H-1B obstacles and OPT hope: Indian students in the US struggle with evolving visa regulations

Students and professionals are eagerly awaiting President Donald Trump's next step as Indian residents' chances of finding employment abroad have drastically decreased due to the US's restrictive immigration laws. The new regulation has left many people, particularly those who are about to graduate, scurrying to reevaluate their plans and look for alternatives elsewhere in a country that accounts for the biggest number of H-1B visa holders worldwide.Chell Roberts, dean of the University of San Diego, described the announcement as "like a seismic shock." "Students, families, and businesses who have long seen the H-1B as a bridge to opportunity have had their dreams disrupted. "The recent increase in the H-1B cost and the planned changes to the lottery system have made it more difficult for Indian students studying in the United States to obtain a work visa. Notwithstanding these difficulties, the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program is still an essential means of obtaining job experience, even though new regulations may restrict chances in the future. Although some students think that concentrating on developing excellent academic and professional profiles is still the most effective approach, others are worried about employment prospects and career timetables.  

According to MoE data, over 1 lakh single-teacher schools in India educate over 33 lakh children.

According to data from the Ministry of Education, there are over 33 lakh kids enrolled in over one lakh single-teacher schools nationwide, with Andhra Pradesh having the most of these institutions and Uttar Pradesh having the most students enrolled in them. 33,76,769 kids were enrolled in 1,04,125 single-teacher schools in India during the 2024–2025 school year, with an average of roughly 34 pupils per school.Despite efforts to rectify the situation, over 33 lakh Indian pupils are still enrolled in schools with just one teacher, and the roughly one lakh schools where they attend have not hired a teacher to replace their current one. For the academic year 2024–2025, the Union Ministry of Education released data from the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) last week, showing that 1,04,125 schools in India are operated by a single teacher, serving 33,76,769 children. Andhra Pradesh has the most single-teacher schools, followed by Karnataka, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Lakshadweep. Nonetheless, Uttar Pradesh leads the pack in terms of student enrollment in single-teacher schools, followed by Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh.Single-teacher schools are still a major problem in India, despite a decline in their numbers from 1,18,190 in 2022–2023 to 1,10,971 in 2023–2024. According to the ministry, "the number of single teacher schools has decreased by approximately 6% in the reporting year compared to the prior year due to the deliberate and significant governmental interventions." According to officials, in order to guarantee "optimal teacher availability," attempts are being made to redistribute teachers from schools with no students enrolled to single-teacher schools.  

PM Internship Scheme 2025: Which companies can applicants submit their applications to?

Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme 2025: Applications are currently open for the Ministry of Corporate Affairs’ Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme 2025. You can apply for the internship by visiting the official website at pminternship.mca.gov.in. The following is a list of all partner companies that will offer students one-year internship opportunities. PM Internship Scheme 2025: The upcoming PM Internship Scheme 2025 aims to provide numerous opportunities for the youth of India, with the goal of linking theoretical education and hands-on work experience. Initiated by the Indian government, this scheme aims at youth from low-income families aged 21 to 24, offering them 12-month internships in a selection of India’s top 500 companies. This initiative contributes to a broader vision aimed at fostering skill development and improving job prospects for young people in the country.  

By August 2026, the University of Western Australia's new campuses in Chennai and Mumbai will be open.

According to officials, a high-level delegation from the University of Western Australia is in India to interact with the government and state agencies and establish a network of partnerships with Indian institutions. The university's campuses in Chennai and Mumbai are scheduled to open in August 2026. Chennai and Mumbai will host the University of Western Australia's first international campuses. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved the University of Western Australia (UWA), located in Perth, to open several branch campuses throughout India, with Mumbai serving as the center.One of the top 100 universities in the world, UWA, will open a campus in India, becoming the first Australian university from the elite Group of Eight (Go8) to do so and the first Ivy League-equivalent.With more than 371 million individuals between the ages of 15 and 29, India is home to the largest youth population in the world. This generation is digitally native, enterprising, and globally connected, and they are driving innovation and growth. India is converting research into practical effects thanks to one of the most thriving startup ecosystems in the world, according to Guy Littlefair, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (education and student experience), UWA.Through top-notch research, instruction, and industry relationships, UWA's expansion aims to capture this energy, learn from it, and contribute to it. We are placing UWA at the center of the country's future by setting up campuses in Chennai and Mumbai, two of India's centers of innovation and development," Littlefair continued. The institution plans to open two campuses: one in Chennai and one in Mumbai. By 2026, both campuses should be up and running.  

