Times of India

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has confirmed that the 2026–2027 FAFSA form will launch on time this fall, meeting the October 1 deadline. Following early nationwide beta testing, the Department of Education ensured technical reliability and user-friendly design. This marks a significant turnaround after past rollout issues, providing students and families clarity and timely access to federal financial aid.

The Trump administration has threatened to withhold federal funding from 40 states unless they remove references to gender identity and transgender individuals from sex education curricula. Targeting programs like PREP that serve vulnerable teens, the move pits federal authority against state discretion, raising tensions over medical accuracy, civil rights, and the educational inclusion of marginalized youth across the nation.

Memory is not just a storage system but the foundation of learning and academic success. Research shows it can be strengthened through deliberate strategies such as spaced repetition, active recall, interleaving, and mindfulness. Combined with proper nutrition, exercise, and elaboration, these methods enhance retention, focus, and problem-solving, enabling students to excel academically and develop lifelong cognitive skills.

A mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis left two children dead and 17 others injured, including students and elderly parishioners. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes of fear and courage as victims sought cover and aided each other. The FBI is investigating the attack as an anti-Catholic hate crime, while the community mourns and searches for answers.

The Trump administration’s proposal to impose a four-year cap on international student visas has sparked concern across U.S. campuses. While most undergraduates and short-term master’s students may remain unaffected, doctoral researchers, medical trainees, architects, and engineering students in extended tracks face serious disruption. The policy risks undermining America’s academic competitiveness by pushing long-term talent elsewhere.

Susan Monarez, CDC director for under a month, has become a focal point in a leadership standoff, resisting directives she deemed unscientific. With a Ph.D. in veterinary science and a career spanning infectious disease research, federal health policy, and AI-driven healthcare initiatives, her journey highlights the interdisciplinary expertise, ethical leadership, and adaptability required for modern public health careers.

India has crossed a historic milestone, with over one crore school teachers in 2024–25, marking a significant step toward improved pupil-teacher ratios and higher student retention. Yet, persistent learning gaps and the under-representation of women in leadership, highlighted by the UNESCO GEM Report 2024–25, reveal that numerical growth alone cannot guarantee equitable, high-quality education across the nation.

The West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination Board (WBJEEB) has opened WBJEE counselling 2025, allowing eligible candidates to register online at wbjeeb.nic.in for seat allotment in undergraduate engineering courses. Registration began on August 28, with the first round results on September 3. Candidates must pay the seat acceptance fee by September 7, following mandatory registration and choice submission to secure admission.

The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) has released the provisional list of candidates eligible for the Group-I Main Written Examination 2025, following the Preliminary Exam held on June 15. Scheduled from December 1–4 in Chennai, candidates must pay Rs. 200 and submit supporting documents by September 12. The list marks a critical step toward coveted administrative roles in the state.

September 2025 brings a vibrant mix of festivals and observances across India, from Onam in Kerala to Durga Puja in the east and Id-e-Milad across several states. While schools may declare holidays around these occasions, the schedule varies by region and institution. Parents and students are advised to confirm with their schools for accurate dates.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has opened the registration window for GATE 2026, with the application link now active on gate2026.iitg.ac.in. The exam is scheduled for February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026, in two shifts daily. Candidates can apply without late fee until September 28, while the extended deadline is October 9.

The NCVT ITI Result 2025 has been officially declared on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) portal at skillindiadigital.gov.in. Results are available for both first and second-year candidates who appeared for the CBT and Practical exams held from July 28 to August 20, 2025. Students can download their marksheets in PDF format using their PRN and Date of Birth. The results include detailed marks and qualification status, and the original marksheets will be issued later by respective ITIs.

RPF Sub Inspector vacancy 2025: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has released the zone wise vacancy and preference form for the Sub Inspector (Executive) post under CEN RPF-01/2024. Candidates must submit their zonal preference form within seven days via email to the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs). A total of 452 vacancies are distributed across various railway zones and categories. The selection process includes a written exam, physical test, document verification, and medical examination.

The Rajasthan High Court has cancelled the 2021 Sub-Inspector recruitment for 859 posts over a paper leak scandal. Despite government claims that only 68 candidates were implicated, the court annulled the entire process, leaving genuine aspirants in limbo. The ruling underscores a zero-tolerance stance on exam malpractice, sparking protests from affected candidates who had cleared on merit.

As the UK, US, and Canada become less accessible, Russia is emerging as a major destination for Indian workers. With a projected labour shortage of 3.1 million by 2030, Russian companies are actively hiring Indians across construction, electronics, and machinery sectors. Around 1 million Indian specialists are expected to arrive, prompting new consular facilities. The Indian embassy has also issued visa fraud warnings, as demand continues to grow and the Indian community in Russia expands steadily.

The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) has released the Class 10 and Class 12 practical exam date sheet for the September–October 2025 session. The exams will be held from September 12 to 27, 2025, across designated centres. Students can download admit cards from nios.ac.in. Marks must be uploaded by October 10, 2025.

BSSC CGL 4 recruitment 2025: The Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) has announced the CGL 4 Recruitment 2025 to fill 1,481 vacancies in various state government departments. The online application process started on August 25, 2025, and closes on September 24, 2025, at bssc.bihar.gov.in. The selection involves preliminary and mains examinations, followed by document verification. Candidates must pay the application fee by September 26, 2025, and carefully follow the official guidelines before applying.

Kota continues to dominate IIT-JEE coaching in 2025, with one in four IIT entrants preparing in the Rajasthan hub, and half of the top-100 ranks linked to its institutes. An IIT Kanpur report highlights Delhi zone’s best IIT admission conversion rate at 36.78%, while Hyderabad leads in total admissions. The findings underscore Kota’s unmatched role in shaping India’s engineering toppers.

Certain interview answers can immediately disqualify job candidates, regardless of their qualifications. Employers often reject responses that suggest short-term commitment, misaligned priorities, or insufficient motivation. Statements about starting a business, prioritising self-care, being laid off, focusing solely on personal development, or lacking long-term goals may raise concerns for hiring managers. Candidates are more likely to succeed when their answers reflect ambition, commitment, and alignment with company objectives.

CBSE has instructed all affiliated schools to promote the Tele-MANAS helpline, offering students 24x7 free and confidential mental health support in 20 languages. Schools must display helpline numbers and include information in assemblies and newsletters. A mobile app and video consultations are also available. Meanwhile, CBSE and AIIMS Delhi launched Project MATE, a five-day training for school counsellors focusing on adolescent well-being, resilience, and peer support as part of a broader mental health framework.