rural areas in particular suffer from a lack of teacher recruitment and infrastructure. The Congress demands immediate action to fill vacancies and strengthen the system."
He added that continued neglect would worsen urban&ndash;rural educational disparities.
Strains on Teachers and Weak Support Services Teachers face mounting pressures. Sunita Patel from Banaskantha said: "I handle multiple students across multiple grades on my own. Individual attention is impossible, and many students lose interest, particularly at the secondary level."
In Dahod, primary teacher Ramesh Parmar (name changed) shared: "We are expected to manage midday meals, paperwork, and administration, apart from teaching. Without adequate staff, the quality of education declines, and children in villages are the ones who suffer the most."
UDISE+ also highlights gaps in support services: only 70.6% of Gujarat schools conduct student medical check-ups (national average 75.5%), and private unaided schools trail in library access at 88.2% versus 91.7% nationwide.
Education experts warn that despite minor improvements in dropout rates, Gujarat&rsquo;s persistent weaknesses rising single-teacher schools, low retention, and inadequate health and support services signal a system under severe strain. Without sustained recruitment drives and investment beyond programs like Shala Pravesh Utsav, the state risks falling further behind national education trends.

Gujarat Schools Face Dropout, Teacher Crisis

UDISE+ 2024–25 shows Gujarat lagging in student retention and school support

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Before Operation Sindoor, a new terror alliance was taking shape in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), which could have posed a serious security threat to India, especially in Jammu and Kashmir (J&amp;K). Had the alliance succeeded, it would have strengthened global terror networks targeting the region.
The Indian armed forces acted decisively. Operation Sindoor, launched as a retaliation for the Pulwama attack that claimed 26 lives, dismantled this emerging terror order in just thirty minutes. The government had granted full authority to security agencies to neutralize terrorist networks, ensuring swift and precise action.
At the time, Hamas was also under pressure from Israeli operations. Terror groups in Kashmir, recognizing the symbolic link to Hamas, were attempting to form a solidarity front. A &ldquo;Kashmir Solidarity and Hamas Operation &lsquo;Al Aqsa&rsquo; Conference&rdquo; was held at Shaheed Sabir Stadium in Rawalkot on February 5 (Kashmir Solidarity Day in Pakistan), with leaders of Hamas, Lashkar-e-Tayiba, Jaish-e-Muhammad, and Hizbul Mujahideen in attendance. The conference featured provocative speeches against India and Israel, signaling plans to reclaim Kashmir.
India&rsquo;s response was decisive. Operation Sindoor involved multiple precision strikes targeting terror infrastructure in both Pakistan and PoK. Key hits included the Jaish-e-Muhammad headquarters in Bahawalpur, Lashkar&rsquo;s training facility in Muridke, and other camps hosting meetings of these terror groups. The strikes dismantled critical infrastructure and thwarted attempts to consolidate a global terror front.
The operation disrupted recruitment, morale, and funding within these groups. Hamas redirected its focus towards Israel, abandoning plans for collaboration in Kashmir. Pakistani terror leaders, including Masood Azhar and Hafiz Saeed, were forced to remain low-profile, avoiding exposure to prevent further Indian operations. Currently, the groups are focused on rebuilding lost infrastructure and circulating old propaganda to maintain internal morale.
Operation Sindoor effectively neutralized a looming global terror threat, reaffirming India&rsquo;s doctrine that acts of terror will be met with strong retaliation, deterring cross-border conspiracies and safeguarding national security.
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[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed]
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Operation Sindoor Thwarts Global Terror Nexus

Precision strikes in PoK dismantle terror networks, halting a major Kashmir threat

