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Bal Vatika TV and DIKSHA 2.0 Launched on NCERT’s 65th Foundation Day
- Date and Place – On 1 September 2025, NCERT celebrated its 65th Foundation Day in New Delhi.
- Occasion Purpose – The event was marked by announcing new steps to improve children’s learning in India.
- Main Launches – The key highlights were the launch of Bal Vatika TV channel for young children and the upgraded digital platform DIKSHA 2.0.
What was launched
- Bal Vatika Channel – NCERT started Bal Vatika, a special TV channel on PM eVidya DTH Channel 35, made for children between 3 and 6 years old. The channel will show stories, rhymes, games, and number-learning activities. It will also help parents and Anganwadi workers guide children at home or in centres, even where there is no internet.
- DIKSHA 2.0 – The new version of the DIKSHA platform comes with many improved features. It has step-by-step lessons, tests that adjust to each child’s level, and spaces for discussions. The platform also has tools like Read Aloud, captions for videos, and instant translation into 12 Indian languages, so that children from different regions and with different needs can learn without difficulty.
- PRASHAST 2.0 – This is an improved tool to find out early if a child has any disability or special learning need. It is connected with the national school database (UDISE+), so that schools and teachers can give proper support on time and plan better for inclusive education.
- Virtual Reality Labs – NCERT has set up Virtual Reality labs in some of its model schools. These labs will let students see and experience science and math topics in 3D and interactive ways, which makes learning more fun and easier to understand.
- Mobile Gateway – A new mobile gateway under PM eVidya will bring many digital learning materials together in one place. NCERT has also released simple books and reading materials in Hindi, Sanskrit, and tribal languages like Ho and Koya, so children can learn in their own mother tongue.
Why this matters
- Early Learning Focus – Ages 3 to 6 are the most important years for building basic skills like reading, counting, and social behaviour. By starting Bal Vatika on 1 September 2025, NCERT has made sure that children everywhere, especially in villages and low-income homes, can get early learning support on TV.
- Digital Inclusion – The new DIKSHA 2.0 makes sure that children who do not know English or have disabilities are not left behind. With its translation tools and accessibility features, students from different states and backgrounds can all understand and use the learning material.
- Blended Delivery – By using television, mobile phones, and web platforms together, NCERT is creating a mixed model of learning. This is helpful because children in cities with good internet can use advanced tools, while those in rural areas with no internet can still learn through TV.
Key features
- For Teachers – Teachers and Anganwadi workers can now get ready-made video lessons, teaching guides, and tests from DIKSHA 2.0. This saves them time and also helps them check how much students are learning.
- For Parents – Parents can use Bal Vatika as a guide to spend learning time with their children at home. The channel will show rhymes, stories, and simple exercises that parents can easily repeat with their children, making learning playful.
- For Administrators – With PRASHAST 2.0 connected to national school records, education officers can know early which children need special attention. This helps them plan resources, training, and policies to make schools more inclusive.
Implementation and rollout
- Pilot Projects – The first step is to try out the new VR labs and tribal-language books in some NCERT model schools. After checking how well they work, these will be spread to more schools across the country.
- State Training – NCERT, along with state governments, will organise training sessions for teachers and Anganwadi workers. This will help them understand how to use DIKSHA 2.0 and how to include Bal Vatika content in daily learning.
- Monitoring Plans – NCERT and the Ministry of Education will keep track of how these new initiatives are working. They will update online dashboards, give timelines, and work with districts to make sure schools, teachers, and parents use the new tools properly.
Important Questions
- On which date did NCERT celebrate the 65th Foundation Day and launch Bal Vatika TV and DIKSHA 2.0?
- What type of content will be shown on the Bal Vatika TV channel for children aged 3 to 6 years?
- Which new tools in DIKSHA 2.0 make the platform accessible for children with different languages?
- How will PRASHAST 2.0 support teachers and schools in identifying special learning needs?
- What subjects will students be able to experience in Virtual Reality labs set up by NCERT?
Conclusion
On 1 September 2025, during its 65th Foundation Day, NCERT introduced Bal Vatika TV, DIKSHA 2.0, PRASHAST 2.0, and Virtual Reality labs. These initiatives focus on early childhood education, inclusive learning, and the use of technology, ensuring that children across India get equal and quality learning opportunities.
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