Times of India

Despite the rhetoric of empowerment echoing through boardrooms, India’s gender pay gap remains glaring. Women continue to earn significantly less, with the IT sector emerging as the worst offender, followed by real estate, FMCG, and banking. Career breaks and workplace bias drive the disparity, while professionals demand pay transparency and performance-based growth to break entrenched inequities.

The Border Security Force (BSF) will close the registration for Radio Operator (RO) and Radio Mechanic (RM) posts on September 23, 2025, with 1,121 vacancies up for grabs. Eligible candidates can apply through the official portal rectt.bsf.gov.in, following detailed instructions on registration, application submission, and fee payment. The drive aims to recruit skilled personnel for BSF’s critical technical operations.

The Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) has announced 432 Stenographer/Steno-Typist Grade-III vacancies. Online registration commences on September 25, 2025, and concludes on November 3, 2025. Applicants must have completed Intermediate (12th) and demonstrate proficiency in stenography and typing. The selection process includes a written test, practical exam, document verification, and medical check-up.

America’s workforce is facing a silent crisis as burnout reaches alarming levels, with employees running on empty and disengaging quietly. Many are canceling personal plans, struggling with stress, and contemplating job changes, yet few speak up. The lack of trusted support systems leaves workers isolated, highlighting an urgent need for structural workplace reforms that prioritize well-being and restore trust.

DRDO has announced the Apprentice Recruitment 2025, offering 195 positions at the Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad. The online application window is open from September 27th to October 28th, 2025. Vacancies are available for Graduate, Technician (Diploma), and ITI Trade Apprentices. Eligibility varies by category, requiring specific degrees, diplomas, or ITI certifications.

The United States, long the world’s premier destination for higher education, is facing a steep decline in international student arrivals, hitting its lowest level since 2021, according to the International Trade Administration. Visa backlogs, policy restrictions, and heightened scrutiny have disproportionately impacted students from Asia and Africa, threatening university revenues, STEM talent pipelines, and America’s global academic leadership.

Job prospects are becoming difficult for young Americans. Tariffs and tech layoffs are creating problems. Companies are tightening budgets, resulting in fewer jobs. Tech sector layoffs are impacting the economy. Recent graduates are facing challenges in finding employment. Federal Reserve is cutting interest rates to boost the job market. Adapting quickly is essential for young professionals in this competitive environment.

Following Charlie Kirk's assassination, educators face repercussions for social media posts, exemplified by a Canadian teacher's critical comments that triggered school safety concerns and a police investigation. This incident mirrors US cases where educators were disciplined for online reactions to Kirk's death, sparking debates about free speech versus professional conduct.

Generative AI is reshaping classrooms across the US, eroding the trust between students and teachers. As assignments can be completed instantly, learning is becoming transactional, and suspicion is replacing collaboration. Educators are now rethinking assessments, emphasizing authentic engagement through handwritten work, oral exams, and checkpoints, aiming to restore curiosity, human dialogue, and the deeper purpose of education.

Harvard University's denial of tenure to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies professor Durba Mitra has sparked controversy. The decision, impacting the WGS program and raising concerns about political influence on academic freedom, follows a national backlash against DEI initiatives. This has ignited debate over Harvard's tenure process and the future of gender studies at the university.

Despite tightening visa regimes, political instability, and safety fears, international students continue to view the United States as the pinnacle of higher education. A Pioneer Academics survey shows many acknowledge risks but persist due to unmatched academic prestige and career opportunities. Yet with enrolments dropping and patience thinning, America’s hold on global talent faces an uncertain test.

A significant disruption looms for Indian STEM graduates in the U.S. as President Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee sparks concern. While tech giants can manage the cost, startups may struggle, limiting opportunities for early-career professionals. This shift intensifies competition, demands proactive strategies, and may delay career progression for Indian talent seeking U.S.

The steep hike in H-1B visa fees has cast a shadow over the American Dream, once seen as a pathway built on merit and ambition. By turning access into a privilege for the wealthy, the policy leaves professionals, students, and institutions in turmoil. Uncertainty, fear, and exclusion now replace opportunity, threatening industries and aspirations alike.

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon's recent Montana visit, part of her 'Returning Education to the States Tour,' highlighted the state's literacy and workforce development initiatives. Touring Morning Star Elementary, McMahon and Governor Greg Gianforte discussed enhancing reading proficiency by third grade.

A US federal appeals court has reinstated Vermont’s Mid Vermont Christian School to the state’s sports league after it was expelled for forfeiting a basketball match against a team with a transgender player. The court found that the ban likely violated the school’s religious freedom. The legal case, filed by Alliance Defending Freedom, argues the expulsion breached the school’s First Amendment rights. The ruling allows the school to participate while the legal process continues.

Utah Valley University (UVU) has launched an independent external review following the fatal on-campus shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The review aims to strengthen campus security and inform safety practices across Utah's higher education institutions. Alongside this, UVU is developing a memorial in Kirk’s honour, guided by a committee of officials, students, and political leaders. The university is responding to growing concerns over campus safety and is engaging the wider community in its efforts.

Conestoga College is facing a 97% drop in new international student permits following changes to Canada’s immigration policy, as reported by The Record. Once the top recruiter of foreign students, the Kitchener-based college is now downsizing staff, increasing fees for returning international students, and seeking to boost domestic enrolment. The decline threatens its financial stability after years of surpluses, with staff strikes and reduced permit extensions adding further pressure.

Over 30 colleges and universities in Massachusetts are now offering free tuition to eligible students, based on household income, residency, or other criteria. This includes both public and private institutions such as Harvard, MIT, and the UMass system. Programmes are funded through state initiatives like MassGrant Plus and aim to improve access amid rising costs and federal aid issues. Despite progress, Massachusetts still ranks #15 in affordability nationally, according to federal data cited by MassLive.

California universities dominate Washington Monthly’s 2025 Best Bang for the Buck: West rankings, with Cal State LA taking the top spot for affordability, access, and strong graduate outcomes. Fresno State, Sacramento State, and Stanislaus State also placed highly, offering low debt levels and solid post-graduation incomes. UC Davis and Pomona College were also recognised nationally. Rankings were based on graduation rates, loan debt, and income, especially for students from low-income families, as reported by the Sacbee.

US President Donald Trump's introduction of a $100,000 H-1B visa fee has raised concerns over its impact on skilled migration from India, the largest source of recipients. Economists warn the move could hinder US growth and productivity, while major tech firms and sectors like healthcare face rising recruitment costs. The Indian government criticised the policy, and Indian IT shares fell in response. The White House later clarified the fee applies only to new applications and is a one-time payment.