Times of India

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has declared October 27 a government holiday for Chhath Puja, coinciding with the festival’s most sacred day when devotees offer prayers to the setting sun. The city has prepared over 1,300 ghats, including 17 model Yamuna ghats with enhanced facilities. The government has also advanced Yamuna cleaning and inaugurated ₹30 crore development projects, ensuring a grand, well-organised celebration.

Harvard University’s latest enrollment data show a sharp decline in Black and Hispanic students in the first-year class following the Supreme Court’s 2023 ban on affirmative action. Black representation fell to 11.5 percent, Hispanic to 11 percent, while Asian American enrollment increased. Experts warn these shifts challenge decades of diversity gains and could reshape access to elite educational and professional opportunities nationwide.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that the 21st edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) will be held on February 8, 2026, across 132 cities in 20 languages. Serving as a mandatory qualification for teaching Classes I to VIII under the RTE Act, CBSE will soon release a detailed Information Bulletin on eligibility, syllabus, fees, and exam centres.

This feature explores how some of America’s most influential leaders—Mark Cuban, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Lucy Guo, and Reid Hoffman—challenge conventional notions of work-life balance. From relentless 100-hour weeks to philosophies of harmony, their journeys reveal a paradox: the drive that builds empires can also consume personal life, raising profound questions about ambition, sacrifice, and the cost of success.

Across the United States, a quiet transformation is reshaping higher education. According to US News & World Report, several colleges are redefining access by eliminating tuition altogether—offering students the chance to learn without lifelong debt. From Kentucky’s Berea and Alice Lloyd to California’s Deep Springs, these schools blend academics with labor, service, or merit, proving that education can still be purpose-driven and debt-free.

Once the cornerstone of American identity, the American Dream now stands on fragile ground. With soaring inflation, stagnant wages, crushing student debt, and widening inequality, the path to prosperity feels increasingly narrow. Once built on fairness and opportunity, the Dream now mirrors a race for survival—raising the question of whose dream it truly remains today.

McKinleyville Union School District in California is suing the US Department of Education over sudden cuts to a $6 million federal mental health grant. The funding, vital for counsellors and crisis support, helped protect vulnerable students in Humboldt County. The lawsuit spotlights the impact of federal policy changes on school-based mental health and could influence nationwide funding decisions.

Students are shouting “6-7” in classrooms across the US, leaving teachers exasperated and students laughing. The phrase, which went viral on TikTok, has no real meaning. For students, it’s a way to bond and be part of the “in” group, a playful reminder that language changes fast and adults can’t always keep up.

Columbia University will remain the only Ivy League institution with a test-optional admissions policy for the 2027-28 cycle, as peers revert to mandatory SAT or ACT submissions. While Columbia emphasises flexibility and equity, other Ivies cite data linking test scores to stronger academic performance.

The Trump administration is defending its new $100,000 H-1B visa fee amid multiple lawsuits led by the US Chamber of Commerce and other groups. Critics argue the fee breaches immigration law and harms businesses reliant on skilled foreign talent, while the White House insists it protects American workers and curbs visa system abuse.

Harvard shooting: Harvard University issued a shelter-in-place alert after reports of a shooting near the Radcliffe Quadrangle in Cambridge. Police say an unidentified man fired at another person before fleeing on a bicycle towards Harvard Square. Both Harvard and Cambridge Police launched a search, urging students to remain indoors as investigations into the suspect’s whereabouts continue.

A Baltimore high school student was handcuffed after an AI-powered gun detection system mistakenly flagged his bag of Doritos as a firearm. The incident at Kenwood High has sparked debate over the reliability of AI surveillance in schools, highlighting the dangers of false positives, the need for human oversight, and the growing tension between safety and trust.

A group of Democratic senators, led by Tammy Duckworth, has urged Education Secretary Linda McMahon to push the Department of Homeland Security to halt enforcement operations within 1,000 feet of schools after incidents in Chicago. The letter cites tear gas use near Funston Elementary and aggressive detentions, stressing that schools must remain safe, ICE-free zones for students.

Nestled in Harvard Yard, the John Harvard statue—nicknamed the “Statue of Three Lies”—is more legend than fact. Students rub its toe for luck, unaware that it misrepresents Harvard himself, credits him as founder, and lists the wrong founding year. Beyond its charm, the statue embodies a fascinating blend of myth, history, and enduring tradition.

IIT Madras offers a range of scholarships to support students based on merit and financial need. Key options include the Girish Ready, Indian Women’s Association Bonn, Sri V Ranga Raju Memorial, Dr. K Vasanth Rau, and Institute Merit-cum-Means Scholarships. Each provides financial assistance, with renewal tied to GPA and income limits, ensuring equitable academic opportunity.

The “One Big Beautiful Bill” is reshaping education and social programs across the U.S., affecting everything from K-12 schools to college and family support. It brings federal school vouchers, changes to Medicaid and SNAP, a slight boost to the Child Tax Credit, and stricter student loan rules. While it promises more choice, it also raises concerns about fairness and the impact on families and schools.

International students on F-1 visas face job offer rejections due to employer unfamiliarity with STEM OPT. Reddit users share experiences of offers vanishing after extensive interviews, highlighting the risks of companies unversed in immigration processes. Navigating this complex system demands careful employer vetting and preparedness for unexpected challenges.

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has released the IBPS SO prelims scorecard 2025 on its official website, ibps.in. Candidates who appeared for the exam on August 30 can now check their individual marks using their registration credentials. The scorecard details section-wise scores, total marks, and qualification status for the mains exam.

CBSE has extended the registration deadline for the Single Girl Child Merit Scholarship 2025 to November 20. This scheme supports meritorious single girl students who passed Class 10 CBSE exams and are studying in Class 11. Eligible candidates must apply online via cbseit.in, submit required documents, and ensure school verification to receive tuition fee assistance.

The West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board (WBJEEB) has released the provisional answer keys for JELET and JECA 2025 on wbjeeb.nic.in. Candidates can view their OMR sheets, download answer keys, and raise objections online by paying ₹500 per question. The exams were held on October 18-19, and results will be issued as rank cards.