Mental health has been a big problem for students in the modern-day fast-moving and highly competitive environments of academics, indeed needing immediate and further attention. This would therefore be indicative of the wide effect elicited by academic stress. 

These current tendencies give rise to the call for students' well-being to be at the core of the learning process, both in academic achievement and in building emotional resilience, creativity, and long-lasting life satisfaction. Unsatisfactory support for their mental health would make it hard to go through university life and thus hinder personal and professional growth.

Identification of the student without his explicit admission of the problem is thus one important step toward a solution or curbing of the issue. The second major problem facing us in our fight against mental health issues is that while a student may look normal and well mentally on the surface, he could be wrestling with ups and downs inside.

These include substance abuse and self-injury--high-risk behaviors that denote ways of dealing with overwhelming feelings; these may be linked to an increase in the number of students who make efforts during mental health crises. 

Other symptoms include sudden outbursts of emotion or a hypersensitivity to the criticism of others since students with mental health issues cannot control their feelings. According to Active Minds, more than 60% of students reporting changes in emotional well-being showed a statistically significant decline in well-being in 2023. Also, various kinds of mental health disorders can be triggered or exacerbated in cases of some problems in society, and among the most prevalent ones, gender bias is included.

It is beyond a social issue; gender bias is a very critical driver of widespread mental health disorders. Issues have to be brought to awareness, enabling policies have to be formulated, and equality of access to care has to be provided before one can be assured that a society exists in which all citizens, regardless of gender identity, can thrive psychologically and emotionally. But there remains one critical barrier: students simply do not want to seek counseling for their mental health problems. Among the main reasons, stigma about seeking help is the major one. A 2023 survey done by the American Psychological Association showed that close to 70 percent of the students were afraid their peers would think poorly of them if they sought out mental health support. Another major factor is plain lack of awareness. According to a 2022 study in The Journal of American College Health, only 50 percent of students knew about campus counseling services available to them; thus, they stand in their own way. General campaigns for raising awareness of mental health promotion may help in nurturing feelings of destigmatization of the need to seek professional help.

The Department of School Education and Literacy at the Ministry of Education declared its critical initiative to include Artificial Intelligence and Computational Thinking in school curricula, starting with Class 3 for the session 2026–27. The Secretary termed it a major step toward treating AI as a basic universal skill much in tune with learning about The World Around Us. The integration within AI and CT fits into the National Education Policy, 2020, and National Curriculum Framework for School Education, 2023, thus acting to prepare students for a future deeply influenced by intelligent systems.

In a stakeholder consultation held on October 29, 2025, representatives of CBSE, NCERT, KVS, NVS, and other experts deliberated on the structure and content of this new curriculum. 

The CBSE has constituted an expert committee, led by Prof. Karthik Raman from IIT Madras, for the development of the framework in AI & CT. Kumar insisted that though the curriculum needs to be broad-based and inclusive, it needs to remain flexible to adapt to newer demands created by technological and social changes. "Every child's unique potential is our priority," he asserted, as he highlighted balancing innovation.

How AI education evolved in Indian schools

AI's entry into Indian classrooms has been gradual but strategic, with the approach making sure schools, teachers, and students get used to the technology before it would become compulsory.

It essentially reflects CBSE's intention of having AI education grow organically and not overnight. By the time it reaches the primary level, teachers and institutions will already have years of experience in the integration of AI into lesson planning and classroom practice.

Building blocks for responsible implementation

The Ministry's plan does not stop with syllabus design. Resource materials, handbooks, and digital content preparation will be completed by December 2025, giving enough preparation time for schools. Teacher training conducted by NISHTHA and other institutions, with grade-specific and time-bound modules, shall be the backbone of this transition. A Coordination Committee under NCF SE shall ensure collaboration between NCERT and CBSE to guarantee smooth integration and consistent quality across schools.

Since AI can explain or provide feedback in minutes, there is always the risk that students might omit those cognitive steps so necessary for true comprehension. Assignments should therefore elicit visible reasoning through annotation, rough work, an oral defence or reflective writing that AI cannot convincingly simulate. Another highly sensitive area is that of data privacy. As the children will be typing, reading, or speaking to AI-enabled gadgets, they will generate highly sensitive behavioral information. Settings by default should constrain collection, make information local when possible, and apply short retention periods. 

Generative models can easily produce fluent but incorrect or subtly biased output. To avoid these problems, AI classroom systems need to have built-in citation prompts, source cross-checks, and instructor-controlled guardrails limiting certain output for younger learners. And the final authority in grading and feedback has to stay with educators themselves at all times-AI can assist, but human judgment is the last word. AI literacy and the future of work The expansion of AI education directly relates to shifts in the global job market. Automation continues to reshape employment patterns, creating both anxiety and opportunity. 

Learning AI from primary level school onwards is supposed to prepare students not just for the usage of these tools but to understand their logic, ethics, and limitations. This kind of early exposure cultivates computational thinking-the ability to break down problems, recognize patterns, and design adaptive solutions. Recent labour data underlines the urgency of such an approach. This year alone, over 10,000 layoffs in the United States have been directly attributed to generative AI adoption, while more than 27,000 tech job losses since 2023 have been blamed on automation-related restructuring. Yet the same technologies driving displacement are also creating new, high-value roles.

 According to PwC's Global AI Jobs Barometer 2025, workers possessing AI-related skills earn an average wage premium 43% higher. US labour analytics firm Lightcast reports that job listings mentioning AI skills advertise salaries about 28% higher than comparable roles without them. Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 projects the creation of 170 million new jobs this decade, with a net gain of 78 million after accounting for automation. This dual reality of job loss and job creation explains why India's AI curriculum puts so much emphasis on "AI for Public Good." 

The Ministry conceives of AI literacy as a necessary preparation for a workforce in which collaboration between humans and AI is the new normal. In teaching students to make their interactions with AI transparent, to declare assistance, and to show one's reasoning process, the curriculum wants to raise professionals that will complement automation, not compete against it. The road ahead How well this works will depend on the architectural choices schools make now. Well-designed implementation - combining teacher capability, clear policies, and ethical guardrails - can make AI a genuine force multiplier for learning. Schools which set up transparent frameworks for measurement of real gains and invest in teacher training will manage this transition well. 

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday lashed out at Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for stating that the National Education Policy and PM SHRI schools were aimed at "brainwashing" children, saying such statements amount to a "glaring display of ignorance and political opportunism".

The MP from Wayanad also said that the National Education Policy and Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India-PM SHRI have been so designed to propagate only one ideology.

She claims now: "A lot of factual inaccuracies have been inserted, historical data have been changed and ideologically, it is all leaning one way."

Reacting to her allegations, Pradhan said, "The remarks made by Priyanka Gandhi on NEP and PM-SHRI initiative are a glaring display of ignorance and political opportunism." "She disrespected the collective wisdom of educators, academicians and citizens in general who made those historic reforms by making such irresponsible and misleading statements," he said. "For over three decades, India waited for meaningful education reforms that could prepare its youth for the challenges of the 21st century. The NEP 2020, formulated under the guidance of K Kasturirangan, a scientist of global eminence, was the result of one of the most exhaustive and inclusive consultation processes ever undertaken," the Union minister said in an X post. Pradhan claimed the PM SHRI schools are the living embodiment of this vision. These model schools represent the future of Indian schooling: smart classrooms, Atal Tinkering and Innovation Labs, digital and experiential learning, libraries, eco-friendly campuses, vocational and skill hubs, and inclusive spaces for every child. They encourage arts, culture, sports, and environmental stewardship, building creativity, confidence, and character. PM SHRI Schools bring together modernity and moral strength, technology and tradition, innovation and inclusion. It is not critique of policy to oppose such visionary initiatives; it is to stand in opposition to the very idea of an India which does not need old political dynasties' approval to educate her children, Pradhan said. "Perhaps this discomfort originates from the fact that for years, education was reduced to political rhetoric and neglect; now that reforms were finally put into place, it's convenient for some, instead of recognising success, to feign outrage," he added.

Education Minister Rohit Thakur of Himachal Pradesh reviewed the progress of different initiatives and educational schemes running across the state on Thursday. He presided over a review meeting with senior officers from the Education department.

Thakur reviewed the implementation of several important initiatives, which included restructuring of directorates, Mukhyamantri Bal Poshtik Aahar Yojana, digital attendance, international exposure visits for teachers, Apna Vidyalaya Yojana, Rajiv Gandhi Model Day Boarding Schools, and affiliation of schools to CBSE.

The minister said that during the past three years, the state government had taken up numerous initiatives aimed at transformative improvement in the quality of education.

