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A disheartening case of suicide was reported in Greater Noida, where a 24-year-old BTech student Shivam from Bihar ended his life in his hostel room, leaving behind a suicide note holding the Indian education system responsible for the pressures.

Shivam, a computer science student at a private university in Greater Noida, was discovered dead in his hostel room. Reports from official sources suggested that the incident was the result of a struggle with internal turmoil for almost a year. His suicide note chronicles his fight with academic pressure and disillusionment with education as a system.

In his suicide note, Shivam wrote: “If you're reading this I'm dead. My death is my own decision. No one is involved in this... I was not a good student or maybe never was for this education system. If this country wants to be great, start from the real education system.” 

Above all, Shivam's letter calls for radical changes in India's education system on the premise that true advancement is only possible by rectifying its inherent flaws. He also requested the university to refund the remaining amount of his fee to his family, notifying them he "never joined college after second year." This news implies an ongoing mismatch with his course and the culture of study.

Shivam's letter had some apologies to his family members for disturbing them with his decision. He mentioned having endured crippling pressure and stress, stating, "I can't take this stress, pressure anymore," showing regard even at the time of his death, he requested that his organs be donated, which is a gesture showing that he was willing to serve others, even in death.

The police have opened an inquiry and informed his family. University officials are cooperating with the police and have condoled the loss.

Shivam's last words from his suicide note have reopened debate surrounding treatment of mental health, student wellness, and the broader issues of the Indian education system. His pleas for reform and clemency resonate on campuses throughout the country, urging educators to put students' overall well-being first, not just academic success. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental illness issues, contact a mental health professional or helpline. You're not alone.

At the emotional press conference when the acquisition of Nokia by Microsoft was announced, the CEO of Nokia concluded his speech with the words, which will remain imprinted in the minds of people saying, “We did not do anything wrong, yet we somehow lost”. These are strong words to show the emotions of a management team who sees their company that once dominated the global mobile market collapse right in front of their own eyes.

But, how did this come to be? So we pull back the curtain on the actual truth behind the decline of Nokia, a combination of technology stagnancy, squandered opportunities, and the risks of shortsightedness in regards to market changes.

Nokia: a Leader to a Learner

Nokia used to be a company with reliable, fashionable and economical phones popular among millions of customers, in particular in India. But the entry of the mighty competitors (Apple iphone and influx of android phones) altered the rules in an instant. Customers began to demand modern iPhone phones with an aesthetic appearance, implementation of touchscreen technology, artistic design, and coupled with application ecosystems. In this case, Nokia lagged.

Nokia clung to what it was doing best, on established patterns and the old, poor Symbian operating system which was slow, and not user friendly compared to Apple at the time iOS or Google Android.

Although the world was rapidly changing, Nokia was not prompt enough to respond to changes. Their top-of-the-line releases were late in being launched and when they did, they never could deliver the experience that contemporary rivals could.

What Went Wrong? Beyond the CEO tears

Although the CEO mentioned that they did not do anything wrong, facts show that Nokia made some fatal mistakes:

Apple and Android producers actively explored new territories, whereas Nokia remained within established bounds and did not predict disruptive ideas, in particular, the trend of the touchscreen smartphone emergence.

The company also overestimated the time taken by the users to switch preferences as they wanted something new, easy, and exciting. In the meantime, rivals developed solid branding and powerful app markets.

Analysts view the Nokia control to have become too complacent, depending too much on history and business performances rather than technical aspirations and innovativeness. This made blind spots, thus failed to make immediate strategic shifts.

Effect: Lost Opportunities and Falling Irrelevant

• Market Share loss: By taking a slow approach to adopting smartphones, the iPhone and Android products developed by Apple increased in popularity and quality and gained customers in India and other parts of the globe.
• Diluted brand strength: Nokia used to be an iconic brand, but it was unable to keep up, and even their subsequent attempts, such as collaborating with Microsoft, did not help.

Microsoft acquisition also meant the death of Nokia with cell phone leadership as many of the employees and lovers suffered heartbreak as a legend was dying.

Important Lessons for Today’s Businesses and Students

• Adapt or Perish: However successful you may be, the market may turn on a dime. Businesses have to be innovative, have to listen to the customers and should never rest on their laurels.
• Adopt New Technology / New Consumer Trends: Monitor world technology changes and act with rapidity and finesse. What customers demand-always remember that and go ahead and give them a solution long before competition does.
• Vision and Leadership Count: Teams should have those leaders capable of looking beyond numbers, foreseeing the changes in the future and taking the organization through rough changes.

