The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a plea for immediate listing of a petition against the alleged police action on students during the protest march led by the Cockroach Janta Party in Delhi. This was discussed in the presence of a bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.

The petitioner's lawyer told the court that the students had allegedly been beaten by the police during the protest and asked for an urgent hearing on Thursday. The lawyer stated that the petition had three prayers and cited video footage of the police action against students.

The Chief Justice of India, however, declined the request and made it clear that the bench was not inclined to examine video evidence at the mentioning stage. When the lawyer submitted, "I have the videos as well regarding police brutality... If it can be listed tomorrow... students are there," the CJI responded, "We are not interested in videos, we don't have time to watch... We don't want to watch videos."

The counsel again alleged that students had been beaten during the protest and once more referred to the video footage. Responding to the repeated request, the CJI said, "Don't waste our time. We don't want to watch any videos."

The petition is about the police action that occurred during the protest march of the Cockroach Janta Party on Monday, the first day of the Monsoon Session at Parliament. Thousands of students and young protesters had converged in central Delhi to demand the resignation of Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan for alleged irregularities in the exams.

Later, the march saw violent confrontation between the protesters and the security forces as they tried to march towards Parliament. In the clashes, police had resorted to lathis and tear gas to disperse the mob, hit students brutally, broken the spines of protestors, used dirty tricks like electric shocks in barricades. The matter has now reached the Supreme Court and debatable comments from the CJI have added fuel to the fire.

In a significant ruling on student privacy and data protection, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to amend its APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) ID consent forms to provide parents with a clear option to refuse consent or opt out of the scheme. The direction seeks to reinforce the voluntary nature of APAAR and follows an earlier judgment of the Orissa High Court, which held that parents must be given an explicit choice before their children's data is enrolled in the academic identity system.

The order comes amid growing concerns over the collection, storage and processing of children's personal data and the linkage of APAAR IDs with Aadhaar, raising important questions about privacy, informed consent and digital governance in education.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohan was hearing a petition filed by parents of four students challenging the constitutional validity of the APAAR scheme.

Parents raise privacy concerns over APAAR and Aadhaar linkage

The petitioners argued that although the government describes APAAR as a voluntary initiative, it functions as a mandatory requirement in practice because it is linked to Aadhaar and is increasingly associated with various academic processes.

Appearing for the petitioners, Senior Advocate Indira Jaising contended that compelling children to obtain Aadhaar-linked academic identities violates their constitutional right to privacy. Referring to the Supreme Court's landmark K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2019) judgment, she argued that children cannot be forced to obtain Aadhaar numbers for accessing educational services.

The petition further questioned the legality of collecting and processing children's personal information without ensuring meaningful and informed parental consent.

Supreme Court to implement Orissa High Court ruling nationwide

During the hearing, the Bench noted that the Orissa High Court, in a judgment delivered in December 2025, had already addressed the issue of consent.

The High Court had ruled that if APAAR is genuinely voluntary, the consent form must explicitly allow parents to decline participation at the very beginning instead of assuming consent. It directed authorities to revise the consent form by incorporating a clear opt-out option.

After being informed that the Orissa High Court's decision had not been challenged, the Supreme Court observed that the ruling should be implemented across the country.

According to the Bench, CBSE will be directed to implement the High Court's directions on a pan-India basis, ensuring that parents nationwide receive the option to either consent to or refuse the generation of an APAAR ID for their children.

CBSE circulars subject to Data Protection Act

While discussing the larger objectives of the APAAR initiative, the Chief Justice observed that the scheme aims to create a unique academic identity for students, maintain lifelong academic records, improve curriculum implementation and help authorities monitor educational indicators such as teacher-student ratios.

However, the Court also acknowledged the petitioners' contention that even legitimate policy objectives must be pursued through lawful, proportionate and constitutionally compliant mechanisms.

The Bench clarified that CBSE's implementation of APAAR will remain subject to all applicable laws, including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, which governs the collection, storage and processing of personal data.

What the ruling means for parents and schools

The Supreme Court's direction reinforces that participation in the APAAR scheme cannot be presumed through a one-sided consent process. Schools affiliated with CBSE are expected to revise their consent forms to provide parents with an explicit choice to opt out, ensuring that consent is informed and voluntary.

