Consider it a “mom club” for kangaroos. When their young are with them, marsupials appear to establish close social groupings with other mothers—and some mothers are obviously more popular, according to a recent research.

The findings, reported this month in Animal Behaviour, give an important glimpse into the marsupials’ “rich social life” and reflect just how sensitive and intelligent they probably are. “If you’re a vigilant mom trying to protect yourself and your young,” he says, “it makes sense to surround yourself with other vigilant moms doing the same thing.”

According to experts, these social gatherings may function similarly to neighbourhood watch programs, protecting newborn joeys from foxes and dingoes while also deterring rowdy males.

Kangaroos live in groups that can reach several hundred individuals, but their one-on-one relationships have been hard to study.

ALSO READ: Researchers can use AI to predict the location of virtually any protein within a human cell

Compared to animals like deer, marsupials are significantly more difficult to catch and tag. Joeys hide in their mother’s pouches, and adult roos’ strong tails—which allow them to leap half the length of a city bus—can hurt or kill them as they try to escape after being darted or trapped.

Bergeron was shocked to discover kangaroo mothers, who had previously been demonstrated to be antisocial, demonstrating long-term female connections similar to those found in dolphins, primates, and other highly sociable, highly cooperative animals. It might be because the kangaroos in the new research dwell in a region with more threatening predators, she speculates, making them more willing to cooperate.

Although additional study is needed, Campbell believes these partnerships will allow females to share watch periods against predators while also “harassing” males who spend their time chasing females, sniffing their pouches, and attempting to mount. Females hop away and may “bark” at males, or even smack them over the head if they won’t take a hint. However, the males follow, forcing the females to jump away once more, Campbell explains. “They get really annoyed.”

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A recently published study shows that a protein that is misplaced within a cell can cause a number of illnesses, including cancer, Alzheimer’s, and cystic fibrosis. However, a single human cell has over 70,000 distinct proteins and protein variations, and since researchers can usually only test for a small number of them in a single experiment, manually locating proteins is very expensive and time-consuming.

A new generation of computational methods uses machine-learning models, which frequently use datasets with hundreds of proteins and their positions recorded across several cell lines, to try to expedite the process. The Human Protein Atlas is one of the biggest datasets of this type, listing the subcellular activities of more than 13,000 proteins in over 40 cell lines. Even though the Human Protein Atlas is a huge database, it has only examined only 0.25 percent of all potential combinations of proteins and cell lines.

A new computer method has now been created by researchers from MIT, Harvard University, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard that can effectively explore the remaining unexplored space. Even in cases when neither the protein nor the cell have been studied previously, their technique can predict the location of any protein in any human cell line.

ALSO READ: A study shows Starch-based Bioplastic possibly as toxic as petroleum based plastic

Instead of using an average estimate across all the cells of a particular kind, their method localizes a protein at the single-cell level, going one step farther than many AI-based approaches. For example, following treatment, this single-cell localization could identify the location of a protein in a particular cancer cell.

The researchers captured detailed characteristics about a protein and cell by combining a protein language model with a particular kind of computer vision model. When the model predicts the location of the protein, the user is shown with an image of a cell with a highlighted area. This method may help researchers and clinicians more quickly diagnose illnesses or find potential drug targets because a protein’s location indicates its functional state. It may also help biologists better understand the relationship between protein localization and intricate biological processes.

Many protein prediction algorithms now in use are either unable to identify the location of a protein within a single cell or are only able to generate predictions based on the protein and cell data that they were trained on. To overcome these limitations, the researchers created a two-part method for prediction of unseen proteins’ subcellular location, called PUPS.

The first section uses a protein sequence model to capture a protein’s 3D structure and localization-determining characteristics based on the chain of amino acids that makes it up.

In order to fill in the gaps in an image, the second section includes an image inpainting model. By analyzing three stained images of a cell, this computer vision model can determine the cell’s kind, specific characteristics, and the presence of stress.

In order to estimate the location of the protein within a single cell, PUPS combines the representations produced by each model. An image decoder is then used to produce a highlighted image that displays the predicted location.

