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The Haryana government on Tuesday transferred 12 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers and one Indian Forest Service (Ifos) officer on a large scale with immediate effect.

S Narayanan, a 1997 batch IFoS officer, has been given the appointment as director general and secretary, department of higher education in place of Rahul Hooda (IAS, 2015), who is Narayanan's successor as special secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Department.

Narayanan was previously director general, New & Renewable Energy.

Some interesting postings in transfers list dated on Wednesday late night are T.L. Satyaprakash (2002-batch IAS) transport department secretary in lieu of Ashok Khemka who had superannuated on 30 April.

Satyaprakash will continue to hold the posts of Commissioner and Secretary, Mines & Geology Department and CEO, Drone Imaging and Information Systems of Haryana Ltd. (DRIISHYA).

C.G. Rajini Kanthan, a 2004 batch IAS officer, was made commissioner and secretary of department of human resource department relieving Vijayendra Kumar from the position. Kanthan will also continue to be secretary in the finance department, general administration department and central committee of examinations.

Shekhar Vidyarthi (IAS, batch of 2004) as director general, fire services, and commissioner, secretary, department of archives in lieu of Amneet P. Kumar are other significant postings.

Amna Tasneem (2012-batch IAS) changes from the post of administrator of the Panchkula-hq Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) and Additional Director, Urban Estate (Panchkula) to foreign cooperation department director, in lieu of Sanjeev Verma.

Sachin Gupta (2018-batch IAS), previously district municipal commissioner and commissioner Ambala Municipal Corporation, replaces Tasneem in Panchkula-based postings.

Ayush Sinha (2018-batch IAS) moves from municipal commissioner's and commissioner of Yamunanagar Municipal Corporation to commissioner of Manesar municipal corporation.

Akhil Pilani, 2018 batch officer and erstwhile additional deputy commissioner-cum-district citizen resources information officer, Palwal, will replace Ayush Sinh.

Anand Kumar Sharma (IAS, 2019-batch) is serving as District Municipal Commissioner and Rohtak Municipal Corporation Commissioner from Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Citizen Resources Information Officer and Mahendragarh Municipal Commissioner.

Saloni Sharma of the same batch, deputy commissioner-cum-district citizen resources information officer and district municipal commissioner Jhajjar, has been appointed as additional commissioner of the Faridabad municipal corporation.

Dr. Balpreet Singh, batch 2019, has been shifted from Gurugram municipal corporation as an additional commissioner to Ambala as district municipal commissioner and commissioner in place of Sachin Gupta.

Yash Jaluka (2021-batch IAS) additional deputy commissioner of Karnal has been appointed additional commissioner of the Gurugram municipal corporation in place of Singh

The closely contested Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union Election (JNUSU) witnessed the Left front—All India Students Association (AISA) and Democratic Students' Federation (DSF)—occupy all three seats. It was also the comeback of the Right as the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) got the joint secretary seat.

AISA's Nitish Kumar, referred to as 'PhD wallah' by the students, defeated the JNUSU president with 1,702 votes. The 26-year-old third-year PhD student of the Centre for Political Studies is from the OBC community and hails from a farmer family in Sheikhpura, Bihar. Speaking to ThePrint in an interview, Kumar continued that his backings and lack of opportunities took him into politics. "Since there was no school and infrastructure in my village, I have been living outside since I was 7 years old," he explained.

At JNU, he began his political journey by becoming part of AISA in 2021. Part of the biggest issues he has raised is the dilapidated infrastructure of the university. "The first thing we would like to do is all the ACs in the library to bring some relief to the students during this heat. Wherever there is an issue of infrastructure, in hostels, classes, we will set that as a priority in the first month," Kumar told ThePrint.

He also vowed to intensify the effort to bring back the JNU Entrance Examination (JNUEE), a longstanding demand of a number of student groups.

Reacting to the victory of ABVP, Kumar said, "I want to appeal to them not to make the same mistake that they made in 2015-16, when they initiated a 'Shut Down JNU' movement. If they try something of the sort again, the students who have brought them to power will eliminate them within no time.".

Asked to inquire from her about the Left force division prior to the elections, Kumar stated, "We struggled against ABVP fascists as a United Front Left for nearly 10 years since 2016. We have an anti-fascist alliance.".

"But, before these elections, SFI never understood what fascism is. Fascism has not yet arrived to them in Modi-Shah BJP. We from AISA are absolutely certain without any doubt that fascism has already arrived," he added further.

United Left Split earlier this year united AISA and DSF under one united ticket to battle, while the alliances consisted of forming alliances by AISF, SFI, BAPSA, and PSA.

Manisha—Vice-President, JNUSU

DSF's Manisha, whose last name is not mentioned under local custom here to grant an unmarried person like her a mere name, voted into Vice-President at 1,150. She is third year of Chinese Studies research school as well as from Haryana state, i.e., a Bhawar village of Sonipat district.

