Times of India

Zohran Mamdani, a New York City mayoral candidate, has a plan to hire 1,000 new teachers annually. The 'Community to Classroom' initiative offers tuition aid to students and career changers. This aims to meet state class size mandates by 2028. The proposal seeks to bolster the teaching force and improve retention in city schools.

The Trump administration will resume student loan forgiveness under original income-driven repayment plans, following an agreement with the American Federation of Teachers. This decision reopens a pathway to debt relief for millions of borrowers enrolled in ICR and PAYE plans. Eligible borrowers in 2025 will also receive tax-free loan forgiveness.

Missouri's school voucher program, designed for choice, overwhelmingly directs taxpayer funds to religious institutions, with over 95% of Empowerment Scholarship Accounts supporting faith-based schools. This trend, influenced by Supreme Court rulings, sparks debate on church-state separation and the impact on public education, highlighting a national shift towards faith-based schooling.

A recent study reveals eight college majors, including Performing Arts and Liberal Arts, often lead to limited job prospects or careers outside their field. Graduates face challenges translating academic passion into stable, fulfilling employment due to market saturation and evolving demands. Strategic planning, internships, and skill development are crucial for success.

A shooting at Oklahoma State University's Carreker East residence hall early Sunday morning hospitalized multiple individuals, including at least one student. The incident followed a large off-campus party. Authorities confirmed no ongoing threat to the campus community and are investigating, urging anyone with information to come forward. This event highlights ongoing concerns about gun violence on U.S. college campuses.

New data reveals a concerning decline in literacy and numeracy among young American adults, despite rising high school graduation rates. Millions now lack essential skills for higher education and skilled jobs, with significant disparities affecting Black, Hispanic, and non-native-born individuals. This highlights an urgent need to re-evaluate educational approaches to ensure workforce readiness.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has proposed a $16.6 billion city budget for 2026, significantly increasing funding for Chicago Public Schools by $173 million. This boost, largely from a TIF surplus, aims to stabilize school finances, prevent midyear cuts, and protect classroom programs. The budget also includes a new tax on social media companies to fund mental health initiatives.

Aspiring storytellers face a pivotal choice: Journalism or Communications. While both craft narratives, journalism prioritizes factual reporting and public information, demanding investigative skills and accuracy. Communications focuses on strategic messaging and influencing audiences, requiring persuasion and brand-building expertise. Understanding these distinct paths is crucial for career alignment.

Americans are ditching the 9-to-5 for greater flexibility. Job hopping for better pay, embracing remote and hybrid models, and diving into the gig economy are on the rise. Many are also exploring shorter workweeks and entirely new career paths, seeking autonomy and improved work-life balance. This marks a significant shift in how people approach their professional lives.

A new federal initiative by President Donald Trump is causing a major clash with top US universities. The 'Compact for Academic Excellence' offers significant funding but demands strict control over admissions, hiring, and campus policies. Many elite institutions have already rejected the terms, prioritizing their independence. This move could reshape how Washington interacts with higher education and impact students nationwide.

US Gen Z is increasingly opting for non-traditional career paths over college due to rising costs and shifting job markets. These routes, including apprenticeships, tech boot camps and entrepreneurship, offer faster entry, less debt and greater personal satisfaction. This trend signifies a transformation in how success is defined, with many prioritising practical skills and financial independence.

Danny Rensch, an American chess International Master, co-founded Chess.com, now a global platform with over 225 million users and a $1 billion valuation. His journey began with early chess brilliance, becoming Arizona's youngest National Master at 14. Rensch transitioned his passion into a successful entrepreneurial venture, becoming a leading educator and public spokesperson for the online chess community.

The VARC section of CAT exam demands comprehension, critical thinking, and language command, with Reading Comprehension passages comprising 60-70% of questions. High-weightage topics include main idea, inference, and para-jumbles. Strategic daily practice in reading diverse genres and solving VA drills is crucial for success.

At the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair, publishers and authors spotlighted the surge in US book bans targeting works on LGBTQ+ and racial themes. With over 9,000 titles challenged in 2023, largely by conservative groups, publishers like Macmillan and PEN International are defending intellectual freedom, warning that such censorship undermines education, diversity, and democratic values.

The Staff Selection Commission has released the provisional answer key for the SSC CGL 2025 Tier-1 exam. Candidates can now evaluate their performance and raise objections until October 21, 2025, at 11:00 AM. A nominal fee is required per objection. This crucial step ensures a fair evaluation before the final merit list is prepared, offering transparency to aspirants.

The Railway Recruitment Board has announced the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Measurement Test (PMT) for RPF Constable Recruitment 2025, scheduled from November 13 to December 6. Over 42,000 candidates who cleared the CBT will participate. E-call letters will be issued two weeks prior, and successful candidates will proceed to document verification on the same day.

The National Testing Agency has released the JEE Main 2026 exam schedule. Session 1 will be held from January 21-30, 2026, with registration starting in October 2025. Session 2 is scheduled for April 1-10, 2026, with registration in late January 2026. More exam centers will be added for wider accessibility. The exam is for admission to engineering institutes.

The Jharkhand Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (JCECEB) has released the revised round 3 schedule for Jharkhand NEET UG counselling 2025 at neetug.jceceb.org.in. Candidates can edit their choices till October 25, while seat allotment results will be announced on October 27. Document verification and admissions will take place from October 28 to November 11, 2025.

IIM Bangalore successfully concluded summer placements for its PGP and PGP-BA 2025-27 batch, with all 601 students placed across 137 firms. Consulting led with 46% of offers, dominated by Accenture Strategy, BCG, and Bain. Finance, e-commerce, and healthcare sectors also saw growth. The institute has opened applications for its 2026 BSc (Hons) in Data Science and Economics programme.

Generative AI is transforming workplaces. Harvard research highlights seven key human skills that will keep workers valuable. These include critical thinking, AI fluency, complex problem-solving, communication, lifelong learning, ethical judgment and experimentation. Mastering these abilities will allow individuals to effectively leverage AI tools and navigate the evolving job market. Employers will prioritise these durable human capabilities.