Opinion

LinkedIn released its highly awaited 2025 US college rankings report that ranks the institutions which do best in building the highest levels of long-term career success for their alumni. Grading approximately 4,000 US post-secondary institutions based on what colleges do best in graduating students to enhanced job performance and career advancement, the business networking site ranked based on its own proprietary set of its own alumni base.

The research polled 3,931 colleges and universities regarding job placement rates to alumni career advancement, level of networking, and leadership career development rate. What the research shows is which among a lineup of highly ranked schools best translates academic credentials into stable job prospects.

PRINCETON TOPS THE RANKINGS

Number one this year is Princeton University, with an undergraduate tuition fee of $65,210 and a total student body enrollment of approximately 5,600. The Princeton alumni best represented in the most rapidly advancing industries towards upward mobility are technology, finance, and business consultancy.

Duke comes in second at a population of 6,500 students that pay an annual fee of $66,326. Like Princeton, Duke alumni are found in the finance and tech industries with indirect help in consulting.

University of Pennsylvania came in at number three, ahead of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Cornell University to complete the top five. The emphasis MIT places on manufacturing, technology, and research is the reason why it exercises a heavy dominance over innovation-sensitive niches. 

SEC INSTITUTIONS BEHIND

SEC school presence was once more limited. A single SEC university, Vanderbilt University, appeared in the top 15 at #13 with fees coming in at $61,618 and 7,220 undergrads. Its graduates are most commonly placed in finance, consulting, and tech. The University of Texas at Austin at #46 was the other big SEC-named school on the list.

DIVERSE PROFILES IN THE TOP 15

While the STEM schools and Princeton University had good representation in the top higher positions, the top ten of LinkedIn included specialty and smaller schools with equal representation. Harvard University was placed at position number six for a cost of $59,320, while Babson College, which positions itself as an entrepreneurial college, surprised everyone by placing seventh even though it had a relatively lower number of students at approximately 2,800.

Second on the bottom of the top 10 were Stanford University, Dartmouth College, and University of Notre Dame. Sneaking in the top 15 were Bentley University, Brown University, Vanderbilt University, University of Virginia, and Northwestern University. The least expensive of those were University of Virginia at $21,123 annually for residents, less than half of out-of-state.

Career aspirations in all these top universities belonged to three excellent areas: technology and internet services, financial services, and business consulting. Institutional reputation opens doors clustering suggests, yet there are certain sectors irresistibly the most sought after by highly successful alumni seeking to enhance career progression. 

LINKED IN TOP 50 US COLLEGES FOR CAREER SUCCESS 2025

Princeton University

Duke University

University of Pennsylvania

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Cornell University

Harvard University

Babson College

University of Notre Dame

Dartmouth College

Stanford University

Northwestern University

University of Virginia

Vanderbilt University

Brown University

Bentley University

Tufts University

Lehigh University

Columbia University

Yale University

Carnegie Mellon University

Bucknell University

Boston College

Villanova University

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Wake Forest University

University of Chicago

University of Southern California

Fairfield University

Washington and Lee University

University of California, Berkeley

Rice University

Georgetown University

Purdue University

University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

Miami University

Colgate University

Southern Methodist University

Bryant University

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Pennsylvania State University (Penn State)

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

Trinity College (Hartford)

Boston University

University of Richmond

Stevens Institute of Technology

University of Texas at Austin

Indiana University Bloomington

Lafayette College

Providence College

University of Wisconsin–Madison

The Indian History Congress (IHC) has vocally condemned NCERT's new Partition Horrors Remembrance Day modules, charging that they disseminate "falsehoods, with clear communal intent" by projecting the Congress as involved in Partition while exonerating the British. In a resolution passed on Monday, the IHC alerted that "tender minds" were being fed "distorted, polarising history.

Most of the historians who are part of the IHC are identified to be left-leaning in their ideology, and post-Independence Indian historiography has predominantly been the domain of Left academics, a situation that routinely becomes controversial whenever NCERT modules or textbooks are being re-written.

