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A team of undergraduate students from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, ranked sixth place in the 12th edition of Physics League Across Numerous Countries for Kick-ass Students (PLANCKS) 2025. This marks the highest ranking ever achieved by an Indian team.

The 4-hour closed-book test, which took place at Barcelona, Spain, last month, is the most difficult theoretical physics competition for undergraduate students. Hosted by the Royal Spanish Society of Physics and co-organized with the International Association of Physics Students (IAPS), PLANCKS 2025 assessed participants' problem-solving ability, creativity, and profundity in different areas of physics.

One of the problems was the question regarding the birth time of the universe.

"Initially they provided the field equations, matter densities, dark matter information, cosmological constant (and so forth) and then they posed lots of questions such as when did the universe begin," stated Simar Narula one of this year's awardees, along with Ritabrata Ghosh, Susmit Roy, and Avik Das.

"Those questions were not questions that you would typically expect from a competitive exam, in general. Those were concept-building questions," Ghosh said. "The aptitude that one acquires in IISc, and the kind of exposure one gets in undergraduate programs to a certain extent, developed us in such a way that we were able to solve those problems pretty fairly."

Last year also, a group of IISc students traveled to PLANCKS and bagged the seventh position. Ghosh and his team were motivated by their senior batch, and decided to appear for the national prelims.

The top three prizes were declared immediately after the competition on 5 May, and the rest of the prizes on 6 May.

The group, which was earlier doubtful about their performance, waited with bated breath, eyes glued to the screen of the Discord app. The moment the result was declared, they celebrated the triumph with their classmates and teachers. "They were all proud of this and they asked us to do more such things," Narula said.

Not just an exam

To qualify for the main event, IISc's undergraduate team of four—the Denormalisation Group—won first position in the Indian Young Physicist's League, the country-level qualifying round for the event. 

Since 2014, after the inaugural edition held in Utrecht, PLANCKS has been an event for physics students to compete, network, and, above all, to share their love for physics. This year, the event was attended by around 200 students from 29 countries, with the United Kingdom team securing first place. More than an academic contest, PLANKCS 2025 was also a physics, innovation, and international cooperation celebration. The event kicked off this year with a talk by the 2023 Nobel Laureate in Physics Anne L' L'Huillier.

Outside of these lectures, entrepreneurial advice and institute tours in Barcelona, PLANCKS is also a chance to experience another culture.

During the event, the organizers took us on a brief tour (of the city) and (they) allowed us to visit historic sites such as the Cathedral of Barcelona. Post the event, we also explored on our own to visit Montjuïc hill," Narula said, particularly excited to have visited the FC Barcelona's current home stadium.

The Denormalisation Group's success at PLANCKS 2025 is also heartening for enthusiastic students of physics all over India. As Ghosh awaits PLANCKS 2026, he remains conscious of the uncertainty in questions. "You have to think it (questions) out from scratch, and it's more about experience and (how) you keep your calm at that moment to work that out within those 4 hours," he said.

The journey of the team to PLANCKS 2025 was sponsored by the Office of Development and Alumni. Affairs (ODAA), based on IISc news.

When people hear about occupational therapy (OT), they only visualise therapists who work in a hospital or clinic and help people in recovering following an injury or illness. But the boundaries of OT have continued to broaden exponentially to present practitioners with thrilling and meaningful opportunities well outside the confines of classic clinics. To OTs and future OTs seeking to expand their boundaries, these atypical environments may just lead them to imperfectly perfect Occupational Therapy careers that incorporate elements of clinical practice, with innovation, community service, and technology.

These are half a dozen unexpected locations where occupational therapists are currently having an impact - supported by research and real world trends.

1. Educational Programs and Schools

Over 60 percent of occupational therapists are employed in schools or educational institution and this trend has been justified by research which indicates that OT is effective in developing motor, cognitive and psychosocial abilities of children that are relevant to academic performance. OTs work in close collaboration with teachers and families to assist children with disabilities or developmental delays in overcoming such difficulties as handwriting, sensory integration, and daily living skills.

It has been found that direct intervention as well as consultative models in schools have shown significant progress in OT goals and educational outcomes of children in schools and teachers have expressed high levels of satisfaction with OT services. Schools present a dynamic setting with the added advantage of an academic calendar to those OTs who are eager to work in the area of child development and education.

2. Home Health Care

One of the fastest-growing OT areas is home health care; it is facilitated by an aging population and preference of personalization of care. OTs assessment and intervention take place in the individual homes and assist individuals to relearn how to be independent in their daily tasks, i.e. cooking safely after suffering a stroke or adjusting living environment to accommodate mobility issues.

3. Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU)

NICU occupational therapists deal with premature and medically fragile infants and address feeding, sensory, and comfort needs. This professional position does not only promote the growth of infants but also informs and strengthens families at a decisive period.

The evidence provided by the systematic reviews of OT intervention in NICUs points to the positive influence on the motor, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes in neonates, which support the idea of the early therapeutic support. The NICU can be a rewarding career to OTs who are attracted to working with babies and family-centered practice.

4. Community Health Programs

In community health, OTs participate in promotion of wellness and injury prevention as well as supporting underserved groups, such as seniors and those with mental health issues. These functions frequently include outreach, education, and partnership with public health efforts, contributing to the creation of inclusive and healthier societies.

OTs interested in public health and social impact will find a variety of opportunities in this sector, which is focused on issues other than direct clinical care.

5. Corporate and Workplace Wellness

Occupational therapists use their skills in corporate settings to help enhance workplace ergonomics, prevent employee injuries and deal with work stress. They create ergonomic work stations, educate about body mechanics and create wellness programs that enhance productivity and the well being of the employees.

In this new era, creative problem solvers who are interested in occupational health will find this new field OTs to be a good fit as they have an opportunity to shape the lives of working adults, millions at a time.

6. Rehabilitation Technology and Consulting: Combining Therapy and Innovation

Technological innovations have dubbed new thrilling opportunities to OTs in the field of rehabilitation technology such as the design of adaptive equipment, product development consultation, and teaching clients on the use of assistive technologies. This combination of clinical expertise and technological creativity enables OTs to overcome complicated problems and increase access to care.

This is an excellent career move for OTs who are tech-savvy and want to be on the cutting edge of healthcare technology and innovation.

Why Are These Roles Important?

The occupational therapy profession is expanding very fast and the growth is projected to continue at an elevated rate of 11 percent in the next one decade, which is approximately three times more than the average growth rate of all jobs. The factor behind this growth includes an aging population, a growing chronic health condition, and a rising demand of personalized and functional care.

Going beyond the conventional clinic, OTs have a special opportunity to enhance the quality of life in a variety of environments: classrooms and homes, workplaces and high-tech laboratories. All these diverse roles do not only contribute to professional satisfaction but also increase the magnitude of occupational therapy in society.

To Aspiring and Current OTs:venturing into the unknown

Whether you are an occupational therapy practitioner or a student who is interested in trying out these unusual career options, to get some experience in these areas of increasing demand, you can seek travel OT assignments or pursue specialty certifications. Through agencies such as AMN Healthcare, OTs are linked with a variety of opportunities across the country so that you can shape your career around your interests and help address areas of great need throughout the nation.

With a career characterized by imaginativeness, flexibility, and client-focused service, the opportunities available to occupational therapists outside the office are as enormous as they are influential. You can be supporting a child to succeed at school, allowing a senior to stay at home independently, or developing the assistive technology of tomorrow; whatever you do, occupational therapy is a hands-on profession with tangible outcomes and a rewarding career. 

In a move that’s creating ripples across the education and science communities, Chanakya University in Bengaluru has appointed Dr. S. Somanath, former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), as its new Chancellor. It was officially announced yesterday, 12th June, in the second-half of the day that Dr. Somanath will officially join the campus office on Thursday, steering a new era of the young and ambitious university.

The name of Dr. Somanath is associated with the recent Indian successes in the space arena, not least of which is his leadership role in the Chandrayaan-3 project. Now, he steps into the world of higher education, bringing his vast experience in science, innovation, and leadership to Chanakya University. Having been founded only in 2022, the university already earned a reputation of being focused on interdisciplinary learning and Indian knowledge systems, which is a vision that Dr. Somanath can easily get on board with due to his progressive mindset.

Dr. Somanath succeeds Professor M.K. Sridhar, the founder-chancellor who was instrumental in formative years of the university and was also part of the core group in drafting National Education Policy (NEP). Although Prof. Sridhar will step down the top position, he will still be part of the board of governors and hence continuity and guidance will be provided as the university forges on.

The leadership transition is not the only change that is happening at Chanakya University. The board of governors now has some of the most well-recognized names in Indian business and education, with Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan and T.V. Mohandas Pai, Chairman of Aarin Capital and former CFO of Infosys. Their existence is likely to create greater industry-academia linkages exposing students and researchers to bigger chances of interacting with real life challenges.

Also, an ex-officio member will be the Principal Secretary of the Higher Education Department, who will ensure that the university remains in closer contact with the government policies and educational goals.  

