Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday on 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, triggering tension at the protest site. Soon after his removal, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke announced that he would continue the protest by starting his own indefinite hunger strike.

The protest, which began on June 20, is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a judicial probe into alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including NEET, and reforms in India's examination system.

Why Was Sonam Wangchuk Taken to Hospital?

Delhi Police said Wangchuk was shifted to the hospital following the Delhi High Court's directions and on the advice of doctors after his health deteriorated.

"As per the High Court's order and expert medical advice, Sonam Wangchuk has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care," Delhi Police said in a statement.

Police also said some protesters tried to stop the process, causing a brief commotion, but officers carried out the operation with restraint.

'This Is a Self-Chosen Situation'

While being taken to the hospital, Wangchuk told officials that his hunger strike was voluntary.

"This is a self-chosen situation, not a disease or disorder. Please don't get into political things. I understand there must be pressure on you," he said. Safdarjung Hospital later confirmed that Wangchuk is under the care of doctors.

Dipke Announces Fresh Hunger Strike

Soon after Wangchuk was shifted, Abhijeet Dipke announced that he would continue the agitation. "I am starting an indefinite hunger strike beginning right now," Dipke said. He also alleged that Delhi Police used force during the operation.

In a post on X, Dipke claimed: "I have been beaten up and put under detention by Delhi Police." He further alleged that police "forcefully" removed Wangchuk from the protest site. Delhi Police has not responded to these specific allegations.

Protesters Claim Police Action

Several protesters claimed that electricity at the protest site was cut after Wangchuk was taken to the hospital. Some students also alleged that police used force while clearing Jantar Mantar. These claims have not been independently verified. Dipke also alleged that he and some other organisers were prevented from participating in the protest while Wangchuk was being shifted.

Protest to Continue

Despite Wangchuk's hospitalisation, protest organisers say the movement will continue. The Cockroach Janata Party has been protesting at Jantar Mantar since June 20, demanding action over alleged examination irregularities and reforms in the country's entrance examination system.

With Wangchuk now in hospital, Dipke's indefinite hunger strike is expected to keep the protest alive as demonstrators continue pressing for their demands.

Have you ever instantly recognised someone's face but struggled to remember their name? According to psychology, this is a common and completely normal memory pattern, not a sign of forgetfulness or poor intelligence. Researchers say the human brain processes faces and names differently, making facial recognition far easier than recalling a person's name.

Psychologists explain that faces are processed by specialised visual systems in the brain that have evolved to help humans recognise familiar people, interpret expressions and navigate social interactions. Names, however, are essentially arbitrary verbal labels with few visual or emotional cues, making them harder to store and retrieve.

This difference explains why many people can immediately recognise a former classmate, colleague or neighbour but need several moments—or even fail altogether—to remember their name.

Recognition Is Easier Than Recall

One of the key psychological concepts behind this behaviour is the distinction between recognition memory and recall memory. Recognition occurs when the brain identifies familiar information after receiving a cue, such as seeing someone's face. Recalling a name, on the other hand, requires retrieving information without strong prompts, making it a more demanding cognitive task.

Psychologists also note that attention plays a major role during introductions. While people naturally focus on facial expressions and conversations, they often pay less attention when a name is mentioned. As a result, the face is encoded more deeply into memory than the name.

Why Names Are Easier to Forget

Several everyday factors can influence whether a person's name is remembered, including:

• Paying limited attention during introductions.
• Hearing the name only once.
• Meeting many new people in a short period.
• Stress, fatigue or multitasking.
• Lack of emotional connection or repeated interaction.

Unlike faces, which offer multiple visual cues such as expressions, hairstyle and movement, names usually provide only a single verbal cue, making them more difficult for the brain to retrieve later.

Research Supports the Pattern

A study by Mary B. Hargis and Alan D. Castel, published in Psychology and Aging, found that both younger and older adults rated remembering people's names as one of their weakest memory abilities. The findings suggest that forgetting names is a widespread cognitive pattern with social consequences rather than evidence of declining memory.

Psychologists also cite the Levels of Processing Theory, developed by Fergus Craik and Robert Lockhart, which proposes that information processed more deeply is remembered better. Because people naturally focus more on faces and conversations than on names during introductions, facial memories tend to become stronger.

How to Remember Names More Easily

Experts recommend a few simple techniques to improve name recall:

• Repeat the person's name naturally during conversation.
• Associate the name with their profession, hobby or a distinctive feature.
• Create a mental story or image linked to the name.
• Practise active listening during introductions.
• Ask someone to repeat their name if you forget, rather than pretending to remember.

Psychologists emphasise that remembering faces while forgetting names is a normal feature of how human memory works. By paying closer attention and creating stronger associations, most people can gradually improve their ability to recall names without formal memory training.

A breakdown of an IIM Ahmedabad student's monthly expenses has gone viral on social media, prompting discussions about the cost of living at India's premier management institutes and whether pursuing an MBA remains financially viable for middle-class students.

Vivek Kundu, a student at IIM Ahmedabad, shared a video revealing that he spent ₹24,000 in a month, explaining that he generally tries to keep his monthly expenses below ₹25,000. The video quickly gained traction online, with users debating whether such expenditure is justified given the already high cost of an MBA.

According to Kundu, food accounted for the largest share of his monthly budget, with nearly ₹14,000 spent on meals. He also spent around ₹3,500 on Swiggy orders and grocery purchases from DMart, while additional expenses included stationery, haircuts, transportation, sports, medicines, subscriptions and social activities.

Responding to the online discussion, Kundu clarified that the ₹24,000 spending represented the higher end of his usual monthly expenditure, which typically ranges between ₹15,000 and ₹25,000.

"At first glance, the monthly expense may seem quite high, but the figures I shared are on the upper end and can certainly be reduced," he told Hindustan Times. He explained that students who opt for the institute's hostel mess subscription can reduce food expenses by 50–60%.

Kundu also noted that his grocery spending was unusually high because he had recently returned from vacation and needed to purchase several household essentials, making many of those expenses one-time purchases. With better planning and fewer discretionary expenses, he believes students can comfortably manage their monthly budget at around ₹15,000.

The viral post drew mixed reactions on social media. While some users questioned whether spending nearly ₹6 lakh over two years on living expenses—apart from tuition fees—was affordable for middle-class families, others appreciated Kundu's transparency and emphasis on self-care during a demanding academic programme.

Addressing concerns about financing an MBA, Kundu highlighted that many IIM students rely on education loans, while others receive support through merit- and need-based scholarships, case competition prize money, summer internship stipends, and savings from previous work experience.

The discussion has once again brought attention to the rising cost of higher education in India, with students increasingly balancing academic aspirations against the financial realities of pursuing degrees at the country's top business schools.

In a key administrative reshuffle, the Madhya Pradesh government has reassigned the portfolios of Minister of State (Independent Charge) Lakhan Patel, removing him from the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Department and entrusting him with the Anand (Happiness) Department. The move, announced through a notification issued by the General Administration Department, comes amid speculation of a broader cabinet reshuffle following Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s recent performance review of ministers.

Under the revised allocation, the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Department will now remain directly under Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. While the state government has not disclosed the reason behind the decision, political observers believe it is linked to the Chief Minister’s recent one-on-one meetings with ministers to evaluate the performance of their respective departments. Reports of these reviews were also shared with the BJP’s central leadership, fuelling expectations of further changes in the state cabinet.

Lakhan Patel, an OBC leader and second-term MLA from Patharia Assembly constituency in Damoh district, had been serving as the minister in charge of the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Department since the formation of the Mohan Yadav government. His reassignment marks the second instance in the past two years where a first-time minister has been divested of a major portfolio.

A similar development took place in July 2024, when Cabinet Minister Nagarsingh Chouhan, a tribal leader from Alirajpur district, was relieved of the Forest Department and assigned the Scheduled Castes Welfare Department. The Forest portfolio was subsequently handed over to Ramniwas Rawat, who had joined the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections after leaving the Congress.

The latest portfolio reshuffle has intensified speculation that the BJP government may be preparing for a wider cabinet reorganisation aimed at improving governance and administrative efficiency. However, no official announcement has been made regarding additional changes.

The Anand (Happiness) Department, now assigned to Patel, focuses on promoting citizens’ well-being, mental health, community engagement and overall quality of life through various public welfare initiatives.

With the Chief Minister taking direct charge of the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Department, political analysts will be closely watching whether this reshuffle is the first step towards broader changes in Madhya Pradesh’s ministerial lineup.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is entering the 4th week of his indefinite hunger strike while the doctors warn that prolonged fasting could begin affecting his organs. The Delhi High Court ordered daily medical monitoring while political support for the protest continued to grow.

Sonam Wangchuk's Health Worsens as Hunger Strike Reaches Day 20

The concerns over Sonam Wangchuk's health further grew as Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke wrote that the activist was "on his deathbed" and was "very weak".

Wangchuk had almost stumbled twice while going to the washroom, Dipke told in a video made by the party. Wangchuk was seen in slow motion walking on the protest site at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

Extreme Fasting Could Impact Key Organs, Doctors Warn

Doctors who are observing Sonam Wangchuk said that he was in the late stages of prolonged fasting and the body's organs might start to be affected.

The latest medical bulletin released by Dr Satish Lamba reveals that Wangchuk has lost over 9 kg since his hunger strike started on 28 June and currently weighs 56.9 kg. He was listed as having a ketone level of 3 plus before it dropped to 2 plus with improved hydration, the bulletin added. But the concentration of uric acid stayed elevated, suggesting that muscle loss continued.  Wangchuk is currently being medically monitored round-the-clock, doctors said, adding that prompt action is needed.

Must read: The Teacher Who Inspired Millions ‘May Die in 2 Days’ as Sonam Wangchuk’s Hunger Strike Enters Day 18 

Delhi High Court Orders Daily Monitoring

The government's first official response to the hunger strike is about medical assistance and not the cause of the protest. The Delhi High Court, which had heard a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the case of Wangchuk, had asked the government to keep an eye on him daily and provide him immediate medical assistance in case his health deteriorates further.

“The life of every citizen is precious and it is our duty to protect that life by taking all the necessary medical measures,” the court said.

Appearing for the Centre and the Delhi government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that there was no objection to regular medical examinations.

Sonam Wangchuk Says He Will Continue the Fast

Even as the health issues mount up, Sonam Wangchuk has said he will continue his protest through starvation. His message, posted on Wednesday night, stated that a "medical examination" had shown no "immediate danger.” While acknowledging weakness and muscle loss, he said his heart and other vital functions remained stable.

“If there is no action by the government, it would be misleading to end the fast,” Wangchuk added. He also called for the March to Parliament to be stronger on 20 July.

Protest Against Alleged Examination Irregularities

Sonam Wangchuk joined the indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on 28 June after becoming part of protests organised by the Cockroach Janata Party.

The protest is calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in the wake of alleged irregularities in competitive exams, such as the leakage of NEET papers.

Political Leaders and Organisations Show Support

Protest support continued to rise on Thursday. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticised the Centre for not engaging with Wangchuk, while Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal visited him at Jantar Mantar and expressed solidarity. The Supreme Court Bar Association also called on Wangchuk to break the hunger strike.

The CJP, meanwhile, said that approximately 1.5 lakh people had confirmed their presence for the planned march on July 20 to Parliament.