Manisha, of DSF, who was voted in for the vice president position in the central panel. | Kartikay Chaturvedi | ThePrint

Since being a Dalit herself, she has always remained firm on student rights and social justice matters. "I have no hesitation in saying that I am a Dalit," she told ThePrint.

When she assumed office, Manisha declared, "The first thing on my agenda is the reversal of the cuts in lab and library budgets and addressing infrastructural issues."

She also condemned vigorously what she called the "tahansahi farman" (dictatorial order) of the JNU administration imposing enormous fines of Rs 10,000 or Rs 20,000 on agitating students. "We will resist these anti-student policies," she declared.

DSF's Munteha Fatima is elected general secretary. | Kartikay Chaturvedi | ThePrint

Munteha Fatima, 28, who was from DSF, secured the general secretary slot with 1,520 votes, another sweeping win for the Left.

As a woman, and after being elected, my number one priority will be to ensure that the campus is secure, both day and night. I'll work towards enhancing the areas of deprivation for female research scholars and work towards making JNU a sexual harassment-free campus," Fatima, a PhD scholar in West Asian Studies, said.

Her priority of minority rights is also the central part of her agenda. "I belong to a Muslim Community, and as such it becomes my responsibility to make sure that minorities on the campus are safe, are respected and are not discriminated against," she said. Fatima is from Patna, Bihar. 

Vaibhav Meen—Joint Secretary, JNUSU

In a dramatic turn of events, ABVP's Vaibhav Meena was chosen as JNUSU joint secretary, receiving 1,005 votes, beating AISA's Naresh Kumar by a hair's breadth of 85 votes.

Meena, a resident of Karauli, Rajasthan, is a research scholar of Hindi literature.

Briefing ThePrint, Meena said, "My emphasis will be addressing the issues of the campus, mostly the hostel issues and pending fellowships. Besides these, we will also ensure to promote nationalism in the campus."

ABVP's Vaibhav Meena elected as JNUSU joint secretary | Credit: ABVP

Even though ABVP secured the most coveted seats, their presence in the central panel is seen as a tough test for the Left, particularly the Right-wing party has secured its first seat in the central panel since 2015.

Kartikay Chaturvedi is a graduate intern of ThePrint School of Journalism.

Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha has reaffirmed his government's initiative to turn the state into a dynamic education hub, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of giving young people empowerment through good education and skill development.

Delivering an address recently at an education-concentrated conference, Dr. Saha mapped out his government's multi-dimensional plan for further enriching the state's education system. "Our endeavor is to develop a robust education system that serves not just domestic students but also lures scholars from throughout the Northeast region as well as adjacent countries. We are targeting academic merit and pragmatic skill-building simultaneously," stated the Chief Minister.

Dr. Saha pointed to the advancement of the state in developing infrastructure, such as new medical and engineering colleges, vocational training centers, and e-learning programs. He further discussed current efforts in enhancing teaching quality and bringing in new curricula consistent with modern standards of the industry.

"Education is the key to opportunities in the world today. We are committed to equipping the youth of Tripura with the skills and knowledge to compete on the international stage," he further added.

The Chief Minister reiterated that with ongoing support from the central government and partnerships with prestigious national institutions, Tripura is poised to become a regional hub of excellence in education.

Educationists in the gathering welcomed the vision, saying that development of the education sector will yield dividends for Tripura's economic and social growth in the long run. Several feel that with the right push, the state can become a go-to destination for higher studies in the Northeast in the near future.

Dr. Saha reassured that his government was committed to maintaining education as the foundation of Tripura's growth story.

The recent row over the reported incident of a Hindu candidate being requested to remove their Janeu (sacred thread) while writing the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in Karnataka has invited political outrage as well as vociferous public debate over the thin line between security protocols while conducting exams and religious feelings.

Karnataka's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) moved swiftly in response, organizing protests and labeling exam officials as insensitive and biased. Taking it a step further by making the offer to ban the invite to prevent a religious symbol was too much for most observers and activists, challenging cultural sensitivity and tolerance of national exam procedures.

NEET, as already intimidating a portal to medical school as it is, is already a choking experience for students. Such pressures, combined with the inherent pressure of an academic setting, are an additional psychic strain—especially when religion and identity are brought under such politicized scrutiny.

While security screening is a necessary part of offering even and cheat-free tests, this case appropriately poses a very significant question: Where exactly does the line lie between upholding security and safeguarding religious freedom? It's a question echoing far beyond the limits of this one example, with constitutional protections of religious freedom and potential for better, more thoughtful policy that doesn't victimize or isolate any particular group.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) until now remained committed to stringent examination integrity measures but is now urged to justify and maybe modify processes not to bear witness to such an event again.