"As many as 7,000 regular recruitments in different categories of teachers have been made and the process is underway for filling more than 9,000 posts, including 1,170 TGTs, 1,762 JBTs, 37 lecturers (PWD), 69 C&V, and 6,292 NTT teachers," he said.

He ordered the officials to speed up the recruitment process so that educational institutions get the required staff in time.

"The reforms undertaken by the state government are yielding positive results, leading to improvement in ranking providing quality education," he added. The minister expressed satisfaction that Himachal Pradesh had been declared a fully literate state and commended the efforts of the Education department.

He further said that induction training had been started to keep the newly recruited teachers abreast of the latest trends and techniques in teaching. He emphasized the need for regular inspections in schools in order to maintain the accountabilities and directed the Deputy Directors to visit schools more frequently to create a better learning environment.

Secretary of Education Rakesh Kanwar pointed out the need for formulating the practice of sharing resources between the different levels of schools with a view to utilizing human and physical resources optimally.

The Federation of Private Higher Education Institutions has served an ultimatum on the Telangana government, asking it to immediately release long-pending fee reimbursement dues. The federation claimed that private colleges in the state were facing a financial crisis because of the non-payment of ₹900 crore arrears and warned of a statewide agitation if the dues are not cleared by Sunday.

The federation chairman, Ramesh Babu, said the state owes nearly ₹10,000 crore under the fee reimbursement scheme, thereby supporting lakhs of students enrolled in private colleges. He wanted the government to immediately release at least ₹5,000 crore, while saying that the remaining balance should be cleared by the end of March 2026. Failure to do so, he said, will trigger an indefinite strike starting November 3 across private colleges in Telangana.

As part of the agitation plan, the federation has asked all universities to postpone all examinations to avoid the academic loss due to the strike. A mega-meeting of around 1.5 lakh college teaching and nonteaching staff will be held on November 6 to finalise the stir. This will be followed by a massive rally of students in Hyderabad on November 10 or 11 which the federation claimed will be attended by 10 lakh students from across the state.

Ramesh Babu warned that if the government remains unresponsive even after the Hyderabad protest, college managements, staff and students will intensify their agitation by picketing the residences of ministers, MLAs and MPs, and later staging protests at district collectorates.

Addressing speculations about possible state action against private colleges, Aljapur Srinivas, vice-president of the federation of private colleges, attacked the state's approach as "blackmail" and said it should instead ensure its financial commitment to students and colleges was respected rather than threaten institutions.

"MLAs must take responsibility to ensure that the fee reimbursement dues are cleared. Governments in the past have fallen due to student movements," Srinivas cautioned and called upon the state government to "stop intimidating college managements and resolve the crisis". The federation reiterated that the ongoing delay is pushing institutions to the brink and putting at risk the future of students dependent on fee reimbursement support

The NDA on Friday released its manifesto for the Bihar assembly elections, which promises free education from kindergarten to postgraduate level for the poor and plans to transform Bihar into an industrial and educational hub. The manifesto primarily focuses on youth, women, industries, infrastructure, farmers, and extremely backward castes (EBCs).

The manifesto, released jointly by CM Nitish Kumar, Union minister and BJP national president J P Nadda, JD(U) national working president Sanjay Kumar Jha, Union ministers Jitan Ram Manjhi and Chirag Paswan, and RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha, has 25 points.

The major promises include more than one crore jobs and employment opportunities, mega skill centres in each district and Rs2,000 per month financial assistance to SC students in higher education. Financial assistance of up to Rs10 lakh to EBC youths for self-employment has also been promised in the manifesto. A commission under a retired Supreme Court judge will be established to assess the socio-economic status of EBCs and suggest measures for their uplift.

The NDA, under its ‘Industrial Mission for Growing Bihar’ plan, envisions an industrial revolution with an investment of Rs1 lakh crore. BJP leader and deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary said, “We will set up Defence Corridor, semiconductor manufacturing park, global capability centres, mega tech city, FinTech city and establish 100 MSME parks besides 50,000+ cottage enterprises to promote ‘Vocal for Local’.”

He further added, "We will establish world-class medical institutions, complete construction of approved medical colleges in every district, set up modern super-specialty hospitals dedicated to children and autism and a dedicated 'centre of excellence' for identified priority sportspersons in every division."

In an attempt to make Bihar a “new-age economy”, Choudhary said, “State-of-the-art manufacturing units and 10 new industrial parks would be developed to position Bihar as a new-age economy by attracting investments of Rs50 lakh crore and creating a ‘global back-end hub’ and a ‘global workplace’ over the next five years.”

Outlining measures for women's empowerment, Choudhary said the NDA govt would launch 'Mission Crorepati' to make one crore 'lakhpati didis' and provide financial help of up to Rs2 lakh to Jeevika didis under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana. The govt has already transferred Rs10,000 each to over 1.21 crore women beneficiaries, he added.

The NDA promises to double output and make the state self-sufficient in pulse production by 2030. “We will set up five mega food parks, develop Bihar as a global export centre for makhana, fish, and other products, and transform Mithila into a mega textile and design park and ‘Anga’ into a mega silk park,” Choudhary said. Farmers will get Rs3,000 annually under the new Karpoori Thakur Kisan Samman Nidhi, on top of the Rs6,000 from the Centre. In addition, there is a promise of Rs1 lakh crore investment in agricultural infrastructure and a guarantee of MSP for paddy, wheat, pulses and maize.

To help the fishermen, the NDA will initiate a ‘Fish-Milk Mission’ that will provide Rs9,000 to each beneficiary under the Matsya Palak Yojana. “Chilling and processing centres will be established at block levels under the ‘Milk Mission’ to enhance milk production,” Choudhary said.

The manifesto promises seven expressways, modernisation of 3,600km of railway track, metro rail in four new cities, a Greenfield city in New Patna, and satellite townships near major cities-all this on the infrastructure front. It also promises to develop ‘Sitapuram’ near the birthplace of Mata Sita in Sitamarhi. Aviation infrastructure will see an international airport near Patna and new airports in Darbhanga, Purnia, and Bhagalpur, alongside domestic flights from 10 additional cities. Under its ‘Panchamrit’ programme, the NDA has promised five million new pucca houses, 125 units of free electricity, continued free ration and free medical treatment up to Rs5 lakh under Ayushman Bharat.

The Union Government has given its approval for the allocation of 62 more PG seats in six government-run medical colleges and hospitals for the academic session 2025-26, confirmed Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

Odisha Chief Minister said that these new PG seats would add quality to medical training besides offering better specialty healthcare services to the people of Odisha.

"The State Government is committed to fully complying with the norms and standards laid down by the National Medical Commission for these institutes and will extend all necessary support to develop these institutes as premiere centers of medical excellence," said Majhi.

Distribution of New PG Seats

The state-wise distribution for the newly sanctioned seats was declared by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan via social media. The allocation is as under :

- 15 seats at VIMSAR, Burla

- 3 seats at SCB Medical College, Cuttack

-6 seats at PGIMER and Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar

- 20 seats at PRM Medical College, Baripada

- 8 seats at FM Medical College, Balasore 

- 10 seats at Bhima Bhoi Medical College, Bolangir 

Such expansion will go a long way in strengthening capacity at both institutions to train future health professionals. Assuring quality in health services, the Chief Minister said the State Government was committed to the standard set by the National Medical Commission, ensuring medical education and health service delivery in Odisha conform to the highest benchmarks. The increased PG seats would thus be a proactive step by the government toward responding to the increasing demand for trained doctors within the state. Infrastructure development at the education level will truly prepare the doctors to serve the community with excellence. 

The decision taken by the Centre reflects a greater initiative to improve medical education across India, because unmistakably this is a critical need in the healthcare sector for more trained specialists. This move will leave a lasting effect on the quality of healthcare provided to the people of Odisha. A Step to Improved Healthcare The new PG seats will shape the future of medical education in Odisha, which has been continuously struggling to manage the challenge of healthcare. Backed by the state government, the institutions are all set to emerge as frontrunners in medical training and healthcare delivery.

A doctoral study at Acharya Nagarjuna University recommends sweeping reforms to strengthen India's digital media landscape through education, innovation, and policy-driven initiatives. The researcher, Ravi Kumar Boppana, carried out the research titled "Social Media Management Strategies – Its Impact on Traditional Media: An Analysis," guided by Prof. R. Sivarama Prasad. ANU has awarded Boppana a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) for this research.

The research warns that unless India responds with systemic reforms, the gap between verified journalism and viral content can further increase.It has, inter alia, suggested a comprehensive Media Education Act to integrate media and digital literacy across schools, colleges, and public learning platforms. The ultimate aim is to equip students, educators, and citizens with the ability to verify information, detect manipulated content, and be responsible media consumers in this highly polarized digital space.