The NCERT modules — drafted independently for Classes VI–VIII and IX–XII — characterize the "culprits of Partition" as Jinnah, who asked for it; the Congress, who accepted it; and Mountbatten, who formalized and executed it. They further say that the British "tried their best to keep India united till the very end."

The IHC took umbrage with this narrative, contending that this was distorting history. "Upside down, as it were, and turning the history completely upside down, the modules not only blame the Muslim League but also the Indian National Congress for the Partition of the nation. Fully in line with the loyalist position of the communal forces in the freedom struggle, the British colonial masters have been given a clean chit in these modules," the resolution stated.

Historians also claimed that the modules tend to leave out important facts selectively. "What is left unsaid is the two nation theory advanced by the 'Hindutva' icon V. D. Savarkar three years before, in 1937, in his presidential address to the Hindu Mahasabha: 'India cannot be assumed today to be a unitarian and homogenous nation, but on the contrary there are two nations in the main, Hindus and Muslims, in India.'"

The decision, made by the executive committee on Monday, also asserted that the framing of nationalist leaders as "culprits" was inaccurate: "It is indeed ironical that Hindu communalists are never included in the list of those responsible for Partition.". But among the main 'culprits' are purported to be nationalist leaders when the whole range of the national movement, Moderates, Extremists, Gandhians, Congress Socialists, Communists, Revolutionaries etc., all thought that India has a long civilisational history of being capable of living together with difference… The Indian National Congress, which since its founding in 1885 fought relentlessly against religious communal divide, its greatest leader Mahatma Gandhi sacrificing his life for it, is held out as one of the prime 'culprits' of partition!

Earlier, Congress had repeated the line of attack, with spokesman Pawan Khera proclaiming: "Burn this paper because it doesn't speak the truth. Partition occurred as a result of the combine of Hindu Mahasabha and Muslim League."Though the NCERT book connects Partition to later conflicts like Kashmir and terrorism, historians contend it fosters "a hateful polarized future" rather than an even-handed reckoning with the tragedy.

On 1st September, 2025, Ministry of Education shared a post on X highlighting that every year best teachers are awarded on 5th September and this year as well India is honouring the efforts of its excellent teachers and recognising their hard work through the National Teacher Awards. These awards are given to those teachers who have demonstrated great dedication and passion and have made invaluable contributions not only to education but also to the lives of their students. This custom largely complies with the ethos of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which identifies teachers as the core of educational change.

The teachers of the present day are not only the instructors in the classroom, they inspire students in the field of sports, lead them in extracurricular life, and contribute to their creation. They are not only about knowledge, but foster talents, basic values, and make the youths the best in every aspect of life.  

This enhanced role of the teacher is highlighted in the NEP 2020. It requires that teachers be constantly engaged in professional growth, that they are highly qualified, motivated, and empowered to be innovative in their teaching practice. Another aim of the policy is to ensure respect towards teachers and to make teaching a good and appealing profession. NEP enhances the teaching profession and small-scale learning outcomes nationwide by establishing national teacher performance standards and by inspiring local education agencies to assist teachers. 

The Ministry of Education has announced 45 teachers to be awarded with the National Teachers Awards 2025. The selection process was robust, including district, state, and national level evaluations based on merit and impact. The awards are to be distributed by President Droupadi Murmu on September 5 which is celebrated as Teachers Day nationwide. Awardees come from a diverse range of schools including central boards, state schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, Sainik Schools and Atomic Energy Education Society. 

The awardees reflect the diversity of Indian education because the winners are 27 states, 7 union territories, and 6 organisations. There are 24 men and 21 women out of 45 awardees. Maharashtra and Bihar have 3 awardees each, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have 2 each. The prize consists of a certificate, a silver medal as well as a cash prize of 50,000 rupees. As per reports, the awardees will stay at The Ashok  hotel in New Delhi between September 3 and 6, and will have a special briefing on September 3. 

The National Teacher Awards given on teachers day is an opportunity to honour the tireless work of teachers, attest to their immense contribution to society and redefine their crucial role in making the country a strong and wealthy nation with quality education.