The entry of three Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) terrorists into Bihar via the Nepal route has put the state on high alert. The suspected JeM operatives have been identified as Hasnain Ali from Rawalpindi, Adil Hussain from Imerkot, and Mohammad Usman from Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
While the exact motive remains unclear, security agencies suspect they could be trying to infiltrate Jammu and Kashmir, as crossing the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) has become increasingly difficult. Earlier, it was believed that they might target Bihar&rsquo;s upcoming elections in November 2025, but officials now lean towards the Jammu and Kashmir angle.
Recent intelligence suggests that the ISI is using the Nepal route for illegal activities, including infiltration, terror operations, and smuggling of counterfeit currency. With local terrorist numbers in Jammu and Kashmir down and the morale of existing operatives affected by operations like Sindoor, Pakistan is reportedly seeking to reactivate its Over Ground Worker network. Infiltrating terrorists through Bihar and transporting them by road into J&amp;K could help achieve this.
Historically, the Punjab route was used, often aided by drones carrying arms, ammunition, and drugs to fund terror activities. While partially successful, tighter security along Punjab made infiltration harder compared to Bihar.
Following this recent breach, security along the Indo-Nepal border and in Seemanchal districts has been strengthened. Intelligence collection, surveillance, and patrolling have been increased in districts including Sitamarhi, Supaul, Araria, Madhubani, and East and West Champaran.
Bihar has long been a transit point for terror networks. The Indian Mujahideen previously used the Bihar-Nepal route, with operatives like Yasin Bhatkal arrested near the India-Nepal border while fleeing. SIMI members and other outfits have historically sought shelter in Bihar after carrying out attacks. Even before its ban, the Popular Front of India (PFI) recruited youth from districts like East Champaran and Muzaffarpur.
Though many of these groups no longer operate openly, some former members may now be aiding the ISI, ensuring safe passage for Pakistani terrorists into Bihar and subsequent transport to Jammu and Kashmir.
Security agencies continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent any potential threat from materializing. [Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed]

JeM Infiltration in Bihar Signals ISI’s New Tactic

Three JeM terrorists enter Bihar via Nepal route; security heightened for J&K transit

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to strike off nearly three lakh additional names from Bihar&rsquo;s electoral rolls during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, sources said on Friday.
The revision drive, which allows citizens to file claims or objections for inclusion and correction in the voter list, will conclude in just two days.
According to officials, the deletions are primarily of those who failed to provide the necessary identity documents despite repeated reminders from the Commission.
In the draft voter list released on August 1, close to 65 lakh names had already been removed across the state. The latest round of deletions is also concentrated in the Seemanchal region, covering districts such as Purnea, Araria, Kishanganj, Supaul, and Katihar, along with several other parts of Bihar.
The Commission is expected to publish a detailed list of deleted names soon, offering one final opportunity for citizens to verify and reclaim their voter rights before the revision ends.
Data released on Friday shows that while political participation in the revision exercise has been limited, individual voters have responded in large numbers. Between August 1 and 29, only 117 claims and objections were filed by political parties &mdash; 108 from CPI-ML and nine from RJD. No other party submitted any requests.
In contrast, the Commission has received 2,11,650 individual applications from citizens seeking inclusion in the voter rolls. Of these, 29,796 have been resolved in the last week alone.
Additionally, 11,36,565 Form-6 submissions and declarations were received during the exercise, with 48,797 cases disposed of over the past seven days.
Officials emphasized that the purpose of the drive is to ensure only genuine voters remain on the rolls, while bogus or ineligible names are eliminated. [Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed]

EC may drop 3 lakh Bihar voters in revision

Seemanchal districts face major deletions as EC’s voter list revision nears completion

India's mixed doubles pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto's impressive run at the BWF World Championships ended in pre-quarters after a straight-game loss to the Malaysian duo of Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei here on Friday.&nbsp;
Dhruv-Tanisha, who were just one win away from becoming the first Indian mixed doubles duo to secure a medal at the World Championships, suffered a 15-21, 13-21 loss against the Malaysians. 
This is the best-ever show for the Indians at a major event so far.
The 16th seeded India duo, who received a bye in the opening round, began their Badminton World Championships campaign with a comprehensive win over Irish duo Joshua Magee and Moya Ryan.
They then pulled off an upset against fifth-seeded Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet of Hong Kong, China. 
Coming from behind, after losing the opening game, the Indians held their calm and composure to seal the tie 19-21, 21-12, 21-15 to reach the quarterfinals.
But their fairy-tale campaign came to an end in the last 16 stage after going down the Malaysians.
The Indian campaign, however, continues in high anticipation, and all eyes will be on two-time medallist PV Sindhu and star men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty they look to secure semifinal spots and add to the country&rsquo;s impressive run in Paris.
Sindhu, who produced a version right out of her best years to take down one of the pre-tournament favourites world No. 2 China's Wang Zhi Yi to reach the quarterfinals, will take on Indonesia&rsquo;s Putri Kusuma Wardani in women&rsquo;s singles
Meanwhile, Satwik and Chirag will lock horns with Malaysian second seeds Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in men&rsquo;s doubles.
The Indian men's pair on Thursday registered a 19-21, 21-15, 21-17 win over sixth seeds Wang Chang/Liang Wei Keng, stopping a sequence of four straight losses to the Chinese, for a place in the quarterfinals.
&mdash;IANS

