This study will be done by PARAKH. This will take place at the end of March 2026 and will assess the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) competencies among students completing Grade 3. Inputs from this study will then further give an insight into what is working, what needs to be improved and the changes that need to be done in terms of policy and frameworks. This will also guide the implementation of new teaching pedagogies, and interventions to strengthen early learning.

What is the Foundational Learning Study 2026?

FLS is a nationwide assessment to evaluate whether students have developed the necessary basic literacy and numeracy skills as expected by the end of Grade 3. There will be two key areas that will be in focus for the study.

1. Foundational Literacy: This includes basic reading, comprehension and language skills.
2. Foundational Numeracy: This includes number sense, arithmetic understanding and problem-solving ability.

For students to grow up with strong foundational learning skills, they will have less difficulty in coping with different subjects as they move on to higher classes. With a weak base, they will have trouble understanding in later grades. This is the reason national education initiatives prioritise a strong emphasis on monitoring at the foundational stage. The assessment will be carried out by PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development) under the guidance of NCERT.

Why is FLS 2026 important?

The Foundational Learning Study will help the Indian Government to understand the success of foundational learning programmes across the country. The evidence-based study will provide important insights for future planning. This assessment will help to:

1. Identify learning gaps in reading and mathematics
2. Support better planning for early grade education
3. Design targeted learning interventions

Strengthen teaching practices in primary classes

What is changing in FLS 2026?

Although, the most striking change in the study this year is the shift from paper-based assessment to tablet based digital platform. This will greatly improve the quality and speed of the assessment process. This also shows that there is an increased use of digital tools in educational evaluation procedures and studies. Many of the advantages to be provided by this method include:

1. Increased accuracy of data, as everything will be digital
2. Analysis and release of reports would be faster
3. Manual errors due to loss of files and handwriting errors would significantly reduce

Large-scale assessment would be conducted more efficiently.

What is the scale of the foundational learning study 2026?

The FLS will be conducted on a national level, i.e. across the country. According to CBSE,

• More than 10,000 schools will participate
• Over 1,00,000 students will be assessed
• The study will cover 776 districts

Participation will span 36 States and Union Territories

What role will the schools have in the study?

The selected schools will play a critical role in ensuring that the assessment process is conducted without any delays or issues. However, for this to happen, CBSE has requested the leaders of affiliated schools for the following:

• The schools should remain open and operational on the given assessment dates.
• Assessment teams visiting the school for study should be provided with full cooperation.

Administration of the assessment will be managed by the same teams and will require the support of the teachers.

How The Study Will Be Coordinated

FLS will involve collaboration between various educational institutions and government bodies. These institutions will ensure smooth implementation and is carried out   At the national level. Technical guidance will be provided by PARAKH at NCERT. At the state and district levels, coordination will be handled by agencies including:

• Samagra Shiksha
• State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs)
• State Institutes of Education (SIEs)
• District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs)

District Education Offices

What will happen after the study is done?

Once the study is finished, the results will be analysed. These results will then provide valuable evidence for improving foundational education in the country. Furthermore clearer insights will be made available to the educators and policy makers to understand where additional support is needed, which strategies are working well and how different programs can be improved for teachers and students.

FAQs

Q. What is FLS 2026?

Ans. FLS stands for Foundational Learning Study 2026.

Q. Who will conduct FLS?
Ans. PARAKH will conduct this study across schools nationwide.

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Education in the 21^st century is no longer limited traditional subjects. It prepares students for a future that is shaped by technology, creativity and innovation. This is where STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) comes into play.

Long gone are the days when students only memorized facts. The world today needs critical thinking, problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to new challenges. By introducing STEAM as a part of the curriculum, we need to create an environment of learning where students are encouraged to explore, innovate and think outside the box.

But why is STEAM education important?

1. Bridges the gap between disciplines – STEM subjects focus only on the technical side whereas STEAM introduces Arts, making the learning more well-rounded. Students benefit from an interdisciplinary approach by understanding the links between seemingly unrelated fields. It helps them develop a diverse skill set that equips them to take on challenging real-world problems.
2. Critical thinking and problem-solving – Students often engage in project-based learning as part of STEAM to take on real-world challenges and work together to find solutions. To arrive at the best possible solution, students analyze, test and modify their methods. These practical, hands-on learning experiences help them develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

3. Creativity meets technology – Integration of creativity with technical skills is one of the best aspects of STEAM education. Students learn that technology is much more than coding, it’s about using technology to express ideas, solve a problem they learn. Whether it is designing a robot, building a bridge or creating an app, it has become inherently important for students to nurture both analytical and creative aspects of learning to succeed in the constantly evolving job market.

