The Times of India

Philadelphias high schools are seeing a major shift in graduation standards. Since Pennsylvania removed mandatory Keystone Exams, more students are earning diplomas through alternative pathways, including college acceptance, SAT scores, or industry-recognised credentials. While graduation rates have risen to over 77%, academic proficiency on state exams remains low, leaving questions about whether students are truly prepared for college or careers.

The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) announced the 2026 12th board exams schedule. Semester 4 and Semester 3 supplementary exams will run from February 12 to 27. Students will get 10 extra minutes for reading papers. Admit cards will be available January 28, and Sanskrit Part 2 questions can be answered in Sanskrit, Bangla, or English. Textbooks release begins January 22.

The Bank of Maharashtra will close online applications for 600 Apprentice posts on January 25, 2026. The one-year engagement offers training across various states, with no guarantee of permanent employment. Eligible candidates must hold a bachelors degree, be aged 2028, and pay the prescribed application fee. Applications must be submitted via the official website before the deadline.

A federal civil-rights probe at the University of Pennsylvania has turned into a high-stakes legal standoff. The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is seeking records that could identify Jewish staff and affiliations; Penn says the demand crosses constitutional and historical red lines. Jewish faculty have also intervened, warning that lists created in the name of protection can become a risk.

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations is likely to issue ICSE Class 10 and ISC Class 12 admit cards for the 2026 board exams soon, though no date has been confirmed. Hall tickets will be released only through schools, not individual downloads. Examinations begin in February 2026. Check the details of the examination here.

The Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission has opened applications for Lekhpal Recruitment 2026 to fill 7,994 posts. The drive follows a revised category-wise vacancy list issued after objections over OBC reservation norms. Applications are open until January 28, 2026, with eligibility linked to UPSSSC PET 2025 and selection through exams and verification stages.

The Maharashtra State Board has released SSC Class 10 hall tickets for the FebruaryMarch 2026 board exams. Admit cards will be issued through schools and are mandatory for exam entry. The board has also outlined correction procedures for errors in personal details, subjects, or photographs, urging schools and students to resolve issues early to avoid last-minute problems.

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has released the tentative schedule for NEET-PG 2026 and NEET-MDS 2026. NEET-MDS is likely on May 2, 2026, and NEET-PG on August 30, 2026, both in computer-based mode. Aspirants must complete internships by May 31 and September 30, respectively, and are advised to begin structured preparation while regularly checking the official NBEMS website.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, launched in 2015, emerged as a response to deeply ingrained gender bias reflected in Indias falling sex ratio and persistent educational dropouts among girls. A decade later, data shows improvements in birth ratios, schooling, and maternal health, even as structural barriers continue to limit womens long-term educational and economic empowerment.

The Indian Air Force has released the AFCAT 1 admit card for 2026. Candidates can download their hall tickets from the official website. This admit card contains crucial details about the examination venue and reporting time. Earlier, a city intimation slip was issued to help candidates plan. Candidates must carry a printed admit card and valid photo ID for entry.

The Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) has refused fresh MBBS counselling for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence students, leaving the allocation of supernumerary seats to the government. Following the National Medical Commissions withdrawal of the colleges permission for regulatory non-compliance, students now face uncertainty, caught between administrative inaction, political agitation, and questions over merit and accountability.

In January 2026, the Delhi High Court ordered Delhi University to release the examination results of law students previously withheld for alleged attendance shortages. The court held that attending exams granted students the right to results, stressing that attendance alone cannot block academic progression. The ruling offers relief to students and sets a precedent for fairness in higher education.

Jharkhand will regulate coaching centres under the Jharkhand Coaching Centres (Control and Regulation) Bill, 2025. The framework mandates portal-based registration and campus-wise licensing, caps operating hours, regulates advertising claims, and sets up district committees and a state authority. It also requires mental-health counsellors, student and tutor IDs, fee disclosure, refund policies, bank guarantees, and graded penalties.

The Bihar Technical Service Commission has extended the BTSC JE recruitment 2026 registration deadline to January 30, 2026, due to technical difficulties. This drive aims to fill 2,809 Junior Engineer positions across Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical disciplines. Candidates with a diploma in the relevant engineering field are eligible to apply.

The Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission has declared the MPPSC Food Safety Officer Result 2026 for 123 posts, closing the written exam stage held on December 14, 2025. Released on January 21, the result is available online in PDF format. Shortlisted candidates will now proceed to document verification and interview rounds.

Indian universities made a limited impact in the THE World University Rankings by Subject 2026, with only IISc Bangalore breaking into the global top 100 for Computer Science. While US and UK institutions dominated, China showed growing strength, securing seven top-10 positions across subjects. India's subject-level performance remains narrow, highlighting a challenge in building global competitiveness beyond elite institutions.