According to Tseo, “our model is able to understand that nuance,” meaning that various cells within a cell line exhibit different features.

The user enters the protein’s amino acid sequence along with three cell stain images: one for the endoplasmic reticulum, one for the nucleus, and one for the microtubules. PUPS then takes care of the rest.

The researchers employed a few tricks during the training process to teach PUPS how to combine information from each model so that it can make an informed estimate as to the location of the protein, even if it hasn’t seen it before.

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According to a recent peer-reviewed study, starch-based bioplastic, which is marketed as sustainable and biodegradable, has the potential to be just as hazardous as petroleum-based plastic and can result in comparable health issues.

Bioplastics, which are frequently created from plant-based materials like cornstarch, rice starch, or sugar, have been hailed as the plastic of the future since they decompose more quickly than petroleum-based plastic.

Straws, cutlery, wet wipes, quick fashion apparel, and a variety of other items frequently employ the bioplastic. Among other health problems, the current study discovered alterations in glucose levels and gut microbial imbalances that might cause cardiovascular disease, organ damage, and metabolic abnormalities.

In a press release, research co-author Yongfeng Deng stated, “Biodegradable starch-based plastics may not be as safe and health-promoting as originally assumed.” “Considering their potential for ingestion by accident, this is especially concerning.”

More than 16,000 compounds, many of which are known to be harmful to human health or the environment or lack a public toxicological profile, may be found in plastic, a material that is famously poisonous. Common plasticizers like phthalates and bisphenol are among the most harmful chemicals produced by humans and have been connected to everything from hormone disruption to cancer.

Despite being promoted as a safer substitute, bioplastics don’t decompose as quickly as the industry has stated, according to earlier studies. In the meantime, nothing is known about the toxicity of the substance.

ALSO READ: New research suggests that Venus may never have hosted oceans on its surface

Similar to plastics derived from petroleum, bioplastics can shed and transform into micro-bioplastics. For instance, when clothing is washed, it may shed large amounts of bioplastics, which can then find their way into food and water.

In the latest study, scientists provided food and water containing “environmentally relevant” amounts of bioplastics to three groups of mice for three months, while a third group was given no bioplastics.

They discovered that exposure to plant-based plastic results in many of the same health issues as petroleum-based plastic; the chemicals were detected in the tissue of the mice’s livers, ovaries, and intestines, where they created microlesions.

Researchers also discovered that the group that was fed more bioplastic had greater levels of abnormalities in their livers and ovaries. Additionally, the substance impacted certain abnormalities in gut flora and genetic pathways, which the researchers hypothesize may change circadian cycles.

Although the scientists point out that further study is necessary, the results cast doubt on the safety of common bioplastics. Despite the fact that plastic is hard to avoid in daily life, several experts and campaigners advocate taking action to lessen exposure to it in commonplace items like clothes and kitchenware.

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According to recent research by astrochemists from the University of Cambridge, Venus has always been dry, despite a long-running scientific controversy about whether it ever had liquid oceans.

“Two very different histories of water on Venus have been proposed: one where Venus had a temperate climate for billions of years with surface liquid water and the other where a hot early Venus was never able to condense surface liquid water.” Ms. Constantinou and her associates found that “the planet has never been liquid-water habitable” after modeling the atmosphere’s current chemical composition.

“Venus today is a hellish world,” NASA says. Its typical surface temperature is about 465C (869F), its pressure is 90 times higher than Earth’s at sea level, and it is constantly covered in dense, poisonous sulfuric acid clouds. The absence of hydrogen in the planet’s interior, as discovered by scientists, indicates that it is significantly drier than the Earth’s interior.

ALSO READ: A study shows that the next generation of space-borne lasers is being inspired by bacteria

According to the study, any water in Venus’ atmosphere most likely stayed as steam rather than condensing on the planet’s surface. The planet might have once been habitable, according to a group of experts from NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York back in 2016.

The group employed a computer model that is comparable to those used to forecast Earth’s climate change.

“Many of the same tools we use to model climate change on Earth can be adapted to study climates on other planets, both past and present,” stated lead author of the publication and GISS researcher Michael Way at the time.