In itself, the row calls for heightened policy discussion and sensitivity training—preventing efforts to pursue equity in examinations from crossing borders inadvertently of a multicultural nation's religious and cultural history.

As this play is enacted, there can be no doubt that the dialogue is no longer necessarily about a test. It's about how we, as a society, balance respect, equity, and trust in our most important public institutions.

The internship Sujata Kini did last summer was supposed to be a footnote in her education—a two-month, unpaid stint at the request of her college. But it changed the course of her career, redirecting her away from the family logistics company and into a bright future at a private insurance company. Her tale is representative of what policymakers hope for: internships as transformative, experiential learning that closes the wide gap between classrooms and careers.

But for Maharashtra's higher education environment, a new mandatory internship requirement is set to be as much a logistical nightmare as it is a forward-thinking reform.

From this year, more than 900 University of Mumbai-affiliated colleges are preparing to introduce a central tenet of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: four-credit (120 hours) On-the-Job Training (OJT) mandatory for every undergraduate student, across streams, prior to graduation. That's roughly 75,000 students seeking placements annually.

The problem? There just aren't that many opportunities.

Colleges welcome the intention—practical experience does hone skills and enhance employability—but the scale of rollout is revealing an intrinsic disconnect between policy aspiration and reality on the ground. Industry connections, the strength of OJT, are sparsely deployed. Large numbers of businesses don't have the infrastructure or appetite to receive interns in large groups, and existing networks  are being pushed to the limit.

Some universities are being innovative. St. Xavier's is recruiting parents as possible bridge to industry contacts; HR College is investigating dispensations for commerce students whose CA articleships will coincide with OJT requirements. While students from non-professional courses, such as history or pure sciences, have to resort to being resourceful—approaching internships in museums, research centers, and NGOs in order to meet criteria that didn't exist before on their horizons.

Mumbai University is promoting field visits and workshops as stop-gap measures, but these are, at best, half-measures. The larger issue is that without a firmer framework—either legal requirements forcing industries to take part or increased government-sponsored schemes—the policy runs the risk of being an administrative box-ticking exercise rather than a substantive experience.

As the May deadline approaches, the message is clear: intent is not enough. To make internships a game-changer in reality, systemic support, strong industry collaboration, and maybe new legislation are needed urgently. Otherwise, students will be pursuing opportunities that do not yet exist.

The move by Azim Premji University of announcing the opening of 2026 admissions for its Postgraduate Diploma in Development Leadership is a timely and necessary step towards developing better leaders in the social sector. While grassroots leadership and sustainable development require efficient, empathetic professionals, this course is tailored to be equipped with the strategic vision and practical skills required to deliver impact. By combining theory with interactive fieldwork, the university enhances its commitment to closing learning gaps and resolving complex development challenges across India.

Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, has invited applications for admissions to its Postgraduate Diploma in Development Leadership for the batch of 2026. This distance Diploma course is intended for development professionals currently working and desirous of upgrading their qualifications and skills without giving up work.

The programme will take 11 months, three academic terms across. Participants have the option of completing the programme both online and on-campus to enable them to work while at the same time studying, as per a university press release.

As per the university, this program is best suited for mid to senior professionals having eight or more years of experience in the development field and having held or willing to hold leadership positions in NGOs, social movements, and grassroots organizations.

The programme assures participants a better understanding of historical & social dynamics and lived experiences that condition development in India, and capacity to devise and design development schemes that are just, promote justice and are sustainable.

In addition, the programme aims at developing inclusivity, flexibility and teamwork among participants, which would enhance their leadership skills.

It also assures to develop their financial management, communication, and data analysis skills.

Azim Premji University's programme enables mid-career and senior professionals in the development sector to step back and place their organizational experiences within the broader visions of development. This enables them to open up their horizon so as to inform their work and leadership capability better," said Arima Mishra, Director, School of Development, Azim Premji University, elaborating further about the offerings of the programme.

Following the university, applicants need to apply for the programme by May 31, 2025.

Applicants would then need to appear for a written examination and interviews in June-July 2025. Classes for shortlisted candidates will start in the first week of January 2026.

Interested applicants can see how to apply for this program and additional information on program content, eligibility and fees, on the official university website.

It also says that it improves their skills in financial management, communication and data analysis.

"The program enables mid-career and senior practitioners in the field to take a step back and place their organizational experiences in the broader development perspectives. It enables them to expand their lens to better frame their work and ability to lead," said Arima Mishra, Director, School of Development, Azim Premji University, speaking more about the programme offerings.

As per the university, candidates should apply for the programme by May 31, 2025. Candidates would then need to appear for a written test and interviews in June and July 2025. Classes for shortlisted candidates will begin in the first week of January 2026.