Boppana's research proposes a reform model to strengthen the industry on seven counts: establishing Regional Digital Empowerment Hubs, Media Innovation Labs for student-industry collaboration, misinformation monitoring systems, and performance-based incentives to encourage ethical and fact-driven journalism. The study also advocates for collaborative regulatory frameworks between print, broadcast, and digital media for transparency and accountability.

It also calls for nationwide campaigns for the promotion of responsible digital behavior, reduction of misinformation, and advancing cyber ethics. It further stresses the need to support traditional media with instruments for digital transition so that they can stay financially viable and socially relevant.

The study says, "With India emerging as one of the largest digital media consumers in the world, the next decade has to focus on media literacy, innovation, and ethical content ecosystems" to safeguard democracy and public trust.

The first things that come to most people's minds in relation to medicine are doctors and nurses. Medicine today has grown big in its dimensions, and indeed this sphere needs much more than stethoscopes and surgeries. Behind every hospital, health campaign, app, or clinical breakthrough is a set of people working in professions that don't require MBBS or a nursing degree but are just as vital to the system.

With every shift in priority that characterizes public health, awareness of mental health grows. And with each growth in technology in medicine, so does the increase in the pool of competent professionals in a host of nonclinical fields. Whatever your background may be in science, technology, humanities, or management, there is a healthcare career best suited for you.

Here are eight rewarding careers in healthcare that don't involve becoming a doctor or a nurse but are in high demand and hold value.

• Public health specialist

The interests of professionals in public health are focused on the improvement of health at the population level, and they do not focus their attention on individual patients. They design and carry out various campaigns for raising awareness, analysis of disease trends, formulation of health policies, and management of the community's health. Their work, be it in the control of infectious diseases or in the promotion of nutrition and proper sanitation, involves large groups of people.

Most professions in public health come out of government agencies, global health organizations like the WHO, and NGOs. Life sciences, sociology, psychology, or statistics provide good grounding, although many professionals get a Master's in Public Health that specializes them in this field.

• Clinical research associate

CRA forms the very base on which any drug, vaccine, or treatment is developed. They support organization and execution in order to assure that research will be ethical and in compliance with all regulatory requirements. Clinical Research Associate: CRAs develop trial protocols, manage data collection, and contact participants at all levels of a trial, so that any medical breakthrough will be brought to the market in full safety. This field is ideal for those professionals qualified in life sciences, pharmacy, biotechnology, or allied health. The job involves a mix of science and project management; thus, it opens up opportunities not only with pharmaceutical companies but also in hospitals and research institutions. 

• Medical and Health Writer:

 If one has a passion for science and likes to communicate, then medical writing might be just what he or she is looking for. Health writers can create everything from documentation of scientific research and regulatory papers to guides for patients, blog posts, and app content. Their role is basically to transform complicated medical terminology into clear, accessible language that will educate and inform. Many work with pharmaceutical companies and hospitals, while others create digital health platforms and media. This career path is associated with a science background, joined with great writing skills. People with training in journalism or communications are entering the field, together with some niche medical writing certifications. 

• Healthcare Administrator:

 Healthcare administration looks into the management of the business and operational sides of medical facilities. Administrators are responsible for making sure a hospital, clinic, or health network runs smoothly by organizing staff, budgeting, procurement, patient services, and compliance. This is a specialty for those who enjoy managing, leading, and thinking in systems. It is open for students coming from commerce, management, or hospital administration backgrounds. Most of them eventually do an MBA in healthcare or some kind of specialized diplomas. As a matter of fact, with private hospitals and health-tech platforms multiplying fast, the demand for skilled administrators keeps going up. 

• Counsellor or Mental Health Therapist: 

Mental health professionals help people overcome emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges. As a matter of fact, with growing awareness of mental wellness, trained counsellors and therapists are sought after in schools, colleges, hospitals, and even in private practice. Their services mainly include conducting talk therapies, offering emotional support, and teaching coping mechanisms to deal with anxiety, trauma, depression, and grief. The typical paths leading to this profession include a bachelor's degree in Psychology followed by postgraduate qualifications in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, or Psychotherapy. It is a deeply personal, meaningful, and socially impactful career. 

• Health Informatics Specialist 

If you have interests in technology, data, and health, then Health Informatics is quite a relevant career. Health informaticians manage information and develop digital health systems, smooth the flow of information across hospitals and clinics. That would be anything from developing infrastructure for an electronic medical record system to the use of AI in support of clinical diagnosis or ensuring patient data privacy. With the movement of hospitals toward digital transformation, it is very important. It will be ideal for computer science, data analytics, or bioinformatics or IT background students; nowadays, special certifications in Health Informatics are available everywhere. 

• Allied Health Professional 

It also comprises the allied healthcare professionals who help with diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation: physiotherapists, radiology and laboratory technicians, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and dieticians. They may work in a team with a doctor or a nurse but may have their independent fields. Their work is hands-on and often makes a real difference in recovery and long-term wellbeing. Entry requirements into these professions in most instances are a minimum of a diploma or a degree course in an allied health group such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, radiography, and nutrition sciences. 

• Health-tech and startup roles 

Healthcare innovation is having one of its finest moments, and startups are leading in building everything from teleconsultation platforms and fitness apps to artificial intelligence diagnostics and tools for mental health. These companies hire professionals in product management, UX design, digital marketing, operations, and community management. You don't need a medical degree, just a passion for solving health problems and building user-friendly solutions. Whether it is tech, design, media, or business, the health-tech space is full of dynamic, mission-driven roles that mix creativity with impact.

 The Bottom Line: 

A career in health doesn't have to mean clinical practice. Whether your passions are with policy, technology, therapy, communication or management, there is a pathway that best fits your skillset and passions. Global healthcare challenges have never been so complex and multi-faceted, and the need for a diverse, multi-disciplinary workforce has also never been greater. If ever you have wanted to work in health without seeing yourself as a doctor, this may be an especially good time to consider some of the many ways you can make a meaningful difference

Imagine a blood test that reads your mind.

Now, imagine if it were possible to determine whether or not you have depression with just one blood test. Well, does that just sound like the plot of a science fiction novel? Because, in any case, that "futuristic" notion really is closer to reality than you might think. That's because, in April 2021, Indiana University School of Medicine researchers made headlines for their part in the new, innovative blood test for mental health conditions in individuals. The test tries to spot RNA biomarkers in the blood that will identify mood disorders, such as either depression or bipolar disorder. Fascinating, isn't it?

Now, let's delve deep into this revolutionary discovery and see how it may affect the future of mental health.

The Science of the Breakthrough

Novelty is based on the molecules that act like messengers of genetic information specified by RNA biomarkers in order to provide a view of the biological processes of the body. For many years, a search has been carried out for biological markers of mental health disorders to complement these subjective diagnosis methods now in existence, and this blood test is a huge leap in that direction.

A team from Indiana University found that the RNA biomarkers identify not just the presence of mood disorders but also:

This is important for measuring the severity of depression, showing how badly a person is suffering from a particular kind of mental health condition.

It is even indicative of future risks related to mental health, such as whether a person is going to develop serious depression or bipolar disorder later in life.

It also includes aiding the physician in designing a treatment pertinent to a particular patient's unique biological profile.

Why This Matters

Until very recently, the diagnosis in mental health has been based on self-report symptoms, questionnaires, and clinical observations. Many of these diagnostic techniques, while valid in many ways, lead to frustrating, trial-and-error attempts at finding a course of treatment that is effective. Cue the blood tests. This major scientific breakthrough can do the following: A biological test of this kind would give a more objective measure and hence help reduce stigma and guesswork associated with the disorder. It can speed up the treatment; the right kind of treatment taken in a shorter length of time can relieve patients from months and years spent trying and testing various forms of medicines and therapies. Sometimes an actual diagnosis helps one feel that their inner struggles are validated, and it may act as assurance for one in knowing what they go through is actually real and not all in your head. 

Expert View According to Dr. Mathhew Boland, a clinical psychologist and member of the Psych Central Medical Affairs Team, this is a very "promising step forward". But it's still early days, he warns us all. "The potential is exciting, but we need to further elucidate the biomarkers and refine the test for general use. Any practical application could take years." The promise of this test cannot be denied; it is one for diagnosing depression and also promises to be a game changer in how we address mental health together. Big Picture: Paradigm Shift in Mental Health Just imagine being able to go in and get a simple blood test and then walk out with a full-proof roadmap for your mental health problems. 