The detailed order is expected to be uploaded by the Court, after which CBSE will be required to implement the revised consent mechanism across the country.

The ruling is likely to have significant implications for student data governance, digital identity initiatives in education and the implementation of privacy safeguards in schools, while reaffirming the importance of parental consent in matters involving children's personal information.

India's once predictable IT campus hiring cycle is undergoing a dramatic transformation, leaving thousands of engineering graduates in limbo. From delayed offer letters and postponed joining dates to quietly withdrawn roles, the traditional promise of securing a campus placement and seamlessly transitioning into a job is rapidly fading. As leading technology companies recalibrate recruitment strategies amid changing business demand and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), fresh graduates are discovering that receiving an offer no longer guarantees employment.

The shift marks a significant change in India's information technology sector, where campus recruitment has long served as a reliable gateway for engineering graduates entering the workforce.

Campus offers increasingly linked to business demand

Several major technology companies have informed candidates that onboarding timelines will now depend on project availability rather than fixed recruitment schedules.

According to reports, IBM told candidates awaiting offers that joining dates would be finalised only when suitable project demand emerged. Similarly, Accenture informed applicants for its Custom Software Engineer role that recruitment for the position had been discontinued due to recent developments, while assuring them they would be contacted if relevant openings became available in the future.

Candidates selected by Oracle Financial Services Software (OFSS) have also reported delays in receiving offer letters.

At Cognizant, several GenC recruits have received repeated communications stating that their joining dates remain subject to business requirements, successful background verification and administrative delays linked to the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) Universal Account Number (UAN) portal.

Although companies have cited technical and verification-related issues in some instances, the repeated emphasis on "business requirements" reflects a broader shift toward demand-driven hiring.

Freshers create platforms to track delayed offers

The prolonged uncertainty has prompted graduates to seek community support.

A Wipro recruit from the 2025 batch launched OnboardWatch, a crowdsourced online platform where candidates anonymously report whether their campus offers have been honoured, delayed or withdrawn. The initiative has emerged as a resource for freshers trying to understand hiring trends across major IT employers.

IT industry hiring model undergoes structural change

The evolving recruitment pattern coincides with a slowdown in workforce expansion among India's largest IT companies.

Collectively, TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCLTech and Tech Mahindra reduced their workforce by 6,981 employees during FY26, reversing the net additions recorded in the previous financial year. Among them, TCS reported the largest reduction, while Tech Mahindra also trimmed its employee base.

Despite the slowdown, the broader Indian technology industry continues to expand, with Nasscom estimating that the sector added approximately 1.35 lakh employees, taking the total workforce to around 5.9 million in 2026. Much of this growth, however, is being driven by Global Capability Centres (GCCs) rather than traditional IT services companies.

AI and specialised skills reshape recruitment priorities

Industry experts believe the slowdown reflects a long-term restructuring of the IT talent model rather than a temporary hiring pause.

Employers are increasingly seeking graduates with expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data engineering, cybersecurity, cloud computing and domain-specific knowledge, instead of relying primarily on general software development skills.

Recruitment specialists note that fresh graduates now require longer training before becoming billable on client projects as enterprise technologies become more sophisticated.

According to industry observers, the traditional pyramid hiring model—which relied on recruiting large numbers of entry-level engineers each year—is expected to flatten over the next few years. Companies are likely to hire fewer graduates for generic delivery roles while increasing demand for professionals equipped with advanced digital and AI capabilities.

Companies maintain demand-led recruitment

Several IT firms maintain that they continue to recruit fresh graduates but insist hiring decisions are now closely aligned with business demand. TCS, for instance, has stated that it continues hiring both experienced professionals and campus recruits while balancing workforce requirements with client demand.

Meanwhile, Cognizant has reaffirmed its commitment to honouring all employment offers, even as onboarding schedules remain dependent on operational requirements.

For India's engineering graduates, the message is increasingly clear: in the era of AI-driven transformation, securing a campus offer is only the first step. Building specialised technical expertise and remaining adaptable have become just as important as receiving the offer letter itself.