The story of Nokia is not a missed opportunity, but it is a lesson to everyone. The accomplishment in current times is no clear guarantee of survival in the future. In the rapidly evolving world, businesses, professionals and students need to learn, adapt and evolve in order to keep ahead of the game. When we think of the poignant farewell of the CEO of Nokia, should we forget the most essential fact that not to change in the changing world was the most dangerous step of all. 

OpenAI backed off its plan to entirely phase out GPT-4o with the new GPT-5 rollout, reinstating GPT-4o as a ChatGPT Plus member option after mass user outcry and dissatisfaction. This came only a few days after OpenAI had made GPT-5 the default AI model for all, deleting the model selection dropdown which was used to toggle between GPT-4o, GPT-5, and other models.

In early August 2025, OpenAI replaced ChatGPT with GPT-5 as its new default AI experience, which possessed improved reasoning, writing, and coding ability compared to previous versions like GPT-4o and o3. However, some of the Plus users, who were accustomed to the individual style and behavior of GPT-4o, were disappointed. Some of them complained that GPT-5, though capable, was less conversational and lacked some stylistic features users enjoyed in GPT-4o.

To solve these problems, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman posted on social media platform X that GPT-4o will be kept available for paying customers so that users will have their go-to model to work with. OpenAI will monitor usage patterns to decide how long to support legacy models.

Released in May 2025, GPT-4o was one of the top choices from the outset for speed, expressiveness, and multimodality tuned for chat and for voice. People enjoyed GPT-4o's rich output and sense of familiarity. It also had features such as long-term storage, where continuous personalized conversation was possible, and this was something that appealed to some people very strongly.

Model Options Available to Plus Users

1. GPT-5: The latest, smartest, and quickest AI with expert-level thinking and enterprise-level functionality.
2. GPT-4o: Currently kept alive by user request, wanted for more expressive, conversational applications.
3. The other versions such as o3 and 4.1 mini: Used still for niche developer and basic tasks.

The return of GPT-4o indicates that OpenAI is dedicated to innovation and to user satisfaction. The Plus members can now select between GPT-5 or GPT-4o based on their requirements, whether they require the latest AI or a friendly-to- conversational tone. The menu of choices was temporarily suspended but is now being brought back because of backlash.

OpenAI's reversal in removing GPT-4o highlights the need to listen to users, particularly paying customers who depend on certain model characteristics. Because AI models are changing so quickly, model adaptability ensures users can achieve the appropriate power, pace, and personality in their interactions.

The GPT-4o return restores the power of the user and shows OpenAI's responsive strategy to developing AI products, a determining factor for the millions of consumers across the globe, including India's increasing AI-aware population.

Mark the calendars if you want to take GATE 2026! The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026, which is to be conducted in February 2026, is organized by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati. This is everything you need to know about the registration, exam dates, requirements, eligibility, and advantages of clearing the GATE exam.

GATE 2026 Registration Schedule

• Online registration starts: August 25, 2025 (Monday)
• Deadline of regular registration: September 25, 2025 (Thursday)
• Late registration period (late fee): October 6, 2025 (Monday)
• The dates of the GATE 2026 exam are February 7, 8, 14, 15, 2026
• Announcement of results: March 19, 2026

The applicants must enroll through the official portal: gate2026.iitg.ac.in 

What is GATE?

GATE is a national-level entrance exam that tests a candidate’s understanding of undergraduate-level subjects in Engineering and other allied fields. The GATE scores are used at many places: 

• Admission to postgraduate (Master’s/Doctoral) programs in leading institutes for Engineering, Technology, Science, Architecture, Commerce, Arts, and Humanities.
• Recruitment by leading Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) listed on the official GATE 2026 website. 
• Financial assistance from the Ministry of Education (MoE) and other government bodies.

Who Can Apply for GATE 2026?

The following are the requirements in which you are allowed to make applications:

• In the third year or above of an undergraduate degree program.
• Has qualified with a degree relevant Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts or Humanities degree at a recognized institution.
• Be of official certifications awarded by MoE, AICTE, UGC, or UPSC as being equivalent to BE/BTech/BArch/BPlanning.
• Individuals with the respective equivalent degree obtained or in progress in foreign Universities also qualify to be candidates.

How do GATE Qualifiers Benefit?

