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A disturbing trend is emerging for international students eyeing US college admissions in September 2025. NAFSA, an Association of International Educators and various studies suggest that America will experience an unprecedented drop of 30 to 40% in new foreign student enrollments this fall, which translates to 150,000 fewer international students in the fall- semester- or to put this in a different way, 30 percent falling short of the total number of international students who were enrolled in the fall of last year.

What Is the Cause behind a Decline in US International Student Intake in 2025?

• A combination of several things has led to this ideal storm among the students:
• Processing delays and pauses: US consulates put a pause on student visa interviewing between May 27 to June 18, 2025, which was the high months of processing applications. Once they restarted, the amount of appointments was still very low and resulted in an unprecedented backlog.
• Tighter Rules and Social Media Verifications: US government came up with new social media vetting of student applicants which has slowed down the often time-consuming approval process and gives an added uncertainty. 
• Raised Expenses and Tighter Records: Indian students who are the biggest to be going to the US are now encountering higher costs of visa payments, intensified background verification, and more rigging of proving their commitment to returning back, which is adding to the burden and emotional involvement.
• Travel Bans: June 2025: The new US government travel restrictions have affected students of more than 19 countries, threatening further disturbances and cancellations.

The Numbers at a Glance

1. Fall 2025 new international student admissions reduction of 30-40%.
2. These barriers are likely to reduce the total international student enrollment by 15% relative to last year. 
3. Loss of 7 billion dollars: The decline has the potential of costing the US economy close to 7 billion in a decrease in tuition charges, expenditures and jobs in college towns. 
4. 60,000 jobs are threatened: 60,000 jobs at risk are likely to be involved due to the spending operations made by international students in supporting University local businesses.
5. Indian students: They have the largest proportion of victims as it has been reported that it has declined by up to 50-70 percent the number of students enrolling in the US because of lack of visa security and delays.

What Is the Impact on Indian Students?

Indian students are experiencing even a twin blow because not only are there limited appointments available under the F-1 visa, they also have to pay more fees in taking applications and also produce more documents. Some have already had to delay education plans, book emergency visits or consider going elsewhere, including Canada, Australia, or the UK. The Indian student organizations and universities have requested US officials to hasten the visa process yet it is not clear.

Impact Economic, Academic

• The loss of 1.5 lakh international students is not just about vacant university seats:
• US colleges, especially smaller regional universities, depend heavily on full-fee-paying international students for their financial stability.
• The predicted fall could result in a loss of innovation, diversity, and global competitiveness for American academia in the long run.
• Cities and towns around campuses fear the hit to the local economy—restaurants, rental housing, transport, and college services are all likely to be affected.

So What Students Can Do Now?

Visit the appointment portals of visas on a daily basis. Get your US university to assist--several are providing letters of support and have been assisting with case escalation. It may be possible to defer, or to apply to other intake periods (e.g. Spring 2026), or consider countries in which to study. Keep up with official US embassy/student web pages and various portals regarding the most recent visa policies.

The answer to the question whether these trends will be reversed will greatly depend on how eager the US government will be to accelerate the visa approvals and simplify the new background checks. Otherwise, long held dreams of Indian students and their families to be educated by the American educational system might have to be revisited, at least in the short run

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has again extended the July 2025 re-registration and admission deadline. A deadline on August 15, 2025, has now been assigned to students to complete the process. The deadline is for fresh admissions and old student re-registration.

IGNOU operates courses in distance learning (ODL) and online mode, and the form must be completed on its official websites. The deadline has been extended again to give the students who took time for fee payment or submission of documents. IGNOU is said to offer flexible higher studies to lakhs of Indian and overseas students.

New deadline extended date for IGNOU registration

The new deadline of August 15 is for:

New admission to undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate courses under ODL and Online modes

Renewal for continuing students

How to apply for IGNOU new admission

Here is how potential candidates can apply online for IGNOU admission for July 2025 session:

Go to the corresponding admission portal.

Click on "New Registration".

Input personal, educational, and contact information.

Upload documents if necessary: passport-size photo, scanned signature, marksheets, and ID proof.

Select your programme from a list of available ODL or online programmes.

Pay registration fee through UPI, debit/credit card, or net banking.

Submit and download confirmation slip for reference.

IGNOU applicants' tips

Apply early so as to get away from heavy portal traffic.

Ensure your scanned documents are of proper size and format.

50% fee concession to SC/ST students for ODL undergraduate courses, excluding already eligible for another concession.

In case there is any technical problem or fee confirmation delay, wait for maximum 24 hours and then re-try. IGNOU system rejects duplicate payments automatically.