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has officially declared the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) XXI Result 2026 on July 18. The national certification exam recorded an overall pass percentage of 65.92%, with 1,15,805 candidates qualifying to receive the Certificate of Practice (CoP), enabling them to practise law across courts in India.

Candidates who appeared for the examination can now download their AIBE XXI scorecards from the official examination portal.

AIBE XXI Pass Percentage 2026

According to the BCI, 65.92% of candidates successfully cleared the examination, reflecting the overall qualifying performance in this edition of the All India Bar Examination. The exam was conducted on June 7, 2026, for law graduates enrolled with their respective State Bar Councils.

The AIBE is a mandatory certification examination that assesses the fundamental legal knowledge and professional competence of advocates before they begin legal practice.

How to Check AIBE XXI Result 2026

Candidates can access their results by visiting the official AIBE portal.

Steps to download the AIBE XXI scorecard:

1. Visit the official AIBE website.
2. Click on the AIBE XXI Result 2026 link.
3. Enter your application number and date of birth.
4. Submit the login credentials.
5. Download and save the scorecard for future reference.

Details Mentioned on the Scorecard

The AIBE XXI scorecard includes:

• Candidate's name
• Roll number
• Application number
• Marks obtained
• Qualifying status
• Category details

Candidates are advised to verify all details carefully after downloading the result.

Certificate of Practice After Qualifying

Candidates who qualify the AIBE become eligible to receive the Certificate of Practice (CoP) through their respective State Bar Councils. The certificate authorises advocates to practise law before courts, tribunals, and other judicial forums across India.

The All India Bar Examination is conducted by the Bar Council of India to establish a minimum benchmark of professional competence for newly enrolled advocates. It is an essential requirement for law graduates seeking to begin legal practice in the country.

Everyday parenting practices that may appear harmless—such as constant criticism, comparing children with others, over-scheduling activities, or excessive smartphone use—can have lasting effects on a child's emotional well-being, confidence, and mental health, according to Indian education and parenting experts.

As conversations around positive parenting and children's mental health gain momentum, experts are urging families to move away from performance-driven parenting and instead focus on emotional security, trust, and healthy communication.

Everyday Habits That Can Become Toxic

According to educator Vijendra Singh Chauhan, toxic parenting often hides in seemingly ordinary behaviours. He points to habits such as:

• Constant criticism
• Comparing children with siblings or peers
• Emotional blackmail
• Excessive control over decisions
• Withholding affection based on performance

Chauhan believes that unconditional love and emotional safety should form the foundation of every parent-child relationship. He also emphasises that children need opportunities to make their own choices, learn from mistakes, and express themselves freely.

Over-Scheduling May Increase Stress

Parents often enrol children in multiple tuition classes, sports, music lessons, and extracurricular activities in an effort to keep pace with peers. However, Dr. Ritesh Malik warns that treating children like "performance projects" can do more harm than good.

Instead of encouraging creativity, excessive scheduling can lead to:

• Chronic stress
• Anxiety
• Burnout
• Reduced creativity
• Lack of independent thinking

Experts recommend allowing children unstructured playtime and encouraging curiosity rather than competition.

Academic Pressure Remains a Concern

Mental health professionals have repeatedly highlighted the impact of academic pressure on students. Experts say that constantly measuring children's success against others may weaken self-esteem, reduce confidence, and make them overly dependent on external validation.

Allowing children to pursue their own interests and respecting their individuality can help develop stronger decision-making skills and emotional resilience.

Smartphone Distractions Can Affect Parent-Child Bonding

Digital distractions are another growing concern for modern families.

Recent international research suggests that when caregivers are frequently distracted by smartphones during conversations or family time, teenagers are more likely to develop insecure attachment, affecting trust, communication, and future relationships.

Experts advise parents to practice mindful parenting by putting away digital devices during meals, conversations, and family activities to strengthen emotional connections.

Simple Household Tasks Can Build Life Skills

Research from Australia and the United States indicates that involving children in age-appropriate household chores can contribute to healthier cognitive development.