In short, it is teachers who are the real architects in the future of India. Their affection, devotion and attentiveness towards their students contribute to moulding not only individuals, but the whole nation. The National Teacher Awards recognise this spirit and encourage others to emulate him or her hence teaching is the hope and the light of progress to everyone.    

The cost of higher education has increased exponentially and far outstripped the capacity of the majority of Indian households to afford it from their own savings. An MBA or a postgraduate degree abroad may range from 20 lakh to 40 lakh, and even for top institutions in India, fees are gradually going up. Due to this, education loans are increasingly being used by students to meet the gap. RBI data suggest that the education loan outstanding portfolio reached 1.31 lakh crore in November 2024.

When taking out a loan, students and families usually concentrate on issues that have a direct impact on their future finances, interest rates, processing charges, processing period, and repayment duration. The three-digit credit score, a three-digit value between 300 and 900 that indicates past borrowing history and repayment habits, is usually something that they don't pay attention to. Most banks require a minimum cut-off of 680 for education loan applications, whereas anything above a score of 720 is regarded as a good score and increases the likelihood of smooth approval considerably. As students themselves may not have extensive credit histories, lenders consider primarily the co-applicant's score, typically the parent or guardian.

This score is not computed by banks themselves but by credit bureaus like CIBIL, Experian, Equifax, and CRIF Highmark, who have a thorough record of the borrower's financial conduct. The score is derived on multiple factors: Repayment history, utilization of credit, and credit history age. Briefly, the credit score is a picture of financial discipline.

DETERMINES ELIGIBILITY

The majority of lenders apply a credit score as the initial screening. A high score of over 720 will enhance the possibility of getting the loan sanctioned, but a poor one can result in rejection or lower sanction amount. For example, you might receive only 20 lakh sanctioned when you really need 35 lakh, thus creating a large funding shortage. In contrast, a good score not only opens the door to higher amounts of loans but also provides better conditions.

IMPACTS LOAN TERMS

Impact on interest rates is also considerable. Education loans are normally given by public sector banks at 10–12% per annum for applicants with good credit profiles. Borrowers with lower scores, however, end up going to private lenders or NBFCs, where charges can go up to 13–16% per annum.

Take this case for instance: you borrow an education loan of 30 lakh on a two-year postgraduate course with a complete moratorium and a tenor of 15 years. At a rate of 10%, the overall repayment comes to about 68 lakh. But if the rate goes up to 13%, the repayment comes to around 83 lakh. That 3–4 percentage point differential does not appear enormous on paper but translates to a difference of 15 lakh during the term of the loan. 

INFLUENCE THE SPEED OF LOAN APPROVALS

A good credit score also hastens the process. Students with better credit histories get quicker approvals, smoother loan top-ups during the course, and greater freedom of choice in repayments. Conversely, poor credit means longer delays, more guarantors, and more stringent repayment terms, all stressors in an already trying academic experience.

COLLATERAL VS. NON-COLLATERAL LOANS

For secured education loans, credit score is just one of a number of parameters used. But in non-collateral loans, which are the new rage with students, the credit score becomes determinative. In the absence of security, lenders rely heavily upon the borrower's or co-applicant's creditworthiness.

As Ankit Mehra, the CEO of GyanDhan, says: "A credit score might seem like a mere number, but for students applying for loans, it can determine not only if you are approved, but how economically your education is going to be over the long term."

Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India, marked the 15th anniversary of SWASTIVACHANAM by releasing a Special Cover on Sanskrit Day. The event was organized at the Philatelic Bureau, Sansad Marg Head Post Office, New Delhi.

SWASTIVACHANAM is an organization engaged in Sanskrit journalism activities, Yoga, Ayurveda, Vastu Shastra, Indology, and Indian Knowledge Systems. The event is also the centenary of its visionary founder Late Shri Dinesh Chandra Joshi, a celebrated Sanskrit scholar.