“These results show ancient Venus may have been a very different place than it is today.”

Last year, researchers at the University of Chicago claimed that Venus “has been uninhabitable for over 70% of its history, four times longer than some previous estimates” in another study.

The typical heavy lenses and complicated electronics that aren’t particularly cost-effective to launch might eventually be replaced by solar-powered lasers that use the photosynthetic machinery of bacteria to give a low-mass, straightforward, and sustainable method of powering spacecraft.

According to Erik Gauger, a professor of photonics and quantum science at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh and the project’s leader, “We plan to use photosynthetic structures extracted from bacteria, and the idea is that you can grow them and keep replenishing material; you don’t need to maintain a supply line from Earth,” Space.com reported.

As the number of satellites orbiting our planet keeps increasing, researchers are beginning to concentrate on finding long-term ways to power these spacecraft. We may be able to extend the life of spaceships with improved power technologies. Power beaming is one possible remedy; solar arrays are used to transform sunlight into lasers or microwaves that may be directed at a damaged satellite and used to power it through a receiver on the satellite’s side.

ALSO READ: Mysterious Hole on Mars May Protect Humans During Crewed Mission

The initial space-based power-beaming experiments were successful in early 2023, sending low-power microwaves—no more than a few milliwatts—from the Space Solar Power Demonstrator satellite to a Caltech ground station. Japanese researchers want to do the same in 2025.

Any orbiting solar farms would need to be replaced or repaired regularly due to the large and heavy nature of solar arrays and their intricate electronics and designs. APACE project researchers believe they have a solution, and it’s likely better to discover a more self-sufficient and sustainable approach. Their goal with this study is to modify the molecular structures that enable photosynthetic bacteria to make a laser system that may be utilized in space.

Gauger explained, “Our key idea is to replace the concentrating optics with the photosynthetic antenna complexes.”

The need for frequent launches from Earth to repair and replace outdated solar panels may be eliminated if the bacteria were cultivated in orbit, either on a spacecraft or the International Orbit Station.

But as Gauger noted, putting a prototype into orbit would cost far more money and be dependent on phase 1’s success.

“It could be extended in capacity in space by growing more bacteria and manufacturing it there, rather than needing to ship it out,” Gauger added. “Some of the engineering problems are probably a little bit down the line, but that’s the long-term vision.”

Read the full story here.

The strange hole on Mars has been photographed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). According to Space.com, this several-meter-wide hole on the side of an old volcano was first seen on August 15, 2022.

According to the investigation, NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) used a High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera to take a picture of this enigmatic hole on the edge of the now-extinct Arsia Mons volcano.

It was only 256 kilometers (159 miles) from Mar’s surface when NASA’s satellite took the picture.

According to popular belief, this mysterious hole is a vertical shaft.

According to the study, these holes may one day serve as housing for astronauts. Based on this reasoning, the study asserted, “They might serve as a future home for astronauts; Mars cannot protect itself from space radiation in the same manner as Earth since it lacks a global magnetic field and has a thin atmosphere. As a result, radiation exposure on the Martian surface is often 40–50 times higher than that on Earth.

Read: The risk of heart attack and stroke is associated with a common 3p supplement that lowers cholesterol

These holes may also be useful in providing information about Martian life. The report went on, “The other alluring aspect of these pits is that they might hold astrobiological interest in the sense that they could have been sheltered abodes for Martian life in the past — perhaps even today if microbial life indeed exists there.” In addition, the pits might not only offer refuge for human astronauts.

These holes on the sides of volcanoes suggest that there is likely a connection between them and the volcanic activity on Mars. Lava channels can flow away from a volcano underground; the channel empties when the volcano goes extinct, according to the article. That leaves an extended subterranean tube in its wake. These tubes are visible not just on Mars but also on Earth and the moon.

The depth to which these holes delve is still unknown. It’s also uncertain if these holes are confined within a tiny, cylindrical depression or open onto a huge cavern.

The research concluded by speculating that these holes could eventually prove to be a better landing place for crewed expeditions to Mars if they expand out into caverns. For such a journey, the astronauts would have to construct a safe base camp away from the relentless radiation of the outside world.