A shocking and sad news was reported in Karnataka in Belagavi district where the drinking water tank of a government Kannada-medium primary school in Hullikatti village, Saundatti taluk was poisoned on purpose to have the Muslim headmaster of the school, Suleman Gorinaik, transferred.This deceptive act took place around mid-July 2025 which led to at least 11 students falling ill after consuming the contaminated water, resulting in their hospitalization and immersive police investigation.

How was the Water Tank Poisoned?

Police probes identified three persons, Sagar Patil, president of the Hindu right-wing group Sri Ram Sene, Savadatti taluk unit, Krishna Madar and Magangouda Patil who had plotted to add pesticide to the water tank. Their aim was to cause unrest and insecurity to the Muslim headmaster so that an authority would remove him from the school.

The accused bought the pesticide in Munavalli village from a store between July 18, 2025. In the implementation of the plan, a fifth-grade boy (a relative of Sagar Patil) was provided with a bottle that held the toxicant in the form of a soft drink bottle, ₹500, and snacks. The boy was ordered to add the pesticide to the drinking water tank of his school.

On contamination, the student threw away the pesticide bottle in the vicinity of the water tank, which later emerged as a crucial element of evidence that has led to the conviction of the accused. Police confirmed the chemical used was either a toxic pesticide or a poison, when combined with the water supply led to nausea and illness when the students drank the water.

Mapping out of Incident

The contamination came to be noticed when some students could discover the water had a bad smell and thus immediately informed the headmaster and other teachers. This prompt move averted greater tragedy. Nonetheless, 11 children were afflicted with nausea and needed hospital-based intervention where they have now recuperated.

A deeper investigation revealed that Sagar Patil and Magangouda Patil had forced Krishna Madar to be a part of the conspiracy since they threatened to reveal his inter-caste love affair to the world in case of his non-cooperation. It was during police interrogation that Krishna admitted his involvement.

Police Force and Detainment

Belagavi police acted promptly, collecting scientific evidence and statements which aided in unwinding the conspiracy. The three suspects were put into judicial custody on charges that include causing hurt by means of poison.

During the investigation, the safety of the school and the health of the children were the leading concerns, with district officials and health workers keeping a close check.

Reactions and Context

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah described the poisoning as a "heinous act” of communal hatred and fundamentalism. Through his post, he said, "religious fundamentalism and communal hatred can lead to heinous acts, and this incident, which could have resulted in the massacre of innocent children, is a testament to that.”

Other issues that the case has highlighted are the presence of extremist groups that have contributed to heightened communal tensions in the region. Police are still patrolling the place to avoid this again.

In short, in mid-July 2025, the drinking water tank of the school in a village called Hullikatti, was intentionally contaminated with pesticide. Three suspects, Sagar Patil (Sri Ram Sene leader), Krishna Madar, and Magangouda Patil worked together to execute the poisoning so as to cause the transfer of the Muslim headmaster. The minor student was offered poison and asked to pour it into the water tank. 11 students fell sick but recovered after medical care. The accused was arrested by police after the pesticide bottle was recovered, as well as investigations carried out. The case had generated concerns over mob hating by аlling the people which would show its effect in violence to minority community members in the role of service.

This is a disturbing act that shows the alarming necessity of the constant watchfulnesses, social integration, and legal measures to guarantee security and fairness at school and in the community.  

What are your views on this? Share your thoughts with us via mail and get a chance to get your exclusive article featured on our website.

Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant has yet again exhibited his generous nature off the field by coming to the rescue of the higher education of a student belonging to an economically challenged family in Bagalkot district of Karnataka. The wicketkeeper-batsman, known for his explosive batting and agility behind the stumps, directly paid the college fees of Jyoti Kanabur Math, ensuring her academic dreams remain alive.

Jyoti (Rabkavi village, Bilagi taluk) had already managed to obtain a laudable 83-85% in Pre-University Course (PUC) and USA had opened the way to study a Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) degree course in BLDE College in Jamkhandi. Despite her stellar academic record, Jyoti’s education was facing an obstacle because her family faced severe financial constraints: her father Teerthayya Kanabur Math runs a small tea stall and was unable to afford the Rs 40,000 admission and first-semester fees for her college education.

When Jyoti’s family sought help from a local well-wisher, Anil Hunashikatti, he reached out to friends in Bengaluru. Through cricketing contacts, the story was conveyed to Rishabh Pant. Touched by Jyoti’s determination and struggle, Pant promptly transferred the full fee amount directly to the college on July 17, 2025, securing Jyoti’s admission without delay. 

In response, Jyoti wrote a heartfelt letter:“I wanted to pursue BCA, but our financial condition was not good. Anil Anna contacted his friends in Bengaluru, who brought my situation to the attention of Rishabh Pant. He transferred Rs 40,000 so I could pursue my studies. May God bless him with good health. His help means a lot to me.”

