The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has opened applications for the Special Scholarship Scheme for the Students of Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (SSSJKL) under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Yojana for the academic year 2026-27.

The scholarship offers financial assistance of up to ₹3 lakh annually for MBBS and BDS students, while engineering diploma holders taking lateral entry into degree programmes can receive up to ₹1.25 lakh per year. Apart from tuition support, all eligible students will also receive a maintenance allowance of ₹1 lakh annually.

Students who have passed Class 12 or an engineering diploma from Jammu & Kashmir or Ladakh can apply through the official AICTE scholarship portal.

AICTE Scholarship 2026-27 registration

AICTE began accepting online applications for Class 12 students on July 16, while diploma holders could start applying from July 17.

The registration process is now closing, and applicants must also complete document verification at their nearest Facilitation-cum-Document Verification Centre (FDVC) before July 30.

Scholarship benefits under AICTE SSSJKL Scheme

The scholarship provides financial support across various higher education programmes.

General degree courses

Students pursuing general undergraduate degrees can receive academic fee reimbursement of up to ₹30,000 per year.

Professional courses

Students enrolled in professional programmes such as:

  • Engineering
  • Nursing
  • Pharmacy
  • Hotel Management
  • Architecture
  • Law

are eligible for up to ₹1.25 lakh annually towards academic expenses.

Medical courses

Students admitted to:

  • MBBS
  • BDS
  • Equivalent medical programmes

can receive academic fee assistance of up to ₹3 lakh per annum, making it one of the highest scholarship benefits offered under the scheme.

Diploma holders

Engineering diploma holders taking lateral entry into the second year of engineering degree programmes are also eligible for up to ₹1.25 lakh annually.

Additional maintenance allowance

Besides tuition fee support, every selected beneficiary will receive a maintenance allowance of ₹1 lakh per year.

The amount will be transferred through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) in 10 equal monthly instalments, helping students meet accommodation, food, books and other educational expenses.

Who is eligible for AICTE Scholarship 2026-27?

Students must satisfy the following eligibility conditions:

  • Must have completed Class 12 from a recognised school in Jammu & Kashmir or Ladakh
  • Must have passed the board examination in 2025 or 2026
  • Engineering diploma applicants must have completed their diploma through the J&K Board of Technical Education during the 2025-26 academic session
  • Candidates should complete online registration and mandatory document verification before the deadline.

How to apply

Eligible students should:

  1. Register on the AICTE SSSJKL scholarship portal.
  2. Upload all required documents.
  3. Visit the nearest Facilitation-cum-Document Verification Centre (FDVC) for verification before July 30.
  4. Track scholarship status through the National Scholarship Portal after verification.

Students who have not yet completed the registration process are advised to finish both the online application and document verification before the deadline to avoid missing the scholarship opportunity.

Why this scholarship matters

The AICTE SSSJKL Scholarship aims to improve access to quality higher education for students from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh by reducing financial barriers. With tuition support reaching ₹3 lakh annually for medical courses, ₹1.25 lakh for professional and engineering programmes, and an additional ₹1 lakh maintenance grant, the scheme enables students to pursue higher education with significantly lower financial burden.

As admissions for the 2026-27 academic session gather pace, eligible students should complete the application process promptly to take advantage of this government-funded scholarship.

OM Sterling Global University (OSGU), Hisar, has invited applications from eligible candidates for the posts of Dean and Associate Dean across four academic schools. Interested candidates can submit their applications along with relevant documents by July 25, 2026.

The recruitment drive is open for leadership positions in the following schools:

  • Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Health Sciences
  • Legal Studies
  • Hospitality Management

According to the university, applicants must meet the eligibility and qualification criteria prescribed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for the respective positions.

Vacancies Available at OM Sterling Global University

The university is recruiting academic leaders for the following schools:

Position

School

Dean / Associate Dean

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Dean / Associate Dean

Health Sciences

Dean / Associate Dean

Legal Studies

Dean / Associate Dean

Hospitality Management

Who Can Apply?

OSGU has stated that applications are invited from intending and eligible candidates. The university said qualifications and eligibility for the advertised posts will be as per UGC norms.

The recruitment notice also states that salary is not a bar for deserving candidates.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should send their resume along with relevant supporting documents via email.

Application Deadline: July 25, 2026

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Contact Details

Candidates seeking additional information may contact the university through the following numbers:

  • +91 99967 89862
  • +91 86078 99999

Campus Location

OM Sterling Global University is located on NH-52, Hisar–Chandigarh Road, Hisar – 125001, Haryana.

The latest recruitment offers an opportunity for experienced academicians and academic administrators to apply for leadership roles across key professional schools as the university continues to strengthen its academic programmes.

 

In a major relief for dental students across India, the National Dental Commission (NDC) has abolished the requirement for Provisional Registration before the commencement of the Compulsory Rotatory Internship (CRI) for Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) graduates. The decision, effective immediately, aims to streamline the internship process, reduce administrative delays and ensure uniform implementation across the country.