Simple responsibilities such as tidying rooms, helping in the kitchen, or organising belongings have been associated with improvements in:

• Working memory
• Executive functioning
• Responsibility
• Problem-solving skills
• Long-term independence

Experts suggest that practical life experiences can often be more beneficial than excessive screen time.

Parenting Is Shifting Towards Emotional Well-Being

Parenting conversations in India are increasingly moving beyond discipline and academic performance to include mental health, emotional intelligence, and child autonomy.

Experts recommend that parents:

• Listen without interrupting.
• Avoid comparing children with others.
• Respect teenagers' privacy.
• Encourage open conversations.
• Allow time for rest, play, and creativity.
• Focus on effort rather than only results.

As awareness around children's emotional well-being grows, educators and mental health professionals agree that balanced parenting—one that combines guidance with empathy and respect—can help children develop confidence, resilience, and healthier relationships throughout life.

The Delhi police Tuesday filed several FIRs against unidentified persons after the violence broke out during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) march, ‘Sansad Chalo', in protest against alleged NEET paper leak. The alleged clashes left more than 118 police personnel, including senior officers, injured, police vehicles and public property being damaged and a large-scale investigation of the clashes using CCTV footage and mobile phones.

Delhi Police File FIR Over CJP Protest Violence

The police sources said the FIRs have been lodged at the Connaught Place and Parliament Street police stations in various sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The incidents involve alleged rioting and damage to public property, assault on government officials, and the alleged snatching of police safety gear such as jackets and helmets during the protest in central Delhi on Monday. Additional investigation is ongoing, police said.

What happened in the ‘Sansad Chalo’ March of CJP?

The violence erupted after the members of the Cockroach Janta Party staged a protest from Jantar Mantar towards the Parliament, protesting against the irregularities in competitive examinations such as paper leakage in NEET.

The Delhi Police claimed that the protest was not authorized to move towards Parliament Street. Police prevented the march when protesters were allegedly trying to cross police barricades.

The police then fired tear gas and beat some of the protesters with batons. Some protesters then threw rocks and broke windows of government property, sparking several hours of clashes, authorities said.

Delhi Police Say Police Vehicles Were Damaged

During the unrest, Delhi Police said that police vehicles at Regal Cinema in the Outer Circle of Connaught Place were vandalised. Officials said that stones were thrown on the security forces deployed at the protest site and that some government vehicles were damaged. Now, security has been beefed up in the entire New Delhi district.

More Than 118 Police Personnel Injured

More than 118 police officers, including officers in high-ranking positions have been injured in the clashes, police said. There were reports of injuries as well as some 70 protesters being detained. The injured police workers are undergoing medical checkups. The Delhi Police claimed that legal action has been started against the perpetrators of the violence.

Delhi Police Release Videos and Issue a warning

After the protest march incident, the Delhi Police shared videos of stone-throwing around the protest site. Police issued a statement on X asking citizens not to share rumours or unverified videos, and to “only rely on official information.’’

The police also appealed to the protesters to cooperate with the security forces and ensure public order. Video cameras are being used to identify masked suspects, such as with CCTV and in a mobile video.

CCTV footage and mobile phone recordings and other digital evidence are being examined to establish who is believed to have played a role in the violence.

Police have apparently taken some 40 video clips from the protest area. Officials say several people had masks on their faces and allegedly damaged barricades and attacked police. The video will play a pivotal role in identifying the names mentioned in FIRs.

Investigation Continues

The investigation is on-going and more legal proceedings will be undertaken based on the evidence gathered during the investigation, Delhi Police said.

The violence in the CJP NEET protest has raised the intensity of the focus on the protest, as investigators have started to consider digital evidence, eyewitness accounts and damage reports to determine who is responsible for individually this one of the biggest protest clashes in the capital this year.

In a major reform aimed at reducing administrative delays and strengthening institutional autonomy, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has announced that medical colleges and universities will now independently decide faculty appointments, promotions and designations. Under the new framework, the NMC will no longer issue routine eligibility certificates or intervene in standard faculty appointment cases, placing greater responsibility on institutions to implement the Medical Institutions Qualification of Faculty Regulations (MI-QFR) 2025.