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According to a study, taking a vitamin that lowers cholesterol may have the odd side effect of raising the risk of heart disease.

Vitamin B3, or niacin, is a necessary component of many body processes and is occasionally added to foods that have been fortified.

Cleveland Clinic researchers have discovered that an excess of niacin boosts the levels of a byproduct known as 4PY in the bloodstream. Large-scale clinical trials have connected increased levels of 4PY in the blood to heart attacks, strokes, and other unfavorable cardiac events. Additionally, the researchers demonstrated that it causes blood vessel inflammation directly. Previously, doctors would recommend niacin to raise HDL cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol that aids in clearing the blood of LDL, the “bad” cholesterol.

Niacin was subsequently found to be less successful than other medications that decrease cholesterol, though. The study’s principal investigator, Dr. Stanley Hazen, states: “To prevent diseases associated with nutritional deficiencies, niacin fortification in staple foods like wheat, cereals, and oats has been required in the United States and more than 50 other countries for decades.

“In light of these findings, it may be appropriate to have a conversation about whether the US should continue to require niacin fortification of flour and cereal.” In the meanwhile, niacin-containing over-the-counter supplements advertise that they can boost blood fat levels, skin health, brain function, and anti-aging properties.

Read: Studies Show That The Gulf Stream May Collapse As Soon As 2025, Leading to a Mini Ice Age

They can be bought for as little as 3p per pill online and in health food stores.

The study, published in Nature Medicine, found one in four subjects in the researchers’ patient cohorts had high levels of 4PY, which suggested they had too much intake of niacin.

“Niacin’s effects have always been somewhat of a paradox,” explains Dr. Hazen.

Even though niacin lowers cholesterol, the therapeutic benefits have never exceeded expectations to the extent of LDL reduction.

“This gave rise to the theory that the benefits of decreasing LDL were somewhat offset by excess niacin’s uncertain negative effects. We think our research sheds light on this conundrum. This demonstrates the importance of researching residual cardiovascular risk since we uncover far more information than we originally intended regarding heart disease.

According to the NHS, most people get adequate niacin from their regular diet; foods high in niacin include meat, fish, eggs, and wheat flour. Nicotinic acid and nicotinamide are the two types of niacin.

According to the NHS, using large amounts of supplements containing nicotinic acid may result in skin flushes. Long-term high-dose use may cause liver damage.

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The Gulf Stream is a major climate regulator in Western Europe as its warm waters help moderate temperatures, especially in the winter, according to a recent article on NDTV.

The rapid melting of glaciers around the globe is one of the most concerning signs of climate change’s catastrophic effects. Once believed to be everlasting, these glacial behemoths are gradually giving way under the constant assault of rising global temperatures. And old research that is gaining popularity again suggests that might mean danger for the entire planet. It states that as early as 2025, the melting of glaciers might cause the Gulf Stream to collapse, cutting off an essential ocean movement.

A major factor in controlling the climate of the North Atlantic area is the Gulf Stream, a strong ocean stream that rises from the Gulf of Mexico. By moving heat from the Equator toward the poles and affecting weather patterns along the way, its warm waters function as a natural conveyor belt.

The average temperature in North America, some regions of Asia, and portions of Europe may decrease by several degrees without this extra heat—it might drop by as much as 10 degrees Celsius in a few decades. “Severe and cascading consequences around the world” are what this will do.

Read: The New Hazard of Global Warming: The Carbon Bomb of Arctic Permafrost

These include a spike in storm frequency, major disruptions to the rainy season—which provides food for billions of people—and an increase in sea level along North America’s east coast, which is reminiscent of the events depicted in the 2004 film “The Day After Tomorrow.”

According to The Guardian, the study estimates a timescale for the collapse of the Gulf Stream between 2025 and 2095, with a central estimate of 2050, if global carbon emissions are not reduced.

“It seems like we need to be quite concerned. This would represent a massive shift. The latest study’s lead researcher, Professor Peter Ditlevsen of the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, claimed that the Amoc had not been cut off for 12,000 years.

Officially known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or Amoc, the Gulf Stream is a component of a much larger system of currents.