AI STEAM Lab

At AASOKA, we know the value of getting our students prepared for the world. That is the reason we established the AI STEAM Lab – a lab designed for students to experience STEAM education in an interactive manner.

Students get a chance to work with technology in a hands-on manner through coding, robotics, artificial intelligence, and many more through interactive sessions in the lab. With the help of interactive modules, students can create, experiment and learn by engaging in practical work – acquiring the skills they will need to flourish in a multi-faceted universe.

The AASOKA Innovative STEAM Lab is more than just a space for learning; it’s a place where students can build, explore, and innovate with the tools of tomorrow. By incorporating AI, robotics, and creative technologies, the lab helps foster critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving – all vital skills for the next generation of leaders, engineers, artists, and innovators.

Such labs will have more value in education in the future. The aim of the AI STEAM Lab is to make sure they are not only receivers of data, but take an active role in the process of learning.

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Have you ever seen the joy on a child’s face when they finally understand something? Early childhood education is centred on this thrill of discovery, which the NIPUN Bharat Mission remains firmly committed to developing. The National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN Bharat) was launched to ensure that every child in India achieves foundational literacy and numeracy by Grade 3. However, reaching this objective requires more than just conventional teaching techniques; it also requires ingenuity, creativity, and resources that engage young students. AASOKA Wizkids can help with it.

What is AASOKA Wizkids?

AASOKA Wizkids is a treasure chest of learning for kids aged 3 to 8. We designed this learning kit, packed with over 120 multidisciplinary activities, toys, and resources, with play and exploration in mind. Everything in the kit has a purpose: to make learning exciting, hands-on, and meaningful for early learners.

Here’s what makes it special:

 – Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN): The activities are designed to strengthen basic skills in reading, writing, and math. These are not just boring worksheets; instead, they are interactive games and exercises that aim to make learning enjoyable.

 – AASOKA Bot: This screenless, button-based coding robot introduces kids to computational thinking and skills including problem-solving, pattern recognition in a simple way.

 – Critical and Creative Thinking: These activities encourage children to ask questions, think deeply, and come up with their own solutions.

 – Real-World Problem Solving: Kids learn how to apply what they know to everyday situations, giving them a sense of confidence and independence.

How Does AASOKA Wizkids Support the NIPUN Bharat Mission?

The NIPUN Bharat Mission stresses building strong foundational skills early on, and AASOKA Wizkids is ideal for this purpose. Here’s how:

1. Interactive, Engaging Learning
   Children are inherently curious. AASOKA Wizkids takes advantage of this curiosity through activities that encourage play and discovery. Be it learning numbers in a fun, interactive game or discovering patterns with the screenless coding bot, every task keeps them engaged and eager to learn more.
2. Inclusivity for All Learners
   The kit is adaptable which implies that it works well for all children in regardless of their learning stages. AASOKA has designed tools and activities to be accessible and impactful, whether a child is in an urban classroom or a rural setup.
3. Skill Development Beyond Academics
   Literacy and numeracy are indeed at the core, yet this learning kit takes it a step further by developing skills such as logical thinking, creativity, and teamwork. These activities are critical for the child’s all-around development and perfectly align with the broad objectives of NIPUN Bharat.
4. Empowering Parents and Teachers
   The kit is not just for the students; it is also an invaluable resource for the teachers, too. These ready-made tools and resources help improve the dynamics of teaching while keeping the students engaged and eager to learn.

Why Early Childhood Education Matters

Early life serves as the basis for all subsequent education. The development of good reading, writing and mathematical abilities positions kids for success in both school and in life. The NIPUN Bharat Mission recognizes this, and AASOKA Wizkids is honoured to be a part of this mission.

A Vision for the Future

With resources like AASOKA Wizkids, we’re not just teaching kids the fundamentals—we’re also giving them the confidence and abilities they need to succeed in a world that is changing constantly. Every game, every activity, and every moment of discovery helps to create a better future, one child at a time.

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India’s education landscape is transforming and one mission leading this shift is NIPUN Bharat (National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy). With its ambitious aim to achieve foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) for all children by Grade 3 by 2026-27, this mission is a critical step towards building a future where every child is empowered to learn and thrive.

Literacy and numeracy are the roots of learning. Before diving into complex subjects, young learners need a solid base in understanding, processing, and using information effectively. But NIPUN Bharat goes beyond just the ABCs and 123s. It’s about ensuring that every child can comprehend, communicate and think critically, setting them up for success in higher learning and in life.