JKBOSE eases the Class 10th and 12th syllabus for annual examinations; date sheet released for SSC

The timetable for the 2025 annual Class 10 examinations has been published by the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE). The exams are planned to take place between November 3 and November 27. The examinations pertain to the October-November 2025 session for the Kashmir province, which includes the Kargil district.The Board announced that the syllabus for the annual examination will be relaxed for students in classes 10, 11, and 12. In a notification issued on October 4, the Board indicated that the relaxation was granted because of the delayed start to the academic session this year and disruptions to the academic calendar resulting from heat waves, heavy rains, and flooding.JKBOSE Syllabus 2025: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) has updated the exam syllabus for Class 10 and Class 12 in 2025. The board announced a reduction of the revision in several regions. The examinations are scheduled to take place in the Kashmir province, including the Kargil district, from October to November 2025. The Board indicated that the easing is a result of the postponed beginning of the academic session and the delays inflicted on the academic calendar by the heatwave, heavy rains, and flooding.The official circular stated, “It is hereby notified that prospective eligible students appearing in class 10, 11, and 12 in the upcoming Annual Regular 2025 examination (October-November session) in the Kashmir Division and winter zone areas of Jammu Division, including UT of Ladakh, shall attempt to achieve 85 percent marks which will be considered as 100 percent marks, thus allowing a 15 percent relaxation in the syllabus.”  

From US Hope to Halt: International students affected by Donald Trump’s 15% enrollment cap

Trump international student cap, Student Visa Exchange Program: According to The Wall Street Journal, a memo from the US government titled 'Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education' mandates that no more than 15 percent of undergraduates may be enrolled under the Student Visa Exchange Program and restricts students from any one country to only 5 percent.US Student Visa Exchange Program: In a shocking development, the administration of Donald Trump has issued a severe ultimatum to nine elite universities in the country, demanding that they limit international undergraduate enrollment to 15 percent or forfeit ‘preferential’ federal funding.The US government memo titled ‘Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education’ stipulates that the number of undergraduates enrolled under the Student Visa Exchange Program must not exceed 15 percent, with a further restriction limiting students from any one country to only 5 percent, according to The Wall Street Journal.A memo named A Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education has been sent by the White House to nine of the nation’s top-tier universities, such as MIT, Dartmouth, and the University of Pennsylvania. This document sets forth guidelines for student admissions, faculty hiring, and campus culture, linking compliance to federal incentives. The memo's core element is a proposal that could transform the future of American higher education: limiting international undergraduate enrollment to 15 percent. Moreover, the nine-page directive restricts the percentage of students from any single country to no more than five percent.  

Knowledge Nugget: Stampedes and NDMA Guidelines — Essential information for the UPSC exam

41 people lost their lives in the Karur rally stampede. This was not the first time a stampede resulted in fatalities; similar events had occurred before. So, what exactly is a stampede? What caused it, and what do the NDMA guidelines say about crowd management? This is everything you need to know. Additionally, explore 'Beyond the Nugget' to learn about the reasons stampedes are deadly.Review the crucial events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena daily to refresh your knowledge. Today’s UPSC Current Affairs knowledge nugget is about Stampedes and NDMA Guidelines.A stampede during a rally for actor-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay in Karur on Saturday (September 27) resulted in 41 deaths, sparking outrage, arrests, and political conflict. Stampedes in India have previously occurred at various locations, including places of worship, sporting events, railway stations, and large gatherings like the Maha Kumbh. Reports indicate that almost 90 individuals have lost their lives in event-related crushes since the start of this year. In this context, we will explore the definition of a stampede, the causes that contribute to them, and the NDMA's crowd management guidelines in India.  

On October 1, the UPSC Chairman will conduct his first live interaction with CSE aspirants.