That is just what researchers have been working on. It may have the following effects: Improve the quality of mental health care all over the world-most especially where there is a shortage of mental health professionals. The stigma, in addition to having a mental health diagnosis, will fade away with the support of a biological test, and therefore, it will make more people seek professional help. Permit early interventions that could prevent severe mental health crises. Possible Challenges and Barriers As revolutionary as this may be, some challenges exist: The tests need to be validated for correctness and reliability. Affordability and Accessibility: The test must be affordable and accessible to all, again a tall order. Ethical concerns: Serious questions about privacy, data security, and misuse of biomarkers remain. The road ahead: cautious optimism While the blood test for mental health is a beacon of hope, it is equally important that expectations be kept real. 

Certainly, the field of psychiatry is complicated, and disorders of mental health are influenced by a mix of biological, psychological, and social factors. A blood test won't supplant the traditional diagnostic methods overnight but can actually become one powerful tool in the mental health toolkit. What this means to you: More than a scientific breakthrough, this is a step toward a future wherein mental health care will be faster, kinder, and more effective. Whether you struggle with depression or are simply interested in the advances of mental health, this development offers hope to us all. Watch as researchers continue to refine this test. Who knows, the next time you go to see your doctor, a blood test may just tell you something about your mental health.

The Manipal Academy of Higher Education, MAHE, is one of the country's leading professional education institutions and offers full-spectrum design programs in three major disciplines of Interior & Furniture Design, Product & Industrial Design, and UI/UX Design. The courses have been designed keeping in view the fast-changing global market demand for creative and industry-ready professionals with hands-on skills and fresh thinking in design. Thus, the transition from academia into professional life will be very smooth because of the practical learning, studio-based pedagogy, and active engagement with the industry offered by these design programs. 

Students will be introduced to the latest infrastructure with well-equipped workshops featuring the latest industry-relevant software used across the world by professionals in design. As part of the training process, regular exposure to studio sessions, live industry projects, and internships brings real design challenges to the students. Further refinement in creative and technical skills shall be ensured through evaluation by industry experts including the possibility of participation in national and international competitions. These programs shall strengthen conceptualization, innovation and delivery in design ideas. 

The graduate would be guided by highly qualified faculty and industry professionals in conceiving and delivering creative design solutions to solve human needs, aesthetics and functionality. Programs Offered: B.Sc. Interior and Furniture Design B.Design (Interior and Furniture Design) B.Design (Product and Industrial Design) B.Design (User Interface/User Experience – UI/UX Design) Each course covers creativity, technology, and practicality, making the students confident designers who will be able to adapt to the standards of the global industry. Thus, sustainability, digital innovation, and entrepreneurship are just three areas of concentration within the curriculum that go on to lead today's design industry. 

With inter-disciplinary learning emphasized, all the students in the varied programmes would get an opportunity to work together on the design challenges, development of prototypes, interaction with industry leaders through workshops and seminars. Applications are invited from interested candidates. Budding designers can log on to and explore the diverse career options these programs offer in the fast-growing design sector in India. Keywords: design programs in India, Manipal Academy of design courses, B.Design UI/UX, Product Design, Interior and Furniture Design course, Industrial Design, Creative careers, design education in India.

A branch of India's National Forensic Sciences University will be opened in Astana, Kazakhstan, following the signing on Oct. 29 of an agreement to that effect. To be established at the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the branch will offer dual-degree programs in association with the main campus of NFSU in Gandhinagar.

Kazakhstan and India have signed an agreement to establish a branch of the Indian National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Astana on Oct. 29, in a significant move to develop education and research in forensic science, cybersecurity, and criminal investigation.

The document was signed after a trilateral meeting hosted at the Academy of Management of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan and participated in by the Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Aidar Saitbekov, and NFSU Executive Registrar Shree Jadeja.

According to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education press service, the new branch will function on the basis of the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and provide a range of dual-degree programs together with NFSU's main campus in Gandhinagar, India.

The initiative aims to train highly qualified specialists for Kazakhstan's law enforcement and judicial systems in such fields as digital forensics, applied criminology, and IT security.

The ministries believe that, besides the above benefits, the cooperation will promote joint scientific and legal research projects, increase Kazakhstan's academic potential, and turn the country into a regional leader in forensic and technological education in Central Asia.

The sides intend to develop modern laboratories, professional training programs, and expert exchanges in order to enhance the ability of regional states to combat cybercrime and advance digital forensics.

IIM Calcutta reported an average monthly stipend at Rs 1.85 lakh, while the median stipend stood at Rs 2 lakh a month for the summer placement season.

IIM Calcutta has achieved 100 per cent placement for summer internships in 2026 for its 62nd MBA batch. A total of more than 520 offers were received for 465 students by 154 firms within seven days of placement activities.

The institute said the entire placement process was completed in hybrid mode. In all, 183 recruiters participated in the placement drive, including many first-time participants alongside regular recruitment partners. The structured cluster-cohort model, along with policies such as the ‘dream offer’, ensured an optimal fit between students and recruiters”, making it, as the institute described, “a win-win for both sides.”

Average monthly stipend of Rs 1.85 lakh

IIM-Calcutta reported that the average monthly stipend during summer placement season stood at Rs 1.85 lakh, while the median stipend was Rs 2 lakh per month. This year, the highest domestic stipend was Rs 4.5 lakh a month, while the highest international stipend reached Rs 6 lakh a month.

That the top 5% of students at IIM Calcutta received an average of Rs 3.4 lakh per month reflects strong market demand for its MBA talent. Sectoral trends IIM Calcutta said the summer placement season at the institute saw offers from sectors like consulting, finance, FMCG, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, software, and technology. Besides the legacy recruiters tapping into the pool of students at the institute, multiple new domestic and international firms participated in the process for the first time. The institute said that a large and strong network of alumni helped in making the recruiters' interaction much stronger for the smooth placements of all. The sustained relationship between the alumni, faculty and corporate partners further added momentum to the process of achieving a single objective of 100% placement across all cohorts. Commenting on the feat, Professor Ritu Mehta, Chairperson of Placement Activities at IIM Calcutta said, "The performance of the 62nd batch MBA students resulted in yet another year of excellent summer placements. We are grateful to the recruiters for continuing to believe in our students and trust our academic processes." Previous session also recorded 100 per cent placement In the previous session, for the 61st MBA batch, IIM Calcutta had achieved full summer internship placements, wherein all 475 students got placed with a total of 564 offers from 175 companies across sectors. According to the institute, the median stipend stood at Rs 2 lakh per month, while the average stipend was Rs 1.89 lakh per month, both record highs for IIM Calcutta then. The highest domestic stipend reached Rs 3.67 lakh per month, whereas international recruiters offered stipends as high as Rs 6.75 lakh per month.

Acceleration in the agriculture sector would not be complete without India's quest to emerge as a $10 trillion economy by 2047. According to industry experts at the CII Northern Region Agri Inputs Summit, agriculture needs to grow from about $450 billion now to $1 trillion in order to contribute toward the economic vision of India. With almost 46% of India's population dependent on agriculture, the share of this sector in GDP remains close to 15%, indicating an imperative need for policy reforms and technology adoption besides more investments.

Technology and policy reforms can power the next Green Revolution in India.

Ajay Rana, chairman of the CII Northern Regional Committee on Agriculture and also head of the Federation of Seed Industry of India, said scientific innovation has already demonstrated transformative impact. Adoption of hybrid maize seed has for instance jumped from 15-20% to almost 90% in the last two decades, proof that technology-driven policy can multiply farm productivity. For the full realization of agriculture's potential, he went on to say, widespread adoption of technology, modern agri-inputs, and farmer-centric innovation would be required.

India needs clear, consistent, science-based agri policies

The summit saw demands for predictable and science-based regulatory frameworks from various participants. Rana also proposed a National Agricultural Technology Council to ensure harmonisation of policies between Centre and states on time-bound approvals on seeds, crop protection products, and new farming technologies. Inconsistent state regulations, coupled with sudden bans, discourage private investment in this sector, leading to slow innovation in agri-inputs, experts said. Four Pillars of Rural Growth: “Seed to Market” Strategy Emphasising adherence to the government's vision of "Seed to Market" in enhancing rural resilience, speakers outlined four pillars to agricultural empowerment-seed, insurance, credit (bank), and market access-which would, over time, empower farmers to be more productive, reduce their risk, and have better income stability. Agri-Input Sector Could Double to $120 Billion Long-term policy reforms could double the value of the agri-input industry from $60 billion to $120 billion, increase exports, and make agriculture a core driver of national growth, say experts.

The National Institute of Design (NID) continues to strengthen its global presence by virtue of a broad network of global as well as collaborative programmes. Ranked by Business Week (USA) amongst the Top 25 European & Asian Design Programmes (2006, 2007) and amongst the Top 30 design colleges globally by Ranker in 2014, NID has continued to adhere to excellence in learning as well as creative partnerships with world-class international design schools.

