Union Minister for Education, Shri Pralhad Joshi, today inaugurated the CBSE Experience Centre at the CBSE Integrated Complex, Dwarka, New Delhi. Established at CBSE headquarters, the Centre offers students an immersive learning environment taking them beyond textbooks. It provides an opportunity to explore the evolution of education, engage with emerging technologies, and gain insights into future career opportunities.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Pralhad Joshi emphasised on the need to move beyond rote learning and an excessive focus on examination scores towards an education system that recognised students’ individual interests, abilities and learning capacities. He highlighted that learning should extend beyond textbooks and enable students to understand concepts, apply their knowledge and develop confidence through real-life experiences.
The Minister said that the CBSE Experience Centre reflected the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasised on experiential and holistic learning. He noted that such initiatives could nurture curiosity, encourage independent thinking and creativity, and prepare students to face challenges with greater confidence.
Highlighting the importance of practical learning, the Minister emphasised that students should not merely study scientific concepts but also observe, experiment, and understand them through hands-on experiences. Referring to the role of Atal Tinkering Labs in encouraging innovation and scientific temper, he stated that 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs were already operational across the country, and that the government had decided to establish 50,000 additional labs.
Shri Pralhad Joshi observed that education should equip young people with the knowledge, skills and values required to contribute meaningfully to society and the nation’s development. Emphasising on India’s growing potential in technology, manufacturing and innovation, he underscored the need to prepare students for the evolving demands of the global workforce. Referring to the recently launched Seva First Innovation Challenge, the Minister noted that opportunities for practical experimentation and problem-solving can help nurture the next generation of innovators.
The Minister also expressed confidence that the Experience Centre would contribute to making school education more engaging, practical and student-centred. He emphasised that fostering curiosity, creativity and confidence among students was essential for preparing future generations to contribute to the vision of a developed India by 2047.
The CBSE Experience Centre will take visitors through the changing story of education in India. It connects ancient traditions with modern learning and new career opportunities. The Centre houses 12 broad zones and 21 exhibits spread across 6,000 square feet. RFID-enabled smart cards allow visitors to interact with the exhibits, participate in activities and access personalised takeaways and game-based leaderboards.
The experience opens with ‘Shiksha Ki Kahani’, a film narrated using a representational voice personifying river Saraswati. It traces the evolution of knowledge and education in India, from the gurukul system and historic learning centres like Nalanda to modern schools and digital classrooms. It also highlights the role of today's students in taking forward this legacy and contributing to the Viksit Bharat’s vision.
A special section tracks the rise of CBSE through historical photographs and archival material. This includes records from the year 1935 and provides a glimpse into the role of the Board in the evolution of the school education system. The Centre also introduces students to the history of Earth through a Visual and Interactive Geological timeline spanning millions of years.
The Centre will also introduce students to career exploration. Interactive exhibits such as ‘Career Explorer’, ‘Future of Professions’ and ‘Magic Mirror: Future You’ will enable visitors to explore different career options and understand how the nature of work may change in the years ahead. The experience also includes holographic interactions with eminent personalities including Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.
A dedicated kiosk on ‘Exam Warriors’, the book by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi focuses on encouraging students to develop a healthier approach to examinations. It highlights the importance of confidence, stress management and a positive attitude.
The Centre's final experience, ‘Eduverse’, combines motion-based interaction and multisensory elements. It will take visitors across various natural landscapes, from forests, oceans and the Himalayas to the Moon and other planets. It returns to Earth with a simple but important message: natural systems are interconnected, and every individual is part of this living planet.