The decision, announced through a public notice issued by the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB), is expected to streamline faculty recruitment and promotion processes across medical colleges while reducing the regulatory burden on the Commission.

Medical colleges to take independent decisions

According to the NMC, a significant number of institutions had been referring routine eligibility cases to the Commission even though they could have been resolved under the existing regulations. These referrals included matters related to faculty appointments, promotions and designation changes that were already covered by the provisions of MI-QFR 2025.

To address this, the Commission has clarified that medical colleges, universities and other appointing authorities will now be responsible for determining whether candidates fulfil the eligibility criteria for faculty positions.

The NMC said institutions should evaluate candidates based on the provisions already laid down in the MI-QFR 2025 regulations, which specify the required academic qualifications, teaching experience, research publications, training requirements and other eligibility norms for faculty appointments and career progression.

As a result, the PGMEB will no longer examine cases that can be decided directly by institutions using the existing regulations.

NMC to step in only for exceptional cases

While routine cases will now be handled internally by institutions, the NMC will continue to consider complex or exceptional cases that involve ambiguity in interpreting the regulations.

Such cases may include disputes regarding the equivalence of qualifications, interpretation of transition provisions, or issues requiring coordination with other regulatory frameworks.

The Commission has clarified that these applications must be submitted only through the Dean, Director, Principal or Registrar of the concerned institution. Institutions must clearly identify the specific provision of the MI-QFR 2025 that requires clarification and provide all relevant supporting documents.

₹25,000 processing fee for special applications

For cases requiring NMC intervention, institutions must submit a processing fee of ₹25,000, along with the applicable 18% GST, making the total fee payable higher. The Commission has stated that this fee is non-refundable, irrespective of the outcome of the application.

The NMC has also made it clear that applications submitted directly by individual faculty members or candidates will not be accepted under normal circumstances.

However, an exception has been introduced to safeguard applicants. If a medical college or university fails to forward a genuine request to the NMC within 60 days of receiving it, the concerned candidate may apply directly to the PGMEB.

In such cases, the applicant must submit a signed declaration, proof that the institution failed to act within the stipulated period, all supporting documents and the prescribed processing fee. If the institution had already collected the fee from the candidate, it will be required to refund the amount.

New rules effective immediately

The Commission has announced that the revised procedure has come into force with immediate effect.

However, applications received by the NMC before July 16 will continue to be processed under the previous system, while all applications received on or after July 16 will be governed by the new guidelines.

The latest move is expected to accelerate faculty recruitment and promotion decisions by empowering institutions to implement the MI-QFR 2025 regulations independently, while allowing the NMC to focus on policy interpretation and complex regulatory issues rather than routine administrative approvals.

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.

CAT 2026 registration is expected to begin in the first week of August 2026, while the official notification is likely to be released in the last week of July. Candidates aiming for MBA admission to any of the 22 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and several other leading business schools will need to appear for the Common Admission Test (CAT). Check out the CAT 2026 Exam Date, Eligibility, Registration Process, Syllabus, Exam Pattern, and Preparation Strategy.

What is CAT 2026?

CAT is the most popular MBA entrance exam in India. CAT is an annual admission test organised by one of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and is the gateway to MBA and postgraduate management courses at all the 22 Indian Institute of Managements (IIMs) and other top management institutes in the country.

Every year, lakhs of graduates from engineering, commerce, science, arts and other disciplines appear for CAT in the hope of securing admission to some of India's most competitive business schools. The data available indicates that in 2025, almost 2.95 lakh candidates registered for the exams and 2.58 lakh candidates appeared in the exams.

CAT 2026 Key Highlights

CAT 2026 Important Dates

Why is the CAT so Important?

CAT for many of the graduates is more than an entrance exam. It is a stepping stone towards getting into Indian Institute of Management or other recognized business school.

Some candidates aspire to build their career in Consulting, finance and marketing. Others would like to pursue leadership, entrepreneurship and/or business analytics opportunities. CAT is also popular among working people who want to advance their careers via an MBA.