Faculty and Research Collaboration

Since NID is approaching six decades of designing learning in India, faculty exchange has emerged as one of the prime focus areas. Short- and long-term faculty exchange programs with its associate universities are fostered by the institute to develop cross-cultural learning and encourage research conversation in design. Research remains the pillar of NID's academic culture.

NID Press and Publications

NID's publishing arm, NID Press, chronicles the institute's philosophy of design and innovations in the form of books, monographs, catalogues, and newsletters. Its premier publication, The Trellis, focuses on research work, archival research, interviews, and book reviews with open invitations for contributions from both the faculty and students globally.

Collaborative Workshops and Open Electives

Through its Continuing Education Programmes (CEP), NID conducts short-duration workshops and collaborative training programmes bringing design in touch with industry, commerce, and service sectors. Visiting professors from partner institutions often co-conduct the workshops with the facilitators, facilitating cross-learning.

NID also organizes its Open Electives every year in January–February, where senior students from all disciplines are welcomed to participate in two-week multidisciplinary design workshops. International students and faculty are also welcomed, helping in creative exchange and experimentation.

Student Exchange Opportunities

NID offers semester-long exchange student programs typically between January to May during which the participants have the opportunity to undergo India's design ecosystem. The exchange requests are processed by the home institutions' respective International Offices in accordance with regulations that have been established.

Through these initiatives, NID continues to be at the vanguard of international design education by fusing Indian creativity with international cooperation to create the future generation of innovative thinkers and researchers.

The waitlist movement of IIM continues to be one of the most eagerly awaited stages for MBA hopefuls following the Common Admission Process (CAP) and final results of admissions. Thousands of applicants every year eagerly wait as the Indian Institutes of Management publish waitlist movement reports, typically extending between May to July.

Waitlist movement takes place when the initially shortlisted candidates reject admission invitations, and this drives IIMs to invite the next available candidates from the waitlist. This movement is quite different across different IIMs, categories, and years of admissions.

Upper IIMs (A, B, C, L, K, I) tend to observe minimum movement due to greater acceptance by higher-ranked candidates. For the year 2025 admissions, candidates should look forward to several rounds of waitlist movements in May-July 2025.

Younger IIMs and baby IIMs, however, tend to have substantial waitlist movement as plenty of aspirants upgrade to older IIMs or more prestigious non-IIM institutes.

Category-wise variations are observed — SC, ST, and OBC categories, being more heterogeneous in nature, witness greater waitlist movements owing to different patterns of acceptances and seats available.

Factors that Impact Waitlist Movement

There are various factors that determine the extent of movement at the waitlist at every IIM:

Acceptance Rate – When a majority of high-calibre candidates accept offers at top IIMs, movement is reduced.

Seat Intake – B-schools with bigger batch sizes (such as IIM Rohtak or IIM Indore) exhibit wider movement.

Alternative Offers – Offers to ISB, XLRI, FMS, SPJIMR, or abroad international B-schools tend to create openings at IIMs.

Reservation Policies – Category-wise allotments may lead to disproportionate movement across General, EWS, OBC, SC, and ST lists.

As competition becomes fiercer year on year, knowing the IIM waitlist movement 2025 trend can assist applicants in estimating their prospects better and making effective backup plans.

The government has stepped into actions in response to inquiries about fee hikes in top institutions like Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), and central universities as part of a Parliament inquiry. Even as they assured that some of the colleges have revised their fee structure, the government asserted there are different schemes of waivers and grants of financial aid provided to students from marginalized communities. According to official figures, fees for undergraduate courses in IITs were doubled in 2016 from ₹90,000 to ₹2 lakh a year, while fees for MBA courses at top IIMs have crossed more than ₹20 lakh.

For IIMs, the schemes of financial assistance vary in institutions. Most of the IIMs offer need-based tuition fee scholarship to students of the lower-income group and extra scholarships to meritorious students by the Ministry of Education and external funding agencies. Central universities offer meric-cum-means scholarships, SC/ST scholarships, and fee waivers to meritorious students. 

IIT Fee Hike Details

The Parliament response did admit that a few IITs have raised their fees in the last few years. The course fee of the undergraduate course was raised in 2016 from ₹90,000 to ₹2 lakh per year for general category students. SC, ST, and PwD students remain exempt from full fee concessions, while partial concessions are given to EWS students. Even M.Tech and PhD courses have witnessed time-to-time fee hikes amongst IITs.

In the same vein, IIMs have innovatively restructured their fees from time to time, and fees for flagship MBA programs in leading IIMs are now touching ₹20 lakh. Yet economically weaker sections of society get considerable financial assistance so that deserving students are not deprived of opportunities because of fiscal limitations.

Govt's Stand on Accessibility

The Ministry of Education reaffirmed that affordability and accessibility are issues of prime importance. It claimed that the top institutions are still providing different types of scholarships, interest-free loan facilities, and need-based finance to ensure that students from all socio-economic backgrounds can access quality higher education with no economic burden. The response of government is to balance fiscal sustainability of institutions with inclusivity to ensure that meritorious students can still get access to education in India's best institutions irrespective of occasional fee adjustments.

The National Scholarship Scheme, initiated by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is a program that seeks to empower Scheduled Tribe (ST) students by giving them complete financial support in seeking higher education in India's best institutes. The scheme is meant to motivate bright ST students to attend undergraduate and postgraduate courses in various professional fields like Engineering, Management, Medicine, Law, Social Sciences, and Humanities.

100% Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship

This 100% funded Central Sector Scheme is undertaken by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. It addresses all the notified and recognized institutions' approved courses. The award of the scholarship extends until the completion of the whole course, subject to maintaining satisfactory academic progress, as attested by the institute.

But the students availing of this scholarship are not entitled to receive any other Central or State scholarship during the same course.

 The income is derived by totaling the gross income of both parents from all sources — salary, agriculture, business, property, or any other source.

Important provisions are

If both parents earn, their combined income is considered.

In case of a single parent, only that parent’s income is counted.

For orphans supported by a guardian, the income limit does not apply.

For married students, the spouse’s income is added to the family income.

The certificate of income must be submitted only once at the time of admission. For salaried workers, Form 16 is accepted, whereas for others, certificates issued by the specific State or UT authority are acceptable.

Premier Institutions and Course Coverage

A total of 252 top institutions in India have been notified under the scheme currently (Annexure-I). They are prestigious IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, National Law Universities, and other high-ranked government colleges. Only those students from these institutions who are admitted on the basis of merit are eligible for the scholarship. Those admitted under management quota in private colleges are not included.

Providing Equity in Education

National Scholarship Scheme is an historic initiative for preventing good ST students from pursuing world-class education due to financial constraints. By paying for tuition fees, living expenses, and study expenses, the scheme provides opportunities for tribal youth to succeed in competitive, high-impact professional careers — building a stronger, more diverse India.

If you walk into a room and see a robot that looks so much like a human, it smiles, speaks with warmth, and even seems to understand your feelings, it would feel cute and fascinating, right? What if I tell you, it’s not an imagination or a sci-fi movie scene anymore, it’s the future we are building today?

Yes! This is no longer about making cool gadgets but creating Robo-Sapiens (humanoid robots) that blur the lines between human and robot. But what is the purpose of us being so insistent to bring these human-like machines to life? What are the mighty dreams and needs that compel us to invent Robo-Sapiens? And how will they alter the way we live, work and learn?

This nearing revolution is about our very human quest to reach beyond ourselves and partner with machines that can think, feel, and grow alongside us. This article dives into the exciting journey of creating Robo-Sapiens, explains why humans are building them, and shows how this adventure can offer new chances to learn, create, and grow.

The Rise of  Humanoid Robots

Humanoid robots are slowly turning into functional, advanced, and autonomous, well beyond industrial automation chores. Research companies in the field of robotics propose that mass production of humanoid robots will start in 2025, with large corporations such as Tesla and Figure AI scouting a revolutionary deployment of robots that are able to perform well in diverse and non-predictable conditions in different sectors. 

With sophisticated AI software, such as reinforcement learning and computer vision, these robots are able to make decisions in complex decision making environments and more easily engage humans. This is a huge striding point in the quest to have machines with physical dexterity which combine with cognitive intelligence that opens up visions of Robo-Sapiens which would be able to boost and even redefine human productivity and creativity.​

Why Build Human-Like Robots?

Because humans are thinkers, creators, and explorers. It is natural that human beings identify with familiar things. A robot becomes more friendly when it has a face and moves like a human being with eyes. This elicits sympathy and trust, which make human beings accept and get along with robots.