Clearing GATE makes one eligible for attractive stipends like M.Tech students can get ₹12,400 per month for up to 22 months, and direct PhD (after BE/BTech/MSc) aspirants can get ₹37,000 per month for the first two years, increasing to ₹42,000 per month from the third to fifth year.

Application Fee Details

To all the GATE aspirants, keep an eye on the developments through gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Collect all the required documents and make sure you meet the eligibility requirements prior to the registration. Ensure you are timely because the earlier you register, the more fees you save and the less of a rush you have to go through.

To have a detailed guideline and up-to-date information, access the official GATE 2026 site regularly and continue preparing for the test. 

After more than 50 years of service, the Indian Postal Department has bid farewell to one of its most cherished traditional mail delivery services. As of now, only the Speed Post will remain functional, which will be a crucial change in Indian post history. Such transformation is a reflection of how technology, the internet and computerization transformed communication as the communication modes ( postcards and handwritten letters) were transformed to faster and instant mode (SMS, Whatsapp, email). The article is a nostalgic and insightful overview of how the mail delivery system in India changed and why the days of the classic mail are drawing to a close.

The Traditional Mail Delivery Service as a Legacy of India

For decades, the Indian Postal Service was the backbone of communication for people across cities, towns, and rural India. Millions were united by the service that delivered letters, postcards, and parcels serving as one of the only connections between families that were far apart. The postal system had been introduced in the British colonial age and extended to post-independent India and became a source of daily Indian life. Sending a handwritten letter or postcard was more than a task; it was a personal and emotional experience.

The arrival of letters with the postman brought excitement and joy to households. It was a school subject to be able to write letters, and stamps were treasured. The postcards, often beautifully illustrated with images of Indian heritage, were souvenirs and greetings wrapped in emotions. The postal service was affordable, dependable and a very trusted social cultural fabric of the country. 

Communication transformation of Technology in India

The advent of computers, the internet, and mobility technology brought a systemic revolution to the way the Indians communicate. Due to the increased number of emails, instant messaging apps and social media, soon the usage of traditional postal letters and postcards started fading. The speed of doing anything online changed as instant communication now became the new normal because one could connect to the other across distances via a few clicks or taps.

Digitization came along with some set of advantages:

• Messages were received immediately, or in days or weeks as compared to postal mails.
• Exchange of photos, videos, and voice messages enhanced communication to its richest proportions. 
• This was enabled by the comfort of smartphones and internet linkages, which was simply impossible in the postal era, one that required real-time connection. 

Consequently, the everyday use of postal letters and postcards in India diminished drastically. Smartphones allow mail to be viewed as an archaic form of communication by many young Indians. Those with this view grew up with smartphones and associate these gadgets with official accounts or special moments.

The Indian Postal Department’s Shift to Speed Post

In the observation of these dynamic changes, the postal department did launch the Speed Post, a service that offered fast and assured delivery services with a tracking capability. Speed Post guarantees next-day or two day delivery in large parts of India and serves the business and e-commerce markets widely. It is a symbol of the Indian Postal Service trying to keep up with the times by modernizing the postal service.

Now, with the discontinuation of traditional mail delivery, Speed Post will be the primary option for sending parcels and letters nationwide. While it leverages technology for speed and security, this move also reflects broader shifts in the country’s communication.

Emotional Connection but The End of An Era 

The end of mail service is the end of an era, the end of an emotional age. Letters were reality to millions of Indians as they were the way to express love, hope, and memories sent at a distance. This involved writing, selecting stamps, waiting anxiously to receive an in-coming reply, which was part of the certain magic of communication.

Many people on social media are recalling  the joy of receiving postcards from relatives visiting other states, or letters filled with the dreams of young couples separated by circumstances. The postal system was patient and personal, values often lost in today’s instant messaging world. As India advances technologically, some parts of this warmth are fading away.

Why does this change matter?

1. The shift supports India’s digital ambitions under initiatives like Digital India, focusing on speed, efficiency, and transparency.
2. It enhances e-commerce delivery capacities, crucial in a booming online shopping economy.
3. It aligns with global trends where countries streamline postal systems to focus on modern logistics and parcel delivery.

Irrespective of these benefits, there is still a nostalgia of having handwritten letters and postcards particularly among the older generations and individuals who embrace personal touches in the way people communicate. 

The Past and the Future

The postal system of India which was once considered the largest and most reliable in the world defined relationships amongst people over the centuries. The switch between the regular mail and Speed Post makes us recall the process of evolution between the slow and considered communication, and the speedy and digital one.