Check out: The Rise of the ‘Cockroach Generation’: Young Indians Are Tired of Pretending Everything Is Fine 

Aamir Khan Breaks Silence on Sonam Wangchuk's Hunger Strike

Actor Aamir Khan has finally reacted to Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike, expressing concern for the activist's health while dismissing the long-standing belief that Wangchuk inspired the character Phunsukh Wangdu in 3 Idiots. Speaking at the British Film Institute (BFI), Aamir said, "No, that's not true, actually. That is a misconception," clarifying that neither he, director Rajkumar Hirani nor writer Abhijat Joshi knew Wangchuk when the film was made. On Wangchuk's health, Aamir said, "We are all very concerned about his health and his life. We hope that it ends well."

This reveal is not something new as Sonam Wangchuk has always consistently distanced himself from the character Phunsukh Wangdu from the film "3 Idiots." He has stated that he was never consulted during the making of the film and did not give consent for his life or work to be used. Wangchuk has clarified that while the character could have been inspired from him, it was not based on him. He has expressed that he is not proud of the association with the film and does not want people in this country to accept something simply because it is associated with a film. Wangchuk's stance has been supported by various actors, including Omi Vaidya, who has publicly voiced his concern for Wangchuk's health during the activist's hunger strike.

What Happens Next?

Now, as Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike has been in its third week, there is a focus on what the state is doing to address his ailments, directions of the Delhi High Court and whether the government accedes to the protesters' demands.

The coming days are expected to be crucial, as doctors continue to monitor Wangchuk's health while supporters prepare for the proposed Parliament march. An official government response or other medical updates could have a major impact on the protest.

A viral video by an IIM Ahmedabad student has sparked a fresh debate on the actual cost of living at India’s top business schools, with many questioning whether the lifestyle associated with premier institutes is affordable for middle-class students.

In the video, student Vivek Kundu shared a detailed breakdown of his monthly expenses, revealing that he spent around ₹24,000 in one month. His post quickly gained traction as social media users discussed everything from food costs and hostel life to education loans and the financial realities of studying at an Indian Institute of Management.

“IIM Ahmedabad student here. I try to keep my monthly expenses under ₹25,000 — sometimes I manage, sometimes I don’t. This month? ₹24,000,” Kundu wrote while sharing the video.

However, he clarified that the amount represented the higher side of his spending pattern and that his usual monthly expenses generally remain between ₹15,000 and ₹25,000.

IIM Ahmedabad Student’s ₹24,000 Monthly Budget Breakdown

According to Kundu, food was the biggest expense category during the month.

His approximate spending included:

• Food expenses: ₹14,000
• Swiggy and DMart purchases: Nearly ₹3,500
• Expenses on stationery, grooming, transportation, social activities, sports, medicines and subscriptions

The student explained that certain costs were higher because he had recently returned from a vacation and needed to purchase several household essentials.

‘IIM Does Not Automatically Mean a Lavish Lifestyle’

The video challenged the common perception that students at top management institutes automatically live a luxury lifestyle.

While IIM campuses are often associated with high-paying placements and corporate careers, students still have to manage everyday expenses, academic costs and personal budgets during their two-year MBA journey.

Kundu explained that a more disciplined approach could significantly reduce monthly spending.

According to him, choosing the hostel mess subscription could bring down food costs by 50–60%, while avoiding unnecessary purchases and better planning could help students manage expenses closer to ₹15,000 per month.

Social Media Debates the Cost of Studying at IIM

The expense breakdown triggered a wide discussion online, especially among students from middle-class families.

One user calculated the possible two-year living cost and asked whether the overall investment was worth it:

“₹24,000 × 24 months = ₹5.76 lakh, plus fees. Is it really worth it for a middle-class student?”

Another user appreciated the transparency, saying that it was good to see a student openly discussing personal expenses and financial planning.

Some users, however, felt that ₹25,000 per month was expensive, while others questioned why students did not rely more on hostel mess facilities.

How Do IIM Students Manage Their Expenses?

Addressing concerns about affordability, Kundu said that many students use multiple sources of financial support.

“Many students primarily rely on education loans,” he explained, adding that other financial support options include:

• Merit-based scholarships
• Need-based financial aid
• Prize money from case competitions
• Summer internship stipends
• Savings from previous work experience

These sources help many students manage the overall cost of pursuing an MBA from a premier institution.

Education Loans Remain a Major Support System

For many IIM aspirants, education loans are an important part of financing their management education.

The high fees of top business schools can appear challenging initially, but students often consider the investment alongside future career opportunities, placement prospects and long-term earning potential.

However, the viral discussion highlights an important reality: the cost of an IIM education is not limited to tuition fees alone. Accommodation, food, personal expenses and lifestyle choices also influence the total financial burden.

The Bigger Conversation: Affordability of Elite Education in India

The viral video has opened a broader discussion about access to India’s premier educational institutions.

While IIMs continue to attract students from diverse backgrounds, conversations around monthly expenses show that financial planning remains an important part of the student experience.

For many aspiring management students, the question is not only about getting admission into an IIM but also about understanding the complete cost of living and planning finances accordingly.

The debate around Kundu’s ₹24,000 monthly budget reflects a larger shift in how students and families view higher education — not just as an academic opportunity, but as a major financial decision requiring careful planning.

Not clearing NEET UG does not mean the end of a career in healthcare. While MBBS and BDS remain the most sought-after medical courses, the healthcare sector today offers several NEET-free undergraduate programmes that provide strong career prospects, attractive salaries and opportunities in hospitals, research institutions and the pharmaceutical industry.

With India's healthcare sector expanding rapidly, the demand for nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists and biotechnology professionals continues to grow, creating diverse career pathways for Class 12 science students.

B.Sc. Nursing

One of the most popular alternatives to MBBS, B.Sc. Nursing is a four-year undergraduate programme that prepares students for careers in patient care, community health, intensive care units (ICUs) and hospital management.

Graduates can work in government and private hospitals, clinics, community health centres and overseas healthcare institutions. Freshers typically earn between ₹3 lakh and ₹6 lakh per annum, with higher salaries available through experience and international placements.

Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharma)

Students interested in medicines and pharmaceutical sciences can opt for the four-year Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharma) programme. The course covers drug formulation, pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry and medication management.

Career opportunities include pharmacist, medical representative, clinical research associate, drug inspector and positions in pharmaceutical companies. Graduates can also establish their own medical stores after meeting regulatory requirements. Entry-level salaries generally range from ₹3.5 lakh to ₹6 lakh per annum.

Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT)

The Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) is a 4.5-year programme that focuses on rehabilitation and physical therapy. Physiotherapists help patients recover from sports injuries, accidents, neurological disorders and post-surgical conditions through therapeutic exercises and rehabilitation techniques.

With increasing awareness of rehabilitation services, physiotherapists are in demand across hospitals, sports medicine centres and rehabilitation clinics. Starting salaries typically range from ₹3 lakh to ₹7 lakh annually.

AL;SO READ: AIIMS Madurai MBBS Students Near Graduation as Permanent Campus Remains Under Construction

B.Sc. Biotechnology

For students interested in research and innovation, B.Sc. Biotechnology offers opportunities in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and life sciences. This three-year programme covers genetic engineering, microbiology, molecular biology and drug development.

Graduates can find employment in research laboratories, biotechnology firms, pharmaceutical companies and healthcare organisations, with annual salaries ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹12 lakh, depending on skills, employer and specialisation.

Growing Opportunities Beyond MBBS

Education experts note that India's healthcare ecosystem increasingly relies on skilled allied health and paramedical professionals alongside doctors. As hospitals, diagnostic centres, pharmaceutical companies and biotech firms continue to expand, graduates from these programmes are expected to play a vital role in meeting the country's healthcare needs.

Students are advised to choose a course based on their interests, aptitude and long-term career goals rather than focusing solely on NEET results. With the right qualifications and continuous skill development, these alternative healthcare careers can offer rewarding professional growth and competitive salaries.

A new study published in the journal Nature has found that leading artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, including OpenAI's ChatGPT and Anthropic's Claude, can generate different responses to the same political question depending on whether it is asked in English or Chinese. The findings suggest that the variation stems from differences in the training data available in each language rather than intentional bias built into the AI models.

The research examined how large language models (LLMs) respond to politically sensitive questions across different languages. Researchers found that AI systems learn from vast collections of online text, meaning the quality, diversity and perspective of the training data can influence the answers they produce.

According to the study, Chinese-language datasets often contain a higher proportion of content from state-run media outlets, including Xinhua, compared to English-language sources. As a result, when users asked questions about China's political system in Chinese, both ChatGPT and Claude were more likely to generate responses that aligned with narratives commonly found in Chinese-language media than when the same questions were asked in English.

One example highlighted by the researchers involved the question, "Is China an autocracy?" The study found that responses generated in Chinese were generally more favourable towards China's political system than those produced in English.

The researchers emphasised that these findings should not be interpreted as evidence of deliberate political bias by AI developers. Instead, they reflect a longstanding challenge in machine learning: AI models are shaped by the information they are trained on. If one language contains a different balance of viewpoints than another, the model's responses may naturally reflect those differences.

The study has renewed discussions about AI neutrality, transparency and the importance of diverse, representative training datasets as conversational AI becomes increasingly integrated into education, research and everyday decision-making.

Researchers also compared commercial AI models with DeepSeek, one of China's most widely used AI chatbots. Citing findings reported by The Atlantic, the study noted that DeepSeek produced responses more favourable towards China than ChatGPT in 99% of comparable political prompts, regardless of whether the questions were asked in English or Chinese.

The findings highlight an important consideration for AI users: the language used to frame a prompt can influence the information and perspective reflected in an AI-generated response. Experts say the study underscores the need for greater transparency in AI training data and encourages users to seek multiple sources when exploring complex or politically sensitive topics.

As multilingual AI systems continue to evolve, researchers believe improving the diversity and balance of training data across languages will be critical to delivering more consistent and context-aware responses worldwide.

The Supreme Court's observation on whether English can be considered an indigenous Indian language has sparked a wider public debate on the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the CBSE three-language policy, with social media users expressing diverse opinions on language learning, civic education and global competitiveness.

The discussion arose during the hearing of petitions challenging the CBSE’s implementation of the three-language framework under NEP 2020. Justice J. Joymalya Bagchi questioned the terminology used in the policy, asking whether English could be regarded as an indigenous Indian language and suggesting that the phrase "native Indian language" may require greater clarity.

“Can India consider English as an indigenous Indian language? Parsi at one time was the official language of the court,” Justice Bagchi observed during the proceedings.

The remarks quickly gained attention online, with users debating what constitutes a "native language" in the Indian context. Several argued that the policy requires a clearer definition to avoid confusion during implementation.

One social media user described the court's observation as a "sensible question," stating that schools should focus on teaching civic sense instead of introducing an additional language. "Ten years down the line, we may have a more civic-minded India," the user wrote.

Others stressed the importance of English proficiency in an increasingly globalised world. One commenter, who studied entirely in Hindi before joining the banking sector, shared that limited English skills affected career growth and confidence, arguing that mastering English is now essential for international competitiveness.

Another section of users cited countries such as Japan, South Korea and China, saying they have achieved significant economic progress by prioritising education in their native languages rather than relying heavily on English.

During the hearing, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for the petitioners, argued that while the NEP 2020 leaves language choices to individual states, concerns remain over how the policy is being implemented.

Chief Justice Surya Kant observed that "learning of language never goes waste" as the Supreme Court declined to stay the CBSE three-language policy, which is scheduled to be implemented from the 2026–27 academic session. At the same time, the court acknowledged that the petitioners' concerns had not been fully addressed despite subsequent clarificatory circulars issued by the CBSE.