Indian badminton duo in action at world championships

Dhruv-Tanisha's dream run ends with quarterfinal loss at BWF World Championships in Paris

Dhruv-Tanisha Exit BWF Worlds In Quarterfinals

South Korean soldiers fire warning shots border

UNC: 30 North Korean troops crossed MDL, South Korea responded with warning shots

30 N. Korean troops cross border, S. Korea fires

Sacred to Spectacle: The Changing Face of Navratri

Navratri turns from sacred festival to social spectacle as glamour and profits rise

Gujarat BJP leaders hint at a major cabinet expansion and a new state president soon

Gujarat Cabinet Reshuffle on the Horizon

Japan’s Aoi Ito and Indonesia’s Janice Tjen set up all-Asian US Open qualifier showdown

Ito, Tjen to Clash in US Open Qualifiers

High tides lash China’s coast as Typhoon Kajiki nears

Level-IV emergency declared as Kajiki nears Hainan, heavy rain and strong winds expected

China braces for powerful Typhoon Kajiki

Unexpected Gujarat Cabinet Meeting Sparks Buzz

PM Modi’s visit coincides with sudden 5 PM cabinet meeting, fueling reshuffle speculation

Tragedy at Alexandria Beach: 6 Students Drown

Field trip turns deadly as waves sweep away students; 24 others injured

Masked shooter arrested after gunfight with police

Shooter arrested after gunfight with cops for firing at Elvish Yadav’s Gurugram house

Shooter Held After Firing At Elvish Yadav’s House

US F-35 fighter jets deployed in Korea for joint drills

Amid rising tensions, US may keep F-35 jets in Korea beyond joint exercise phase

US F-35 jets eye permanent Korea stationing

Court orders Rs 24,800 for workers, Rs 20,300 for helpers with arrears from April 2025

Gujarat HC Hikes Anganwadi Pay Scales

The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rain at few places and very heavy rain at isolated places throughout the day with the alert continuing till 8:30 am on Friday.
Disruption due to heavy rain Between 4 am and 1 pm on Thursday, many areas in Mumbai received more than 100 mm of rain, with Malpa Dongri area of Andheri receiving the highest of 157 mm. Heavy rains have disrupted public transport services, flight and train operations and inundated many low-lying areas.
BMC asks for precautions BMC has asked schools to inform parents and take necessary precautions, so that proper coordination can be ensured at the school level. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is continuously monitoring the situation and has directed officials to provide necessary facilities to the flood-affected people.
IMD issues alert for other districts Apart from 'red' alert for Mumbai, IMD has issued 'orange' alert for Ratnagiri district, indicating heavy to very heavy rain and yellow alert for Sindhudurg district on Thursday. Heavy rains have created problems across Maharashtra, with rescue operations underway in flood-hit areas.

IMD એ શુક્રવારે સવારે 8:30 વાગ્યા સુધી એલર્ટ ચાલુ રાખવા સાથે કેટલાક સ્થળોએ ભારેથી અતિભારે વરસાદ અને દિવસભર અલગ-અલગ સ્થળોએ અતિ ભારે વરસાદની આગાહી કરી છે.
ભારે વરસાદને કારણે વિક્ષેપ
ગુરુવારે સવારે 4 થી બપોરે 1 વાગ્યાની વચ્ચે, મુંબઈના ઘણા વિસ્તારોમાં 100 મીમીથી વધુ વરસાદ નોંધાયો હતો, જેમાં અંધેરીના માલપા ડોંગરી વિસ્તારમાં સૌથી વધુ 157 મીમી વરસાદ નોંધાયો હતો. ભારે વરસાદને કારણે જાહેર પરિવહન સેવાઓ, ફ્લાઈટ અને ટ્રેનની કામગીરી ખોરવાઈ ગઈ છે અને ઘણા નીચાણવાળા વિસ્તારોમાં પાણી ભરાઈ ગયા છે.
BMCએ સાવચેતી રાખવા વિનંતી કરી છે
BMCએ શાળાઓને વિનંતી કરી છે કે તેઓ વાલીઓને જાણ કરે અને જરૂરી સાવચેતી રાખે, જેથી શાળા સ્તરે યોગ્ય સંકલન સુનિશ્ચિત કરી શકાય. મહારાષ્ટ્રના મુખ્ય પ્રધાન એકનાથ શિંદે સતત પરિસ્થિતિ પર નજર રાખી રહ્યા છે અને અધિકારીઓને પૂરથી પ્રભાવિત લોકોને જરૂરી સુવિધાઓ પૂરી પાડવાનો નિર્દેશ આપ્યો છે.
IMD એ અન્ય જિલ્લાઓ માટે એલર્ટ જાહેર કર્યું છે
મુંબઈ માટે 'રેડ' એલર્ટ સિવાય, IMD એ રત્નાગીરી જિલ્લા માટે 'ઓરેન્જ' એલર્ટ જારી કર્યું છે, જે ગુરુવારે સિંધુદુર્ગ જિલ્લા માટે ભારેથી અતિભારે વરસાદ અને યલો એલર્ટનો સંકેત આપે છે. ભારે વરસાદને કારણે સમગ્ર મહારાષ્ટ્રમાં સમસ્યા સર્જાઈ છે, પૂર પ્રભાવિત વિસ્તારોમાં બચાવ કામગીરી ચાલી રહી છે.