The Indian Postal Department’s decision to phase out traditional mail delivery after 50 years is a milestone. It shows the impact of technology and changing lifestyles on the manner in which India remains connected. As Speed Post takes center stage, prioritizing speed and digital communication, the gentle nostalgia of letters and postcards lingers, reminding us of a more patient and heartfelt era of communication that is now gracefully preserved in the pages of history.

On Tuesday, OpenAI introduced a new mode in ChatGPT called the "study mode". It is a new feature that is aimed at helping students to work one step at a time instead of giving them the answer directly. 

The digital learning field in India has also got an upgrade with this new feature of ChatGPT that has been given to all users across Free, Plus, Pro, and Team plans. The best part about this feature is that it is free but interactive in nature. Are you a school-going student, planning to be a part of the major competitive exams or you want assistance in completing assignments, read on to find a comprehensive piece on What Study Mode is, how it works, and why it can be of significance to the learners in India.

What is ChatGPT Study Mode?

ChatGPT Study Mode This is a specialised component within ChatGPT that functions as an AI tutor. It does not merely provide answers, but it leads students through a process in order to take concepts seriously. Interactive questions, quizzes, and personal feedback preserve the active state of learners with this tool, which results in actual learning rather than rote learning of answers.

Key aspects:

1. Guides with Socratic-style questions to help you think step by step.
2. Reduces clumsy concepts into easier to digest bite sizes.
3. Adjusts his or her style to your stage and ambitions.
4. Gives you quizzes and knowledge checks so it knows how you are doing.
5. Publications in Hindi and other 10 Indian languages to make it localized

How to Use Study Mode in ChatGPT?

It does not take long or a lot of time to activate ChatGPT Study Mode in India:

• Access ChatGPT via the web or through the app.
• Click on ‘Tools’ within the chat composer window.
• Choose the option ‘Study and learn’.
• Now go ahead and type a question, upload notes, a syllabus, problem photo or even use the voice commands in any of the supported languages.
• Say what grade you are in, what subject, and what you want to learn--then ChatGPT will help you learn according to the inputs and give you the answers in a style that suits your abilities.

Pro Tip: Sharing specific facts such as what you are studying, at what level (Class 8, ICSE, JEE prep, etc.), and uploading any study resources will allow the tool to provide even more relevant and helpful advice.

ChatGPT Study Mode Features In India

• Free: No payment necessary and it is available to any student on the Free, Plus, Pro and Team plans.
• Multilingual Support: Multilingual support which enables it to be used in 11 Indian languages (Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, etc.).
• Flexible Input: It allows entry of questions by typing, voice or uploading pictures, and thus, really flexible to various learning styles.
• Individualised Progress: ChatGPT keeps a record of your past interactions (when memory is on), and therefore, can be much more personalised over time with feedback and quizzes.
• Pegged instructions: No instant answers dictating things in black and white clothes, it pushes users to have step-by-step guidance like a practical tutor does.
• Exam and Homework Help: Ideal when you need to go through homework, revise before exams (such as NEET, JEE, board exams), or figure out new concepts in maths, science, humanities, and languages.
• Skill-Based Feedback: Feedback is delivered on quizzes or concept checks and it is constructive to help you understand errors and learn to do better right during the learning process.
• Visual Learning: Future updates planned will be to include additional diagrams and visual explanations to challenging topics such as Physics or Chemistry.

In short, the ChatGPT Study Mode can revolutionize the concept of exam preparation, revising, and learning among Indian students. It has step-by-step instructions, a variety of languages, custom feedback, and much more, making it an affordable and convenient tool to learn in the digital era. To get the best out of it, you should use it constantly in conjunction with your school material and ensure that you crosscheck information with your textbooks or syllabus.

So, no matter if you are an expert in AI or not, sign in to ChatGPT and use the Study Mode today to study smartly. This feature is simpler and designed to cover all types of students' study needs. Give it a try today. 

FAQ

Is Study Mode free?

Yes, it is free to all the users who are logged in, and that includes people on the mobile app and people on the desktop browser.

Is it possible to use Study Mode in other languages, other than English?

Absolutely! Study Mode is compatible with professionally used 11 major languages of India, hence it is applicable and reachable across India.

What are some of the topics it upholds?

Almost all! Maths, science, English, to the topic of social science, competitive exams, and even essay writing.

Do I require special equipment?

No, it only requires an internet connection and a gadget (phone, tablet, laptop) that has access to ChatGPT.