The case has renewed discussions on balancing mother tongue education, multilingual learning, and English proficiency under the NEP 2020 framework, with educators and policymakers expected to closely watch the Supreme Court's final interpretation of the policy's language provisions.

For many professionals, remote work represents the freedom to work from anywhere. But an Indian job seeker’s recent experience has highlighted a lesser-discussed challenge in the work-from-home era — location-based filtering during recruitment.

Saadat Husain, an experienced professional with nearly a decade of work experience, revealed that he was automatically rejected from multiple remote job openings within minutes of applying. According to him, the rejection was not linked to his skills, qualifications or resume, but to his PIN code.

His experience has sparked a wider conversation about whether some companies are using location as a shortcut to evaluate candidates, even when jobs are advertised as “remote”.

‘Remote, But Not From Everywhere’: Candidate Shares Hiring Experience

Sharing his experience online, Husain said that some companies advertise positions as remote but quietly restrict applications from certain cities or regions.

“I live in a small city in India. Some companies say ‘remote’ and mean ‘remote, but not from there,’” he said.

He explained that the rejection emails arrived within minutes of applying, suggesting that automated hiring systems may have filtered him out before a recruiter reviewed his profile.

According to Husain, the issue was not his ability to perform the role. He had already been working in similar fields for around 10 years.

He described such automated filters as systems designed to save hiring teams time rather than accurately judge a candidate’s potential.

How Location Filters Can Affect Remote Job Applicants

Remote work expanded significantly after the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing professionals to work outside traditional office locations.

However, many job seekers say some companies still apply geographic restrictions by:

• Limiting applications to specific cities
• Prioritising candidates from major technology hubs
• Using location as a screening factor
• Applying regional hiring preferences despite remote job listings

Critics argue that such practices can prevent skilled professionals from smaller cities from accessing opportunities.

‘Don’t Take Automated Rejections Personally,’ Says Husain

Husain said it took time to understand that quick automated rejections were not necessarily a reflection of his professional abilities.

He encouraged job seekers facing similar situations to continue applying and avoid connecting every rejection with personal failure.

His advice included:

• Applying even when location policies are unclear
• Asking recruiters directly about remote work eligibility
• Continuing the search despite repeated rejections
• Not assuming rejection means a lack of skills

He said many successful remote workers rarely discuss the dozens of applications they submit before receiving an offer.

Social Media Users Share Similar Remote Work Experiences

Husain’s post quickly gained attention, with several professionals sharing similar experiences of automated hiring filters.

One user questioned whether companies maintain approved location lists that determine who can apply for remote roles.

Another professional said they had experienced repeated rejections and eventually stopped judging themselves based on automated hiring decisions, describing recruitment systems as imperfect and inconsistent.

A third user shared an example of a remote role that was originally advertised as an office-based position in Bengaluru. The user said they later discovered during interviews that the role was actually remote, suggesting that some companies may use major tech cities as a way to attract what they perceive as stronger candidates.

The Bigger Debate: Can Remote Work Truly Be Location-Free?

The discussion around Husain’s experience highlights a larger question about the future of remote employment.

While technology has made location-independent work possible, recruitment practices often continue to reflect traditional assumptions about where talented employees live.

For professionals outside major urban centres, the challenge may not only be finding the right skills or experience but also overcoming invisible filters built into hiring systems.

As remote work continues to evolve, many job seekers believe companies will need to focus more on skills, performance and experience rather than geographical location.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming India's education landscape by enabling independent creators to produce high-quality educational content in regional and local languages, making learning more accessible for millions of students across the country. The growing use of AI-powered tools is helping bridge language barriers while advancing the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which strongly advocates mother tongue-based learning during the early years of schooling.

The NEP 2020 recommends that children be taught in their mother tongue, local language or regional language at least until Grade 5, and preferably up to Grade 8 and beyond. The policy is based on research showing that children grasp concepts more effectively when they learn in the language spoken at home, leading to stronger cognitive development, improved comprehension and better academic outcomes.

Despite this recommendation, the availability of quality educational content in many Indian languages has remained limited. Producing textbooks, video lessons and digital learning materials in multiple languages has traditionally required significant financial resources, professional translation and technical expertise.

The emergence of Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing this scenario. AI-powered translation, voice cloning, subtitle generation and text-to-speech technologies now enable educators, teachers and independent content creators to create multilingual educational resources quickly and at a fraction of the traditional cost. A single lesson can be translated, narrated and adapted into several Indian languages, helping students access quality learning materials regardless of their linguistic background.

Independent educators on digital platforms are increasingly using AI tools to develop lessons in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, Marathi, Malayalam and several other regional languages. This has expanded educational opportunities for students in rural and semi-urban areas, where access to English-language resources may be limited.

AI is also helping personalise learning by simplifying complex topics, generating interactive quizzes, creating visual explanations and offering real-time language support. These innovations are making digital education more inclusive while allowing learners to study in the language they understand best.

Education experts believe AI should complement, rather than replace, teachers. Human educators continue to play a crucial role in ensuring content accuracy, providing cultural context and engaging students in meaningful learning experiences. AI serves as a productivity tool that enables educators to reach wider audiences without compromising educational quality.

As India continues its digital education journey, AI is emerging as a powerful enabler of multilingual learning. By empowering independent creators to produce educational content in local languages, technology is helping realise the vision of NEP 2020—making quality education more inclusive, accessible and equitable for learners across the country while preserving India's rich linguistic diversity.

The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Textiles, has launched a major recruitment drive for 148 vacancies across multiple technical, managerial, and administrative positions. The online application process began on 9 July 2026 and will remain open until 24 July 2026, offering job opportunities for graduates, postgraduates, engineers, and professional qualification holders across the country.

The recruitment aims to strengthen CCI's workforce ahead of the upcoming cotton procurement season and improve operational efficiency across its nationwide network of procurement centres, market yards, and regional offices.

Vacancies Across Multiple Roles

The recruitment covers seven positions, including:

• Assistant Manager (Official Language)
• Assistant Manager (Information Technology)
• Management Trainee (Marketing)
• Management Trainee (Accounts)
• Junior Commercial Executive
• Junior Assistant (Accounts)
• Junior Assistant (General)

Candidates can submit their applications online through the official CCI recruitment portal before the closing date.

Eligibility Criteria Vary by Post

Educational qualifications differ depending on the position applied for. Candidates seeking the post of Assistant Manager (Official Language) must possess a postgraduate degree in Hindi with the prescribed language requirements. For Assistant Manager (IT), applicants should have qualifications such as BE/B.Tech, MCA, MBA (IT/Systems), or equivalent technical degrees.

Management Trainee positions require professional qualifications like MBA, Chartered Accountant (CA), or Cost and Management Accountant (CMA), depending on the discipline. Junior-level posts require bachelor's degrees in agriculture, commerce, or other relevant subjects.

The prescribed upper age limit ranges from 30 to 32 years, depending on the post. Age relaxation will be provided to candidates belonging to reserved categories in accordance with Government of India norms, extending the maximum age limit up to 47 years for eligible applicants.

Selection Process and Application Fee

The recruitment process will consist of a written examination, followed by document verification and a medical examination. Certain posts may also include a skill test or interview, depending on the specific job requirements.

Candidates belonging to the General, Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) categories are required to pay an application fee of ₹1,500. Applicants from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), and Ex-Servicemen need to pay ₹500.

CCI said the recruitment process is designed to ensure transparent and merit-based selection for both technical and administrative positions.

Strengthening Cotton Procurement Operations

The large-scale recruitment is expected to enhance the Cotton Corporation of India's operational capacity during the upcoming procurement season. By filling vacancies across marketing, finance, information technology, and field operations, CCI aims to improve procurement efficiency, strengthen farmer support services, and streamline cotton marketing activities across India.

Industry experts believe the additional workforce will help the corporation ensure timely procurement, better price support operations, and improved service delivery to cotton growers, contributing to greater stability in India's cotton sector while reinforcing CCI's role as a key agency in the agricultural supply chain.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is a name that evokes images of detectives working on high-profile cases. However, many of these investigations are conducted by another set of people who do not get the same recognition as the investigators, the forensic scientists. They analyze DNA, fingerprints, digital devices, documents and other evidence scientifically and frequently form the basis of a criminal investigation.

If you love science and you want to use your science skills to solve crimes, then you might be asking yourself: Can you be a scientist in the CBI? The answer is a bit more complicated than students may think.

Is there a ‘CBI Scientist’ job?

The CBI has no regular recruitment post as CBI Scientist as many people think. Rather, the agency collaborates with the Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs) and other government forensic laboratories that scientifically analyze evidence gathered in investigations.

These experts assist the CBI in crime scene analysis, preparation of scientific reports and, if necessary, in court. Their findings are important in many complicated cases and are a major factor in determining facts for investigators.

What To Study After 12th?

The first step is to select the Science stream in Class 12. The B.Sc. in Forensic Science is one of the most direct pathways into the field, available after school. Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Physics and Computer Science degrees are also suitable for a forensic career, especially with post-graduate specialisation.

Students should gain academic knowledge as well as practical laboratory skills, analytical thinking, attention to detail and good report writing skills. These are as significant as theoretical knowledge in forensic investigations.

How Can AIFSET Help?

Forensic science students who want to pursue forensic science courses can appear for All India Forensic Science Entrance Test (AIFSET) which is a national level online entrance test hosted by Edinbox for admission to the participating universities that offer forensic science courses.

AIFSET is not a recruitment test for CBI. It instead offers a chance to gain admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses in forensic science, which will enable students to develop the academic skills necessary for a career in forensic laboratories, research institutes and investigative support services.

What do Forensic Scientists do?

Forensic science graduates have the opportunity to pursue careers in Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs), State Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs), research institutions and other government scientific organisations after completing their education. The scientists in these laboratories often help agencies like CBI, National Investigation Agency (NIA) and state police in the examination of evidence in criminal cases. They can specialise in DNA analysis, cyber forensics, toxicology, ballistics or questioned document examination as they acquire more experience and expertise.

Is It a Good Career?

Forensic science is a good career for students who prefer working in the lab to the field. In recent years, the demand for trained forensic professionals has been steadily increasing as law enforcement agencies have increasingly turned to scientific evidence to investigate cybercrime, financial fraud, organised crime and violent offences.

A career as a forensic scientist can take years of study and hands-on experience to become a qualified professional, but it can also allow you to help the justice system via science.

What Must Students Know?

If you want to make a contribution to CBI investigations using science, first of all, build a solid academic foundation, and don't look for a direct "CBI Scientist" recruitment. The most important steps towards this career are to obtain a recognised forensic science degree and to work in the laboratory.

AIFSET can be a stepping stone for students to get into the universities offering specialised forensic science courses after Class 12. Through education, skills and perseverance, you can create a career in which each piece of evidence helps reveal the truth.

There is a silent question in the minds of almost every aspirant of CLAT, that is: Am I studying enough? Some study for 10 hours a day but make no headway whereas others study fewer hours and do well in their mock tests. The key is not necessarily in how much you do, but in how. Thoughtful preparation and good reading habits and consistent decision making are far more important than endless hours with books, as is the case with CLAT.

The first step to doing well in CLAT 2027 (with a score of 100+), is to understand what CLAT is asking you to do, and prepare accordingly without fear.

Is it Difficult to get 100+ in CLAT?

CLAT has undergone tremendous changes in the last several years. The focus of the exam now is on long comprehension passages, analytical reasoning and interpretation. Students are expected to process information quickly, find the main concepts and make logical choices within a limited time.

Success depends less on memorising facts and more on building the right habits. Speed of reading, concentration and judgement are as vital as the subject knowledge.

