Campus Times | Lucknow 

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced a fresh set of NISHTHA training courses for the 2026-27 academic session, alongside an expanded collection of more than 845 virtual laboratories and digital learning resources on the DIKSHA platform. The initiatives are aimed at strengthening teacher capacity and supporting technology-enabled learning in schools.

The first phase of the NISHTHA programme will run from April to October 2026, offering professional development opportunities for teachers, school heads and teacher educators. The courses are designed to enhance classroom practices, introduce effective teaching strategies and strengthen school-level approaches to teaching and learning.

NISHTHA FLN, ECCE Courses Target Foundational Learning

Under Category-II of NISHTHA, courses in Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) and Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) have been made available for teachers and school heads working with children from the pre-primary level through Class 5.

Participants must complete their registration by August 31, 2026, while the designated courses are required to be completed by September 15, 2026.

The training is intended to help educators adopt age-appropriate classroom strategies and strengthen foundational learning outcomes among young learners.

Advanced NISHTHA Modules Cover Emerging Education Needs

NISHTHAs Category-III courses are open to school heads and teachers and cover a wider range of contemporary educational and professional themes.

The modules include areas such as cyber safety and hygiene, responsible use of digital tools, environmental concerns linked to e-waste, action research and the Catch the Rain initiative. The courses are available in both Hindi and English, enabling educators to access the training in their preferred language.

Teachers and school leaders can access information about the courses and programme schedule through the CIET-NCERT NISHTHA portal.

DIKSHA Brings 845+ Virtual Labs to Digital Classrooms

Alongside teacher training, CBSE has highlighted the availability of more than 845 virtual laboratories and digital learning resources on DIKSHA.

Developed through the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, with resources prepared through CIET-NCERT, the virtual learning material is aligned with the NCERT curriculum.

The resources are organised according to class, subject and chapter, allowing teachers and students to locate relevant content more easily. A significant share of the virtual labs focuses on Science and Mathematics, providing students with opportunities to explore concepts through interactive digital learning environments.

The resources can be accessed through the DIKSHA portal as well as its mobile application, making them suitable for both classroom use and learning beyond school.

Digital Tools to Strengthen Classroom Learning

With the simultaneous expansion of teacher training and digital learning resources, CBSEs latest initiatives underline the growing emphasis on continuous professional development and technology-supported education. While NISHTHA is focused on equipping educators with updated pedagogical and professional skills, DIKSHAs virtual labs are intended to give students more interactive ways to understand curriculum-based concepts.

Together, the initiatives are expected to support schools in creating more engaging learning environments while helping teachers integrate digital resources more effectively into everyday teaching.