The CLAT Consortium has released the second provisional seat allotment for CLAT 2026 counselling today. Candidates can check their status on the official website. This list determines seat allocations for UG and PG law programs. Allotted candidates can choose to freeze, float, or exit, with freeze and float requiring a Rs 20,000 fee.

The National Testing Agency is closing the NIFTEE 2026 Stage 1 application correction window today, January 22. Candidates can edit select details like name, date of birth, and academic records. This is the final chance to rectify errors before the admit card issuance. The National Institute of Fashion Technology conducts NIFTEE for design, fashion, and management courses.

IIT Delhi is launching a new Professional Certificate Programme in FinTech. This online course will run for six months, beginning February 28, 2026. It covers digital payments, blockchain, AI in finance, and more. Graduates and diploma holders are eligible. Applications are open until February 27, 2026. Learn about the future of finance and technology.

The Rajasthan Staff Selection Board has released the final answer key for the Grade 4 recruitment exam on its official website. Candidates who took the exam in September 2025 can now download the key to verify their responses. This marks a crucial step in the process to fill over 53,000 government posts.

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has announced the results for the Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) Officer Scale I, II, and III mains examination. Candidates can now download their scorecards from the official IBPS website, ibps.in, until January 27, 2026. Those who qualify will proceed to the interview stage scheduled for February 2026.

Students from Chicago suburban high schools walked out of classes on Tuesday. They showed solidarity against ICE activities and voiced concerns about immigration policies. Protests occurred at Oak Park and River Forest High School and Wheaton Warrenville South High School. Students demanded stronger political action and school-level protection policies. These actions highlight growing student activism on critical social issues.

The National Testing Agency has reopened the NIFTEE 2026 Stage 1 application correction window, allowing registered candidates to edit limited details in their forms. The facility is available from January 21 to January 22, 2026, until 11:50 pm. NTA has clarified that this is a one-time opportunity, after which no further changes will be permitted.

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) is set to release the FMGE January 2026 result by February 17, 2026, on natboard.edu.in. The exam, mandatory for foreign medical graduates seeking registration in India, was conducted in computer-based mode. Results will include qualifying status, marks, and rank, and successful candidates can proceed with medical registration formalities.

The National Law University (NLU) Delhi has released the second merit list for AILET 2026, listing candidates provisionally selected for admission. The list reflects new seat allocations arising from vacancies in the first round. Selected candidates must confirm their admission by paying the provisional fee within the deadline, while those not on the list may await further merit lists if seats remain available.

Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company Limited is recruiting 245 apprentices. Applications are open for ITI, Diploma, and Graduate candidates. The process begins January 20, 2026, and closes February 20, 2026. This one-year training offers practical experience and a stipend. Selection is based on merit. Interested individuals should register on apprenticeship portals and submit their forms by the deadline.

The Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education has issued the Class 12 practical exam hall tickets for 2026 for private students. The practical examinations are scheduled between January 25 and January 31. Eligible candidates can download their admit cards from the official RBSE website and must carry a printed copy to the examination centre, as it is mandatory for entry.

The Times Higher Education Business and Economics Rankings 2026 map where academic strength in these fields is concentrated globally. Assessing more than 1,000 universities, the rankings compare performance across research quality, teaching, industry engagement, and international outlook. MIT leads the table, followed by Stanford, Tsinghua, Oxford, and UC Berkeley.

The University of Oxford has been ranked the world's best for Computer Science in the 2026 Times Higher Education rankings. This achievement underscores the strong presence of United Kingdom and United States universities in advanced computing education. Oxford leads with exceptional teaching and research quality. Cambridge secures second place, showcasing robust industry links.

Harvard University significantly boosted its federal lobbying to nearly $1 million in 2025 amid intense scrutiny over research funding, immigration, and finances. The university spent heavily in the final quarter, particularly on legislation impacting research security and international collaborations. Concerns also included potential grant cuts and a substantial endowment tax hike, mirroring increased lobbying efforts by other Ivy League institutions.

The Odisha State Pollution Control Board has announced recruitment for 113 Group B and C positions, including Assistant Environmental Engineer and Junior Accountant. Applications open online on January 20, 2026, and close on February 10, 2026. Candidates must meet educational and age criteria, with selection based on a Computer-Based Test and interview.

The National Testing Agency has issued a warning to JEE Main 2026 aspirants regarding fake social media posts claiming question paper leaks. NTA assures the exam is secure and urges students to ignore unofficial messages and groups. These deceptive posts are scams aiming to extort money or personal data. Rely solely on official NTA channels for accurate information.

Aspiring law students, mark your calendars! The CLAT 2026 second merit list is imminent on consortiumofnlus.ac.in. This list signifies a crucial step for seat allotment in National Law Universities, following the initial counselling phase. Candidates must act swiftly to confirm their provisional admissions by completing formalities and fee payments to secure their spot. Check the official site for updates.