BMCએ ગુરુવારે મુંબઈની તમામ શાળાઓ અને કૉલેજોમાં રજા જાહેર કરી છે જ્યારે ભારતીય હવામાન વિભાગ (IMD) દ્વારા શહેરમાં 'રેડ' વરસાદનું એલર્ટ જારી કરવામાં આવ્યું છે.

મુંબઈમાં વરસાદની ચેતવણી: BMCએ IMDની 'રેડ' ચેતવણી જારી કર્યા પછી શાળાઓ અને કોલેજોમાં રજા જાહેર

आईएमडी ने पूरे दिन कुछ स्थानों पर भारी से बहुत भारी बारिश और अलग-अलग स्थानों पर बहुत भारी बारिश की भविष्यवाणी की है और अलर्ट शुक्रवार सुबह 8:30 बजे तक जारी रहेगा।
भारी बारिश से व्यवधान गुरुवार सुबह 4 बजे से दोपहर 1 बजे के बीच मुंबई के कई इलाकों में 100 मिमी से ज्यादा बारिश हुई, जिसमें अंधेरी के मालपा डोंगरी इलाके में सबसे ज्यादा 157 मिमी बारिश हुई. भारी बारिश के कारण सार्वजनिक परिवहन सेवाएं, उड़ान और ट्रेन संचालन बाधित हो गया है और कई निचले इलाकों में पानी भर गया है।
बीएमसी ने सावधानियां बरतने को कहा बीएमसी ने स्कूलों से अभिभावकों को सूचित करने और आवश्यक सावधानियां बरतने को कहा है, ताकि स्कूल स्तर पर उचित समन्वय सुनिश्चित किया जा सके। महाराष्ट्र के मुख्यमंत्री एकनाथ शिंदे लगातार स्थिति पर नजर रख रहे हैं और उन्होंने अधिकारियों को बाढ़ प्रभावित लोगों को आवश्यक सुविधाएं प्रदान करने का निर्देश दिया है।
आईएमडी ने अन्य जिलों के लिए अलर्ट जारी किया है। मुंबई के लिए 'रेड' अलर्ट के अलावा, आईएमडी ने रत्नागिरी जिले के लिए 'ऑरेंज' अलर्ट जारी किया है, जो गुरुवार को भारी से बहुत भारी बारिश और सिंधुदुर्ग जिले के लिए पीला अलर्ट का संकेत देता है। पूरे महाराष्ट्र में भारी बारिश ने समस्याएँ पैदा कर दी हैं, बाढ़ प्रभावित इलाकों में बचाव कार्य जारी हैं।

बीएमसी ने गुरुवार को मुंबई के सभी स्कूलों और कॉलेजों में छुट्टी की घोषणा की है, जबकि भारत मौसम विज्ञान विभाग (आईएमडी) ने शहर में 'रेड' बारिश का अलर्ट जारी किया है।

मुंबई में बारिश का अलर्ट: आईएमडी द्वारा 'रेड' चेतावनी जारी करने के बाद बीएमसी ने स्कूलों और कॉलेजों में छुट्टी की घोषणा की

The BMC has declared a holiday in all schools and colleges in Mumbai on Thursday while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'red' rain alert in the city.