Whether you should take the CAT or not depends on your career objectives. However, if you want to go ahead and take admission to an IIM or any other business school that accepts CAT scores, it is one of the most crucial exams in India.

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Typically, the candidates applying for CAT 2026 should:

CAT 2026 Registration Process

1. Visit the Online portal 
2. Create an account with personal details
3. Fill in the required details and add the documents 
4. Submit a recent passport sized photo and signature.
5. Choose the desired test cities and programmes.
6. Make an online application fee payment.
7. After successful submission, download the confirmation.

CAT 2026 Registration Fees

• For General category candidates: ₹2600.
• For SC/ST and PWD, ₹1,300.

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern & Section Details

CAT Exam Marking Scheme:

• MCQ correct: +3 marks
• MCQ wrong: −1 mark
• TITA (non-MCQ) correct: +3 marks
• TITA wrong: 0 marks (no negative marking)

Note that the sectional time limit is strict; and one cannot move between sections before each 40-minute window ends.

What are TITA Questions in CAT?

One aspect of the CAT examination that often confuses first-time candidates is the Type In The Answer (TITA) format. Unlike multiple-choice questions, TITA questions require candidates to type their answers directly into the answer box instead of selecting from options. 

CAT 2026 Syllabus

VARC — Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (24 Q)

Reading Comprehension (RC) — 16 questions:

• 4 RC passages (each 400–700 words)
• Passage types: Business, Social Science, Humanities, Science
• Questions test: Main idea, Inference, Tone, Vocabulary in context

Verbal Ability — 8 questions (TITA — no negative marking):

Teaching & Classroom Resources

• Para Jumbles (sentence ordering)
• Para Summary (choose best summary for a paragraph)
• Odd Sentence Out (find sentence that doesn't belong)

DILR — Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (20 Q)

Data Interpretation (DI):

• Tables, Bar Charts, Pie Charts, Line Graphs, Caselets
• Mixed graphs requiring multi-step calculations

Logical Reasoning (LR):

• Seating Arrangements (Linear + Circular)
• Blood Relations
• Scheduling / Sequencing
• Games & Tournaments
• Networks / Routes
• Numbers & Quantities (LR-based)

QA — Quantitative Aptitude (22 Q)

CAT 2026 Admit Card  

As per the tentative as well as official schedule from the previous year, the CAT 2026 admit card is expected to be released somewhere in the last week of October 2026 , up to 20th November 2026. For those applicants who have completed their registration process and also submitted the application for the test, downloading the admit card should be possible from the official CAT site i.e. www.iimcat.ac.in, simply by using the login credentials created during registration.

This admit card is basically the entry pass and has details like candidate’s name, exam date, shift timing and the allocated exam center. It is advised to download it, and keep a hard copy of it before the exam day, so there isn’t any last-minute hassle.

How to Prepare for CAT 2026

There is no time for last minute changes in preparation for CAT. The guidance available indicates that candidates should seek to start preparation at least 6 months prior to the examination.

The following is a practical preparation strategy:

Having a daily study schedule.

• Creating conceptual clarity first, then speeding up.
• Regularly taking mock tests.
• Solving the previous years CAT papers.
• Reviewing errors following each mock.
• Learning time management as per paper pattern

It is also suggested to use mock papers prior to full coverage of the syllabus so that weaknesses and strengths can be identified.

Common Mistakes of CAT Aspirants 

Avoidable mistakes may waste a lot of time for many applicants in the application process. Some of the more frequently made mistakes are:

• Last minute registrations.
• Incorrect document formatting when uploading.
• Inputting wrong school data.
• Using a non-working mobile number or email address.
• Not downloading the confirmation page following a payment.

Note: The early submission of the application leaves sufficient time to make corrections (if needed) before the deadline.

Is the CAT Entrance Exam Worth it?

CAT is one of the most important management entrance exams in the country for those who want to join IIM or any other business school that considers it for MBA admissions.

Is There Any CAT Alternative Exam?

There are many other management entrance exams like GMCAT (Global Management Common Aptitude Test). However, it is important to first decide if you want to study at IIM, top university, or from a college that aligns with you. 