Humans desire machines which can help us in doing more, thinking better, and also access places which we have no access to. Thus, the next logical step is to create robots which would resemble and behave like humans. Here’s a breakdown:

• To Work Side by Side With Us

Robots that are human shaped can occupy the space of human beings such as schools, hospitals, and homes since they are the same size as us and move in the same way. Examples of robots assisting physicians to treat patients or teachers in classrooms. Moving and interacting robots like us understand and become better adapted to human activities.

• To Learn 

People learn easily when robots are like them. By observing or practicing with human beings, they are able to acquire skills. This is beneficial in supporting the development of AI faster and safely.

• To Push Human Imagination

It is magic to have machines that resemble what is unique to us, our walking, talking, thinking. It drives science and it makes inventions that we have not even dreamed of.

The Obstacles that spur Innovation

It is not easy to design Robo-Sapiens. Engineers and scientists are required to answer puzzles such as:

• How would the robots be able to demonstrate what they are thinking and not confuse the users?
• What are the ways of making robots safe and reliable, particularly among people?
• Will robots be able to learn and develop human-like and make no mistakes?
• What causes robots to perceive compound human feelings and interpersonal signals?

These issues do not only make solving them exciting but also leave new spheres of study to students, PhD programs, and innovative inventions. 

What Does This Means for Students and Learners? 

If you are a student or someone passionate about AI and robotics, the rise of Robo-Sapiens is your moment. Here is why you should be excited and prepared:

• New Learning Paths: Schools and universities are introducing courses on robotics, AI, and human-computer interaction. Understanding how humans and robots communicate will be key.
• Career Opportunities: The need for experts who can design, program, and improve Robo-Sapiens is growing fast. From engineers to psychologists, many roles will shape the future of human-like machines.
• Becoming Creators, Not Just Users: Learning about Robo-Sapiens means you’re not just using technology but you’re building it. You can bring ideas to life that could change the way people live and work.
• Ethical Thinking: It’s also important to ask big questions, “How should robots act? What rights should they have?” Considering these questions prepares you for responsible technology leadership.

Moreover, people well-versed in AI wishing to leave their mark in history are already striving to build humanoid robots and human-like AI models, proving the time to be the best for building a career in the field of computer science. 

The connections between Human Perception and Machine Intelligence

To understand the connection between bots and human perception, I approached Harshit Dave, an AI expert and Ex-IBM researcher, who is currently working on this particular area trying to build AI models with cognitive abilities like that of humans. He explained that although AI systems, such as large language models (LLMs), can reason, calculate probabilities and generate explanation texts or numbers, there is a critical disconnect between the perception of users about the inner feeds of AI systems. Users are generally not able to instinctively feel the level of uncertainty or confidence of an AI or the depth of its reasoning, which makes it difficult to trust and interact. 

He further said, “the solution to this gap is futuristic research into human-computer interfaces beyond the visual-auditory signal-finger and sensory substitution, affective haptics where sensation of temperature, touch or other new modalities convey AI internal processes. This area of research reverses the trend of just making AI smarter and instead makes AI perceivable, so that users can develop credible mental models via embodied interaction.” 

“The interface design breakthroughs will be essential in any application that requires the use of Robo-Sapiens because human-robot collaboration requires intuitiveness and reliability through clear communication.,” he added. 

PhD Projects and Research in the Robo-Sapiens

A number of future research opportunities are currently on the rise with an aim of making Robo-Sapiens safer, more autonomous and flexible:

1. Autonomous Robotic Software Adaptation Projects such as RoboSapiens are making approaches on how robots can safely and effectively self-adapt to unanticipated environmental changes without impairment of performance or reliability. These methods incorporate sophisticated monitoring, analysis, planning, and implementation systems with deep learning to produce robotic systems that keep learning and getting better under natural environments.​
2. Sensory and Affective Interfaces: Future studies will investigate enhancing the sensory modalities in which human beings can perceive AI reasoning, e.g., through haptics to detect uncertainty or temperature changes to reflect processing intensity. It is an interdisciplinary task that includes affective computing and sensory substitution and cognitive psychology to better understand how users perceive AI behaviour and develop trust.​
3. Ethical and Cognitive Effects: Research questions include the influence of AI-enhanced humanoids on human cognition, creativity, and social functions. As an illustration, brain computer interfaces and cloud connected thinking are assured of higher creative output, however, there is a danger of cognitive decay should they be over utilized. Ethical AI structures and responsible engineering standards will be of paramount importance in making sure that Robo-Sapiens augment human capacities and not displace them.​

Researchers are Preparing For a Revolution

The explosion of humanoid robotics is expected to disrupt not only industrial sectors but also reshape education, healthcare, governance, and social interaction by 2050. Predictions estimate millions of humanoid robots operating across various domains. This transformation requires balancing technological advances with social acceptance and regulatory oversight.

AI aspirants and professors at top universities like Stanford are actively investigating these frontiers, focusing on how to blend robustness, adaptability, safety, and intuitive user interfaces into Robo-Sapiens. Their work includes exploring quantum computing's role, integrating multi-agent AI systems, advancing human-robot interaction, and crafting transparent explainability mechanisms that enhance collaborative human-machine decision-making.

Humans are Creating Humanised AI and Bots Cuz they are Humans

It is human in nature to be human enough to desire to create human-like machines. It is born out of our aspiration to discover, create and make life better in every way. The more intelligent and human Robo-Sapiens become, the bigger the challenge they give us to know more about ourselves and create a better future where man and machines can work together.

To all AI aspirants and students, this is your call to join the ride- learn robotics, feel AI, understand human behavior, and envision the future. Collectively, we will be able to develop Robo-Sapiens that are not merely machines, but co-worker towards progress.

Remember, robo-Sapiens is a story still in progress and the time is perfect to become a part of it. The future isn’t calling another Musk but (Your name), who will change the world. 

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are personal opinions of the author. They are all  views of the author in general and the author does not hold any legal responsibility or liability for the same.)

About the Author

Kanishka, a versatile content writer and acclaimed poetess from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, combines her passion for creativity with a strong commitment to education. Beyond crafting compelling narratives, she is dedicated to enlightening readers by sharing insights and knowledge they often don’t encounter elsewhere. She has been featured in several national and international online magazines, and anthologies. Her talent and dedication to literature have earned her two national records— one for composing the longest reverse poem and another for compiling an all-female anthology that celebrates women’s voices. Her love for storytelling, philosophies, and mythologies fuels her mission to inspire and educate, shaping minds through the power of words and knowledge.

Career growth used to follow one clear route: work hard, get promoted, lead a team, move to senior roles. It's a story that Gen Z seems to rewrite. According to the recent survey conducted by global recruitment firm Robert Walters, there is a shift in preferences that many employers probably did not see coming.

In fact, 52% of the professional members of Gen Z don't want to take up middle management positions. That brings another popularly known emerging term: conscious unbossing. It simply reflects the choice not to be a manager, not for lack of talent or hard work but because success is perceived differently.

Being the boss isn't the goal anymore.

The generation has watched as many of their older colleagues in middle management level jobs have had to put up with long hours and restructuring, along with people problems, and a great number seem to think that it's just not worth it. A survey by Robert Walters underlines the fact that 69% of the workforce from Gen Z consider middle management jobs to be high stress and low reward, which influences how they actually think about the future.

Many also prefer roles centered on their own work. The same survey points out that 72 percent of the employees in Generation Z want to grow as individual contributors; thus, they want to build skills, strengthen their expertise, and work with independence. Leading a team is not always part of the plan.

Dual career tracks are one option. This means employees can progress either as managers or as experts with no requirement to supervise others. Giving younger employees responsibility for projects early in their careers is another idea. It's not a flight from leadership but a search for leadership, which may not be about people management. What actually matters to Gen Z is influence by knowledge, creativity, and results; this is the kind of thing that benefits organizations. The future of careers is flexible. If you are planning your career, this moment offers room to think. Success may not appear the same for everyone. Some may enjoy team building and coaching. For some, deep focus on a skill might work best. You can also go ahead and ask during an interview or internship how growth is designed at the organization. Is there a route that promotes and rewards your strengths? Are you able to lead through your work independently without necessarily managing a team? In India, the typical view is that a manager title is proof that one has grown within a family or workplace. Students may find themselves needing to explain why another path suits them better. The nature of work is changing in every sector. Hybrid work, short project roles, and startup cultures all give new meanings to the idea of progress. From climbing ladders to building them. The career ladder is slowly turning into a set of choices. Gen Z is asking a simple question: "Do I need to be a boss to succeed?" The survey by Robert Walters suggests that many feel the answer is no. Organisations that can recognize this shift early will tap into new forms of leadership. Students who understand these changes can plan careers that match what they truly want. This trend does invite both sides to rethink the structure of work. The next generation is not avoiding ambition; it is choosing a different shape for it.