For the first time, Ajay Kumar, Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), will connect directly with civil service aspirants nationwide via a virtual town hall. An official statement published on Friday indicated that the live interaction will be aired by DD News on its YouTube channel on October 1, from 12 pm to 1 pm.„Ich freue mich, die erste UPSC-Virtual-Town-Hall-Veranstaltung zu organisieren!“ Kumar noted in a LinkedIn post, “Aspirants from all over India can connect with me directly on October 1, 2025, from 12 PM to 1 PM live on the DD News YouTube channel.” For inquiries, please use the email address interactwithupsc@gmail.com. The link to the DD News YouTube channel is lnkd.in/edGZmR5c.As part of the Commission’s centenary year celebrations (2025–26), the initiative was announced through UPSC’s official LinkedIn account. Aspirants and citizens from all over India will have the chance to pose questions and acquire direct insights regarding the examination process, reforms, and innovations at UPSC. It is possible to submit questions beforehand—by emailing interactwithupsc@gmail.com from September 28 until 10 AM on September 30, 2025, using either text or video format. During the live session, participants have the option to post questions on X (Twitter), Facebook, and LinkedIn using the hashtag #AskChairmanUPSC. It also serves to formally kick off the centenary year of UPSC, which commemorates its founding on October 1, 1926, under the provisions of the Government of India Act, 1919. It was originally established as the Public Service Commission, transformed into the Federal Public Service Commission in 1937, and was renamed the Union Public Service Commission with the Constitution's adoption on January 26, 1950. Spanning from October 2025 to October 2026, the centenary celebrations will feature various initiatives, including establishing a Centre of Excellence that will serve as a repository of best practices for UPSC and State Public Service Commissions.  

GATE 2026 Registration: IIT Guwahati has extended applications at gate2026.iitg.ac.in

GATE Registration 2026: The registration window for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 has been extended by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, and this extension does not incur a late fee. It is essential for those who have not applied for GATE 2026 yet to finalize their application via the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in, prior to October 6. To access the portal and submit their forms, applicants must log in with their Enrollment ID and password.The registration date for GATE 2026 has been extended by the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati. The registration for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2026 has been extended until October 6, 2025. Individuals wishing to submit an application can locate the direct link on IIT GATE’s official website at gate2026.iitg.ac.in.The GATE exam is scheduled for February 7, 8, 14, and 15 in the year 2025. The announcement of the results will take place on March 19, 2025. GATE 2026: Necessary paperwork Documents needed to complete the application form a. Photo of the candidate b. Signature of the candidate c. Scanned version of a valid photo ID (Identity Document) d. Scanned PDF version of the Category (SC/ST) certificate, if applicable e. Scanned PDF of the UDID (preferred) or PwD certificate, if relevant f. Dyslexic certificate scanned in PDF format, if applicable g. Falls zutreffend, relevante Anlagen im PDF-Format  

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Does not meet intellectual standards; enforces content based on ideology: Kerala government dismisses UGC draft curriculum

A panel set up by the Kerala government, while opposing the draft curriculum issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC) last month, raised concerns about the “imposition of ideologically driven content under the guise of Indian knowledge system,” as well as outdated content and infringements on academic autonomy.This week, the Kerala government announced that it had rejected the draft curriculum and had communicated this decision to the UGC, based on the panel's report submitted earlier this month. Last month, the UGC published the curriculum framework for nine subjects and requested feedback on them. Higher Education Minister R. Bindu stated in a letter to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and UGC Chairperson Vineet Joshi that the draft, as it currently stands, would not be implemented in the State. She voiced significant worries regarding the academic, structural, and ideological dimensions of the proposed curriculum.THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Higher Education Minister R Bindu has stated that the Kerala government will not adopt the draft Learning Outcome-Based Curriculum Framework released by the UGC in its present form. The state government has officially informed the central government and the UGC of its decision to reject the framework.An expert committee was appointed by the state government to assess the framework, and the decision to reject it was made based on the committee’s findings. The minister communicated the state's position through separate letters to Union Education Minister Dr. Dharmendra Pradhan and UGC Chairperson Vineet Joshi. The draft framework for undergraduate courses was recently published by the UGC.The minister indicated in the letters that the UGC's draft framework constitutes a serious infringement on university autonomy. The UGC's constitutional responsibilities do not include the prescribing of syllabi, course structures, and reading lists. An academic and philosophical perspective on the country’s intellectual and social contexts is missing from the document.  