Chief Guest was Vice Chancellor of the Central Sanskrit University, New Delhi, Prof Shrinivasa Varakhedi. He said, "Sanskrit is a language for all, cutting across all boundaries.". The kids associated with it are performing outstandingly well in the areas of academics, innovation, and technology and are turning into true torchbearers and ambassadors of our tradition. SWASTIVACHANAM, over the last fifteen years, has taken excellent initiatives in propagating Sanskrit journalism, Yoga, Ayurveda, Vastu Shastra, Indology, and the Indian Knowledge Systems as a whole. It is also heartening to note that the organisation is celebrating the centenary of its founder, great Sanskrit scholar Late Shri Dinesh Chandra Joshi, by a year's salute to his lifelong commitment to the cause of Sanskrit.

The Special Cover celebrates the dawn of awareness via the seven chakras with the four Mahavakyas of the Vedas as their symbol of Advaita philosophy. Aipan art of Uttarakhand adorns its outer design, as a tribute to the founder's native state.

Prof. Shiv Shankar Mishra, Vice Chancellor, Maharshi Panini Sanskrit Evam Vedic Vishwavidyalaya, Ujjain, was a Guest of Honour. He appreciated the efforts of the organisation in making Indian and Western Sanskrit scholars engage with each other and advance cultural and scriptural traditions.

On behalf of the Department of Posts, Virendra Singh also called upon students to study Sanskrit and spread its knowledge. Trustee Harish Chandra Joshi told that the organisation is also sponsoring the villages for Sanskrit and manuscript conservation. Students, scholars, and postal officials attended the programme.

Chartered Accountant and business entrepreneur Deepak Bhati has expressed major concerns regarding the rapidly escalating expense of private schooling in India, stating that parents now are not saving anymore for dreams but to only pay school fees. In a LinkedIn post, Bhati mentioned that his daughter is just two-and-a-half years old, yet he is already concerned about how much it costs to send her to school. His post has brought forth extensive debate on social media regarding the cost of education in urban India.

'Education today isn't just expensive, it's unaffordable'

“My daughter is just 2.5 years old… and I’m already scared. Not of her going to school. But of the price tag that comes with it,” Bhati wrote. He pointed out that in Tier-1 cities, parents now spend between ₹2.5–3.5 lakh annually per child on school-related expenses, which include fees, books, uniforms, and transport.

Bhati told this amount of expenditure can gobble up 40–50% of a middle-class household's annual earnings. "Not only is education costly now, it's getting out of reach," he said.

To put the enormity of the problem into perspective, he cited instances from around the nation. For the CBSE level, Class 3 charges are already ₹2.1 lakh annually. In Hyderabad, nursery charges alone have hit ₹2.51 lakh every year, or close to ₹21,000 each month.

Parents saving for fees, not aspirations

Bhati’s said: “Parents aren’t saving for dreams anymore. They’re saving for fees.” He explained that the education challenge goes beyond the choice between private and government schools.

In his words, "Admission feels like an auction. Tuition feels like an EMI. And quality still feels like a lottery." 

"Yes, we all want the best for our children. But if knowledge becomes a privilege, not a right – we're not creating a smarter generation. We're creating a divided one," he said.

His remarks identify concerns that high-quality education will increasingly only be available to richer families, with the rest of the population fighting to cover even the most basic education costs. The broadening gap, he said, could eventually result in unequal opportunities.

While increasing online debate, Bhati’s post sparked responses from several professionals and parents on LinkedIn who shared their own experiences. Some agreed that education is becoming the single largest expense in a household budget, while others pointed out how additional costs such as extracurricular activities, digital learning tools, and transport further increase the financial burden.

Numerous commentators concurred with his perception that even if charging hefty fees, the education quality is not always ensured, further frustrating parents.

A mirror of urban realities

The debate reflects a wider pattern in India's urban centers, where middle-class households encounter increased costs of schooling, medicine, and accommodation. Education, traditionally a bridge to upward mobility, is slowly coming to be perceived as an economic battle that decides family priorities.

Bhati’s post, though personal, reflects a common sentiment among parents: that while they want to invest in their children’s future, the growing price tag of school education is forcing them to rethink their financial plans.