About the Author: 



Bio: Nibedita is an independent journalist honoured by the Government of India for her contributions to defence journalism.She has been an Accredited Defence Journalist since 2018, certified by the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.  With over 15 years of experience in print and digital media, she has extensively covered rural India, healthcare, education, and women’s issues. Her in-depth reporting has earned her an award from the Government of Goa back to back in 2018 and 2019. Nibedita’s work has been featured in leading national and international publications such as The Jerusalem Post, Down To Earth, Alt News, Sakal Times, and others

It's time to retire that worn-out debate on higher education: classroom learning versus online learning. The debate has been a race between two camps, as if education needs to declare a winner. In truth, such framing itself is outdated. Sometimes, it may be in a late-night online module, sometimes in a heated classroom discussion, and often in an offline real-world project testing the theory.

Appropriately mixed, these ingredients make for a truly flexible, engaging, deeply human learning ecology. This would replace the passivity of lectures and the isolation of online courses with an integrated experience based on trust, collaboration, and respect for the personality of the learner. In the noisy world, in which information overflows everywhere, this is not a luxury-it's survival for the mind.

The Learner Becomes the Driver

With blended learning, the power dynamic gets turned on its head. It's flipped: learn the basics online and use in-person time to create, debate, code, simulate, build, and solve.

The Mentor Evolves — Not Fades

While critics fear that technology is substituting for teachers, the reality is it liberates them. Today, teachers design learning journeys, interpret data for intervention, and facilitate deep human learning experiences impossible to be supplanted by any AI. In return, their time is dedicated to what truly matters: sparking curiosity, instilling values, guiding teams, and mentoring individuals.

The Three-Part Harmony

Blended learning works because elements of the online, on-ground, and offline reinforce one another:

Online builds knowledge - the "what" On-ground builds understanding-the "so what". Offline build application and reflection -- the "now what". This balance also protects mental wellbeing, which is acutely needed in today's post-pandemic screen-saturated world. The Next Leap: Human + AI Blended learning is the bridge to this new frontier of the human-AI partnership in education. AI will provide personalized learning pathways, AR/VR will facilitate safe and immersive practice, while wisdom, empathy, ethics, and creativity remain the distinctly human strengths which the mentors focus on. The Editorial View The universities that will thrive will not be the ones which digitalize but the ones which humanize intelligently. Blended learning, powered by technology but anchored in human connection, is the model that shapes wiser, capable, more empathetic citizens. The question for the institutions is no longer "Should we blend?" It's: Will we have the courage to redesign, rebalance, and rehumanize learning for the world that is rapidly approaching?

A Nation at a Talent Crossroads

Consider a young PhD scholar hunched over her bench in an Indian university laboratory late into the night. She is a first-generation learner and one of the brightest minds on campus. Yet, her day was defined not by research breakthroughs but by the public humiliation meted out by a supervisor-ideas dismissed, confidence eroded. In her inbox lies an offer from a European university: better funding, yes, but more importantly, a culture of respect, mentorship, and intellectual freedom. She is ready to leave-not for money but for dignity.

Her story is not an exception but a mirror to Indian academia.

We see a slow-burn crisis: casual caste and regional slurs brushed off as "jokes," closed-door decisions benefiting favourites, and ad-hoc rulemaking that shifts with power centres. Instead of curiosity, fear; instead of initiative, compliance. It is devastatingly unfortunate. Between 60,000–75,000 highly trained graduates—including IIT engineers and specialised researchers—leave India every year, draining $35–50 billion worth of talent and public investment annually. Even within the system, attrition is high, with the same individuals rotating in leadership roles to maintain the same insular circle.

This is not an accident; this is engineered through campus culture. And culture is a leadership choice.

It is now time for India to reverse this trajectory by turning away from punitive, hierarchical models of leadership and embracing Positive Leadership: a research-led, values-driven approach that creates "heliotropic campuses"-institutions that attract and retain talent the way a sunflower instinctively turns toward the sun.

The Shadow Campus: Understanding the Roots of Toxicity

Toxicity on campus is not an act; it's a system. It has an architecture that can be mapped across five dimensions:

Structural toxicity means lack of clear SOPs on admissions, hiring, grants or grievances that allows arbitrariness and favouritism.

Behavioral toxicity: micro-aggressions, public shaming, 'gotcha' emails, and unprofessional WhatsApp groups which humiliate rather than guide.

Incentive Toxicity: Rewarding loyalty to authority and not integrity or ingenuity. Neglecting mentorship and community-building work.

Process Toxicity: Paperwork for grievance mechanisms, delayed redressal, and informal punishment for speaking up.

Information Toxicity: Hoarding, rumour-driven communication, and opacity that breeds mistrust and silence.

Both these patterns emerge from the dominator culture that starts with student ragging and goes right up to senior academic bullying-two faces of the same disease: un-contained power. The worst brunt of this is suffered by marginalized students, particularly those from SC, ST, and OBC communities that face subtle and overt discrimination masquerading as meritocratic evaluation.

The most tragic consequence is the loss of future mentors. Those who leave-ethical, globally exposed scholars-are the very people who could have transformed Indian academia. And their absence creates leadership vacuums filled by people who run and support the toxic system. India is losing not just talent but reformers.

The Turn Toward the Sun: The Case for Positive Leadership

Positive Leadership represents a shift in focus-from faultfinding to strength-building, from fear-based compliance to purpose-driven excellence. Rooted in behavioral science, it is inspired by the heliotropic effect: the inborn tendency of living systems to move toward sources of nourishment and away from harm.

Positive leaders make a conscious effort to gratify the three basic psychological needs that undergird motivation: autonomy, competence, and belonging. This approach rests on four pillars:

Positive Climate: There is a culture of compassion, gratitude, and forgiveness; failing is an opportunity to learn.

Positive Relationships: High-trust networks across hierarchy that foster collaboration over competition.

Positive Communication – Public appreciation, private correction, transparent dialogue.

Positive meaning: daily activities linked to a higher purpose that inspires excellence beyond the job description.

From Day One to Year One: A Blueprint for Change

Change doesn't have to be about massive budgets; it needs committed leadership and small, continuous actions:

Immediate Actions (First 30 Days): Stop the Harm

Acknowledge past issues openly.

Ensure safe and confidential reporting channels.

Freeze discretionary decision-making. Require written justification.

Start every meeting with genuine appreciation.

Day 31–90: Embed Equity in Systems

• Publish transparent SOPs on hiring, appraisal, grants, and grievances.
• Replace annual performance "judgments" with coaching-based growth plans.
• Introduce mentor pairs for junior faculty in order to avoid supervisory misuse.

Day 91–180: Default to Positivity

• Establish a common mission statement to which the team goals are aligned.
• Measure psychological safety: publish results and actions.
• Recognize invisible emotional and community labor.

6–12 Months: Ensure Change Outlives the Leader

• Track early-warning culture indicators publicly.

Commission third-party culture audits annually. Create "belonging moats" of opportunities for growth, sabbaticals, micro-grants, and gratitude rituals. Conclusion: India needs to be a sun and not a sieve. India is at an inflection point. Will its institutions remain sieves, filtering talent to enrich other countries? Or will they be suns, spreading safety, dignity, and intellectual joy? Positive Leadership is not a soft ideal; it is a strategic national imperative. It is cost-effective, human-centred, and innovation-led. Cultures change not by memo but through rituals, systems, and everyday choices that privilege respect over fear. A campus becomes a sun the day its leaders choose fairness over favour, coaching over criticism, and purpose over power. It all begins with one act: choose trust.

Some resources for self-reading:

• Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't by Simon Sinek: Focuses on creating a "circle of safety" in leadership to foster trust and cooperation.
• Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek: Explores how to lead by being driven by purpose, which inspires action.
• Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené Brown: Tackles vulnerability, courage, and empathy as essential leadership qualities.
• The Power of Positive Leadership: How and Why Leaders Can Bring Out the Best in People by Jon Gordon: Advocates for cultivating optimism and a positive mindset to bring out the best in others.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey: A classic on personal and professional effectiveness that is fundamental for good leadership.

Indian women are creating a new history about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), silently yet boldly breaking Bahu-nomic culture which is a social and cultural construct that historically defined women as creatures who are primarily at home, are married, have babies and do every labour for the family rather than pursue careers and independence. Today, Indian women are shattering these barriers and actually making a difference in the areas that were considered male-dominat, especially in advanced spheres such as artificial intelligence (AI).