GATE 2026: IIT Guwahati guarantees students a seamless timetable for core papers despite worries about overlap with the UPSC exam

The committee responsible for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 has declared its intention to take measures to avert a clash with the Union Public Service Commission’s (UPSC) Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026.The annual calendar published by UPSC indicates that the ESE 2026 preliminary exam is set for February 8, 2026. The organising committee for GATE 2026 at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) has acknowledged the overlap and assured candidates that core engineering papers, including civil engineering (CE), electronics engineering (EC), electrical engineering (EE), geology and geophysics (GG), instrumentation (IN), mechanical engineering (ME), production and industrial (PI), and geomatics engineering (GE), will not be scheduled on that date.  

‘Low fees, post-study work opportunities, and a gateway to Europe’: Why Austria is making a significant investment in Indian students in STEM

On Friday, Katharina Wieser, the Austrian Ambassador to India, and Armstrong Pame, Joint Secretary at the Union Ministry of Education, unveiled a new partnership between Austria’s technical universities and VFS Education Services. This initiative is designed to enhance educational ties between India and Austria and broaden opportunities for student mobility.This collaboration unites three renowned Austrian universities: TU Wien, TU Graz, and TU Leoben. This programme targets engineering students from reputable colleges in India, especially those included in the ANABIN database. As per an official announcement, students who qualify will be able to pursue Master’s degrees at these universities. Austria is attracting Indian STEM students by leveraging low (and sometimes free) tuition fees, providing a 12-month post-study work visa, and offering a gateway into the broader European Union. Initiatives like the "Focus India" program, through collaborations with universities like TU Wien and TU Graz, aim to deepen academic and scientific ties by simplifying the admission process for Master's degrees in high-demand fields such as AI, robotics, and biotechnology. Austria's commitment to safety, a high quality of life, and English-taught programs further enhances its appeal.  

According to the QS Global MBA Rankings 2026, IIM Bangalore, Ahmedabad, and Calcutta are among the top 100 B-Schools worldwide.

The QS Global MBA and Business Master's Rankings 2026 include 14 Indian universities, with three of the best IIMs in the nation earning places in the top 100 worldwide. At 52nd rank, IIM Bangalore is in the lead, up one spot from the previous year. IIM Calcutta has improved by one position to 64th, while IIM Ahmedabad is now in 58th place, up two spots. QS claims that these improvements are a result of continuously high employability, ROI, and thought leadership performance. Three Indian business schools were ranked in the top 100 in the newly released QS Global MBA Rankings 2026. IIM Bangalore, the Indian Institute of Management, came in at number 52 globally, followed by IIM Ahmedabad at number 58 and IIM Calcutta at number 64. The global MBA rankings included 14 Indian schools in total.With 37 programs featured and 10 new entries, the nation's business schools also did well in the QS Business Master's Rankings. IIM Bangalore placed seventh in the PG Management program, followed by IIM Ahmedabad at number eleven and IIM Calcutta at number twelve. For the first time, B schools in India were included in the QS Online MBA rankings. No Indian B-school, however, made it into the top 200 for finance programs.  

Model answers for the teacher recruitment exam are uploaded by the Bengal SSC.

According to SSC chairman Siddhartha Majumdar, candidates have the option to contest the sample responses, which will be assessed by professionals. Following the forthcoming Durga Puja vacation, the answer sheets will be evaluated.In a notification released Tuesday evening, the commission stated, "This is to remind those concerned that the preliminary model answer for the 11 topics for which tests were conducted on September 7 are currently being uploaded for review by the candidates...According to the announcement, the preliminary model answer keys for the teacher recruitment exam for Classes 11–12 will be posted on September 20. On September 14, the exams for hiring teachers for Classes 11 and 12 were conducted.It stated, "Candidates can submit suggestions from September 20-25 on payment of ₹100 per question," and that if the proposals were deemed legitimate, the money paid would be reimbursed.According to Majumdar, the panel would finish the hiring process by December 31 under the Supreme Court's directive. Exams were taken by 2.91 lakh individuals for the positions of Class 9–10 teachers.  

After the government promises to refund Rs 600 cr in unpaid fees, Telangana PVT colleges halt their strike.