College administration even thanked Pant generously and said that they hoped he would do it again with more students who need support because of lack of privileges. 

This warm gesture is the latest in Pant’s philanthropic efforts. Previously, he gifted scooters to two individuals who helped rescue him during a car accident, showing his gratitude through meaningful actions rather than words alone.

The example of Rishabh Pant who supports education and the development of communities by the resources and force of example sets a bright example to many people in India. With this decisive intervention, Jyoti’s education journey is back on track. 

This story highlights the powerful impact of kindness and community support in overcoming financial barriers to education in rural India.

Former Delhi education minister and senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia has begun a new video series called "Education Systems of the World and India", with the aim to create awareness about the role of quality education in national progress.

In the first episode, which came out on Friday, Sisodia contrasted India's education system with Japan, Singapore, China, Canada and Finland, suggesting that these countries made world progress by making education reforms a priority.

Referring to global examples, he said that Singapore, having achieved independence almost two decades later than India, is now one of the richest countries in the world. He credited this change as achievable there because of the nation's strong education system. Likewise, he referred to the early national priority of Japan, China's focus on industriousness in schools, Canada's diverse and inclusive method and Finland's emphasis on teacher training and child-centered pedagogy as areas of study.

The series, he explained, was motivated by a public discussion he had with Grok AI on education. "Millions of individuals read our conversation, inquired, and made suggestions. There was a great interest in how the world teaches children and where India is placed in comparison. That's what inspired me to begin this series."

Sisodia contended that in order for India to realize meaningful change, education needs to be a top political priority. "India will only change when its education changes, and education will only change when the thinking of our leaders changes. If their thinking doesn't change -- change the leaders," said Sisodia.

He also warned against simply aping other nations' models, emphasizing the necessity of India establishing an education system appropriate to its own specific social and economic environment. 

"We are India. Our needs and ground realities are different. The country will change only when education changes," he further added.

The flagship project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC) 2025, has made history as it earned the Guinness World Records by having the most number of individuals enrolled on a citizen engagement platform in one month. The 8th edition of this event was historic with 3.53 crore valid registrations being completed on the MyGov portal making it a milestone in the education sector of India and its endeavors in digital participation.

What does Pariksha Pe Charcha mean?

Started in 2018, Pariksha Pe Charcha is a worldwide interactive and one-of-a-kind program that provides an opportunity to connect students, parents, and teachers directly to PM Modi. The project transforms exam season from anxiety and stress into a celebration of learning, discussion, and preparation. During every meeting, the Prime Minister talks about typical exam-related issues, such as exam anxiety, time management, screen time addiction, and learning methods, providing valuable tips and giving confidence to students.

Record Breaking Participation in 2025

• There were 3.53 crore valid registrations on the MyGov and this was an official record by the Guinness World Records.
• The day was marked with a ceremony at New Delhi where dignitaries such as Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw praised the feat.
• More than 21 crore people participated in PPC 2025 on TV, social, and digital media platforms, indicating its far-reaching nature and popularity.
• The involvement of students overseas this year was also very active and indeed PPC was a global movement.

Key features of Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025

• Rich participation: Participants were students, their parents, and teachers of different backgrounds including students who had enjoyed national programs of education and who had won prizes.
• Digital inclusiveness: Registrations were accepted using self and teacher logins and the competition allowed questions of up to 500 characters to be sent to the Prime Minister.
• Recognition and rewards: The selected participants received special appreciation certificates, the PPC kits, and in case of the few, selected students - a hand-on experience with PM Modi and special digital mementos. 

Influence and scope

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan pointed out that these are staggering levels of viewership (over 21 crore viewers across TV, digital, and social media) and participation, which shows the confidence that the nation has on the educational vision of the Prime Minister. Pariksha Pe Charcha is even seen as a movement of a stress free and happy learning now, not merely an anniversary. The program also matches the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which focuses on emotional health, experiential learning, and life-long skills rather than rote learning.

Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the milestone as a depiction of increased use of digital services and citizen empowerment in governance in India. Technology allowed so many people to participate without effort, which underlines the emphasis on the health and confidence levels of students by the government.

A National Movement for Stress-Free Exams

Pariksha has been very effective in changing the myth of fear to a festival of self-realization and discovery. Immediately following a record-breaking number of the 2025 edition, the enthusiasm of the educational community and students in India indicates not only the growing priority of proactive and open conversations around studying and student mental health, but also the rising ambitions of education.

As PPC is still developing, its mission is understood very well: to make Indian education more interactive, inclusive, and empowering to a fast-changing nation of youth.