The "Bahu-nomic Tradition": A Modern Demand 

The term Bahu-nomic is derived by combining the word Bahu (daughter-in-law) and economic. This is a new trending word used on social media by people who value the efforts of an unpaid househelp (married woman). Most Indian families believed that the ambitions of women other than housework came second. Early marriage, homemaking and subordination were greatly valued by the cultural norms and education was mostly restricted to that which could be regarded as fitting a housewife or educator. As society evolved, the demands increased. Women are now asked to earn as well as take care of the family. Once when women were only bothered for dowry has now transformed into being bullied and forced to manage kids, office, and house, and also split the expenses like electricity bill, EMIs, etc. 

India surely changed its behaviour towards women after invaders did their best to promote their culture and beliefs. This deeply ingrained social structure influenced the society, producing a palpable gap in female education and employment, particularly in elite and male-dominated professions like engineering or technology. Women in science, technology, and engineering were exceptional cases, and those who were able to venture into these areas were not received with trust, were looked down upon, and were not supported by the institutions.

Changing Tides: Women seeking STEM in India

Today, the whole scenario is changing fast. India now boasts one of the highest percentages of women STEM graduates globally which is approximately 43% according to the latest surveys. This is a great turn around of a nation that used to be miles behind. The girls of all social and economic backgrounds including rural and semi-urban are now taking up science and mathematics streams in schools with government programs, scholarships and a new attitude towards parents. 

Even after this progress, there is a paradox that is critical. It is only 27% of these graduates who are able to work in STEM industries. This is because of work prejudices in the workplace, pressures in the society concerning marriage and child care, rigid work settings, which fail to support women with their special needs, and the Bahu-nomic thinking that demands women to earn as well as take care of home! The other problems aren’t as concerning as the last one due to the fact that women are Shakti, the creator, who doesn’t complain instead creates a way for herself. Someone said it correctly, the giver is always exploited. However, these barriers are being overcome by the sheer force of will of numerous women, who are making their career in AI, robotics, biotechnology, and other high-tech STEM industries. 

Women in Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies

The technological future of India is artificial intelligence, which is the epitome of the modern era of innovation. The AI industry was traditionally dominated by males, nowadays women are proliferating in top positions, inventing disruptive algorithms, and startups that solve societal issues are being launched.

In India, the women AI practitioners are building solutions that go beyond healthcare diagnosing to language translation, providing work opportunities, and helping the world as a whole to develop technologically. They are not symbolic but substantive, influencing the discussion of AI ethics and AI policy with a lens that is, in most cases, an expression of inclusiveness and  empathy.

Consciously developed educational programs on AI, machine learning, data science, and related areas have been developed to ensure that more women enrol and this has been achieved through the involvement of universities, industry leaders, and the government. These are attempts to close the leaky pipeline -the expression of the loss of women over time through STEM education to work.

Breaking the Leaky Pipeline: Organizational and Social Action.

In addition to personal determination, it is necessary to solve the gender gap in STEM on a system level. Gender friendly policies are being adopted by institutions: flexible work schedules, better maternity leave, a harassment-free environment and safe workplace, and mentorship programs that are specifically designed to suit women.

Stereotypes that present the division between women and men work are being demolished at the community level. The reforms in education have brought on concrete, investigative based STEM learning in education that has involved girls in equal measure as boys. Inclusive STEM skills are developed in government schemes such as Atal Innovation Mission and Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan. 

The Greater Effect: Women Bucking the Conventional Story.

The emergence of female scientists in STEM is a social uprising that questions the principles of the Bahu-nomic tradition, re-defining womanhood as a state of intellect, independence and professional ambition. Such women are role models to their communities where they motivate families to equally appreciate education and where they motivate girls to dream of a life beyond the normal duties.

These women are changing policy and culture as they rise the ladder in leadership, pushing the agenda of greater gender equality. Their achievements draw attention to the economic and social advantages of diversity - more innovative and more efficient in finding solutions and growing more inclusive.

Women Beyond STEM 

Indian women across diverse fields are also breaking free from the Bahu-nomic tradition that confines them to unpaid domestic labor and undervalued work. Traditionally, much of women’s contributions inside households like cooking, cleaning, caregiving, have remained invisible and uncompensated, perpetuating economic and social dependency. Today, women are gaining greater economic and social control by penetrating formal working environments, business start-ups and top management positions, requiring acknowledgement and suitable payment..

This shift not only challenges deep-rooted stereotypes but also redefines the value of women’s labor in society. By balancing both paid careers and household responsibilities, women are disrupting centuries-old norms of unpaid labor, creating a ripple effect that moves toward equitable gender roles at home and in the economy.

Moving from Bahu-Nomic to Bias-Phobic Society 

India is at a critical point of becoming gender equal in the STEM sectors. Although many pockets of society continue to be influenced by societal norms with their basis in Bahu-nomic traditions, the wave of women becoming scientists, engineers, engineers, and mathematicians gives hope and promise. Not only are they swamping classrooms or laboratories but they are literally carving out the technological future of India proving that talent is not limited to gender or tradition overcomes tradition.

With this change evident to educators, policymakers, students, and society overall it is obvious that women empowerment in STEM is not just an issue of equality but a strategic requirement to the development of India in the 21st century. 

As more women rise, inspire, and lead, the ripple effect will continue to break old norms & boundations, and build a future where every woman can dream big and achieve even bigger. 

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Literacy in the 21st century is beyond reading and writing. Code, the secretive programming that is in charge of everything from mobile applications to Mars rovers, has silently assumed the role of this new literacy. In order to navigate and shape the digital world, students and teachers must learn to think in code, rather than simply consume technology. 

The focus of coding is not only to make one a software engineer. It educates on managing problems, expressing ideas and thinking logically in a world that is data-driven. Nautaro (2018) once quoted a saying by author and investor, Naval Ravikant, who said, Coding is the new literacy. Individuals who read and write using this logical language will define what is to come and what is about to happen.

The New Literacy of Digital Era 

Earlier, civilizations and societies were able to share stories and build their societies using written languages in the form of poetry, novel, novella, songs,  etc. In the modern world, the purpose of code is the same, allowing ideas to become digitalized. Across industries, coding is directly shaping art, science, finance, and even politics. For instance, AI editing tools are used by filmmakers, Python scripts are used in the analysis of DNA by biologists, and the creation of interactive online lessons is done by a teacher, all with the help of code (directly or indirectly).

Code learning is not just a way to know how computers work, but it also provides an understanding of how thought processes work. Coding demands accuracy, patience and ingenuity, which is crucial in contemporary learning. When students debug a simple program, they are exposed to a training of logic and persistence to learn to keep repeating until they detect solutions.

Coding Is an Art of Expression

Code seems to most people to be mechanical, even cold. However, the reality is that coding is also one more storytelling. Poets, as much as they reuse words to create emotions, are programmers who are arranging logic to make ideas come to life be it in the form of game, application, or even artificial intelligence. One of MIT professors, Mitchel Resnick, a founder of Scratch, goes on to explain that coding is not only about solving problems, but also about expressing yourself and making things that matter to you.

The student who creates a mobile app on clean water awareness is not any less an artist than the novelist or painter. They are narrating a story with a code change digitally.

Why Students and Teachers should Learn to Code

Coding fluency is emerging as an important issue as language fluency. According to the reports by the World Economic Forum, by the year 2030, 85 percent of the jobs of the future will need to be digital, and many will necessitate at least some rudimentary skill in either programming or some kind of computational thinking. However, the vast majority of students leave without having any coding experience.

It is time schools redefined the meaning of being literate. In the same way that reading and writing were breaking minds in the Industrial Era, coding can unleash power in students of the ⁙ AI revolution. Coding is already being made a main subject at the primary levels by governments such as the UK, Singapore, and even Rwanda. This change was also appreciated in the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) of India- the policy promoted the development of computational thinking at the earliest level.

To the educators, the adoption of coding does not imply that one should drop the old subjects, but enhance them. Algorithms make Math interactive. Data visualization makes history interesting. Even art is developing with digital design. A teacher who teaches students to code learns together with the students forming a strong classroom of creators rather than consumers.

The Human Code Behind the Machine

Still, coding education isn’t only about writing syntax, it’s about ethics, empathy, and inclusion. As AI systems increasingly influence decisions in hiring, law, and healthcare, understanding how algorithms work becomes a civic duty. If literacy once helped societies hold governments accountable, coding literacy helps us hold algorithms accountable.

By teaching students to code responsibly, we teach them to question how technology shapes our values, privacy, and fairness. That’s the essence of modern civic literacy.

Coding Is the Literacy of Empowerment

In the end, the ability to code is less about machines and more about empowerment. It enables students to bridge imagination and impact, to turn “What if?” into “I built this!” The democratization of coding tools means anyone, from rural India to Silicon Valley, can now create a digital footprint. That is revolutionary.

So, as we enter the era of AI, we should redefine the role of education: not only to teach students to use technology but how to create it. Remember the time when words and literature  changed the world? Now, code will! 

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