The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, used sea surface temperature data stretching back to 1870 (when the Little Ice Age ended) as a proxy for the change in strength of ocean currents over time. The route seen in systems that are nearing a certain kind of tipping point known as a “saddle-node bifurcation” was then shown by the researchers using this data. According to Professor Ditlevsen, the results fit “surprisingly well”.

As its warm waters help moderate temperatures, especially in the winter, the Gulf Stream is a major climate regulator in Western Europe. The agricultural sector, infrastructure, and public health might suffer greatly from increased extreme weather events, such as harsher winters and hotter summers, if this current slows down or is disrupted.

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The expansion of rivers may unleash carbon emissions into the Arctic equal to millions of vehicles.

New research from Dartmouth provides ground-breaking proof that the permafrost of the Arctic has a major impact on the river systems in the area. This study, which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, demonstrates how rivers in the Arctic flow down shallower and narrower valleys than their counterparts in the south because of permafrost, a thick layer of soil that stays frozen for at least two years.

However, massive carbon reserves found in permafrost are also becoming more and more brittle. Researchers find that every 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius) of global warming might cause as much carbon emissions as 35 million automobiles annually when polar streams spread and agitate the thawing soil, weakening Arctic permafrost.

Results and Interpretation of the Study

Through the use of satellite and climatic data, the researchers looked at the topography, depth, and soil conditions for over 69,000 watersheds from just above the Tropic of Cancer to the North Pole in the Northern Hemisphere. Along with measuring the steepness of river valleys, they also calculated the proportion of land that each river’s channel network occupies inside its watershed.

Permafrost has shaped 47% of the watersheds that have been studied. Their river valleys are steeper and deeper than those of temperate watersheds, and the amount of land covered by channels is around 20% less in these areas. The researchers note that these commonalities exist despite any variations in the glacial history, yearly precipitation, background topography steepness, and other elements that would typically control the movement of water and land. The one element that unites all Arctic watersheds is permafrost.

“Any way we sliced it, regions with larger, more plentiful river channels are warmer with a higher average temperature and less permafrost,” Del Vecchio said. “You need a lot more water to carve valleys in areas with permafrost.”

Read: Ready to begin your writing? Help your results stand out

The study found that permafrost stores enormous amounts of carbon in the frozen land in addition to limiting the footprint of Arctic rivers. The quantity of carbon stored in permafrost and the soil erosion that would occur when the land thaws and is washed away as Arctic rivers spread were combined by the researchers to estimate the amount of carbon that would be released from these watersheds as a result of climate change.

The impact of climate change and prospective issues

Research indicates that since around 1850, or more than 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) beyond pre-industrial levels, the Arctic has warmed, according to Del Vecchio. If present greenhouse gas emissions are controlled, scientists predict that a slow melting of the Artic permafrost might release between 22 billion and 432 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2100; if not, they could release as much as 550 billion tonnes. According to projections from the International Energy Agency, the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by energy use in 2022 exceeded 36 billion tonnes, marking a record high.

Palucis explained that because the Arctic has been accustomed to cold for such a long time, scientists are unsure of how much or how quickly carbon will be released if permafrost thaws on an accelerated timescale. Palucis’ research group uses the Arctic as a stand-in for Mars to examine the surface processes of the Red Planet. Although the Arctic has warmed in the past, what’s frightening is how quickly it is happening right now. It may be traumatizing for the landscape to react so swiftly, the speaker noted.

She stated, “Our understanding of temperate landscapes is about where we were with Arctic landscapes a century ago.” This work is a crucial first step in demonstrating that polar environments cannot be adequately represented by the models and theories developed for temperate watersheds. There are a tonne of fresh avenues to explore to comprehend these settings.

According to Del Vecchio, substantial soil runoff and carbon deposits from sediment cores taken from the Arctic around 10,000 years ago point to a considerably warmer climate than what is there now. Today, places like Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, which are situated just south of the Ice Age glaciers’ farthest point, foretell what lies ahead for the present Arctic.