On Monday, September 15, Telangana's private professional institutions ended their indefinite protest after the state government promised to disburse Rs 600 crore right away for free reimbursement arrears. The breakthrough occurred amid negotiations between the Federation of Associations of Telangana Higher Education (FATHI) leaders and the state government on Monday evening.Leading the group of ministers in the discussions with FATHI representatives was Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, who declared that the government has reacted favorably to the issues facing college administrations and the future of the students enrolled in these institutions."The government decided to immediately release Rs 600 crore towards fee reimbursement arrears for which tokens were issued, despite the fact that it is a financial burden," he stated. The Finance portfolio's owner, Vikramarka, promised that outstanding debts would be paid off gradually. A committee would be established to rationalize the fee refund mechanism, the Deputy CM said, accusing the previous BRS government of causing massive unpaid debts. Following the discovery, several colleges' administrations declared that classes will resume on Tuesday.On Monday, the engineering, pharmaceutical, nursing, MBA, MCA, and B.Ed. colleges all went on indefinite strike. FATHI sent a notification to Prof. V. Balakista Reddy, the chairman of the Telangana Council of Higher Education, on September 12.The Federation claims that there are still unpaid fee reimbursement arrears totaling Rs 10,000 crore. It stated that the government would reevaluate its decision to permanently close the colleges if it released Rs. 1,200 crore related to tokens that had already been issued.The matter was not resolved during the first round of negotiations between the government and representatives of the college management on Sunday. They did, however, agree to have more discussions.  

Students call on CBSE to reverse its decision to exclude more subjects for private applicants, saying it "defies the spirit of flexibility." The board answers.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) issued a new notification on Monday that clarified the additional topic problem for private candidates in response to emails and outrage from a number of pupils. Students can choose "additional subjects only in Class 10 and 12," according to the Board. In Class 10, students can choose two more subjects, but in Class 12, they can only choose one. The extra subjects will be studied for two years by the pupils who receive them.In its circular, CBSE stated that "a regular student may appear as a private candidate under the Compartment or Essential Repeat Category if they have offered additional subjects in prior years and have been placed either in the Compartment' or Essential Repeat' category. "The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) eliminated the opportunity for private students to pursue an extra topic in the 2026 board exams, a decision that caught thousands of applicants off guard. Students who had placed their academic futures on this provision, especially those who took gap years to re-align their careers, are outraged by the decision, which was made without any previous notice. From engineering admission exams like JEE (Joint admission Examination) and NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) to other higher education courses, many saw the "additional subject" as a vital springboard to professional eligibility rather than an academic luxury.  

ICAI on postponed CA papers in Kathmandu: "Exams will be held once the situation is peaceful."

ICAI on postponed CA papers in Kathmandu: "Exams will be held once the situation is peaceful."Speaking about the situation, the president of ICAI explained that postponements of this kind are only made when it is not practical to hold exams. "We postpone the exam whenever there are disruptions. We are eager to perform our exam as soon as feasible once the atmosphere calms down," he stated, adding that fresh dates for the Kathmandu center would be announced as soon as things improved.The ruling follows nationwide protests that have been going on since the government temporarily banned social media.  

Regional language instruction in engineering will increase employment opportunities: The Director of IIT Jodhpur

Out of the 23 IITs, IIT Jodhpur was the first to allow first-year engineering students to study in Hindi last year. The Hindi department had 116 pupils in its first year, and this year there are 96 students enrolled.Although texts and tests are still in English, Hindi is the primary language of instruction in these schools. Students must switch to English-medium courses starting in their second year. On the same day, the Hindi and English parts are taught independently by the same faculty member. Even though the institute accepts students from all around the nation, Hindi is currently the only regional language provided.During the IIT Council meeting last week, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan requested that the IITs adopt regional languages as the medium of teaching in accordance with the National Education Policy 2020. However, each IIT's Senate still has the last say in the matter.Avinash Kumar Agarwal, the director of IIT Jodhpur, talked about the institute's initiative, difficulties, and future plans.The language spoken within 500–700 km must be examined. The Hindi belt is this. Therefore, we have no plans to translate it into another language. IITs number twenty-three. They are primarily local, yet they do have a pan-Indian aspect.Instead of everyone using Hindi by default, it would make much more sense if each IIT adopted the local tongue. We will be able to serve more students in this way. About 60% of the 600 students in Jodhpur are from the Hindi belt, with the remaining 20% coming from other regions. The English portion is for them.I'd enjoy it, ideally. However, in practice, it is quite difficult. You need twice as many professors, classrooms, and intricate class scheduling logistics if you start offering instruction in a second language. There are just two sections in the first semester. The logistics are therefore simple. They are just taking required classes that are the same for everyone, including algebra, physics, and chemistry. It becomes 14 sections at the department level, which begins in the second year.