Times of India

TS PGECET 2025 results: The TS PGECET 2025 Phase I seat allotment results are expected to be released today on the official website pgecet.tgche.ac.in. Candidates who appeared for the exam held in June can check their allotment details online. The results are crucial for admission into various postgraduate courses across Telangana. Applicants must log in with their credentials to download the allotment letter and follow further admission procedures as outlined by TGCHE.

Professor Francesca Orsini, a UK-based scholar of Hindi and Urdu literature at SOAS, University of London, was recently deported from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport over alleged visa violations. Holding a PhD from SOAS and a BA in Hindi from Venice University, Orsini has studied in India and taught at Cambridge. A Fellow of the British Academy, she specialises in multilingual literary cultures of South Asia and has authored several acclaimed academic works.

A new Florida study shows that banning mobile phones in schools leads to higher test scores, fewer absences, and initial disciplinary challenges. Supporting research from England, Pakistan, and other US states confirms improved academic performance and reduced distractions. Tools like Yondr pouches have helped schools enforce bans effectively. With more US states adopting phone restrictions, evidence grows that limiting phone use during school hours benefits student focus and achievement.

The Pennsylvania Senate passed a $47.9 billion budget plan excluding a $565 million boost for underfunded schools, drawing criticism from Democrats. The funding was part of a House proposal responding to a court ruling on education inequity. Senate Republicans defended the plan for avoiding tax hikes and funding pensions. Governor Shapiro and Democrats criticised the omission. The budget passed 27-23, with no final agreement yet, amid calls for bipartisan cooperation to resolve funding gaps.

A Harvard University course on black women in politics highlights liberal figures like Michelle Obama and Kamala Harris but excludes prominent conservative women such as Zora Neale Hurston and Condoleezza Rice. Critics, including Project 21 ambassador Brenda Thiam, argue this omission creates a biased view and calls for a more balanced syllabus that includes conservative black women’s contributions. The course covers race, gender, law, and activism, focusing mainly on left-wing perspectives.

New data from the University of California reveals which UC campuses send the most graduates to law, MBA, and PhD programmes. UCLA leads in overall graduate degrees and medical school enrolment, while Berkeley excels in doctoral degrees. UC Riverside sends the highest share to MBA programmes. Law school progression is fairly balanced between UCLA and Berkeley. This dataset highlights diverse postgraduate paths across the UC system, helping guide prospective students.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated that HE professors promoting “leftist ideologies” are being targeted, following high-profile faculty removals at UT-Austin, Texas A&M, and Texas State. New laws have shifted academic power from faculty to political appointees, restricted free speech, and triggered legal challenges. UT-Austin’s new curriculum task force and continued faculty dismissals have raised concerns. Lawsuits are ongoing, with judges temporarily blocking enforcement of contested campus speech restrictions, as reported by Higher Ed Dive.

The Trump administration is planning to transfer US special education oversight from the Education Department to another federal agency, possibly HHS, sparking compliance concerns under IDEA. Over 465 ED employees, including 121 in OSERS, were recently laid off. Despite reassurances from ED, experts and advocacy groups warn of legal and operational risks. A federal judge has halted further dismissals. Secretary Linda McMahon aims to close the ED and return control to states.

Harvard’s SEAS laid off 35 staff, including key student advisers and lecturers, impacting courses and mentorship. Programs like Engineering Without Borders face uncertainty, while faculty redistribute advising duties. Budget pressures, endowment taxes, and federal funding changes prompted the cuts, raising concerns over student support, experiential learning, and the long-term effect on Harvard’s personalized educational experience.

Recent US visa updates affect international students on F-1 visas. Key changes include the $100,000 H-1B fee for overseas applicants, exemptions for F-1 students applying from within the US, and a proposed fixed four-year F-1 visa duration. Staying informed, maintaining valid status, and planning transitions are essential for academic and career success in the evolving US immigration landscape.

US engineering graduates face varied labour market outcomes. Computer Engineering reports the highest unemployment (7.5%), while Civil and Aerospace Engineering remain stable. Underemployment is highest in Engineering Technologies (40.1%). Median early career wages range from $60,000 to $80,000. Graduate degrees influence career trajectories, highlighting the need for internships, skill development, and strategic career planning in STEM fields.

The SSC has extended the last date for Delhi Police Constable (Executive) 2025 applications to October 31, 2025. A total of 7,565 posts are available for male and female candidates. Eligibility requires Class 12 pass and age 18–25 years. Selection includes CBT, PET, PMT, and medical tests. Apply online at ssc.gov.in before the deadline. Salary ranges from Rs 21,700–69,100.

Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and U.S. legal resident, appeared in Philadelphia’s federal appeals court as the Trump administration pushes to deport him over campus protests at Columbia University. His case, highlighting First Amendment protections and civil liberties, challenges government authority over activism. Legal experts say the outcome could set precedent for student and activist deportations nationwide.

A new University of Alabama report reveals that steep cuts to Pell Grants between 2011 and 2022 have severely affected Southern colleges and Black students. With funding and awards falling sharply, enrolment at public and historically Black institutions has dropped dramatically. Researchers warn that reduced aid threatens access, equity, and the future of higher education in the American South.

Indian student enrolment in the US has plunged sharply in 2025 amid stricter visa rules, soaring costs, and safety concerns. With F-1 visa limits, a $100,000 H-1B fee, and growing rejection rates, many are turning to Canada, the UK, and Europe instead. Experts warn the downturn could cost US universities billions and disrupt global talent pipelines.

Heavy rains lashed Puducherry on Tuesday, disrupting normal life and causing waterlogging across several areas. Home and Education Minister A Namassivayam announced a holiday for all schools and colleges in Puducherry and Karaikal on October 22. Minister K Lakshminarayanan held an emergency review meeting, directing officials to stay on alert for any rain-related emergencies.

A record 154,000 students in New York City public schools were classified as homeless during 2024-25, highlighting the city’s deepening housing crisis. Most live in shelters or shared apartments, with Black and Latino students disproportionately affected. Chronic absenteeism and poor academic outcomes are widespread, prompting urgent calls for systemic solutions linking housing, education, and social services to break cycles of poverty.

The Trump administration’s sweeping layoffs and operational freezes signal an effort to dismantle the US Department of Education. Targeting civil rights and special education offices, the cuts threaten decades of federal protections and oversight. While funding for student aid remains, legal challenges loom as the administration pursues its Project 2025 vision to return education control to states.

Donald Trump's nominee for Special Counsel, Paul Ingrassia, faces severe backlash after leaked chats revealed racist and pro-Nazi remarks. His confirmation is now effectively blocked by Republican senators. Ingrassia's academic background includes math, economics, and law, with a career in political commentary and federal liaison roles. The controversy casts a shadow over his future.

Sanae Takaichi, inspired by Thatcher, rose from a six-hour daily commute at Kobe University to become Japan’s first female Prime Minister in 2025. After early setbacks, she built a decades-long political career in the LDP, holding senior ministerial roles. Her conservative values, international experience, and focus on women’s healthcare, caregiving, and national security define her pragmatic, determined leadership.