Times of India

The Trump administration's freeze of $6.8 billion in education funding, impacting after-school programs and teacher training, sparked a legal battle initiated by 23 states. Accusations arose that the administration was misusing funds to advance a political agenda. Facing legal pressure and public outcry, the administration reversed course, restoring funds and averting significant setbacks for schools and families.

Columbia University restored federal research grants after a $200 million Trump settlement, reviving stalled projects but leaving politically sensitive fields like transgender health research frozen. While labs reopen, faculty warn of long-term damage from funding cuts, executive orders, and political pressure. The case raises fears for the future of American science, with universities weighing pragmatism vs resistance.

The US Department of Education, collaborating with national intelligence agencies, has issued a warning to American colleges about escalating foreign threats targeting research programs. The guidance highlights risks from talent recruitment, espionage, and cyber intrusions. Federal officials urge universities to bolster security measures, including due diligence in partnerships and enhanced cybersecurity, and report suspicious activities.

Brown University is facing legal threats from Marzulla Law over research linking offshore wind opposition groups to conservative networks. Representing Green Oceans, the firm demanded a retraction, calling the study false. Brown defended academic freedom, while researchers decried the move as harassment. The dispute highlights growing tensions between universities, clean energy, and political resistance to offshore wind projects.

Harvard graduate students are advocating for academic freedom protections in their union contract, potentially setting a national precedent. The proposal seeks a university-wide definition covering teaching, research, and expression, aiming to shield graduate workers from censorship and harassment. This move follows similar efforts at other universities and addresses growing concerns about campus tensions and biased evaluations, particularly since October 2023.

US higher education is far from Ivy League glamour. For most of America’s 19 million college students, it’s about survival, balancing jobs, debt, and family while navigating community colleges, online classes, and financial strain. With soaring student loans, uneven aid, and millions leaving without degrees, the true story of American college is persistence, not prestige.

George Mason University’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have been flagged by the US Department of Education for violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. A federal investigation found that race-conscious hiring and promotion practices were noncompliant. The university is reviewing corrective measures while balancing legal obligations, faculty representation, and broader debates over the limits of diversity programs in public higher education.

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s fierce criticism of Ivy League universities for “selling their souls” to the Trump administration is deeply intertwined with his own educational journey. Shaped by dyslexia, resilience, and a Jesuit education at Santa Clara University, Newsom’s defiance reflects his lifelong pursuit of intellectual independence and raises urgent questions about the integrity of higher education under political pressure.

Indian students in the US face mounting anxiety as the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme comes under scrutiny, with potential F-1 visa changes threatening career plans. For many who invested heavily in American education, the risks are high. Experts, however, urge proactive steps — from policy tracking and skill-building to networking and financial planning — to withstand looming uncertainty.

The Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSSB) has postponed the Village Development Officer (VDO) 2025 exam from August 31 to November 2, 2025. The three-hour test will feature 160 multiple-choice questions across seven subjects, including language, mathematics, and Rajasthan’s history and resources. The recruitment drive aims to fill 850 VDO posts, with candidates required to retain OMR copies until the results.

Classroom technology, once hailed as a gateway to knowledge, is increasingly drawing concern from educators and experts. Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, former Obama White House health policy advisor, warned on Fox & Friends Weekend that unchecked use of screens is “antithetical to learning.” Experts caution that constant digital distraction fragments attention, diminishes retention, and risks long-term cognitive and creative development in students.

The University of Delhi will open registration for UG Admission 2025 spot round 1 on August 25, 2025, with applications closing on August 27. The seat allotment list will be declared on August 28, followed by acceptance and verification between August 28–29. Candidates must complete fee payment by August 30 to confirm admission.

MIT’s Data, Economics, and Design of Policy (DEDP) master’s offers an affordable, flexible path for aspiring economists. Students complete online MicroMasters courses before an eight-month in-person program costing about $65,000, including living expenses. Financial aid, fellowships, and country-specific funding like FIDERH and Lemann Foundation support make the program accessible, blending academic rigor with affordability and real-world impact.

The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has announced that the Odisha Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2024 will be conducted on October 12, 2025. The test will feature two compulsory objective-type papers of 200 marks each. With strict negative marking provisions, including one-third deductions for wrong answers, candidates must clear both papers to remain eligible for evaluation.

Authorities have ordered the closure of all government and private schools in Jammu division on August 26 due to severe weather, including heavy rainfall, flooding, and landslides. Himachal Pradesh has similarly shut non-residential schools and colleges across multiple districts as red and orange alerts remain in effect. Officials emphasized student safety amid disrupted transport, blocked roads, and flash flood risks.

Harvard University has broadened its educational impact by offering free online courses in diverse fields like computer science, AI, and humanities. This initiative aims to break down educational barriers, enabling global learners to access high-quality academic content at their own pace. With millions enrolled, Harvard sets a precedent for accessible, top-tier education worldwide.

As schools in Washington DC reopen on August 25, the Trump administration’s new policy allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to enter schools under “exigent circumstances” has heightened anxiety among immigrant families. Experts warn that fear disrupts learning, with chronic stress impairing attention and memory. Schools are urged to prepare detailed protocols, provide trauma-informed support, and build strong community partnerships to safeguard students’ education and well-being.

The State Bank of India (SBI) will close the registration window for Clerk (Junior Associate) posts on August 26, 2025, for a total of 5,180 vacancies. Eligible candidates aged 20 to 28 years with a graduate degree can apply online at sbi.co.in. The recruitment will follow a two-tier examination process, with the Preliminary Exam tentatively in September and the Main Exam in November 2025.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced offline parenting workshops for September 2025, building on its Parenting Calendar 2025–26. Designed to equip parents with practical strategies, the workshops focus on holistic student growth, positive parenting, digital well-being, and resilience. Scheduled across multiple cities, they aim to strengthen collaboration between schools and families for student development.

The OPT program, a crucial pathway for international students seeking U.S. work experience, faces potential elimination and new taxes, creating uncertainty. Indian students, the largest group of STEM graduates, could be significantly impacted, potentially leading to decreased enrollment and a shift of talent to countries with more stable post-study work options. Universities and employers also risk losing talent and revenue.