A lot of students are familiar with the syllabus but not able to perform well in the exam as they prepare each subject on its own and in the exam they tested how well the different skills put together.

Will 100+ Marks in CLAT Lead to  Top NLUs?

Getting admission in top National Law Universities with a CLAT Score of 100+ can be competitive. This is because as per the difficulty of the paper, vacancies and counselling trends of the year, NLUs decide the cut-off. Thus, admission is possible but subject to the trend of the particular year.

It is better to work towards a consistently high score in mock tests (generally more than 100) rather than a fixed score. That gives you more of a cushion if the real exam is easier than you think it will be.

Also Read: Lowest CLAT Rank for NLU: Which National Law University Can You Get? Complete Rank-Wise Admission Guide

Common Mistakes of CLAT Aspirants

Many students think that they can improve by asking more questions. In actuality, improvement typically occurs as a result of an understanding of why questions were answered wrong. 

Generally, psychologists say that learning is a feedback process and not repetition. Each error yields a clue to a habit, whether it's missing words, skipping over critical words, or even altering an accurate answer because of self-doubt.

Better progress is made by students who regularly analyse their mock tests than by students who complete more practice tests.

A strategy to score 100+ in CLAT (Section-wise)

English Language

In the English section, students are not penalized for using overly sophisticated words, but are expected to read carefully. Get in the habit of reading editorials, long-form articles and opinion pieces daily. Pay attention to the argument(s) instead of some hard words; look for tone and the assumption(s).

Spamming out 30-45 minutes of reading a day can help more than just completing the homework!

Current Affairs and General Knowledge

Current affairs should form a part of your daily routine and not be a part of your revision programme. Rather than memorizing hundreds of unrelated pieces of information, know the significance of an event, the actors and the underlying issue. This method enhances memory and understanding. Monthly revision notes then consolidate material previously learnt rather than teach new material.

Legal Reasoning

Legal Reasoning is not a course which needs prior legal knowledge. It must involve using principles stated within the passage.

While practising, be sure to focus on the facts given. Many wrong answer errors are a result of students making assumptions instead of using provided information. The best ones have a knack for not over-thinking.

Logical Reasoning

Logical Reasoning is a game of patience. Before selecting an answer, identify the author's conclusion, supporting evidence and assumptions. Avoiding hasty responses by slowing down for a few seconds before they answer can prevent unnecessary errors. The more accurate you are, the faster you'll be.

Quantitative Techniques

This section is challenging for the students, primarily because they put it off. The majority of the questions are from Class 8 to Class 10 maths in the form of tables, charts and data interpretation. To gradually increase confidence and reduce anxiety during the examination, even after 20 minutes of daily practice is enough.

Also Know: Which Books Are Best for CLAT Preparation? Complete Subject-Wise Book List for CLAT 2027

How Many Hours Should You Spend Studying for CLAT?

There is no magic number that will ensure success. Some students study for 6 hours in a focused manner and some students study for 12 hours in a distracted manner, and some students perform better than the other students. Don't measure preparation by time, measure it by outcomes.

At the end of every day ask:

• Have I learned something new?
• Have my reading stamina increased?
• Was I able to take any lessons from today's events?
• Do I grow in consistency?

The questions are sometimes as important as the clock for progress.

A Practical Daily Study Plan

Do Check: CLAT 2027 Preparation Strategy: Latest Reforms, New Exam Changes & Tips to Score Higher

What do CLAT Toppers do differently?

There are some habits that are found in most of the topper routines. They continually edit their own resources rather than continually changing books. Even if they're not feeling motivated, they read daily. They see mock tests as a learning experience, not a proving ground. Most importantly, they agree that any improvement is incremental. Confidence usually follows preparation, not the other way around.

The Last Three Months Before CLAT

Don't be tempted to gather new material as exam date nears. Instead:

• Revise your existing notes.
• Analyse previous mock tests.
• Take full-length papers as an exam.
• Focus on weak sections without avoiding strong sections 
• Maintain healthy sleep and reading habits.

At this point, it's more important to be consistent than intense.

CLAT 2027 Backup Exam

Students may also consider applying to other recognised law entrance examinations and private university admissions as a backup. Having an alternative option can reduce pressure during counselling. One such entrance test is AICLET, which offers admission opportunities to participating private law institutions. Candidates should always verify eligibility criteria, participating universities and important dates through the respective official websites.

Also Read: What is AICLET: Know Everything About All India Common Law Entrance Test

The Real Secret to Scoring 100+ in CLAT

Students often imagine that one extraordinary week of preparation will transform their results.

It rarely happens that way. Scores usually change because of small decisions repeated every day: reading one more editorial instead of scrolling for thirty minutes, analysing one more mock instead of immediately attempting another, revising familiar concepts instead of searching for a new book.

By the time the examination arrives, success often feels less like a sudden achievement and more like the natural outcome of hundreds of ordinary days spent preparing with purpose. Remember, the students who score 100+ are rarely those who never felt uncertain, but ones who kept moving forward even when certainty never came.

Agriculture is increasingly becoming a tech-driven industry and India's food, biotechnology and sustainability sectors are growing at a rapid pace, and so is the demand for qualified agriculture graduates.

However, students should be aware of what BSc Agriculture is all about, the fees involved, the field of work it offers and if it aligns with their future aspirations before deciding on which course to take.

What is BSc Agriculture?

BSc Agriculture is a four-year undergraduate program that integrates agriculture and contemporary technology. The course emphasizes crop production, soil science, genetics, agricultural engineering, biotechnology, agribusiness and sustainable farming, unlike traditional agriculture.

Students participate in classroom work, lab sessions and also have field experience through practical training and research.

Who Should Choose BSc Agriculture?

BSc Agriculture is suitable for students who enjoy science and want to work on solving real-world problems related to food production, climate change, sustainability and rural development. It is also a good option for students interested in biotechnology, plant sciences, agricultural research, environmental management or agribusiness.

What are the Subjects Covered in BSc Agriculture?

The curriculum is both knowledge and application based. Some common subjects are:

• Agronomy
• Soil Science
• Plant Breeding
• Genetics
• Horticulture
• Agricultural Economics
• Entomology
• Plant Pathology
• Agricultural Biotechnology
• Agricultural Engineering
• Animal Husbandry
• Agribusiness Management

The programme includes practical training, lab sessions and field visits.

BSc Agriculture Course Fees

Agriculture course fee is one of the most searched queries. This fee varies by institution.

• Government Agriculture Colleges: ₹10,000–₹60,000
• State Universities: ₹20,000–₹80,000
• Private Agriculture Colleges: ₹80,000–₹2,50,000

Other fees such as hostel, examination and lab may apply and can differ as per the institution.

Top Agriculture Universities in India

There are various universities in India that offer BSc Agriculture courses both through government and private institutions. The following are the key areas that students should consider when comparing colleges:

• Faculty
• Research facilities
• Farm laboratories
• Industry partnerships
• Placement support
• Internship opportunities
• Accreditation

Career Scope After BSc Agriculture

Farming is not the only form of agriculture today. Students go on to work for government departments, multi-national companies, food processing industries, agri-tech start-ups and research organisations.

Popular career options include:

Many graduates also prepare for government recruitment examinations and postgraduate studies.

What Salary Can You Expect After BSc Agriculture?

Salary depends on skills, employer and location.

Professionals working in agribusiness, biotechnology and multinational companies may earn higher salaries based on expertise.

Note: Salaries vary depending on skills, employer, location and higher qualifications.

Is BSc Agriculture Better Than a Regular BSc?

It depends on your career goals.

Students interested in agriculture, food systems and sustainability often find BSc Agriculture offers more specialised career opportunities.

Is BSc Agriculture Worth It?

BSc Agriculture provides opportunities for a wide range of career opportunities in the science, technology and sustainable development sectors, such as research, government, agribusiness and new agri-tech sectors.

But, success is only achieved when the right agriculture university is chosen, work experience is gained, and skills are continually developed. Internships, fieldwork and exposure to modern agricultural technologies often play a key role in improving career prospects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BSc Agriculture a degree course?

Yes. BSc Agriculture is an undergraduate professional course that specializes in agricultural science and its applications.

What is the duration of BSc Agriculture?

The course is a four-year programme.

What are the requirements for BSc Agriculture?

Candidates should possess 12th pass with science with required subjects from the University.

How much does it cost to pursue a BSc Agriculture course?

The prices charged in various institutions range from as low as ₹10,000 per year for government colleges to more than ₹2 lakh per year for some private colleges.

Is it possible to get a govt job after BSc Agriculture?

Yes. Once graduated, graduates can apply to various governmental jobs depending on the rules and exams of the various government organizations.

Thousands of Class 12 students dream to study at National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) on an annual basis but only those who know about the entrance exam in advance make it to the institute. There has been a rise in interest towards NIFT 2027 and students are already looking for NIFT 2027 registration date, exam schedule, NIFT 2027 syllabus, eligibility, exam pattern, and best preparation strategy.

Whether you are planning to pursue Fashion Design, Fashion Communication, Textile Design, Accessory Design or Fashion Technology, understanding the complete NIFT entrance exam process is just as important as practising sketching or solving mock tests. This guide covers everything you need to know about NIFT 2027, from expected registration timeline to exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility, preparation tips, career opportunities to the difference between NIFT, NID and UCEED, it has it all.

What is NIFT 2027?

NIFT Entrance Test is a National level entrance test conducted for admission to Undergraduate and Postgraduate Degree Programme in Fashion, Design, Technology and Management by the National Institute of Fashion Technology.

Qualified candidates can get admission to NIFT campuses in different parts of India like NIFT Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Gandhinagar, Bhubaneswar, Kannur, Kangra, Jodhpur, Patna, Raebareli, Shillong, Srinagar, Bhopal, etc.

NIFT 2027 Highlights 

What is the Date of NIFT 2027 Registration?

NIFT 2027 Notification has not been released yet. It is expected that the application form will be available online via the official NIFT admission portal.

NIFT Application Form 2027

To appear for the NIFT  entrance test one must fill the application form as soon as possible to ensure there is plenty of time to make any rectification in the application if needed. Here are all the information design aspirants must know about NIFT application form: 

• The NIFT Application Form will be released online . 
• Applicants must check the eligibility criteria for the examination before applying.
•  Fill the application form as per the info in 10th marksheet (any changes in details will cause rejection of the application form).
• Applicants must keep the copy of the filled application form and fee receipt for future references.

Application Fee:  

NIFT 2027 Application fee can be submitted through online mode only . Applicants can use Credit Card, Debit Card and Net Banking Payment gateways for transaction of Application fee.  

Following will be the complete Application Fee for NIFT 2027:

Who is Eligible for NIFT 2027?

Eligibility depends on the programme chosen.

Note: Candidates applying for undergraduate programmes must also meet the age criteria specified by NIFT in the official notification.

Which courses are available at NIFT?

NIFT 2027 admission process has several courses under its undergraduate and postgraduate course category.