According to an official circular issued by the NDC, BDS students can now begin their mandatory one-year rotatory internship immediately after completing their degree, without obtaining a Provisional Registration certificate.

The policy change was approved during the National Dental Commission meeting held on July 9, 2026, following recommendations from the concerned board. The Commission said the decision was taken after considering repeated grievances from students, the need for nationwide uniformity and the Government of India's initiatives on Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), Ease of Living and regulatory simplification.

The NDC noted that many students had faced significant delays in obtaining provisional registration, which, in some cases, also affected their eligibility to secure permanent registration. Differences in registration procedures across states further complicated the process, prompting calls for a simplified and student-friendly system.

With the revised guidelines, universities, deemed universities, examining authorities, dental colleges, hospitals and all other stakeholders have been directed not to insist on Provisional Registration for the commencement or completion of the Compulsory Rotatory Internship or for any related academic, clinical or administrative purpose.

"This circular shall come into force with immediate effect," the Commission stated.

The move is expected to reduce paperwork, eliminate procedural bottlenecks and enable newly graduated BDS students to begin their clinical training without unnecessary delays.

The Compulsory Rotatory Internship (CRI) is a mandatory 12-month clinical training programme that requires BDS graduates to rotate through various dental specialities. The internship is designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and independent clinical practice by providing hands-on experience in patient care across different disciplines.

The latest reform is expected to benefit thousands of dental graduates annually by making the transition from graduation to clinical training smoother while promoting a more efficient and uniform regulatory framework for dental education in India.

 

 

A recent change in the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) policy has created uncertainty for hundreds of Maharashtra students planning to pursue higher education in the United Kingdom under state government scholarship schemes. The revised rules no longer recognise scholarships funded by the Maharashtra government as official financial sponsorship for UK student visas, raising concerns over visa approvals and university admission deadlines.

The clarification, issued by UKVI on April 17, states that only financial sponsorship provided by a national or federal government, recognised universities, certain international organisations and approved multinational companies qualifies as official sponsorship for student visa applications. Funding from regional or state governments, local authorities, devolved administrations and state-owned bodies no longer meets the UK's sponsorship criteria.

As a result, students relying solely on Maharashtra government scholarships could face visa refusals if they are unable to independently satisfy the UK's financial requirements.

The policy change affects beneficiaries of several overseas scholarship programmes administered by the Maharashtra government, including schemes for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), minority communities, open category students, and scholarships managed by the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE).

Students say the revised rules come at a critical time, as universities across the UK are issuing admission offers for the upcoming academic session. Any delay in obtaining visas could result in students losing their university seats despite securing scholarships based on merit.

Another major concern is the widening gap between the financial support provided under Maharashtra's scholarship schemes and the UK's minimum maintenance requirement. The state currently provides an annual maintenance allowance of approximately £9,900 for students studying in the UK. However, UK immigration rules require students studying in London to demonstrate access to £1,529 per month, amounting to £13,761 for a nine-month academic period.

Students have also sought revisions to maintenance allowances for those pursuing higher education in countries such as the United States and Australia, citing rising global living costs.

To address the issue, scholarship recipients have urged the Maharashtra government to coordinate with the Union Ministry of External Affairs or the Ministry of Education so that scholarship funding can be routed or endorsed through the Central government, making it compliant with UKVI sponsorship rules.

They have also recommended introducing a single-window scholarship system to ensure that verification, approval and fund disbursal are completed by May or June, allowing sufficient time for visa processing before university deadlines.

The concerns have been formally submitted to the Maharashtra government by The Platform, a Nagpur-based socio-legal organisation, through representations to the Chief Minister's Office and departments administering overseas scholarship schemes.

Rajiv Khobragade, a member of The Platform, described the issue as an administrative challenge requiring urgent intervention. He warned that unless a timely solution is found, deserving students could lose valuable international education opportunities, while Maharashtra's reputation as a supporter of global higher education may also be adversely affected.



 

The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) has directed all National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE)-recognised and BSEB-affiliated Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.) institutions to verify the recently published list of recognised institutions for the 2026-28 academic session and report any discrepancies before the deadline.

The board has uploaded the details of government and non-government D.El.Ed institutions, including their recognition status and approved student intake, on its official website. Principals and heads of institutions have been instructed to carefully check the information and ensure that all details, including the approved intake capacity, are accurate.

Institutions Must Verify Published Details

BSEB said the verification process is important to ensure that institutional records for the upcoming D.El.Ed 2026-28 session remain accurate and updated. Any institution finding errors or discrepancies in the published information can submit a formal objection along with relevant supporting documents.

The board has advised institution heads to cross-check details recorded by both NCTE and BSEB before submitting any representation.