While there's a lot of preparation involved with CAT, it's important to understand why you want to take the time to study management. When you know what you want your career to be, you'll plan and make better decisions all along the process of getting into your next school.

Still confused? Get free career counselling by calling at  08071296497

If you're preparing for the AIDAT Entrance Test, you've probably spent hours searching for sample papers, design aptitude questions and tips to crack a design entrance exam. However, many students miss out on benefits of marks for their creativity, but fail due to unnecessary mistakes in the examination.

The All India Design Aptitude Test (AIDAT) is a test to evaluate your Design Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Observation Skill and Creative thinking, not the ability to memorise facts. These are some great prep ideas that can help you do better on the test.

If you're preparing to take part in the AIDAT 2026, you must avoid making these five frequent mistakes that all design aspirants make.

1. Preparing Like a Traditional Competitive Exam

The trick often for students is to think of AIDAT as a board exam or a typical competitive exam. AIDAT is a different exam from the ones that focus on a lot of material from the textbook; this one is about how you think. The online exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions with a psychometric based dynamic test of 60 minutes, which is an assessment of creativity, observation, logical reasoning and design aptitude.

Practice being able to recognize patterns, solve visual problems and think outside of the box instead of memorizing information. What to do instead:

1. Practice reasoning & observation questions.
2. Do visual puzzles on a regular basis.
3. Keep your mind open to design.
4. Learn about design trends, branding and user experiences.

2. Ignoring the Exam Guidelines

There are a lot of students who only pay attention to the preparation without considering the examination procedure itself. AIDAT is an online exam, the candidates can appear by using a mobile phone, laptop or desktops. Pre-test instructions to registered candidates are sent to them before the examination via email.

Failure to follow these directions will cause needless stress on test day. Before the examination:

• Pay attention to all instructions in the exam.
• Verify Internet connection.
• Make sure that you check the functionality of your device.
• Log in before the scheduled time.

3. Relying on Only AIDAT Scores

One of the other misconceptions is that the written test is the final step. The truth is that the AIDAT admission process is not only about the entrance exam. Shortlisted candidates go through the following phases after the written test:

• Portfolio submission
• Counselling
• Interview

The majority of students will spend a great deal of time preparing for the exam and fail to prepare their portfolio or interview. If you're applying for design programmes, begin to build your portfolio early. Any creative project can show your thinking process and originality, even if it is a simple project.

4. Selecting a Design Course Without Understanding Your Interests

Students take design entrance exams without knowing what they really want to enter in the design field. Design is broader than doing fashion or graphic design. The student participate in the programmes through participating institutions, such as:

• Graphic Design
• Fashion Design
• Interior Design
• Product Design
• Communication Design
• UX Design
• Animation
• Multimedia Design
• Game Design

Prior to the exam, researching various career paths is important. Knowing your interests will also be beneficial when you are doing counselling and interview rounds.

5. Ignoring Counselling and Career Guidance

Many of those who are aspiring for a job think that the journey has ended after getting their score. It doesn't. An important aspect of the AIDAT process is to receive counselling and guidance while making choices with regard to design programme and participating institution.

The decision on which college to attend is as crucial as the score obtained. When making comparisons between colleges, take into account:

• Course curriculum
• Studio facilities
• Industry exposure
• Portfolio development
• Faculty expertise
• Internship opportunities
• Placement support

The choices you make now can impact your career for years to come.

Bonus tips For AIDAT Entrance Test

In addition to avoiding these common mistakes, here are some tips that may help you to improve your performance:

• Read each of the questions thoroughly and answer them.
• Don't get bogged down by just one question.
• Calm your nerves when taking the online exam.
• Solve reasoning and aptitude questions on a regular basis.
• Discuss and experiment with approaches to design in a variety of fields.
• Stay abreast of the latest design trends and innovations.
• AIDAT is different from the majority of design entrance exams.

The All India Design Aptitude Test (AIDAT) offers the students a chance to explore the admissions at the participating universities offering diploma and undergraduate/postgraduate courses in design. Counselling, career guidance & support are also available during all stages of the admission process along with the examination.

For students who are aiming to pursue a career in design, this assessment and guidance makes the process of getting into college and entrance exams smoother.