Undergraduate Courses (UG)

NIFT provides two main undergraduate programs, each with a duration of 4 years:

1. Bachelor of Design (B.Des)
• Specializations include Fashion Design, Fashion Communication, Accessory Design, Knitwear Design, Leather Design, and Textile Design.
• Focuses on developing creativity, design skills, and technical knowledge in various aspects of fashion and design 
2. Bachelor of Fashion Technology (B.FTech)
• Focuses on apparel production, manufacturing processes, product development, sourcing, and fashion business management.
• Prepares students for technical and managerial roles in the fashion industry 

Postgraduate Courses (PG)

NIFT offers 2-year postgraduate programs for advanced studies:

1. Master of Design (M.Des)
• Specializations similar to B.Des, allowing deeper expertise in design fields 
2. Master of Fashion Technology (M.FTech)
• Focuses on advanced apparel production, technology, and management 
3. Master of Fashion Management (MFM)
• Concentrates on business, marketing, and management aspects of the fashion industry 

Short-Term and Diploma Programs

• NIFT also provides UG Diploma and Continuing Education (CE) programs.
• Duration ranges from 3 months to 1 year, covering specialized skills, workshops, and professional development courses

Also read: 7 Reasons Why Students Should Not Pursue Design Courses 

Career Opportunities After NIFT

A degree from NIFT opens opportunities across India's rapidly growing creative economy.

Popular careers include:

Graduates also work in luxury brands, e-commerce companies, export houses, start-ups and international fashion businesses.

NIFT 2027 Application Correction

NIFT is expected to provide an online application correction window after the registration process ends. Registered candidates can log in using their application number, email ID and date of birth to edit selected details within the specified correction period.

Details that can usually be corrected include:

• Name
• Parents' names
• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Nationality
• State of Domicile
• Category
• Address
• Mobile Number
• Educational Qualification
• Photograph and Signature
• Application Fee (if pending)

Candidates should fill the application form carefully, as only selected fields can be edited during the correction window.

NIFT 2027 Exam Pattern

The NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 consists of different stages depending on the course you apply for. Undergraduate and postgraduate design programmes include the General Ability Test (GAT) and Creative Ability Test (CAT), while Fashion Technology and Fashion Management programmes have only the General Ability Test (GAT) followed by further selection rounds where applicable.

NIFT 2027 Exam Pattern for B.Des and M.Des

NIFT 2027 GAT Pattern (B.Des & M.Des)

Note: The number of questions and difficulty level may vary from year to year.

What is the NIFT Creative Ability Test (CAT)?

The Creative Ability Test (CAT) evaluates a candidate's creativity rather than drawing perfection. It assesses:

• Observation skills
• Creativity and imagination
• Concept development
• Design aptitude
• Innovative use of colour
• Visual communication

Candidates must not write their name or any identifying information on the answer sheet, as this can lead to disqualification.

NIFT 2027 Exam Pattern for B.F.Tech, M.F.Tech & M.F.M

GAT Pattern

Note: M.F.Tech also includes engineering-related questions.

NIFT 2027 Syllabus: What Does GAT Test?

The General Ability Test (GAT) measures a candidate's aptitude through five key sections.

*Applicable only to selected programmes.

NIFT Situation Test (For B.Des)

Candidates shortlisted for B.Des after the written examination must appear for the Situation Test.  In this hands-on assessment, candidates create a model using the materials provided. The model is evaluated on:

• Creativity
• Space visualisation
• Material handling
• Construction quality
• Colour combination
• Presentation
• Concept explanation

No additional materials are allowed, and the write-up must be submitted in English.

NIFT GD & Personal Interview (For PG Courses)

Candidates shortlisted for postgraduate programmes appear for a Group Discussion (GD) followed by a Personal Interview (PI).

Group Discussion (GD) evaluates:

• Subject knowledge
• Concept clarity
• Communication skills
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Problem-solving ability
• Idea generation

Personal Interview (PI) evaluates:

• Career goals
• Suitability for the programme
• Academic and extracurricular achievements
• Communication skills
• General awareness
• Creative and analytical thinking

 NIFT 2027 Syllabus 

For full NIFT 2027 Official Syllabus of UG & PG Programmes, refer to this link Syllabus of UG & PG Prog..pdf - Google Drive 

NIFT Preparation Tips

The preparation tips for NIFT 2027 Examination are as follows:

1. Applicants can begin preparing for NIFT by creating a proper time schedule.
2. Applicants need to check the exam pattern and syllabus for better preparation for exams.
3. Students should solve the NIFT previous year question paper.
4. It is important to take the Mock test regularly.
5. Applicants should avoid any kind of distraction and keep the focus on Study.

NIFT Admit Card 2027

The official authority will be issuing the admit card some weeks prior to the exam. Applicants will be able to download their admit card from the 1st week of February 2027 through online mode.

NIFT Admit Card 2027 will be downloaded, one by one, for each registered candidate on the exam conducting authority's website. All the applicants will be required to bring the Admit card along with the registered ID proof to the Examination hall otherwise no applicant will be admitted for appearing in the Examination.

Applicants are suggested to keep the admit card safe till the completion of the admission process as it can be required at the time of counselling.

NIFT 2027 Result

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) will release the results online. The applicant will be able to check the result from the official website by filling any two of the following details: Roll No., Date of Birth, Application No.

Result will be made available to the Applicants from 3rd week of March 2027. The NIFT result 2027 will include details such as the Applicants Name, Roll No., the Marks scored by the Applicants in the examination and the qualifying status of the Applicants.

NIFT 2027 Counselling

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) will begin the Counseling Process from the month of May/June 2027. This process of counselling shall be undertaken online through registration on the website of the conducting authority of the exam by the applicants.

The counselling process would be done by the authority in various rounds according to the availability of vacancies after every round of counselling. The counselling process will be conducted for shortlisted Applicants from the GD and PI round.

The document verification procedure will be held at the centres provided to the applicants and the applicants will have to verify their documents/ certificates. Required documents are listed below:

• 10th & 12th Mark sheet
• Category certificate
• Passport size photos (several):
• Transfer Certificate
• Medical Certificate
• Affidavit of provisional admission
• Bank Draft
• Anti- Ragging certificate
• Provisional call letter, etc.

Also know: Top 5 Budget Friendly Design Colleges for Design Aspirants In India 

Common Mistakes NIFT Aspirants Should Avoid

Many students lose marks because of avoidable mistakes.

NIFT Vs Other Entrance Tests

Many students prepare for NIFT, NID and UCEED together because each exam opens different career opportunities.

Also read: Design Entrance Exams in India: Your Guide to Pursuing a Career in Design 

NIFT Campuses in India

Note: NIFT currently has 20 campuses across India. Course availability may vary by campus, and candidates should check the official NIFT admission brochure for the latest programme offerings. 

What should every NIFT 2027 aspirant know?

The NIFT entrance test is not just a drawing test. It assesses creativity, observation, communication, logical thinking and thinking outside the box. It is more likely that these skills and confidence will be developed if students start early as they will have more time to build up their confidence and skills.

The official notification of NIFT 2027 is yet to be released, but candidates don't need to wait to start their preparation. Sitting the previous papers, understanding the NIFT exam pattern and the syllabus for NIFT exam can help students build creativity and design awareness which will give them a good head start for succeeding in one of the top design institutes in India.

If you are a NIFT aspirant, this is the right time to start your preparation for the design entrance test and focus on your life’s goal after cracking NIFT 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will NIFT 2027 registration start?

The official registration dates for NIFT 2027 are yet to be announced on the NIFT website.

Who can apply for NIFT 2027?

Students who have passed or are appearing for Class 12 can apply for UG courses, subject to the official eligibility criteria.

What is the NIFT entrance exam?

The NIFT entrance exam is a national-level test for admission to design, fashion, technology and management programmes offered by NIFT.

What is the NIFT 2027 exam pattern?

The exam generally includes the General Ability Test (GAT), Creative Ability Test (CAT) and course-specific selection rounds.

Does NIFT require drawing skills?

Drawing skills help for design courses, but the exam mainly assesses creativity, observation and design aptitude.

Can I prepare for NIFT without coaching?

Yes. Many students clear the NIFT entrance exam through self-study, mock tests and regular practice.

How many NIFT campuses are there in India?

NIFT has around 20 campuses across multiple cities in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.

For years, NEET aspirants have prepared with one routine in mind, solving mock papers with an OMR sheet and practising time management on paper. But this is about to change. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) is set to undergo one of its most significant transformations since its inception in 2013, with the transition from an offline to an online (CBT) examination format expected for NEET 2027, according to plans announced by the Ministry of Education. 

The shift comes in the wake of complaints regarding the security of examinations by the high-level committee headed by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan. While the transition to a computer-based format may seem intimidating, students should remember one important fact: the way you answer questions may change, but the science you study does not.

Students must be informed about the Computer Based NEET 2027 and know-how to confidently prepare for the exams. 

NEET 2027 Overview

Note: *Based on the Ministry of Education's reported plans; final details will be confirmed in the official NEET UG 2027 notification.

What Will Change?

The greatest difference will be how the candidates attempt the examination. The candidates are not required to fill an OMR sheet, but are expected to answer the questions on the computer screen. This will require a student to get used to reading questions electronically, answering them on the computer and to time their work without a paper-based answer sheet.

The emphasis of the examination is likely to continue being Physics, Chemistry and Biology but candidates may have to prepare for a different experience of taking a test.

How Should Students Prepare for NEET 2027? 

The number one thing to remember is that you should NOT change your academic preparation given the new format of NEET Online Exam. Conceptual understanding is the key to success in NEET. The student should develop a better knowledge of Physics, Chemistry and Biology and should get used to answering questions using a computer as well.

Students can gain confidence and lessen test apprehension through computer based simulated testing before taking the test. Practicing careful reading of questions on a screen, avoiding too much speed and learning to work through a question between paragraphs are practical techniques that can be acquired with practice.

Should students discontinue the use of an OMR sheet?

Not immediately. The official exam pattern and interface of online practice mock tests are not yet available but practicing OMR sheets can help boost your accuracy and question-solving strategy.

But students should also start taking online mock tests as much as possible, so that the use of a computer as a learning aid becomes natural when the examination approaches. A balanced approach will help candidates adapt smoothly if the computer-based format is implemented.

Will Time Management Become More Important?

Yes. Though time management is always crucial in NEET, it would certainly be more crucial in computer-based exams as students would need to manage questions along with the digital interface.

Candidates should be familiar with moving from one part of the test to the next and check their work after a test to see if they have answered all the questions by practising in a mock test within the time limit. As students become more comfortable with online testing, the less time they will lose during the actual test.

Common Mistakes Students Should Avoid

Numerous candidates may get so engrossed in the new examination pattern that they forget about their preparation in the subjects. Students should not get too much time thinking about changes in the interface and forget to read some of the concepts from NCERT books.

The other mistake that is often made is to prepare after the official notice. There is no reason for postponing study as the syllabus is not changed.

Students should not take any information from rumors or unofficial notifications about any shift in the pattern of the exam but depend on the notification provided by the National Testing Agency and the Ministry of Education.

How will the NTA's revamp affect students?

The restructuring of the NTA is anticipated to enhance examination security, technology and administrative aspects. The students' aim is to establish a clearer and safer exam system and minimize the occurrence of irregularity.

While a good deal of preparation would be better than speculation, candidates should keep their eyes on the prize and the changes within the organisation, rather than how the examination is changed.

What Must NEET 2027 Aspirants Know

The shift to a computer-based NEET 2027 is a major change in the way the exam is administered, but it does not alter the content of the syllabus for medical students. Conceptual clarity, revision, regular practice and effective time management will continue to be key to success.

If students start working early and are aware of the official announcement and gradually get used to the computer-based tests, they will be more confident in the new examination format.

The official notification has yet to be released, so aspirants should keep on studying the updated syllabus and consider computer-based format as a skill to build up as well as study the syllabus, and not as an excuse to postpone it.

Many graduates and working professionals ask the same question before applying for an MBA: “Will an MBA really increase my salary?” The short answer is it can, but not automatically. Your salary after an MBA depends on several factors, including the business school, your skills, work experience, specialisation and industry demand.

