The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has recently disseminated two crucial advisories to its affiliated schools, directly impacting teachers, students, and administrators. One directive focuses on the enrollment of educators and school leaders in the NISHTHA professional development programs for the academic cycle spanning 2026-27, highlighting a continuous commitment to enhancing pedagogical expertise. The second notification brings to light the expansive availability of over 845 curriculum-aligned Virtual Labs and a wealth of digital learning resources, all accessible via the DIKSHA platform, underscoring a significant push towards integrated digital education.
The first notice extends an invitation to teachers and school heads to participate in the NISHTHA courses, specifically for the enrollment period between April and October 2026. NISHTHA, an acronym for the National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement, is a comprehensive professional development initiative meticulously designed to elevate the competencies and skills of both teachers and school administrators. For the upcoming 2026-27 academic year, the program is offering courses under two distinct categories: NISHTHA Category II (Proficiency Courses) and NISHTHA Category III (Advanced Courses). These programs are meticulously delivered through the Central Institute of Educational Technology-National Council of Educational Research and Training (CIET-NCERT), ensuring high-quality and standardized content.
Under NISHTHA Category II, two specialized courses are being offered: NISHTHA Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) and NISHTHA Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). These foundational courses are specifically tailored for all school heads and teachers who are engaged with students at the foundational and preparatory stages of their learning journey, typically up to Grade 5. The window for enrollment in these vital courses concludes on August 31, 2026, with the courses themselves scheduled to conclude by September 15, 2026, allowing ample time for completion.
NISHTHA Category III presents a diverse array of advanced courses, including “Cyber Hygiene Practices: Personal Digital Devices,” “Environmental Hazards of Electronic Waste (E-waste),” “Action Research,” and both English and Hindi versions of “Catch the Rain.” These advanced offerings are open to all school heads and teachers, providing opportunities for specialized skill development and knowledge acquisition in pertinent areas. Access to these courses is facilitated through the dedicated NISHTHA courses portal, and the board has strongly urged schools to disseminate this information broadly among their teaching staff, actively encouraging participation.
The second significant notice from CBSE focuses on the technological advancements in learning resources. It informs schools about the availability of over 845 Virtual Labs and an extensive collection of digital learning materials accessible through the DIKSHA platform. These innovative resources are the collaborative product of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, developed in conjunction with CIET-NCERT. The Virtual Labs are primarily concentrated on Science and Mathematics disciplines, and their content is meticulously mapped to the NCERT curriculum, ensuring direct relevance and alignment with academic standards.
Students and teachers have multiple avenues to engage with these valuable resources. The DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing) portal and its accompanying mobile application provide structured access to Virtual Labs, organized by grade, subject, and chapter. Furthermore, a highly convenient feature involves the mapping of Virtual Labs with QR codes embedded within NCERT textbooks. This allows students to effortlessly scan the relevant QR code to instantly access associated digital content. The board has also provided comprehensive grade-wise QR codes, offering broad access to various Virtual Labs and chapters across different academic levels.
Adding to the platform’s versatility is “Ask DIKSHA,” an advanced artificial intelligence-powered tool designed to assist users in efficiently searching for relevant Virtual Labs and other digital resources. Students can also leverage DIKSHA’s Personalised Adaptive Learning (PAL) courses to gain access to these Virtual Labs, further customizing their learning experience. CBSE has mandated that all affiliated schools share this critical information with students, teachers, and other stakeholders, urging them to fully utilize these enriching learning resources. These two notices collectively underscore CBSE’s proactive approach to bolstering teacher training and democratizing access to cutting-edge digital learning materials, ultimately enriching the educational landscape for all.
