Times of India

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 268, officially recognising Diwali as a state holiday starting in 2026. However, schools and offices will remain open for Diwali 2025, which falls on October 20. From 2026 onwards, state employees can take paid leave, and schools may close if approved by local boards and unions.

Utah's higher education system witnessed a significant surge in enrollment this fall, with over 216,000 students flocking to its colleges. This growth, particularly at Salt Lake Community College and Utah Valley University, highlights increased accessibility and a strong demand for higher learning, promising a more skilled workforce and economic prosperity for the state.

SSC GD result 2025 out: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the SSC GD Constable PET/PST 2025 results at ssc.gov.in. A total of 1,26,736 candidates qualified and will proceed to the Detailed Medical Examination (DME) and Document Verification (DV). The recruitment aims to fill 53,690 vacancies across CAPFs, NCB, SSF, and Assam Rifles. Cut-off marks and result PDFs are now available online.

Nobel laureate Peter Howitt, alongside peers, illuminated how new ideas and technologies drive economic growth by replacing older ones. This concept, creative destruction, explains economic disparities and offers policymakers tools to foster innovation and adaptation. Howitt's lifelong curiosity about prosperity fueled his academic journey, shaping his influential research on growth and innovation.

California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill allowing college admissions preference for descendants of enslaved people, citing legal barriers under Proposition 209. While he approved $6 million for research and created a Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery, advocates say these steps fall short of real reparations. The veto highlights tensions between equity efforts and constitutional limits.

Silicon Valley leaders argue that a 9-to-5 schedule no longer defines success. Executives like Andrew Feldman, Sergey Brin, and Reid Hoffman emphasize that building transformative companies demands relentless focus and extended hours. While some question extreme workweeks, most agree passion and dedication outweigh balance. Is sacrificing personal time still the true cost of innovation?

The Trump administration has drastically cut staff in the Education Department's special education offices, impacting oversight of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This move, linked to a government shutdown and a broader plan to decentralize education, raises concerns about enforcing student rights and ensuring equitable access to services nationwide.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a landmark law to regulate AI chatbots and protect students from potential harm. The legislation mandates clear chatbot disclosures, safety protocols, and crisis referrals for minors. Amid rising concerns over AI’s emotional and psychological impact on children, the law aims to balance innovation with accountability and student well-being.

The US Education Department faces a new round of layoffs, cutting nearly a fifth of its workforce and threatening critical programs. Offices managing disability services, civil rights, after-school initiatives, and funding for low-income and first-generation students are at risk. Unions and educators warn of lasting harm, while legal challenges question the government’s authority to implement these reductions.

The word campus, now central to American college life, originated at Princeton in the 18th century. Initially called a “yard,” the college grounds transformed under President John Witherspoon, who introduced the Latin term meaning “field.” Over centuries, Princeton’s Campus expanded through donations, architectural innovation, and careful planning, becoming a model of scholarly space and influencing colleges nationwide.

The United States attracts global talent for work, study, and investment, yet entering legally requires navigating a complex visa system. Temporary non-immigrant visas cover work, study, and short-term business, while immigrant visas offer permanent residency based on skills and qualifications. Understanding each visa type, eligibility criteria, and application process is crucial for a smooth and successful transition into the US.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), founded in 1861, continues to set global benchmarks in innovation, research, and education. With 85 Nobel Laureates and a powerful alumni network driving $1.9 trillion in annual revenue, MIT’s impact rivals major economies. From 2024 to 2026, it consistently ranked among the world’s top two universities, excelling in teaching, research, and industry collaboration.

The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has pledged $50 million to support Atlanta’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), providing “gap scholarships” to students nearing graduation who have exhausted other financial aid. The decade-long initiative aims to boost graduation rates, promote social mobility, and ensure that financial hardship does not hinder academic success, reinforcing the long-term impact of HBCUs.

The traditional 9-to-5 workday in the US is becoming obsolete as employees demand schedules that align with modern life. Microshifting, which breaks work into short, flexible bursts, is gaining traction among Gen Z, parents, and poly-employed workers. By prioritizing output over hours and fostering trust, it enhances productivity, reduces burnout, and reshapes the future of American workplaces.

The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) is set to release the UP Board Class 10 and 12 Exam Date 2026 soon. Exams are expected in February and March 2026. The official time table will help students plan studies, schedule revisions, and track subjects efficiently. Candidates can download the PDF from upmsp.edu.in for reference and preparation.

Many families still prioritize college prestige, targeting Ivy League schools like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. However, recent data shows that a famous name does not guarantee career success. Rankings now emphasize measurable outcomes such as graduate salaries, job placement, and loan repayment. Smaller, focused colleges like Babson can outperform elite universities, proving results matter more than reputation alone.

Across the US, K-12 schools are increasingly restricting cellphone use to improve classroom focus and reduce distractions. Studies from Rand, JAMA Health Forum, and others show strong educator support and measurable benefits, including better school climates and teacher satisfaction. As more states adopt such policies, public backing for structured cellphone bans continues to rise nationwide.

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton plans to significantly expand the Education Freedom Scholarship program, potentially doubling enrollment to 40,000 students due to high demand. This move, costing an estimated $600 million over five years, intensifies partisan debate over diverting funds from public schools to private institutions.

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is set to release the NEET PG counselling 2025 schedule soon. Qualified candidates can apply through mcc.nic.in. The schedule will detail registration, choice-filling, seat allotment, reporting, and verification dates. The counselling will have four rounds, including a stray vacancy round. Candidates are advised to follow official updates carefully to secure postgraduate medical seats.

Delhi University’s tentative semester exam date sheet has drawn strong criticism from teachers, who warn that a month-long overlap between exams and new semester classes will disrupt both teaching and learning. Faculty members highlight logistical challenges, academic integrity concerns, and strain on resources, urging the university to revise the schedule to ensure smooth conduct of exams and uninterrupted classroom instruction.