Times of India

The US Department of Education has issued layoff notices to 465 staff, threatening the operation of over 40 education grant programmes worth more than $50 billion annually. The affected offices oversee major initiatives like Title I, IDEA, and TRIO. A temporary court halt is in place, but the Trump administration plans to continue the cuts. Without staff to manage grants, funding distribution and compliance monitoring may cease—even if Congress continues to fund the programmes.

ISRO recruitment 2025: ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR, has released a recruitment notification for 151 vacancies across technical, scientific, and support roles. Eligible candidates with qualifications such as BE, BSc, Diploma, ITI, and 10th pass can apply online at apps.shar.gov.in. The application deadline is November 14, 2025. Posts include Scientist/Engineer ‘SC’, Technician ‘B’, Nurse ‘B’, and others. Selection involves written tests, skill tests, document verification, and medical examination. Salary ranges from Rs 19,900 to Rs 1,77,500 per month.

Despite the ongoing US government shutdown, federal student loan payments continue, and most borrower services remain available through third-party servicers. However, forgiveness applications, though accepted, will not be processed until the Department of Education resumes full operations. Legal actions related to student debt are also paused. Experts confirm that repayment options and customer service are still functioning, but delays in forgiveness could lead to future tax implications for some borrowers if processed after 2025.

Recent killings in the US, including the assassination of Charlie Kirk and a deadly school shooting in Minneapolis, have raised concerns over ideological indoctrination on university campuses. Dr Corey Miller of Ratio Christi argues that cultural Marxism taught at many universities fuels intolerance and violence. Studies show professors struggle with political discussion and fear academic freedom is under threat. The debate centres on whether education can promote open debate or if it exacerbates societal divisions.

The Last Class documentary follows Robert Reich’s final semester teaching at UC Berkeley, capturing his 42-year career as a professor and public figure. The film highlights his dynamic teaching style, impact on students, and commitment to public education. Despite limited release, it earned $700,000 at the box office, sparking discussions on the value of public versus private university education and the enduring influence of dedicated educators.

Vermont state senator Samuel Douglass resigned after a Politico report revealed racist and antisemitic messages he and others shared in a private Young Republicans group chat. The messages, including slurs and offensive remarks, prompted calls for his resignation from Governor Phil Scott and other Republican leaders. Douglass, who took office in 2025, faced increasing backlash and stated safety concerns for his family. His resignation follows broader fallout involving several other Young Republican figures.

Pennsylvania school districts are facing severe financial strain as a months-long state budget impasse stalls over $3.5 billion in education funding. Many schools are borrowing money, freezing hiring, and delaying repairs to stay afloat. Education leaders warn that continued gridlock between lawmakers could destabilize public education, urging swift resolution and reimbursement for districts forced into debt.

Students from KL University successfully launched three satellites — KL JAC, KLSAT-2, and CONSAT — from their campus in Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh. Developed by 34 ECE students under faculty guidance, each satellite serves a distinct environmental or atmospheric research purpose. The event, attended by Union Minister Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma and AP Deputy Speaker Raghurama Krishnam Raju, highlighted innovation in student-led space research, aligning with India's Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

SSC CGLE Tier-I answer key 2025: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has extended the deadline for submitting challenges against the tentative answer keys of the CGLE Tier-I 2025 to 11:00 AM on October 21. Candidates can access their response sheets and answer keys online via the SSC website. A fee of Rs. 50 per question applies for each challenge. The extension allows candidates more time to raise objections. All other terms from the original notice dated October 16 remain unchanged.

SSC CHSLE slot selection 2025: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has opened the self-slot selection portal for CHSLE 2025 Tier 1, starting November 12, 2025. Candidates can choose their exam city, date, and shift between October 22 and October 28. If preferred slots are unavailable, alternative cities will be offered. No changes will be allowed after selection. Non-selection will be treated as unwillingness to appear. A detailed guide with screenshots will be available on the candidate portal.

RSMSSB Class IV answer key 2025: The Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSMSSB) has released the official answer key for the Class IV Direct Recruitment Exam 2025. Over 21 lakh candidates appeared for the exam held in September. Chairman Alok Raj stated that the deadline to raise objections will be announced after Diwali. The recruitment aims to fill 53,749 posts across TSP and non-TSP regions. Candidates can download the answer key from the official website and calculate their scores accordingly.

Gen Z is demanding a shift in education, prioritising mental health and a balanced life. They seek flexible learning, not just academic success. This generation is pushing for changes that integrate well-being with studies. Educators are urged to adopt new approaches, including digital literacy and social-emotional learning. The focus is moving towards holistic development for a fulfilling future.

Women are now outlearning men in key industries. This trend is reshaping the future of work. Reports show women surpassing men in education and skills across healthcare, finance and technology. This educational advantage is set to drive innovation and change leadership roles. Policymakers and leaders must recognise this shift to foster equity and growth.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has begun CMAT 2026 registration at cmat.nta.nic.in. Candidates can apply online till November 17, 2025, with fee submission open till November 18. The exam, assessing five key management aptitude areas, will be held in CBT mode for MBA admissions 2026–27. A correction window opens November 20–21.

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has released the RRB NTPC Graduate Answer Key 2025 for CBT 2. Candidates can download it from their regional RRB websites and raise objections from October 17 to 23, 2025, by paying ₹50 per question. The CBT 2 exam, held on October 13, aims to fill 8,113 graduate-level posts.

The Directorate of Medical Education, Madhya Pradesh, has extended the MP NEET UG 2025 mop-up round registration deadline to October 22. Eligible candidates can register, submit choice filling, and request upgradation for MBBS/BDS seats. Fresh choice filling is mandatory. Mop-up results will be announced on October 27, with reporting at colleges from October 28 to November 1. MBBS seats at Sukh Sagar Medical College increased to 200.

Delhi University has formed a six-member inquiry panel after DUSU Joint Secretary Deepika Jha allegedly slapped Professor Sujit Kumar at Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar College during a student union event. Jha claims she reacted to threats by Kumar. Teachers’ bodies condemned the attack, calling it an assault on dignity, while student groups protested, demanding disciplinary action. The panel will report within two weeks.

George Santos, known for fabricating his education, career, and personal history, had his 87-month prison sentence for fraud and identity theft commuted by President Donald Trump in October 2025. Expelled from Congress in 2023, Santos’ case drew national attention for its scope of deception and reignited debates over political integrity and accountability.

The US Department of Education has resumed student loan forgiveness for millions after reaching an agreement with the American Federation of Teachers. The deal allows income-driven repayment borrowers to receive tax-free loan cancellations and reimbursements for extra payments. It also reopens paused programs like IBR and PAYE, offering long-awaited relief and stability to student debt holders.