Times of India

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.

Columbia Law School will now require international JD applicants to explain why they wish to study in the US, following a $220 million settlement with the Trump administration. The change, effective for fall 2026 admissions, reflects heightened federal scrutiny of international student enrollment, visa policies, and universities’ financial dependence on foreign students, reshaping US legal education admissions.

The White House met with university presidents to discuss President Trump’s proposed higher education compact, which ties federal funding to ideological and policy commitments. While Education Secretary Linda McMahon called for collaboration, several universities, including Virginia and MIT, have already rejected the deal, citing threats to academic independence. The standoff highlights tensions between federal oversight and university autonomy.

The University of Virginia has become the fifth U.S. institution to reject Donald Trump’s “Compact for Academic Excellence,” a White House proposal linking federal funding to conservative education reforms. Interim president Paul G. Mahoney said the university will not accept conditional funding, citing threats to academic integrity. The decision adds to nationwide resistance against the policy.

In today’s U.S. workplaces, employees increasingly maintain dual identities, balancing professional expectations with personal authenticity. Zety’s survey of 1,000 workers reveals that 60% believe a separate “work identity” is essential, while many conceal beliefs, values, or personal traits to fit in. This compartmentalization erodes well-being, particularly among marginalized groups, highlighting an urgent need for authentic, psychologically safe work cultures.

Palomar College’s board of directors sparked controversy by voting to remove its 2021 anti-racism policy, a move widely criticized by students, faculty, and the community. The decision, justified by legal concerns, reflects a broader national trend of rolling back diversity and inclusion policies under federal pressures. Critics warn the move could undermine campus equity and inclusivity initiatives.

The US federal budget deficit fell by $41 billion to $1.775 trillion in fiscal 2025, driven by record customs revenue from tariffs and steep cuts to education spending, even as healthcare, Social Security, and debt interest rose. Analysts warn that without structural reforms, the modest decline may be temporary, highlighting ongoing challenges in achieving long-term fiscal sustainability.

The TNPSC Group 4 Result 2025 is expected soon, following the written examination held on July 12 across multiple Tamil Nadu centres. The 200-question test assessed Tamil proficiency, general knowledge, and analytical ability. Successful candidates will be considered for key state government posts, including Village Administrative Officers, Junior Assistants, Typists, and Forest Guards, with results accessible via tnpsc.gov.in.

Across the United States, artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming central to classroom instruction. Teachers are adapting to tools that automate grading, generate lesson plans, and personalize learning. Unions like AFT and NEA are partnering with tech companies to train educators while retaining professional oversight. The challenge lies in integrating AI effectively, maintaining educational integrity, and preparing students for a technology-driven future.

A 2025 Gallup-led study reveals a stark reality: only 40% of US workers hold “quality jobs” that offer fair pay, growth, autonomy, and safe, respectful workplaces. Beyond wages, many employees face fragile cultures, limited advancement, and minimal influence over their work. The findings highlight an urgent need for a “quality-first” approach, redefining the future of work in America.

A new analysis by MyPerfectResume (2025) exposes a growing illusion in corporate America, “growth theater.” The reports reveal that 92% of US workers believe job titles are being inflated to mimic advancement, offering prestige without pay or power. With many employees feeling “title trapped,” experts warn of a deeper crisis: symbolic recognition replacing genuine progress.

The US Department of Education has issued layoff notices to over 460 staff, threatening more than 40 student grant programs, including Title I and IDEA. Offices overseeing K-12 and higher education funding, HBCUs, and Hispanic-Serving Institutions face cuts, raising concerns over delayed grants, disrupted support, and reduced federal oversight. A federal judge has temporarily blocked the layoffs amid political uncertainty.