Times of India

An AI grading error affected about 1,400 Massachusetts MCAS essays after a technical glitch in the AI scoring system used by DESE and Cognia. The issue was uncovered by a Lowell teacher who noticed unusual scores. DESE rescored affected essays and notified 145 districts. The incident underscores the need for human oversight in AI-driven education assessments.

The University of Virginia struck a deal with the Trump administration to end a federal investigation into its admissions and diversity policies. The agreement, which avoids fines and outside monitoring, requires UVa to align with the administration’s strict interpretation of the Supreme Court’s race admissions ruling, trading autonomy concessions for halted probes and continued research funding access.

US President Donald Trump has pardoned Changpeng Zhao, the Chinese-born Canadian founder of Binance, following his conviction for money laundering. Zhao, a McGill University graduate and influential figure in global finance, served four months in prison. Despite legal setbacks, he remains a key voice in the cryptocurrency world, advising governments on blockchain and digital asset development.

Turning Point USA’s “Professor Watchlist,” which names academics accused of leftist bias, has reignited debate after founder Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Critics at the University of Michigan say it chills free expression and disproportionately harms marginalised faculty. While TPUSA claims it helps students choose courses, professors argue it promotes intimidation over open academic debate.

More than 60,000 teachers across New Zealand joined a nationwide “mega strike” on 23 October 2025, protesting low pay, heavy workloads, and staff shortages. Despite government offers of a 1-2.7% pay rise, unions rejected the deals as below inflation. Teachers demand better conditions, support staff, and funding to address burnout, retention issues, and student learning needs.

CSIR UGC NET December 2025 registration closes tomorrow, October 24, on csirnet.nta.nic.in. Candidates can apply online, pay fees (₹300-₹1,150), and edit applications during the correction window (Oct 27-29). The exam, in CBT mode, will be held on December 18, 2025, in two shifts. Admit cards and city slips will be released closer to the test date.

Harvard College’s Class of 2029 shows a sharp demographic shift, with Black and Hispanic enrolment falling and Asian American representation rising to 41 per cent. The decline follows the Supreme Court’s ban on race-conscious admissions and the return of standardised testing. Despite fewer applications, Harvard’s yield rate and financial aid commitments remain strong.

AI PCs and data dashboards are transforming teaching from instinct-driven to insight-driven practice. By analysing learning patterns, giving quick feedback, and spotting disengagement early, teachers can personalise instruction and make classrooms more inclusive. Used ethically, AI tools support evidence-based planning, fair grouping, and transparent data use, enhancing human judgement, not replacing it.

The Trump administration’s decision to ease the $100,000 H-1B visa fee brings relief to thousands of Indian professionals and students already in the US. However, a new cap limiting foreign students to 15% of total university admissions, with no more than 5% from any one country, casts uncertainty over future Indian enrolments and America’s talent inflow.

IIM Ahmedabad has entered the global top 50 in the 2026 QS International Trade Rankings, securing 32nd place for its MBA, while IIM Calcutta ranks 8th globally in the Executive MBA category. Led by Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School, the rankings highlight India’s rising prominence in international trade education, with IIFT also featuring among top global programmes.

Despite widespread access to paid vacation, nearly a quarter of US workers did not take a single day off last year, FlexJobs reports. Heavy workloads, fear of falling behind, and insufficient PTO leave employees trapped in a cycle of constant work. Experts warn that cultural and structural reforms are essential to make rest a viable, sustainable priority.

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has opened registrations for its MBA (International Business) and MBA (Business Analytics) programmes for the 2026-2028 batch at iift.ac.in. Candidates can apply until November 28, 2025. Admission will be based on CAT 2025 scores, followed by group discussions and interviews across major cities.

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the revised provisional Round 3 seat allotment result for NEET UG Counselling 2025 at mcc.nic.in. The update follows candidate concerns over earlier results. Candidates must report discrepancies by 3 PM, October 23, 2025, via email. MCC clarified the list is provisional and subject to change until the final result.

Canada’s international education sector faces an unprecedented slowdown, with new student arrivals dropping nearly 60% in 2025 compared to last year. Tighter permit caps, stricter financial and work regulations, and revised post-study pathways have deliberately shrunk the pipeline. The decline hits classrooms, campuses, and local economies, with Indian students—Canada’s largest overseas cohort—bearing the brunt of these structural changes.

The Mizoram Board of School Education (MBSE) has released the Mizoram Board Exam 2026 datesheet for HSLC and HSSLC examinations. Class 10 exams will run from February 19 to March 16, with practicals on February 11, while Class 12 exams start on February 9, concluding March 16, with practicals on February 2. Candidates can download the schedule from mbse.edu.in.

The Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) will close registrations for JNVST 2026 on October 23, 2025, for admission to Class 9 and Class 11. Candidates must apply via navodaya.gov.in before the deadline. The selection test, scheduled for February 7, 2026, offers students from rural areas a chance to join India’s premier residential schools, with a correction window available from October 24–26.

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has released the RPF Constable Physical Admit Card 2025 for candidates appearing in the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Measurement Test (PST) from November 13 to December 6. A total of 42,143 candidates qualified in the CBT will compete for 4,208 vacancies, with admit cards providing exam dates, reporting times, and venue details.

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is set for a politically charged phase as the Election Committee announces the 2025-26 JNUSU election schedule. Polling on November 4 will decide key student leadership positions amid heightened campus activity. Media speculation suggests a fiercely contested election, with alliances and manifestos reflecting both campus concerns and broader socio-political currents.

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) will close the objection window for the RRB NTPC Graduate Answer Key 2025 today, October 23, at 11:55 pm. Candidates can submit challenges through regional RRB websites by paying ₹50 per question. Valid objections will be refunded after verification. The CBT 2 exam was held on October 13, 2025.

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has begun the enrolment process for the CS December Exam 2025 from October 23 to 25, 2025, at icsi.edu. Candidates can register, add modules, or apply for exemptions during this period. Requests for centre, medium, or module changes will be accepted from October 26 to November 21, 2025.