Objection Window Open Till July 15

Institutions can submit objections from July 13 to July 15, 2026, until 5 PM. All objections must be sent through email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. within the specified timeline.

BSEB has clarified that only objections submitted through the prescribed online mode will be accepted. Representations sent through other methods or received after the deadline will not be considered.

The board has also made it mandatory for institutions to attach valid supporting documents with their objections. Applications or claims without documentary proof will not be reviewed during the verification process.

Final List to Be Considered After Deadline

BSEB has stated that if any institution fails to submit an objection within the given period, it will be assumed that the institution has no concerns regarding the published information.

In such cases, the details uploaded by the board will be treated as final for the D.El.Ed academic session 2026-28.

Ensuring Accuracy in Teacher Education Records

The verification exercise is aimed at maintaining transparency and accuracy in the teacher education system of Bihar. Since D.El.Ed programmes play a crucial role in preparing elementary school teachers, updated records of recognised institutions and approved intake capacities are essential for admission planning and academic administration.

The board has urged all affiliated institutions to complete the verification process within the stipulated time to avoid difficulties during the finalisation of the session records.

 

Indian students planning to pursue a postgraduate degree in the United Kingdom can now benefit from an automatic tuition fee scholarship announced by the University of East Anglia for the 2026–27 academic intake. The university's International Postgraduate Merit Scholarship offers tuition fee reductions of up to £7,000 to eligible Indian applicants without requiring a separate scholarship application.

The scholarship is available to students enrolling in September 2026 or January 2027 and is awarded based on undergraduate academic performance. Eligible applicants are automatically assessed for the award after receiving an offer of admission to a qualifying postgraduate programme.

Under the scheme, students holding qualifications equivalent to a UK 2:1 bachelor's degree will receive a £7,000 tuition fee reduction, while those with qualifications comparable to a UK 2:2 bachelor's degree will be awarded £6,000. The scholarship amount will be deducted directly from the tuition fee and applies only to the first year of study.

The merit scholarship covers a broad range of postgraduate disciplines, including Engineering, Computing Sciences, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Economics, Education, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences, Global Development, Law, Literature, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Politics, History, Media and Communication Studies, as well as programmes offered by the Norwich Business School.

However, some programmes are excluded from the scholarship. These include MBBS programmes, Integrated Master's degrees, MSc Occupational Therapy, MSc Physiotherapy, MSc Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement, MSc Global Plant Health, and MA The Arts of Africa, Oceania and The Americas. Applicants are advised to verify the eligibility of their chosen course before applying.

The university has clarified that no separate scholarship application is required. Once an eligible student receives an admission offer, the scholarship is automatically applied to the tuition fee. The award can be combined only with the International Early Payment Award and cannot be held alongside other UEA-funded scholarships. If a student qualifies for a higher-value university-funded scholarship, the larger award will replace the merit scholarship.

With tuition costs remaining a key consideration for students planning to study in the UK, the automatic scholarship provides Indian postgraduate applicants with an opportunity to reduce education expenses while pursuing internationally recognised master's programmes.

 

In a significant step towards strengthening industry-integrated engineering education, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar has introduced a credit-bearing semester that allows BTech students to earn academic credits through full-time industry, research and startup engagements.

The initiative, launched in the 2025-26 academic year, enables seventh-semester BTech students to enroll in IN 498 – External Exposure, an elective course that awards up to 16 academic credits for a semester-long placement with approved companies, research laboratories, academic institutions or startups.

Unlike conventional internships that are typically undertaken during summer breaks, IIT Gandhinagar's programme integrates workplace learning directly into the undergraduate curriculum without extending the duration of the degree. Students work on live projects while their performance is jointly assessed by faculty members and host organisations through periodic evaluations, ensuring that professional experience meets academic standards.

The programme also gives students the flexibility to pursue opportunities aligned with their career aspirations, including industry, entrepreneurship, research and higher education. According to the institute, 18 students have already participated in the initiative, gaining hands-on experience with leading organisations such as Qualcomm, Samsung R&D, Oracle, Tower Research Capital, Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited, the California Institute of Technology, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, and startup HapiHygi Innovations Pvt. Ltd.

Sharing his experience, BTech Computer Science student Bhoumik Patidar, who completed his external exposure at Qualcomm, said working on an open-source software project involving an ELF linker strengthened his problem-solving abilities and deepened his interest in systems programming.

Similarly, Electrical Engineering student Tejas Zunjare worked on embedded systems, circuit design and hardware development at HapiHygi Innovations. He said the semester helped bridge the gap between classroom concepts and practical engineering challenges.

The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages experiential learning, multidisciplinary education and stronger industry-academia collaboration. By recognising workplace learning as an integral part of the BTech curriculum, IIT Gandhinagar is redefining engineering education and preparing graduates with industry-ready skills, practical problem-solving abilities and real-world experience in an increasingly competitive job market.

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