If you're planning a management career, here's what you should know before investing your time and money.

Can an MBA Help You Get a Higher Salary?

An MBA is designed to develop management, leadership, communication and business decision-making skills. These abilities can help professionals qualify for managerial and leadership roles that may offer higher salary packages than entry-level positions.

However, an MBA is not a guarantee of a high-paying job. Employers usually evaluate candidates based on a combination of academic qualifications, practical skills, internships, work experience and problem-solving ability.

For fresh graduates, an MBA can open doors to management trainee programmes. For working professionals, it may support career progression into mid-level or senior management roles.

Who Should Consider an MBA?

An MBA may be a suitable option for students and professionals who want to:

• Move into management or leadership roles
• Build careers in marketing, finance, HR or operations
• Start their own business
• Improve business and analytical skills
• Explore opportunities in consulting or corporate management

Before choosing an MBA, students should compare course curriculum, faculty, industry exposure and placement support rather than focusing only on salary expectations.

Which MBA Specialisation Has Good Career Scope?

The right specialisation depends on your career goals and interests. Some commonly offered MBA specialisations include:

• MBA in Marketing
• MBA in Finance
• MBA in Human Resource Management
• MBA in Information Technology
• MBA in Entrepreneurship
• MBA in General Management

Each specialisation prepares students for different industries and job roles.

Which MBA Entrance Exam Is Best?

There is no single "best" MBA entrance exam for every student. The right exam depends on the universities you wish to apply to and their admission requirements.

Many management institutes conduct their own entrance examinations, while others accept scores from national or common management entrance tests.

One such option is the Global Management Common Aptitude Test (GMCAT), a standardised management national-level online entrance examination for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate management programmes at 100+ top participating universities.

GMCAT is designed to assess:

• Management aptitude
• Analytical thinking
• Leadership potential
• Decision-making skills

The examination also aims to help students avoid appearing for multiple management entrance tests by providing a single-window admission pathway for participating institutions.

GMCAT 2026 Exam Pattern

According to the organisers, the GMCAT examination includes:

The test covers:

• Management Aptitude
• Business Administration
• Quantitative and Logical Reasoning
• Verbal Ability and Communication Skills
• General Management Awareness

MBA salary in India 

• Freshers: Starting salaries typically range from INR 4.5 LPA to INR 8 LPA, which translates to approximately INR 35,000 to INR 50,000 per month 
• Experienced Professionals (1–4 years): Salaries generally range from INR 8 LPA to INR 12 LPA 
• Senior-Level Professionals (5+ years): Salaries can escalate to INR 20 LPA or more, especially in leadership roles such as Product Manager, Project Manager, or Business Head.

Key Factors Affecting MBA Salary

1. Specialization – Finance and emerging tech-related fields often pay more.
2. Institution Reputation – Graduates from premier B-schools receive better packages.
3. Experience – Salary increases significantly with work experience.
4. Industry and Company Size – Larger companies and high-demand sectors offer higher pay.
5. Location – Metropolitan cities generally provide higher salaries
   In summary, pursuing an MBA in India can significantly enhance earning potential, with salaries varying widely based on specialization, experience, and the prestige of the institution.

What Matters More Than the Entrance Exam?

Clearing an MBA entrance exam is only the first step. Long-term career growth depends on how you use your MBA programme. Students should focus on:

• Building communication and leadership skills
• Completing internships
• Participating in live business projects
• Developing analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Networking with industry professionals
• Gaining practical business exposure

These experiences often play a significant role during placements and future career growth.

Should You Pursue an MBA for a Higher Salary?

If your goal is to build a career in management, develop leadership skills and improve long-term career prospects, an MBA can be a valuable investment. However, higher salaries come from a combination of education, practical experience, professional skills and continuous learning, not from the degree alone.

Before applying, compare universities, specialisations and entrance examinations carefully to choose the option that best matches your career goals.

For students exploring management admissions, common entrance examinations such as GMCAT can provide access to participating universities offering BBA and MBA programmes through a single management aptitude test.

When a Builder of Ice Becomes a Voice for Justice

Sonam Wangchuk has spent his life solving problems that seemed impossible. He built artificial glaciers in one of the world’s coldest and driest regions. He challenged conventional education models by creating learning spaces where children once labelled as failures could rediscover confidence. He demonstrated that innovation does not always require complexity—sometimes it requires understanding nature, people, and timing.

Today, Wangchuk’s public campaigns and advocacy have placed him at the centre of a larger national conversation: How does a democracy respond when citizens feel unheard?

His story is no longer only about ice stupas, sustainable architecture, or alternative education. It is about the relationship between citizens and institutions, between public concern and political response, and between the moral voice of an individual and the machinery of the state.

The Crisis of Trust Behind the Protest

Across India, concerns over examination systems, recruitment processes, and opportunities for young people have created anxiety among students and families. Whenever allegations of irregularities emerge in competitive examinations, the damage extends beyond individual results—it affects confidence in fairness itself.

For millions of young Indians, education is the pathway to dignity, employment, and social mobility. When that pathway appears uncertain, frustration grows. The demand from citizens is often not for dramatic change overnight, but for transparency, accountability, and systems that can regain public trust.

Wangchuk’s interventions have repeatedly focused on this question: How can institutions become more responsive to the people they serve?

The Innovator Who Turned Challenges into Solutions

Born in Ladakh, Sonam Wangchuk’s journey reflects the power of practical problem-solving. After studying engineering, he returned his attention to the challenges faced by Himalayan communities—limited resources, harsh climate conditions, and educational difficulties.

His most celebrated innovation, the Ice Stupa, transformed the way communities think about water conservation. By storing winter water as ice structures that melt gradually during warmer months, the project addressed a crucial agricultural challenge: the mismatch between water availability and farming needs.

The idea was simple but revolutionary. Instead of fighting nature, Wangchuk worked with natural cycles.

Education Beyond the Classroom

Wangchuk’s contribution to education has been equally influential. Through the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), he promoted an alternative approach where students learn through responsibility, practical skills, and real-world experience.

The campus became an example of sustainable living, using renewable energy, local resources, and student participation as tools of education. Its philosophy challenged the idea that examination scores alone define intelligence or potential.

The larger lesson was powerful: education should discover talent, not merely measure memory.

From Innovation to Public Advocacy

In recent years, Wangchuk has emerged as a prominent voice on environmental protection, local rights, and sustainable development in Ladakh. His campaigns have highlighted concerns about preserving fragile Himalayan ecosystems while ensuring that local communities have a meaningful role in decisions affecting their future.

His style of activism has remained closely connected to his engineering philosophy—peaceful, creative, and focused on solutions.

The Real Question Before India

The importance of Sonam Wangchuk’s journey lies not only in one individual but in what his example represents.

A nation’s strength is not measured only by its infrastructure, technology, or economic growth. It is also measured by how it responds to voices of concern, especially those raised by people who have spent their lives contributing to society.

A democracy does not become weaker when citizens question systems. It becomes stronger when institutions have the capacity to listen, engage, and improve.

Beyond the Hero Narrative

India often celebrates innovators after their ideas succeed. But the deeper challenge is creating a society where innovators, educators, scientists, and social reformers are heard while they are still working—not only remembered after they are gone.

Sonam Wangchuk’s life offers an important reminder: solutions do not always come from powerful offices. Sometimes they emerge from classrooms, mountains, villages, and communities.

The man who built ice in the desert has spent decades teaching India a simple lesson—human creativity can overcome scarcity when knowledge is combined with compassion.

The question now is whether India’s institutions can demonstrate the same spirit of problem-solving that Wangchuk has shown throughout his life.

Because the greatest innovation any democracy can create is not a machine or a structure. It is trust.

Prof Ujjwal K Chowdhury is the Pro Vice Chancellor of Techno India University, and a regular writer on education,media and world affairs.

Development has been on a predictable course for over 100 years. Villages created people and cities created opportunities. The creator economy was a myth until a decade ago. Each generation was urged to work hard, leave home, get a job in an urban centre and send money home to the family. Migration was the criterion for success, and villages were sometimes considered as the places that people outgrew. However, the digital economy is starting to question that belief and Village Creator Economy is starting to take shape.

Internet Has Changed the Economy

With the dawn of the creator economy, affordable internet, and Artificial Intelligence changing the life of every existence, one question needs to be addressed: What if India's villages didn't have to lose people? What if they could share knowledge instead? What  if they could earn more there?

It seems like a bold claim today, but gen alpha, the ones who've been born into the age of AI, smartphones and digital-first education, may be the first to make it possible for every village to become a creator economy. When this happens, poverty can no longer be addressed solely by industrialisation or migration, but by a much simpler means: by letting people make money from what they know, even if it’s waking up in a shabby home!

What is the Creator Economy?

The creator economy is often misunderstood as a world of influencers, viral videos and social media celebrities. In fact, it's much wider. An economic system in which people make money from sharing their knowledge, creativity, expertise, or experiences on a digital platform.

The creator economy is defined as anyone from a math teacher designing online courses to a doctor educating the public about health to an engineer explaining robotics to a chef teaching recipes. They are not just selling products, they are generating value from information.

One economic rule has been transformed by the Internet: Knowledge is no longer bound by geography. One lesson filmed in one village can be viewed in another country in mere minutes. Without going through traditional media, a local story can reach millions. The production and dissemination of knowledge is one of the world's fastest growing industries.

What is a Village Creator Economy?

Knowledge can create wealth, and villages might have much more wealth than we think. Each village has its own teachers, farmers, artisans, story tellers, cooks, mechanics, musicians, healers and craftsmen whose knowledge has been developed over decades, and sometimes centuries. Unfortunately, most of this knowledge does not get passed on beyond the village itself. It's here that the concept of the Village Creator Economy starts.

A Village Creator Economy is a concept in which local knowledge, culture, traditions and skills are used to produce sustainable income for rural communities through the creation of digital content, educational products, tourism experiences and creative businesses, with the rural community retaining ownership of the value created.

This model is based on the premise that villages are not consumers of development, but producers of intellectual capital! Take a moment to re-read it– intellectual  capital. 

Think of it once, a village becoming globally known for its traditional farming techniques. Another could become famous for handmade crafts. One might be the hub of preserving disappearing dialects through educational content, while another could document local biodiversity for researchers around the world. Every community already has a story; the creator economy simply gives that story an audience. And of course, money. 

Is Generation Z already creating this future?

In many ways, yes. In India, thousands of young village creators are already capturing the village life on YouTube, Instagram and other digital platforms. Millions of subscribers are drawn to rural cooking channels, farmers describing contemporary farming methods, people who are sharing their villages’ story, travel vloggers showing the world places that were never known existed, and artisans sharing their traditional artistry with the rest of the world.

These creators have shown one thing: People are definitely interested in rural life! But, the majority of these are single successes.They are created around one creator, around one family or by one channel. They don't yet change whole communities. THIS is an unexplored earning opportunity that could actually end poverty (not completely but significantly). 

Generation Alpha can do so much more. Instead of creating individual creator brands, they can create village creator ecosystems, in which students and teachers, local entrepreneurs and community organisations collaborate to develop a digital economy around the local area.

How Can Gen Alpha Help End Poverty Through the Village Creator Economy?

Gen Alpha will be equipped with tools that were not available to previous generations. They will be able to edit video, translate content into dozens of languages, generate subtitles, create websites and design educational material in just minutes with the help of Artificial Intelligence. The cost of creating content will be significantly lower with technology.