Under the leadership of Dr. Somanath and with an energetic yet diverse advisory board, Chanakya University is all set to reach greater heights. The university is determined to enhance its educational and research projects, motivated by the legacy of innovation and excellence in space science which is led by Dr. Somanath. The shift in leadership is not a mere replacement but an indication of the intentions of Chanakya University to become a world-renowned institution with strong Indian values and an ability to guide the upcoming generation of leaders.

The sky is not the limit anymore but rather the starting point, as Dr. Somanath himself has shown the nation. Chanakya University, Bangalore, is embracing this and is indeed paving its way to be a remarkable institution of India.

As per the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan's Free Textbook Scheme, NMMC will distribute free textbooks to every student of classes 1 to 8 on the first day of the new academic year from June 16. The idea is that no student is left without textbooks or is put to inconvenience in studies because of unavailability of study material.

The Education Department is quoted to have finalized all the arrangements required to reach a combined strength of 61,879 students of 152 schools, including the schools run by NMMC and private aided schools.

"The aim of this scheme is to encourage 100% attendance of the students, deter dropouts, and provide uninterrupted education to all children," stated an official.

For this purpose, supply of textbooks from Divisional Book Depot to the municipal level was arranged through an agency employed by the Maharashtra Primary Education Council, Mumbai.

NMMC distributed these from the municipal level to schools between June 4 and June 10, 2025, so that each of the schools got its desired amount in advance.

On 16 June 2025, the inaugural day of school, the books will officially be handed over to the students by the concerned school principals in the presence of officials, teachers, and parents.

Deputy Commissioner of Education Department Sanghratna Khillare guaranteed that the punctual release of books will allow every child to start the academic year without any learning disruption.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, on Saturday, called a meeting to improve accessibility in sports, education, and public services among Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the national capital.

All government complexes and stadia in the city will be made Divyang-friendly under the "Sugamya Delhi Abhiyan", as per the CM. She further stated that the government is committed that nobody should be excluded from society based on any kind of disability. She reported that the campaign will not only raise awareness and promote inclusive settings, but also carry out enhancements in public and institutional structures to make them accessible. The goal is to make Delhi a replicable and scalable model of accessibility and inclusion.

She added that the Accessible India Campaign aims to provide accessibility to infrastructure, transport, and digital services for PwDs. For this purpose of improving national vision in cities, the Sugamya Delhi Abhiyan has been launched to make Delhi the first "Purple City" of India — an emblem of city accessibility and inclusivity.

The campaign will embrace the "Sarkar, Samaj, Bazaar" model — getting government departments, local communities including all 21 disability groups and senior citizens, and CSR partners on board to develop low-cost and sustainable solutions.

The chief minister explained that the initiative is being taken by IDEA (Inclusive Divyangjan Entrepreneur Association), which works for employment, entrepreneurship, and accessibility for PwDs. The CM also told plans of organizing a "Purple Fest" for getting positive thinking and awareness of the ability and rights of Persons with Disabilities. She ordered officials to provide a detailed plan for the event.

She reiterated that all public structures, stadiums will be furnished with ramps, lifts, Braille signs, wheelchair facilities, and audio-visual aids. Special schemes will also be initiated to help PwDs in sports, education, and public services.

In a stunning revelation that has ignited rampant debate among Rajasthan's education fraternity, Education Minister Madan Dilawar accused a government school teacher from Banswara of trying to bribe him to get a seat on the state-level review committee for curriculum.

The incident is said to have taken place at a public hearing at Dilawar's official residence in Jaipur. The concerned teacher, Chandrakant Vaishnav, who is currently deputed at the Government Upper Primary School in Budha, Ghatol block, went up to the minister with a box of sweets, an envelope, his biodata, and a formal application asking to be included in the prestigious committee.

"I first thought that there was a recommendation letter in the envelope. But my photographer Bharat later told me that there was money inside. On opening, I found Rs 5,000 in cash. I was then going to Ramgarh Dam, but I told my staff to hold the teacher in place and immediately informed the police," said Minister Dilawar at a press conference on Monday.

The issue quickly snowballed. The Education Department suspended Vaishnav on the same day and started disciplinary proceedings on the grounds that while the bribe attempt itself was unethical, Vaishnav, being a Grade-3 teacher, was not even qualified to be on the curriculum review committee, which is meant for teachers of Grade-1 only.

The accused were also taken into custody by police, and the case has now been transferred to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for further probe.

Appearing shaken by the encounter, Dilawar said, "In my 35-36 years of political life, I have never faced such an incident.

This case causes major doubts regarding Rajasthan's education system in matters of corruption, particularly in high-stakes academic committees tasked with determining the curriculum for the state. It also points toward the necessity of transparency, ethical hiring, and strict application of eligibility standards in education administration