The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to the principal of Thakur Ranmat Singh College in Rewa, highlighting grievances over non-generation of Sambhal Yojana card codes and pending scholarships. The action came after several students pursuing BBA and BCA courses complained they were being forced to pay over ₹25,000 in lump sum fees.

Sambhal Card Code Trouble

District president Pankaj Upadhyay, who led the delegation, said the absence of Sambhal card codes is making it impossible for students to avail fee waivers in instalments. “Without a generated code, the system pushes them to pay the full amount at once. Most of our students come from middle-class and farming backgrounds. This kind of upfront payment is unaffordable,” he told reporters outside the principal’s office.

Majority of the affected students are enrolled in professional courses that fall under the state’s Sambhal Yojana, designed to provide financial support to eligible categories. However, college authorities have reportedly not processed the codes on time, leaving students with no option but to pay the full annual fee.

Scholarship Delays Add to Crisis

The NSUI has also accused the college administration of collecting full fees under the assurance that scholarships would be reimbursed later. Upadhyay claimed that several students have not received their scholarship amounts for the past two academic years.

“They take the money upfront, and then keep saying the refund will come after the session ends. But years have passed, and families are still waiting. It’s a vicious cycle,” he said.

Local sources indicate that around 200 students across the BBA and BCA programmes are currently stuck in this limbo. With no clarity from the college or the state’s scholarship portal, many have had to borrow money or sell household assets to meet admission deadlines.

What the College Says

Principal of TRS College was not available for an on-record comment by the time this report was filed. However, a junior administrative staff member said, “The principal has received the memorandum. We are looking into the technical issues on the Sambhal portal. Scholarships are released by the state government, not the college.”

NSUI leaders rejected this explanation, pointing out that colleges are responsible for timely verification and code generation. They demanded that the principal issue a clear timeline for resolving both issues.

Three-Day Ultimatum

Upadhyay issued a stern warning: if no action is taken within three days, the union will launch an aggressive agitation in the interest of students. “We are not here to create trouble. But forced payment of ₹25,000 when the government clearly has a waiver scheme — that’s not acceptable,” he said.

The protest comes at a time when colleges across Madhya Pradesh are wrapping up admissions for the current semester. Education department officials have previously directed institutions to ensure no eligible student is denied benefits under Sambhal Yojana, but ground-level implementation remains patchy.

District administration sources said they have taken note of the issue. A meeting between college officials and NSUI representatives is expected within the next 48 hours. Meanwhile, students have been advised to keep their documentation ready for verification in case a fresh drive for Sambhal card codes is announced.

Vice-president Satyam Mishra, Rewa assembly president Sanskar Tripathi, district secretary Ajay Singh, and university unit president Vishu Vardhan Singh were among those present during the memorandum submission.

Spain-India Dual Year 2026: Education Minister Woos Spanish Universities

Dharmendra Pradhan invites campuses, stresses AI must bolster human creativity at New Delhi conference closing

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday wrapped up the India-Spain Conference on Higher Education here, pitching India as a prime spot for Spanish universities to set up campuses while underlining the need for AI to enhance—not eclipse—human judgment.

The two-day event, held February 19-20 at a time buzzing with the India AI Impact Summit 2026, got a strong push from the Spanish Embassy in India. It marks a key step in celebrations for the Spain-India Dual Year 2026, honouring 70 years of diplomatic ties.

Pradhan's Campus Call

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Pradhan highlighted how India's National Education Policy 2020 paves the way for global tie-ups. "India is open, ready, and welcoming," he said, extending a direct invite to top Spanish universities.

On the sidelines of the AI summit, the minister drove home a clear point: artificial intelligence should amplify human creativity, ethics, and decision-making. Democracies like India and Spain, he added, have a duty to steer responsible innovation.

From Talks to Action

Pradhan called the conference a shift "from dialogue to delivery." The knowledge bridges being built, he noted, will empower tomorrow's youth. Over 30 Spanish rectors and senior leaders from the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE), plus representatives from about 70 Indian institutions, joined in.

Dr Vineet Joshi, Secretary in the Higher Education Ministry, described the gathering as timely for bilateral ties. "Deliberations were focused and forward-looking," he said, pointing to education's role in innovation, growth, jobs, tech progress, and people-to-people links.

Spain's Enthused Response

Spanish Ambassador to India Juan Antonio March Pujol welcomed Pradhan's presence. "Knowledge fortifies societies and shapes generations," he remarked, stressing universities' centrality.

