Times of India

Four leading universities—MIT, Brown, University of Pennsylvania, and USC—have rejected the Trump administration's funding offer tied to a “Compact for Academic Excellence.” The compact demands policy changes, including removing race and sex from admissions, capping international students, and limiting academic expression. These schools cite concerns over academic freedom, governance, and research funding merit as reasons for refusal, highlighting broader tensions between federal control and university autonomy in the US.

Students of the 2020s are redefining work, with side hustles becoming nearly twice as common as among their 1980s counterparts. Driven by creativity, digital opportunity, and economic necessity, these ventures blur the lines between learning and earning. Beyond income, they shape professional identity, teaching entrepreneurial skills, adaptability, and initiative, while offering freedom from traditional career constraints.

Several US states, including New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Texas, and California (from 2026), have recognised Diwali as an official school or state holiday. The move reflects growing cultural diversity and inclusion, allowing students and families to celebrate the festival of lights without missing classes. Recognition varies by district, marking Diwali’s expanding presence across America.

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has declared the IBPS SO Result 2025 for the Specialist Officer prelims held on August 30, 2025. Candidates can check their qualifying status for the mains exam, scheduled for November 9, 2025, on the official portal. The result details include personal information, post applied for, registration and roll numbers, category, and qualifying status, guiding aspirants toward the next recruitment phase.

The CBSE has announced that the Class XII Biology examination will be held on March 27, 2026, providing students a clear timeline for structured preparation. Covering topics from cell biology to ecology, the exam emphasizes conceptual understanding, analytical reasoning, and diagrammatic skills. With a detailed marking scheme and five-section format, strategic revision, practice, and time management are crucial for success.

IB JIO answer key 2025: The Ministry of Home Affairs has released the provisional IB JIO answer key 2025 on nsc.gov.in. Candidates who appeared for the exam held on October 13, 2025, can download the answer key using their login credentials. An objection window is open for raising concerns before the final key is published. Detailed instructions for accessing the answer key and important updates about the recruitment process are available on the official website.

Over half of prospective students use AI tools like ChatGPT to help with study abroad decisions, according to recent research. Despite AI’s growing role in early research, students still trust human advice and official university websites. Universities emphasise multi-channel marketing strategies, combining AI with personalised support from agents and in-person events. Accurate, real-time information remains essential for guiding students through applications and visa processes, as reported by the ICEF.

The University of Pennsylvania, Donald Trump’s alma mater, has rejected his administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence,” a proposed funding-linked deal requiring tuition freezes, limits on international students, and protections for conservative speech. Joining MIT, Brown, and USC, UPenn cited academic freedom and autonomy concerns, marking a symbolic blow as Trump’s former university rebuffs his education policy.

After months of delay, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has started NEET PG 2025 counselling registration at mcc.nic.in. Candidates can apply for admission to MD, MS, and Diploma programmes under the 50% All India Quota. While the information bulletin is out, MCC is yet to release the detailed counselling schedule.

Assam TET final result 2025: The Assam TET final result 2025 for Graduate Teacher (GT) and Post Graduate Teacher (PGT) has been released by the Department of School Education, Assam. Candidates can check their results online at ssa.assam.gov.in and sebaonline.org using their application number and date of birth or password. The result includes candidate details, marks obtained, and qualifying status. Candidates are advised to download and print their scorecards for recruitment purposes and report discrepancies to the authorities promptly.

Diwali 2025 school holidays: Diwali 2025 falls on October 20, but school holiday dates vary across states and boards. While most CBSE and ICSE schools have declared a holiday on October 20, some regions may extend the break to October 21 for Govardhan Puja. The confusion arises due to state-specific calendars and local observances. Parents and students are advised to check with their respective schools for the exact schedule, as some institutions may follow different timelines.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will stop issuing hard copy migration certificates for Class X and XII students from 2025. Instead, students will receive digital certificates via DigiLocker, accepted by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for higher education admissions. During the transition period, hard copies can be requested through CBSE's Duplicate Academic Document System. The new system eliminates fees for migration certificates and aims to simplify certificate access and verification.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the practical exam schedule for Classes 10 and 12 in winter-bound schools for the 2025–26 session. As per the circular, practical, project, and internal assessments will be held from November 6 to December 6, 2025. The schedule applies only to winter-bound schools; others will follow later dates.

Delhi University’s Ambedkar College witnessed an alleged assault when DUSU joint secretary Deepika Jha and ABVP members slapped professor Sujit Kumar, convenor of the college disciplinary committee, during duty. Teachers’ bodies, including DUTA and DTF, condemned the attack, calling for an immediate inquiry. Jha claimed provocation, while experts criticized ABVP’s repeated campus violence and urged strict action.

Harvard Crimson joined 43 college newspapers in an amicus brief supporting Stanford’s lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s targeting of international students for political speech. Visa revocations and arrests of pro-Palestine students sparked fears, causing self-censorship in campus media. The case highlights conflicts between First Amendment protections, student press freedom, and federal immigration authority, with nationwide implications for journalism and noncitizen rights.

OPSC OCS Prelims 2024 answer key: The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has released the provisional answer key for the Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Preliminary Examination 2024 on opsc.gov.in. Candidates can download the key and raise objections until October 22. The exam, held on October 12, fills 200 vacancies across state services. After reviewing objections, OPSC will finalise the answer key. Detailed instructions for downloading and objection submission are available on the official website.

A federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s layoffs in the Education Department’s special education division amid the US government shutdown. The order pauses dismissals affecting nearly 500 staff, including those overseeing IDEA funding. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said special education funding remains intact, while unions and the court prepare for ongoing legal battles. The next hearing is expected within two weeks.

The SSC has released the CGL Tier 1 2025 answer key on ssc.gov.in for 13.5 lakh candidates. Aspirants can download it using their credentials and raise challenges online with valid evidence. The provisional key helps gauge performance ahead of Tier 1 results, and top candidates will advance to Tier 2, a critical step toward India’s prestigious government positions.

Oklahoma rescinds a controversial Bible mandate in public schools, restoring local district discretion. New superintendent Lindel Fields reverses former policies under Ryan Walters, which required Bibles in classrooms and Biblical instruction for grades 5-12. The move addresses civil rights concerns, ongoing lawsuits, and misuse of taxpayer funds, signaling a broader reassessment of education policy and a return to constitutionally balanced classroom practices.

Indiana University fired Jim Rodenbush, director of student media, after he resisted censorship demands. The university ended the Indiana Daily Student’s print edition, citing financial difficulties and shifting focus to digital. Editors and legal experts accuse the university of censorship despite claims of editorial independence. The IDS will continue publishing online while print editions cease indefinitely, sparking ongoing debate about free speech and student media autonomy on campus.