Times of India

The National Medical Commission has significantly increased the NEET UG 2025 MBBS seat matrix, adding 9,075 new seats across various states, including Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. While 456 seats were removed due to court cases, the total number of MBBS seats now stands at 1,26,600 for the 2025-26 academic year.

Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee, along with wife Esther Duflo, is set to launch a new development economics center at the University of Zurich in July 2026. Funded by a substantial donation, the couple will continue their part-time roles at MIT's poverty action lab. Their groundbreaking work, recognized with a Nobel Prize, focuses on practical, evidence-based solutions to global poverty.

Chicago parents are pushing Mayor Brandon Johnson to create a school advisory board for non-citizens. State law requires this board to give immigrant students and parents a voice. The board's creation is delayed, causing concern as federal immigration enforcement increases. The city is working on applications and safety measures. Parents fear for their children's safety during school drop-offs and pick-ups.

The Trump administration has initiated mass layoffs of federal employees, a departure from typical shutdown responses, to pressure Democrats. Departments like Education and Homeland Security are significantly impacted, with substantial cuts affecting essential programs. This aggressive move intensifies the political standoff, raising concerns about weakened federal capacity and public services.

Harvard Mathematics professor Lauren K. Williams has been awarded a 2025 MacArthur Fellowship for her groundbreaking research bridging theoretical mathematics and physics. Her work on algebraic combinatorics, the positive Grassmannian, and the amplituhedron offers new ways to model complex systems. The "Genius Grant" provides crucial financial security for her continued research and mentorship.

Michelle Obama’s Girls Opportunity Alliance has pledged $2.5 million to support grassroots groups advancing education for adolescent girls in disadvantaged areas. The funding targets school costs, cultural barriers like child marriage, and psychological support. The initiative also offers training and promotes local fundraising efforts. Amid warnings of global education funding cuts, the alliance aims to sustain progress and empower communities to keep millions of girls in school worldwide.

The 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject places MIT first and Carnegie Mellon second in data science and artificial intelligence. Both U.S. universities demonstrate excellence in research, employability, and academic reputation. With strong domestic student populations, advanced curriculums, and scholarship support, these institutions offer top-tier opportunities for native students. Tuition fees exceed $230,000 over four years, but financial aid schemes help reduce costs. Their leadership strengthens the U.S. position in global tech and AI innovation.

The Vanderbilt Faculty Senate has voted to condemn a proposed Trump administration compact that offers preferential funding in exchange for university compliance with new federal directives. The resolution cites potential violations of constitutional rights and threats to academic freedom. The compact, sent to nine elite US universities, includes restrictions on political speech, limits on foreign student enrolment, and use of force against protests. Vanderbilt’s administration says it will review the compact, as reported by the Tennessee Lookout.

Rishi Sunak, former UK prime minister, has joined Microsoft and Anthropic as an AI advisor. With a background in philosophy, politics and economics from Oxford and an MBA from Stanford, Sunak’s new roles reflect his focus on AI safety and regulation. During his premiership, he championed the UK as a leader in AI governance. His extensive political and financial experience positions him to influence the future of AI development in the private sector.

Conservative activist Christopher Rufo has criticised MIT for rejecting the Trump administration's "Compact for Academic Excellence," arguing taxpayer funding requires accountability. MIT's President Sally Kornbluth defended the institute's merit-based admissions and academic freedom, opposing restrictions on expression and funding tied to political compliance. The dispute highlights rising tensions over federal oversight, academic independence, and the use of public funds in US higher education, with potential national implications.

MIT has rejected the Trump administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education,” a deal linking federal funding to strict reforms. Brown University, also invited to sign, faces growing pressure from students and faculty to refuse. Protests at Brown highlight concerns over academic freedom, political neutrality mandates, and potential risks for international students. The compact demands changes in admissions, tuition, and free speech policies, sparking national debate over higher education governance.

WBSSC Group C D recruitment 2025: The West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) has announced 8,477 vacancies under the Non-Teaching Recruitment 2025 for Group C (Clerk) and Group D (Peon, Laboratory Attendant, Night Guard, etc.) posts. Eligible candidates can apply online from November 3, 2025, to December 3, 2025, at westbengalssc.com. The selection process includes a written exam, skill test (if applicable), and document verification. Application fees and age limits vary by category, as outlined in the official short notification.

Indian Army recruitment 2025: The Indian Army has announced the DG EME Group C recruitment 2025 for 69 civilian posts, including MTS, LDC, washerman, stenographer, and instructor roles. Applications will be accepted online from October 11 to November 15, 2025, via the official website. The selection process includes a written exam, skill test, physical test, document verification, and medical examination. No application fee is required. Eligible candidates should apply within the specified dates.

The US has increased the H-1B visa application fee to $100,000 for new petitions, impacting tech firms and foreign skilled workers. In contrast, Germany is promoting its more affordable and flexible skilled migration options, including the EU Blue Card, attracting professionals priced out of the US system. With Germany’s stable policies and labour demand, many skilled workers are now considering it a viable alternative to the US for career growth and permanent residency opportunities.

AISSEE 2026: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has opened online applications for the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) 2026. Eligible students can apply at exams.nta.nic.in until October 30, 2025. The exam will be held in January 2026 for admissions to Classes 6 and 9 in 33 Sainik Schools and approved New Sainik Schools. The exam will be conducted offline in pen and paper mode. Detailed eligibility, exam pattern, and application steps are available on the official website.

Since taking office on March 15, 2024, Bihar Education Minister Sunil Kumar has launched major reforms in school and higher education. His initiatives include large-scale teacher recruitment, transparent transfers, improved infrastructure, inclusive schemes, and competitive exam reforms. Training programmes and performance monitoring aim to enhance teaching quality and student outcomes. Through schemes like Mukhyamantri Poshak Yojana and STET 2025, Kumar’s mission is reshaping Bihar’s education landscape with a focus on inclusivity, accountability, and career readiness.

The Uttarakhand Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UKSSSC) has postponed the 12 October exam for technical posts in the Agriculture Department following concerns about a potential paper leak. The commission confirmed that no admit cards had been issued and that the examination will be rescheduled. Additionally, other exams, including those for cooperative inspector and assistant development officer, were also postponed. UKSSSC has vowed to announce new dates once the investigation into the paper leak is concluded.

RV College of Engineering (RVCE) has included the biography of late ISRO chairman Prof U R Rao in its aerospace engineering curriculum. Students will receive 400 free copies, with a digital version online. The initiative honors Rao’s legacy, introduces the U R Rao-RVCE Award for Best Space Company, and establishes the U R Rao Chair to promote space research, innovation, and global collaborations.

St Stephen’s College 2025-26 fees spark controversy as first-year students are asked to pay DU and college fees separately. The college lists DU fees over three times higher than the official Rs 3,500 share, raising compliance concerns. With total semester fees nearing Rs 30,000, students and DU officials question transparency under the dual-payment system.

The India Skills Report 2025 reveals rising employability among men, reaching 53.46% in 2025. Male professionals prefer working in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Haryana. These states offer career growth, infrastructure, and supportive ecosystems. Employers can use this insight for recruitment, while men can align career choices with high-opportunity regions.