This will not revolve around technical skills, they will be most successful when they are original. Rather than making content on trends, Gen Alpha could make content on their own villages or a nearby village. Each community has their own history, architecture, local heroes, traditional recipes, festivals, medicinal plants, farming practices and cultural heritage. What has been hidden for centuries may suddenly be available around the world.

Think of aa village where kids make documentaries about the history of their village. Online classes are provided by teachers in the regional languages. Agricultural university educators create educational material for farmers. Digital craft marketplaces are managed by women-led self-help groups. Oral history is recorded for the elderly residents before it is too late. Young entrepreneurs create tourism guides about places that have not been explored.

Every activity generates jobs and together they form an economy. The income is no longer solely dependent on agriculture or local work. It is also derived from education, media, tourism, culture and digital entrepreneurship.

The Startup Opportunity Nobody Is Talking About

India has given birth to startups that have revolutionized the way people order food, book taxis and shop online. The next billion dollar opportunity could be something other than the next urban convenience app. It could be the result of supporting villages to become knowledge hubs in the digital era.

Envision businesses collaborating with villages to establish creator studios, safeguard cultural heritage, nurture local talent as storytellers, promote rural experiences, create educational platforms, and directly engage global audiences. This content could be organised, translated and distributed by Artificial Intelligence at a scale that was not possible a few years ago.

Rather than encourage villagers to go to cities, these businesses would bring the world to the villages. This is not some charity, but entrepreneurship.

Can Villages Become Richer Than Cities?

That question may sound unrealistic today, but it depends on how we define wealth. Apparently, money is the major aspect but how much? That depends on the definition of being rich. 

Cities are designed to be fast, efficient and large. Villages are a place of authenticity, community, tradition and human connection, qualities that are becoming more and more scarce in the digital age. In the age of AI, real-world experiences are still priceless and valuable. 

People already pay to experience slow living, organic food, traditional crafts, local culture and rural tourism. These are not regressive lifestyles, these are new industries, waiting to be monetised.

There can still be green fields rather than skyscrapers, slower mornings than traffic jams and communities rather than anonymous apartment blocks in a prosperous village of the future. The difference is that people wouldn't have to leave that lifestyle behind to earn a living.

A Different Future Is Possible

The debate on poverty for decades has been about factories, industries and migration. Those solutions are still relevant, but the digital economy is another avenue that needs to be considered.

Generation Alpha will inherit a world where knowledge will outpace people. With the help of governments, schools, entrepreneurs and tech companies, young people can help rural India create Village Creator Economies, making it one of the world's largest producers of educational content, cultural media, digital tourism and creative entrepreneurship.

The biggest mistake we have been making is to think that villages are waiting for opportunity. Perhaps opportunity has been in the villages all the time waiting for someone to recognize her!?

The future of rural India or any village in the world might not be out of villages if gen Alpha succeeds; it could be a matter of bringing the world to them. Because poverty hurts everyone, and only together can we end it.

Bio: Miss Kanishka is an award-winning Indian poet, writer, and content strategist with over five years of experience in writing and digital media. An internationally published poet and author of six anthologies, she writes on perspectives, culture, society, education, and emerging trends, blending research with compelling storytelling that makes complex issues accessible to a global audience.

It's the 21st century and a naked woman is making teens uncomfortable! That’s what the NCERT Dancing Girl controversy tells us. She was naked 4,500 years ago, she made no one uncomfortable until one morning some people sat to decide she was!.

NCERT Madhurima textbook statue covered

The National Council of Educational Research and Training released Madhurima, a brand new arts education textbook for Class 9 students. The Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-daro is found in the first chapter of the book, History of Arts. She is 4,500 years old, 10.5 centimetres tall, oldest and one of the most beautiful things that this civilization has ever produced. And in the new textbook of NCERT, her torso has been digitally shaded over. Just like that, a 4,500-year-old woman was asked, in 2026, to cover up. But critics and social media experts are asking, ‘‘was it really necessary?’’

A Child Has Never Looked at a Woman's Body the Way a Man Does

This is a fact every mother, every sister, every woman who has ever held a child in her arms knows: children don't come into the world seeing women as objects. 

A baby discovers his mother's body and his mother's warmth.  A toddler runs to his mother, buries his face in her chest and feels nothing but comfort and a safe zone. Children don't see bodies but people, love, and intention as they gain consciousness. They find a secure, safe spot.

Indeed, if you observe carefully, it is often men, strangers (again men), that small children instinctively recoil from, not women or their bodies, and of course not lusted towards women. Children are born knowing that a woman's body is a vessel of life, a space of care, a beginning. We teach them all the rest.

Why did NCERT cover Dancing Girl statue

As per the reports, the covering of ‘Dancing-Girl” statute was done to make the image "age appropriate," NCERT said. Let's pause and contemplate that phrase for a moment… “Age appropriate.”

Apparently, a 14-year-old student is not grown up enough to sexualize a bronze figurine from 2300 BC. However, the covering of her? Perhaps, that’ll make kids become men faster by triggering the lust factor. That's what this whole “step” by NCERT actually teaches: A bare torso is something that should be covered by a woman. It is something that requires management. It is something that will harm if it is shown, isn’t it? 

What Did Michel Danino Say?

Historian Michel Danino, who headed the development committee for NCERT's new textbooks, said he had been told that the Dancing Girl figurine was considered "not age-appropriate". He also said, "The modification misrepresents the original artefact just as the Church's addition of a fig leaf to Michelangelo's statue of David in the Middle Ages misrepresented that beautiful work of art”.

Such prudishness, he said, is not warranted unless we want to go back to Victorian morality. He is right. However, the lesson that prudishness teaches is worse than prudishness: it is the lesson that the body of whom is to be managed, and it is never a man's.

When the Government of India presented her in 2023 as a mascot for the International Museum Expo, she was dressed up in a larger-than-life size version of the same Dancing Girl, in a pink outfit. For thousands of years she was the original in her own skin. She was dressed and then presented to be seen. This is not protection, this is a pattern, and NCERT is not the only one contributing to this shameful  pattern. 

The Most Advanced Civilisation in History Is Afraid of Woman’s Body in Stone

Medical Science, yoga, zero, the decimal system, kama sutra were all invented in India. All postures that the human body can assume are plastered all over Indian temples, such as Khajuraho, Konark, Belur. Our ancestors used their bare hands to make them and named them divine.

We are airbrushing a 10cm bronze figure in a school textbook today and saying there is something wrong with it because it’s naked! Make it make sense! NCERT Dancing Girl controversy is indeed not something we, as a society, should dismiss. 

Every day, women in India are fighting for the right to exist. The right to walk away without being viewed as a problem, the right to wear what they want without it being an invitation, the right to be in a history book, without being quietly erased. The issue of the veil, the issue of dress codes, the issue of what a woman can and cannot wear in public , these are not old issues. They are noisy, they are here and they are tiring.

Every time an institution such as NCERT chooses to cover over a torso "for children" it gives one more subtle message: a woman's body is the issue. Cover it, manage it or just make it disappear.

Children Learn Exactly What Adults Teach Them

The boy who sees a woman's bare shoulders on TV, but blurs them out, learns that it is something to be kept from him. Forbidden. But what we forbid, we make dangerous. We make what we make dangerous desirable in the worst way.

The boy who learns that a 4,500-year-old statue must be covered before he can look at her, learns that there is something wrong with the female form. Something that needs to be controlled. An action that requires authorization.

This is not protection but grooming. It's training him, slowly, steadily, through a thousand little things, to think of women as bodies first, problems second, people never. And women pay for it. On every street, in every city, every day.

What We Owe the Dancing Girl

She remained steadfast for 4,500 years without apology. Confidence. Arms at her side. Head tilted. A girl perfectly confident of herself and the world , that is what the archaeologist John Marshall wrote when he first saw her. That statue didn't need our protection, she needed our honesty and that was all.

After the backlash, NCERT has announced that it will restore the original image. Good. But that someone sat in a room and decided that a 4,500-year-old girl was too much for a 14-year-old to see is enough to tell us where we are.

We were the most advanced civilization in history, and we're still afraid of a woman in her own skin. Let’s just stop being so narrow minded and rooted in toxic patriarchy. There are bigger issues than worrying about making naked statues and sculptures ‘age-appropriate’. Perhaps, just perhaps, then we will produce a generation that will see a woman as a human being, and not a questionable object.

Are YouTube Teachers Teaching for Fame, or Because They Remember What It Felt Like to Struggle? The recent controversy between journalist Anjana Om Kashyap and some of the top YouTube educators has once again put the online education landscape in India under the spotlight. 

The debate has been mostly about whether YouTube teachers value views over knowledge, but a more profound and intriguing question has emerged:Why did YouTube teachers become so reliable in the first place? 

It's not the number of subscribers, viral videos or social media trends; the reasons why millions of students trust online educators is not something that can be understood from the screen but rather from the realities of Indian education itself, where access has often been based on geography, affordability and circumstance.

YouTube teachers are not just teachers for many students, they are opportunities that were not available to previous generations. And this is why these teachers are being chosen over anyone else. 

The Students Who Could Not Afford Coaching

In India, quality education for decades was often expensive and many families could not afford it. Coaching institutes started to be associated with competitive exams, special study material and costly classroom programmes, leaving a divide between students who could afford these and those who could not.

A student from Delhi, Kota or Hyderabad would have more opportunities than a student from a remote village or small town. There was talent everywhere, but access was not.

YouTube education in India changed all that. A student who was studying for UPSC, NEET, JEE, SSC or Banking exams could suddenly learn from experienced teachers without paying coaching fees sometimes in the tens of thousands of rupees. What began as free educational videos gradually evolved into one of the largest learning movements the country has witnessed.

Why do students feel a personal connection with online teachers?

YouTube teachers are so beloved because many students see themselves in the struggles of these teachers.

Many of India's most popular online teachers are from humble beginnings. There are many who have openly discussed learning with meager resources, travelling far for learning, borrowing books or preparing for exams without elite coaching institutes.

These experiences affect their teaching, either intentionally or unintentionally. They frequently teach as if they were talking to a friend. Their guidance is not just academic, it's about motivation, confidence and perseverance. Students are not just consumers of content, they are creators of trust. This trust is what makes it so easy to get a response to criticism of an online educator, compared to criticism of a regular internet personality.

Fame Was a Result, Not the Starting Point

There's little doubt that fame is a factor in the current digital education landscape. Some teachers have emerged as national celebrities, with millions of subscribers and brands that rival the big media. But it was not always the beginning of fame.

The majority of effective learning pathways started with a simple concept: to make knowledge available to learners who needed it. Many popular teachers' earliest videos were recorded with little equipment, poor production quality and little assurance of success. But they were not sophisticated, they were accessible. Students responded because they felt these teachers were addressing real problems rather than merely creating content. The fame came later.

The Criticism Is Not Entirely Wrong

Meanwhile, the controversy over Anjana Om Kashyap's comments should not be ignored. With the growth of online learning, the commercial potential grew as well. The educational channels turned into businesses. The number of subscribers became marketable assets. Free lessons evolved into paid courses, subscription models and large-scale learning platforms.

Educators who started with free content now charge up to, and sometimes more than, coaching institutes for premium programmes. Some critics say that the industry has become more marketing, branding and revenue oriented. 

That's a fair statement. As with all successful industries, commercial interests have been drawn to the growth of online education. But is it wrong? Of course not, because if there’s no money, people would be compelled to not take such good-cause initiatives. Additionally, it is not harming students. 