The ambassador outlined plans for joint research, student and faculty exchanges, and startup support. He hoped collaborations would gain steam through 2026, possibly with a follow-up in Spain and fresh MoUs. Pujol recalled PM Narendra Modi's assurance to Spain's leadership: academic partnerships are a top priority, with full facilities for campuses.

Prof Eva Alcón, CRUE President, reaffirmed Spain's commitment alongside its government. She saw the summit as the start of a lasting bond, eyeing work on fair education access, sustainability, global health—blending local needs with worldwide goals.

Ties in Broader Context

This conference slots into ramped-up India-Spain engagement. Diplomatic relations hit 70 years in 2026, with youth exchanges, research, and education at the core. Initial reports suggest strong momentum, especially after Modi's personal push.

For Indian students and institutions, Spanish campuses could mean more options without crossing borders—boosting skills in fields like AI and sustainability. Ground buzz from participants hinted at quick wins, like pilot exchange programs.

Spain-India Dual Year 2026 now eyes deeper university pacts. Officials hint at more summits ahead, with MoUs possibly inked soon. As Pradhan put it, these steps build youth confidence for a shared future.

Jammu University panel recommends dropping Jinnah from MA syllabus

The Departmental Affairs Committee moves to scrap topics on Jinnah, Sir Syed, and Iqbal following student protests; Board of Studies to take final call tomorrow.

The Departmental Affairs Committee (DAC) of Jammu University has recommended the immediate removal of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, and Muhammad Iqbal from the MA Political Science curriculum. The proposal follows intense student-led demonstrations and a growing administrative row over the inclusion of these figures in the academic session.

While the DAC has formalised its recommendation, the final decision rests with the Board of Studies, which is scheduled to convene an online meeting on March 24 to ratify the changes. The development comes at a time when the university faces pressure from student groups alleging that the inclusion of Jinnah’s political thought hurts national sentiments.

Protests trigger curriculum review

The controversy erupted after Jinnah’s political ideologies were introduced as part of the 'Minorities and the Nation' paper. Members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staged a massive protest on Saturday, carrying posters of Jinnah and demanding a syllabus overhaul.

The protestors argued that presenting Jinnah as a leader of minorities, rather than solely in the context of the 'Two-Nation Theory' and Partition, misrepresents historical facts. They maintained that academic freedom should not override national history.

Shift in academic context

Sannak Shrivats, ABVP's Jammu and Kashmir state secretary, pointed out that the objection lies in the "rebranding" of Jinnah within the revised syllabus. Previously, Jinnah was studied through the lens of Partition and the communal divide.

Under the new 2025 draft, however, he was positioned as a significant minority thinker. Shrivats stated that the organisation would not accept a narrative that provides a platform for the architect of India’s partition under the guise of minority studies.

Department defends UGC standards

Baljeet Singh Maan, Head of the Political Science Department, initially defended the inclusion of these thinkers, stating the curriculum was designed from a strictly academic perspective. He noted that the topics aligned with University Grants Commission (UGC) standards and national curriculum frameworks.

According to Maan, the objective was to expose postgraduate students to a variety of political thoughts to foster critical analysis. However, following the escalating protests, the university administration constituted a committee to review the syllabus, leading to the current recommendation for removal.

Political blame game begins

The issue has quickly taken a political turn, with the Congress party accusing the administration of creating a "deliberate controversy." JKPCC General Secretary Namrata Sharma noted that the draft syllabus, which also includes Savarkar and Golwalkar, has been in place for nearly a year.

"This curriculum was prepared in 2025 and remained unchallenged for months. Raising it now suggests an attempt to polarise the academic environment," Sharma said. She questioned the timing of the protests, suggesting that the sudden friction was politically motivated.

History of campus friction

Jammu University’s Political Science department is no stranger to ideological clashes. The current row echoes a 2018 incident where a professor faced severe backlash and university action after a video surfaced showing him referring to Bhagat Singh in a controversial light.

The recurring nature of these disputes highlights the sensitive balance between academic inquiry and regional political sentiments. Observers noted that the university administration is now treading cautiously to avoid further law-and-order disruptions on campus.

Final decision expected tomorrow

All eyes are now on the Board of Studies meeting on Tuesday. The board will decide whether to uphold the DAC’s recommendation or maintain the current academic structure. This decision is expected to set a precedent for how sensitive historical figures are treated in higher education across the region.

The outcome of tomorrow's meet will likely impact the academic calendar for the current semester. Government updates on the matter are expected shortly after the board concludes its deliberations, as this remains a high-priority trending news India story.