What Must Students Note?

One week before AIDAT, stop learning new concepts. Instead, revise your reasoning strategies, check your device, organise your portfolio and familiarise yourself with the examination guidelines. Confidence comes from preparation, not last-minute studying.

The key to performing well on the AIDAT Entrance Test is not knowledge of all the correct answers, but avoidance of the wrong ones that limits your creative potential. Do not prepare in hurry. Know what the examination process is about, rather than just “chasing marks”. Make your portfolio and gain confidence too. Most of all, select a design course that aligns with your own interests, rather than the popular design courses.

Remember, the best designers aren't the ones who know everything, they're the ones who never stop learning, observing and creating.

Choosing the right engineering entrance examination is one of the most important decisions for students planning to pursue a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) after Class 12. While offline examinations have been the traditional route for engineering admissions, online entrance tests are rapidly becoming the preferred choice because they are more accessible, transparent and aligned with today's digital education system.

If you are planning to build a career in computer science, here are 10 factual reasons why an online entrance test can be the right choice.

1. Take the Exam from Anywhere

One of the biggest advantages of an online entrance test is convenience. Students do not need to travel long distances to appear for the examination. With a stable internet connection and a suitable device, they can take the test from a comfortable location, reducing travel expenses and exam-day stress.

2. Faster Results and Admissions

Unlike traditional paper-based examinations, online tests are evaluated digitally, allowing results to be declared much faster. This enables students to move quickly to counselling, seat selection and the admission process without unnecessary delays.

3. Fair and Transparent Evaluation

Computer-based assessments minimise the possibility of human error during evaluation. Since answers are assessed digitally, students benefit from a transparent, accurate and consistent marking process.

4. Focus on Real Problem-Solving Skills

Modern engineering entrance examinations are designed to assess analytical thinking, logical reasoning and aptitude rather than memorisation alone. These skills are essential for succeeding in engineering education and future technology careers.

5. Saves Time and Money

Travelling to multiple cities for different entrance examinations can be expensive. Online entrance tests reduce travel, accommodation and other related costs, allowing students to focus more on preparation instead of logistics.

6. Simple Registration and Digital Access

The complete admission journey—from registration to downloading scorecards—is managed online. Students can submit applications, receive updates, check results and access important documents through a single digital platform, making the process quicker and more organised.

7. Matches Today's Technology-Driven Education

Engineering education today relies heavily on digital learning platforms, coding environments, virtual laboratories and online resources. Taking an online entrance examination introduces students to the digital ecosystem they will experience throughout their B.Tech programme.

8. Access to Multiple Programmes Through One Examination

Many national-level online entrance examinations provide admission opportunities beyond B.Tech. Depending on the examination, students may also become eligible for programmes such as BCA, B.Sc IT, MCA, M.Tech and M.Sc, giving them greater flexibility while planning their academic future.

9. Merit-Based Admissions

National-level online entrance examinations provide students from different states with an equal opportunity to compete based on merit. Admissions are determined by performance, creating a fair and transparent selection process.

10. Opens Doors to Leading Universities

Many universities accept recognised national-level online entrance examinations for admissions. For example, the Global Computer Science Entrance Test (GCSET) is a national-level online entrance examination designed for students aspiring to build careers in computer science and technology. It offers admission opportunities to programmes including B.Tech, BCA, B.Sc IT, MCA, M.Tech and M.Sc at participating universities.

The GCSET admission process is straightforward. Students register online, appear for a 60-minute online examination, download their scorecards after the results are declared, participate in counselling and complete the admission process. This streamlined approach makes it a convenient option for students seeking quality higher education in technology-related fields.

What Must Students Know?

Online entrance examinations have transformed the engineering admission process by making it more accessible, transparent and efficient. They offer faster results, fair evaluation, lower costs and greater convenience while preparing students for the digital learning environment they will experience in higher education.

Before applying for any entrance examination, students should carefully review the eligibility criteria, examination pattern, important dates and participating universities. Choosing a recognised national-level online entrance examination can simplify the admission process and open pathways to quality engineering and technology programmes.

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.

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.