IIT Gandhinagar and CBSE Renew 3030 Eklavya STEM Education Programme for Five More Years
Ahmedabad: The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IIT-Gn) and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) have announced a renewed collaboration to continue the 3030 Eklavya STEM Education Programme for an additional five years, reinforcing their long-term commitment to transforming STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) learning across Indian schools. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for this extension was signed on February 3, 2026, marking a strategic effort to mainstream experiential and inquiry-based learning throughout the country’s school system.
Originally launched as part of the broader vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the 3030 Eklavya initiative is designed as a structured 30-hour Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme tailored for teachers. Developed and implemented by the Centre for Creative Learning (CCL) at IIT Gandhinagar, the programme blends conceptual understanding with practical engagement through live demonstrations, hands-on STEM activities, curriculum-aligned projects, reflective assessments and interactive discussions.
Over the last cycle of the programme, it has reached more than 73,000 teachers nationwide, with related video content achieving over 1.3 million views online, a clear indication of its resonance with educators and learners alike. These figures also reflect growing interest in dynamic pedagogy among India’s teaching community, especially in subjects like mathematics and science, where traditional rote-based methods have often limited deeper comprehension.
The core aim of this collaboration is to equip teachers with the skills and tools necessary to shift classroom practices from memorisation-oriented teaching to inquiry-led, hands-on learning experiences that spark curiosity and creativity in students. By encouraging experimentation, critical thinking, and real-world problem solving, the programme aligns tightly with the NEP 2020’s emphasis on learning by doing, early exposure to STEM careers, and the development of 21st-century competencies such as adaptability, reasoning, and innovation.
Although primarily directed at teachers, the ripple effects of the programme are felt in classrooms everywhere, students benefit from more engaging lessons, active projects, and opportunities to connect academic concepts to everyday phenomena. This pedagogical shift is especially important in a country with diverse learning needs and where access to quality STEM education can vary significantly by region and school type.
The extended MoU underscores a mutual commitment by IIT-Gn and CBSE to bolster teacher development, strengthen STEM literacy and amplify India’s talent pipeline in science and technology domains. As the programme enters its next phase, stakeholders hope to expand its reach even further, fostering a culture of joyful, creative learning that equips both teachers and students for an increasingly complex and technology-driven future.