Del Vecchio stated, “We have historical evidence that significant amounts of sediment were discharged into the ocean during periods of warming.” And now for a preview of our article that demonstrates how the Arctic will receive additional water channels as temperatures rise. However, that still doesn’t mean the same thing as stating, “This is what happens when you take a cold landscape and turn up the temperature real fast.” We don’t know how it will alter, in my opinion.

Reference: “Permafrost extent sets drainage density in the Arctic” by Joanmarie Del Vecchio, Marisa C. Palucis and Colin R. Meyer, 1 February 2024, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2307072120

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 Secondary education, which usually comes after elementary school but before higher education, is a crucial phase in a student’s academic path. It acts as a link between the fundamental knowledge pupils learn in elementary school and the more specialized knowledge they could study in college or a career program. Although secondary education takes different forms in different nations, it usually strives to give students a thorough and well-rounded education that will equip them for their futures as law-abiding citizens and useful contributors to society.

Secondary education covers a wide range of topics, such as language arts, math, science, social studies, art, physical education, and frequently several optional classes. Compared to basic school, it offers a more thorough study of these areas, allowing pupils to investigate their interests and possible future routes.

Aims of Secondary Education:

The aims of secondary education are multifaceted and can differ depending on the educational policies and cultural context of a country. Some common aims include:

1.     Academic Preparation: Secondary education aims to equip students with advanced academic skills, critical thinking abilities, and analytical skills necessary for higher education or the workforce.

2.     Personal Development: It aims to foster personal growth, self-discipline, and responsibility in students, preparing them for the challenges of adulthood.

3.     Vocational and Career Exploration: Secondary education may provide opportunities for students to explore potential career paths and develop vocational skills if they choose not to pursue higher education immediately.

4.     Civic Education:
Secondary education often includes lessons on citizenship, ethics, and societal responsibilities, helping students become informed and engaged members of their communities.

5.     Social Skills:
It aims to promote teamwork, communication skills, and adaptability, which are crucial for success in both personal and professional life.

Read: Criminal behaviour and various approaches to manage it

Realization of Secondary Education and National Education Policy 1998-2010: 

It’s important to remember that different nations may implement secondary education and education programs in very different ways. Given that the National Education Policy of 1998–2010 is mentioned in the question, I will offer a broad overview of how the policy may be put into practice at that time.

1. Expansion and Access: 

Growing the number of schools, especially in underprivileged and rural regions, may be one of the policy’s main goals in terms of expanding access to secondary education. This might entail constructing additional schools, recruiting more instructors, and enhancing the system of transportation.

2. Curriculum Reforms: 

The policy could implement changes to the curriculum to raise educational standards. This might entail adding new topics or optional courses, changing curricula to reflect contemporary knowledge and abilities, and utilizing technology in the classroom.

3. Teacher Training: 

The policy may prioritise teacher preparation initiatives to raise educational standards. This might entail giving educators chances for professional development, keeping them up to date on pedagogical techniques, and making sure they are familiar with the new curriculum.

4. Vocational Education: 

The relevance of vocational education may be emphasized by the policy to meet the demands of students who would rather have practical skills and an early start in the workforce. The secondary education system may incorporate specialized occupational courses.

5. Examination Reforms: 

The policy might address concerns about the examination system by introducing changes that reduce rote learning and emphasize critical thinking and practical application of knowledge.

6. Infrastructure Development: 

Improving the infrastructure of existing secondary schools could be a key component of the policy, ensuring that schools have adequate facilities, libraries, laboratories, and other resources to facilitate effective learning.

7. Inclusivity and Equity: 

Additionally, the policy may place a high priority on fairness and inclusion in education, making sure that marginalized groups are included and that students from all socioeconomic backgrounds can attend education.

8. Monitoring and Evaluation: 

The establishment of monitoring and evaluation systems might help determine the efficacy of the policy. To quantify success and pinpoint areas for development, data on various educational indicators would need to be gathered. 

It is imperative to bear in mind that the particulars of a nation’s National Education Policy are contingent upon its distinct socio-economic and cultural milieu and that the actual policies and their execution may deviate from the broad outline given supra. Furthermore, the National Education Policy is usually revised regularly to take into account the evolving demands and difficulties in the field of education.

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