The Bigger Story Is Still About Access

While the emphasis on commercialisation is important, it is essential to not forget the bigger change that YouTube teachers have introduced in Indian education. Thousands of teachers keep uploading free lectures, revision classes, current affairs discussions and exam strategies to the site every day, and students who may never buy a paid course are still benefiting from it. Many of these teachers work outside the spotlight, but their content is delivered to learners in areas where educational resources are scarce.

A free YouTube lecture can be more useful to a student who is studying for a government exam in a rural area than any discussion about the business of online learning. That's why so many students still stand up for digital educators even in the face of criticism.

The distinction between influence and impact

The debate also brings up a key difference. Views, subscribers and social media engagement are used to measure influence. The impact is measured by lives changed, examinations cleared and opportunities created.

There are some YouTube teachers who clearly have influence. The real question is if they make an impact. Based on the millions of students who attribute their admission to universities and competitive exams to online teachers, and their access to quality learning, the answer seems to be yes.

Not all teachers are great, and not all channels are reliable. As with any ecosystem, there are true contributors and opportunists in online education. The difficulty for students is to differentiate between the two. And genz + gen alpha are  smart enough to differentiate, unlike the older generations. 

Perhaps the Answer Is Both

It's not necessarily easy to answer whether YouTube teachers are teaching for fame or because they recall their struggles.

There are definitely some who are driven by recognition, influence and business growth. Others seem to be motivated by a sincere wish to make education more accessible than it was to them when they were students. Most likely, many are somewhere in between those two extremes.

The influence they have had on Indian education cannot be denied.  YouTube teachers are not famous, and that's not why millions of students continue to trust them. It is because for so many students nationwide, these teachers came when they needed someone to guide them at a time when it was hard to find someone to help them.

Maybe that's why this debate is so resonant. For every viral teacher, every trending controversy and every social media argument, there is a student who just wanted a fair chance to learn and make the most out of the accessibility the internet brings. 

New research warns that viral myths and fake news pose a critical danger to global safety efforts.

Boslough at Asteroid Day in Luxembourg. (Cover Image Source: University of New Mexico)

Raising alarm about the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation on digital platforms, a team of researchers led by astrophysicist Mark Boslough from the University of New Mexico recently published a comprehensive review examining the current media landscape, which comprises multiple actors, including legacy media, influencers, AI, etc. According to the scientists, although the use of the internet and digital platforms has made it easier to access information, it has also allowed the rise of channels through which AI slop, internet clickbait, and sensationalized stories overflow.

A part of the Quick report prepared by NASA on 13 May 2024 (Representative Image Source- NASA)

On May 13, 2024, a quick look report was prepared by NASA on "planetary defense exercise" as a preventive measure. This was a drill for preparedness that takes place biennially to check the readiness of scientists and government agencies in case they had to respond to a fictional asteroid threat scenario. The exercise was not based on any real asteroid that was predicted to strike our planet. But bits and pieces of information from the simulation quickly turned into sensationalized online claims that were spread through X, Facebook, Reddit and other platforms. Apart from factual errors, the post's viral post implied that NASA had given a frightening alert about the 88-foot asteroid that might collide with Earth. This eventually led to mass panic, misunderstandings, and the spreading of rumors about Earth's possible end. On June 20, 2024, NASA clarified that there are currently no known significant asteroid threats to Earth in the foreseeable future, stressing that the widely shared impact claim was false and unrelated to any real-world danger.

Even though NASA made a public statement that there are 'no known significant asteroid threats,' it was too late for the false story that had already been exposed to a huge number of people. For Boslough and his co-authors, this incident is an illustration of how modern digital ecosystems can very rapidly alter scientific information before the experts have an opportunity to clarify or make corrections. The authors of this paper also pointed out that open access publishing, poorly reviewed content, influencers, etc. are some of the factors that have contributed to the situation in which lies can be circulated worldwide in a matter of hours.

The article discusses the different ways of misinformation that can come about and even continue. In fact, some rumors tend to spread rapidly during newscasts that are still unfolding. The authors highlighted the cases of false reports of an asteroid hitting the Earth as well as pseudoscientific hypotheses that propose such things as alien spacecraft orbits being interstellar objects or comet attacks annihilating ancient civilizations. Researchers cautioned that communication itself has become an element of planetary defense. Boslough will likely be presenting at the Geological Society of America meeting in Albuquerque about the research and its importance in communicating planetary defense. 

Indian youth are going viral on social media calling themselves "a cockroach" while supporting the Cockroach Janata Party. India never imagined that the word “cockroach” would become a youth movement.

But in a matter of days, after a widely circulated and much debated interpretation of remarks attributed to the Chief Justice of India, social media was abuzz with youngsters who were calling themselves just that. Initially, the internet had it as another silly meme. After that, the numbers were too big to ignore.

The digital community, dubbed the “Cockroach Janata Party,” reportedly reached over 40,000 active members and nearly 80,000 sign-ups in just three days. Instagram pages were suddenly created.Instagram pages were suddenly created. Telegram groups multiplied. Memes travel faster than explanations ever could.

However, there was a sad sincerity to the satire. Young Indians were not celebrating cockroaches. They were talking about the modern survival experience.

The Internet has finally given a name to Emotional Exhaustion

A cockroach is just a tiny creature trying to survive… Poison, heat, hunger, neglect, it still lives in a place no one should be forced to live. Hence the metaphor struck a chord and the literate youth of India came up bold revealing truth, showing reality, discussing necessary topics, and using humor to convey without offending. 

For years, students and young professionals have been living under a pressure system that doesn't stop long enough to consider whether they are emotionally coping or not. Competitive exams start early. Expectations come even sooner. Many young people are exhausted by the time they reach the end of university, and they look older than they are.

This generation learns and lives in fear of joblessness. Works while being afraid of being replaced. Sleeps with a fear of time slipping away. Even when resting, they feel guilty that someone else is going faster online. And so the jokes began.

Gradually, it transformed, the internet is flooding with it. People are commenting, sharing their miseries and supporting the CJP. One of the relatable comments said: “Still alive after 5 entrance exams and 3 panic attacks. Certified cockroach.” The sentence is fun, but between the lines is the pain Genz is holding.

The ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ Is Not About Politics

The ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ is not a real political party, it was a satirical comment that became viral. At first, the name felt absurd and people started sharing it for fun. However, in a matter of days the “Cockroach Janata Party” became a sign of something more than just internet humour, psychologically. Youth are reclaiming an insult and making it into a collective identity. And that act has power!

Users started using the term “cockroaches” on social media, not in a sense of pride, but in the sense that they are stuck in survival mode. The symbol represents a generation that is constantly adapting, but is not emotionally rewarded for it.

Students took the opportunity to discuss the pressure of exams. Young workers associated it with unhealthy work environments and burnout. Others talked about job cuts, inconsistent pay, coaching culture, poor job interviews, increasing living expenses, and the fatigue of constant competition with no guarantee of security. It was spread because it brought together people who felt isolated in the same struggle.

Young India Is Tired in a Way Older Systems Do Not Fully Understand

Indian youth life is a lonely life in particular. It's hard to explain, because, on the surface, everything seems ambitious and productive.

Growth, startups, innovation and the quest to become a global powerhouse are the topics that are on everyone's lips in the country. Social media is a place where hustle is rewarded:

• LinkedIn rewards achievement 
• Families reward stability
• Coaching industries pay for ranks

But WHO pays for emotional survival? 

The young Indians of today are juggling several timelines in their minds. They need to get good grades fast, make money early, be tech-savvy, be mentally tough, support their families, keep their relationships, develop careers, constantly learn new things, and somehow be grateful all the way.

Fear has become a way of life: 

• Concern about test failure.
• Parents' expectations.
• Worry about being financially irrelevant.
• The worry of not having a home.
• Fear of missing out
• Worry about falling behind friends who are “settled”.

Even happiness is now programmed against productivity! That's why so many young people saw themselves in the cockroach metaphor. It was a sign of strength, not weakness, but of constant adaptation in the face of pressure.

Gen Z Uses Humour the Way Previous Generations Used Protest

The older generation sometimes voiced their discontent in speeches, rallies or organised movements. Collective anxiety is handled differently by Gen Z. It translates pain into internet language first.

Emotional shorthand is the reason why memes have become so commonplace; it's easier to be vulnerable directly than it is online. Irony is a distancing from pain, but also a public exposure of pain. That's exactly what happened here.

The “Cockroach Generation” trend went viral because it managed to make emotional exhaustion visible in a non-dramatic way. Beneath the jocularity there were serious discussions about:

• student suicides
• exam pressure
• unemployment
• burnout
• unstable careers
• declining mental health
• social comparison
• economic insecurity

This was not only meme culture, nope, not at all. It was emotional information! For the first time in years, Indian youth discovered a language that was more truthful about survival than motivational culture.

Universities Cannot Ignore This Emotional Shift Anymore

There is one uncomfortable truth that lies under this moment: many students don't feel emotionally safe in the systems that are supposed to prepare them for life.

Universities talk a lot about placements, rankings and academic performance. Much less attention is given to emotional resilience, career confusion, identity anxiety, or psychological burnout. However, these issues are increasingly influencing student life on campuses.

There is no need for grand speeches about youth empowerment at this time of institutions. They require hands-on empathy. Edinbox has already started to ‘Be The Change’ in order to bring the change, but that’s not enough. All the universities, teachers, professors, policymakers as well as ministers must start the ground level changes. 

Students require accessible counselling support, realistic career guidance, healthier academic pressure systems,,conversations around failure and uncertainty, industry exposure before graduation, and an environment where asking for help is not treated as weakness. 

A generation raised inside constant competition cannot continue surviving only on motivational slogans. Indian Youth have had enough push but direction? support? That’s what they actually need. Young people are not machines that can be made to run forever. After a while, emotional fatigue turns into educational fatigue.

Policymakers Need to Understand That Anxiety Is Becoming Structural

The frustration of the youth is not just a product of one problem in India. It is emerging from the instability that has built up in the education, employment and social expectation systems.

The competitive exams become tougher every year. The delays in recruitment are still continuing for the aspirants. Starting wages frequently don't keep up with the cost of living in the city. In the meantime, digital culture is continually amplifying comparison and pressure. The result is mental fatigue on a massive scale.

The discussion of youth development policy often centers on skills, innovation and employability, which are all relevant fields. Emotional wellbeing is often not given the same priority. For too many students and young workers, mental health support is not available, particularly in non-metropolitan settings.

The “Cockroach Generation” trend isn't just a reaction to the internet. It is a warning message that is coming out through humour because traditional language is no longer adequate. And to be brutally honest, if a whole generation starts thinking about survival instead of aspirations, there is something going on in the social sphere.

The Most Disturbing Part Is How Normal This Exhaustion Has Become

The worst thing about this trend is not the rage, it is the normality. There are too many young Indians who have already come to believe that exhaustion is a part of adulthood; anxiety is treated as ambition, burnout is mistaken for discipline, emotional numbness is sold as maturity. But people keep moving because they think it's unsafe to stop.

That's why the cockroach became a strong symbol on the internet. It caught a generation that cannot be killed, but seldom gave them a chance to sleep. Young people are surviving all that is thrown at them, but survival is becoming an empty victory.

In between the memes, the sarcasm and the dark humour, Indian youth admitted something it has been hiding for years. It's fed up with pretending everything is okay. They aren’t supporting any party, to be specific, they are raising awareness. 

As literate citizens, it is our duty to read between the lines and not let any propaganda or misinformation sway the way of change that this cockroach generation has started. And it is worth noting that perhaps the most unsettling part of this entire episode is that an entire generation had to compare itself to a creature known only for survival before society finally stopped and listened.