The Staff Selection Commission has issued the city intimation slip for the SSC Stenographer Skill Test 202526, scheduled for January 28 and 29, 2026. Qualified candidates can check their exam city, date, and shift on the official website. SSC has clarified that this is not the admit card, which will be released two to three days before the examination.

The National Testing Agency has released the CMAT 2026 admit card for the Common Management Admission Test, scheduled for January 25, 2026. Candidates can download their hall tickets from the official NTA website. The admit card is a mandatory document for entry, containing essential details like exam date, time, and center address.

The Supreme Court of India has opened online applications for 90 Law Clerk-cum-Research Associate posts. Registration runs from January 20 to February 7, 2026, followed by a written exam on March 7. Law graduates and eligible final-year students can apply online, with selection based on written tests and an interview.

SSC CHSL Tier 1 results for 2025 are imminent on ssc.gov.in. The PDF will list successful candidates for Tier 2. The exam, held November 12-30, 2025, aims to fill 3,131 Group C vacancies. Category-wise cutoffs will also be published. Candidates can check their roll numbers in the downloaded result file.

The National Testing Agency is nearing the release of UGC NET December 2025 results. Following the provisional answer key and objection period, the final answer key and results are expected in late January or early February 2026. Candidates should monitor the official NTA UGC NET portal for updates and be prepared to download their scorecards.

Sunita Williams retired from NASA in December 2025 after a 27 year career spanning naval aviation, test piloting and three long duration ISS missions. She logged 608 days in space, commanded the station, and completed nine spacewalks. Her journey from the US Navy to Starliner and Dragon flights shaped modern space station operations and inspired future crews worldwide through service.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is anticipated to release the SEBI Grade A Phase 1 Result 2026 soon on its official website. Candidates who appeared for the January 2026 examination are awaiting the PDF merit list, which will include roll numbers of those selected for Phase 2. Category-wise cut-off marks are also expected to be published.

The Rajasthan Staff Selection Board is recruiting for Clerk Grade II and Junior Assistant positions. Over 10,000 vacancies are available across state government departments. Candidates need Class 12 and basic computer knowledge. Applications open January 15, 2026, closing February 13, 2026. This offers a significant government job opportunity for many aspirants.

Seven teachers, including a headmaster, in Maharashtra's Nanded district have been suspended for allegedly misusing disability quota benefits. An investigation revealed that their disability certificates were not officially recorded or showed insufficient disability percentages. One headmaster reportedly received concessions without any certificate, while others presented questionable documents. The primary education department's drive uncovered these discrepancies, leading to immediate suspensi

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the city intimation slip for the Stenographer Grade C and Grade D Skill Test 2026. Candidates who qualified the written exam can now check their examination city on the official SSC website. The skill test, scheduled for January 28-29, 2026, assesses stenography skills and is qualifying in nature.

CBSE will soon release admit cards for Class 10 and Class 12 board exams in 2026. These hall tickets are crucial for regular students and will be available for private candidates. Exams begin February 17, 2026. Students must carry their admit card to the exam centre. Verify all details carefully. Schools must ensure clear printing and stamping.

The Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission has announced its 2026 examination calendar. Dates are set for Assistant Professor, Post Graduate Teacher, Trained Graduate Teacher, and UP TET recruitment. Exams are scheduled between April and July 2026. Candidates should monitor the official UPESSC website for detailed schedules and updates. This calendar provides a clear roadmap for aspiring candidates.

Congress has urged the government to ensure any new higher-education regulator actively oversees Article 15(5), the constitutional provision that allows reservations for SC, ST and OBC students even in private institutions. The demand revives a long-running gap: while public universities follow quotas, private higher education largely remains outside enforceable law. The debate now ties social justice to Indias proposed single-regulator reform.

Bank of Maharashtra is hiring 600 apprentices for 2026. Fresh graduates can gain banking experience. Applications are open until January 25, 2026. Selection is based on academic merit. Selected candidates will receive a stipend and undergo one year of training in core banking functions. Interested individuals should apply online.

Airports Authority of India has announced the Junior Executive result 2026. Candidates are shortlisted for application verification based on GATE 2023, 2024, and 2025 scores. Shortlisted applicants will receive call letters via email for document submission. This is a crucial step for engineering graduates aiming to join AAI. Further updates will be available on the official website.

The New India Assurance Company Limited has released interview call letters for Administrative Officer recruitment. Candidates can download their letters from the IBPS portal until February 17. The interview letter contains vital details for the upcoming interview. Successful candidates will undergo further assessment and document verification. Final appointments depend on eligibility and medical fitness.

Indias bar exam pathway is getting a long-overdue timing fix. The Bar Council of India has told the Supreme Court it has framed new rules allowing final-semester LLB students to sit for the All India Bar Examination, while making the test a twice-a-year exercise. The condition remains clear: students can appear, but must clear their final exams to move forward. For aspirants, this is not just a procedural updateit reduces the risk of losing an entire year to exam cycles and paperwork, and smooth