Out of the total amount, ₹157.20 crore will be provided by the central government. The remaining funds will be borne by the state government. Instructions were issued to supply the kits through a tender process. Distributors will be finalized following official procedures. The scheme will be implemented under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

The kits are planned for distribution in the 2026–27 academic year. Government and aided school students will be covered under this scheme. Each kit will contain items worth around ₹2,279. More than 35 lakh students are expected to benefit from the initiative.

Each kit will include uniforms, textbooks, notebooks, a school bag, shoes, socks, and a dictionary. Mobile-based monitoring and GPS tracking will ensure timely delivery. Quality checks will be conducted in three stages. Officials believe the scheme will improve attendance and reduce dropouts.

The post AP Government Clears Funds for Student Kits in Schools appeared first on India Podcast.

On August 19, 2025, the Delhi High Court ordered a ban on these “shadow libraries” in India after publishers like Elsevier and Wiley filed copyright infringement suits. The court directed internet service providers to block the sites, calling their operations illegal under copyright law. The interim order must be enforced before the next hearing on December 1.

The decision has sparked debate in academic circles. While these platforms breach copyright, they have provided lifelines to students unable to afford journals that often cost $30–50 per article. In public universities, subscription budgets remain weak, leaving research compromised. For many, Sci-Hub and LibGen function like digital public libraries.

Experts argue the solution lies in building legal, open-access alternatives. Strengthening India’s National Digital Library and promoting policies like “One Nation, One Subscription” could ensure equitable access. Without such steps, the digital divide may deepen, weakening research and widening social inequality in education.

The post Delhi High Court Blocks Sci-Hub, LibGen: Knowledge Access Debate in India appeared first on India Podcast.