NIPUN Bharat’s Key Developmental Goals

It highlights a holistic approach:

1. Good Health and Wellbeing: Recognizing that physical and mental wellness are essential for effective learning, this goal focuses on creating a supportive, healthy environment for children.
2. Effective Communication: Children are encouraged to become clear and confident communicators. This isn’t just about language but also about expressing ideas, thoughts, and emotions in a variety of contexts.
3. Involved Learning and Environmental Connection: This goal promotes active learning where children engage deeply with what they’re studying. It also encourages them to connect with their immediate environment, sparking curiosity and awareness about the world around them.

These goals align with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates for quality early education that is flexible and adaptable to each child’s needs. NIPUN Bharat fosters this by moving away from rote learning and instead emphasizing interactive, experiential methods and competency-based learning. Activities like games, storytelling, and hands-on projects help bring abstract concepts to life, making learning both meaningful and enjoyable.

Role of Community

Another cornerstone of NIPUN Bharat is community involvement. Learning extends beyond school walls, and the mission involves parents, educators, and community leaders to create a seamless environment. When education becomes a natural part of children’s lives—at home, in their community, and at school—it enhances their interest and motivation. By bridging school and real life, NIPUN Bharat builds a foundation for lifelong learning.

Inclusivity

Inclusivity is at the heart of the mission, ensuring that every child, regardless of background or ability, gets the support they need to succeed. Through adaptive teaching methods, teacher training programs, and resource allocation, NIPUN Bharat works to provide a level playing field. This inclusive approach is essential for equitable education in a country as diverse as India, where children come from different regions, languages, and socio-economic backgrounds.

In the coming years, NIPUN Bharat aims to redefine success in education. The focus will shift from test scores to quality learning that builds skills, curiosity, and confidence. By Grade 3, students should be able to both learn to read and read to learn. This vision of quality education will empower the next generation and create a brighter, more equitable future for India.

NIPUN Bharat isn’t just a mission; it’s a movement towards meaningful education, rooted in the belief that every child deserves a strong foundation to flourish. As India’s classrooms evolve with initiatives like NIPUN Bharat, we’re seeing a future where education empowers, not just instructs.

The post NIPUN Bharat: A New Dawn for Indian Education appeared first on AASOKA.

What is the PRAYAAS Scheme?

PRAYAAS, led by NCERT, stands for “Promotion of Research Attitude in Young and Aspiring Students.” It’s all about encouraging students from classes 9 to 11 to take up research projects that tackle real-world problems. Imagine being in school and getting a chance to solve environmental issues, explore new scientific ideas, or even develop tech-based solutions for local challenges. PRAYAAS aims to nurture this spirit of inquiry through student research.

The Why Behind PRAYAAS

This initiative is rooted in the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It emphasizes fostering creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking. The NEP envisions India as a “global knowledge superpower” and supports hands-on projects, especially in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). By participating in PRAYAAS, learners are not only encouraged to ask “why?” but also “how can I solve this?”.

How PRAYAAS Works

Students team up with their science teachers and experts from higher education institutions to create their project proposals. The project ideas can range from studying local environmental issues to finding scientific explanations for everyday phenomena. Once selected, the students receive a grant to support their research, which is a fantastic opportunity to explore the field with actual resources and support.

Why Research matters for students?

There is a general perception that it is a task that is done in college or even later. The truth is that developing research skills early can be a game-changer. When students start researching young, they learn to think critically, manage projects, handle setbacks and importantly, figure out ways to answer their own questions.

More Than Just Research

PRAYAAS doesn’t just stop at getting students involved in projects. It’s designed to bridge the gap between schools and higher educational institutions. The program pairs students with professors and researchers who can guide them through complex experiments or even help them navigate lab work. This partnership offers young minds the chance to develop skills that go way beyond textbooks.

What This Means for India’s Education Scene

Schemes like PRAYAAS could have a big impact on education in India. By investing in the curiosity and ideas of young students, this scheme is pushing a cultural shift in learning. Instead of just scoring well on exams, students are encouraged to learn by doing, by trying, and by discovering. This hands-on experience can help students see the impact of their work in real life. Imagine a student who’s researched how to improve crop growth through natural means—they could actually contribute to sustainable farming practices in their own communities someday. It boosts scientific thinking and innovation, but it also builds confidence in young researchers. Who knows? The next big breakthrough might just come from a PRAYAAS project!

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