The Times of India

The Supreme Court's latest observations on the APAAR ID scheme have renewed attention on India's digital student registry under the National Education Policy 2020. Here's a detailed look at how APAAR works, the purpose behind the lifelong academic ID, its link with Aadhaar, the privacy concerns it has triggered, and why it is facing judicial scrutiny.

IIT Roorkee has clarified that an advisory circulated among students, faculty and staff is a routine internal communication issued at the start of every academic session and does not represent a new policy. The clarification followed criticism on social media over claims that students had been directed not to support ongoing student protests online. The institute said the advisory is based on existing notified conduct rules and should not be interpreted out of context.

After securing AIR 1 in JEE Main 2026 and AIR 2 in JEE Advanced to earn admission to IIT Bombay's Computer Science programme, Kabeer Chillar has achieved another milestone by winning a gold medal at the 58th International Chemistry Olympiad in Uzbekistan. Alongside three teammates, he helped India secure its best-ever performance with four gold medals, highlighting the country's growing Olympiad success and the value of continuous learning beyond competitive entrance examinations.

The Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSSB) has issued the admit cards for the Rajasthan Mahila Supervisor Recruitment Examination 2026. Registered candidates can download their hall tickets from the official recruitment portal using their login credentials. The examination is scheduled for July 24, and candidates must verify all details on the admit card and carry a valid photo ID to the exam centre.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi told NDA MPs that the Centre took swift and strict action against those involved in the NEET paper leak to safeguard students' futures. Addressing the issue at the NDA's 'Mangal Milan' meeting, he said 13 accused were arrested and urged states to work with the Centre to prevent such incidents in the national interest. His remarks came a day after students protested in Delhi over alleged NEET irregularities and demanded accountability.

The Kerala DHSE is expected to declare the Plus Two SAY Result 2026 this week, offering students who appeared in the supplementary examinations another opportunity to qualify for higher studies without losing an academic year. Candidates will be able to access their scorecards through the official result portals using their login credentials once the results are announced.

The CBSE has issued the Class 12 Supplementary Examination 2026 admit cards for both private and regular candidates ahead of the July 28 exam. While private students can download their hall tickets from the official portal, regular candidates must collect them from their schools. Students should verify all details and ensure the admit cards carry the necessary signatures and stamps.

A NEET-UG 2026 candidate has alleged discrepancies between the OMR sheets shared by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the responses he remembers marking during the examination. Despite receiving an official reply with score details, Bhavya says his concerns remain unresolved and has sought verification of the original physical OMR sheet. The issue has added to broader complaints from candidates regarding scanned OMR records, evaluation transparency and grievance redressal after NEET-UG 2026

Ahead of the 202627 academic session, Delhi University has directed its colleges and affiliated institutions to tighten anti-ragging measures and strengthen campus discipline. The guidelines call for enhanced surveillance, confidential grievance mechanisms, faculty mentoring for freshers, identity verification and strict compliance with UGC regulations to ensure a safe, secure and inclusive learning environment for students.

The Department of Higher Education (DHE), Haryana is expected to publish the Phase 1 provisional UG admission merit list 2026 on July 21 through its official admission portal. Prepared using qualifying examination marks and applicable weightage, the list will shortlist candidates for seat allotment. The final merit list will be released on July 22, followed by the admission and fee payment process.

Kerala Plus Two SAY Result 2026: The Kerala Plus Two SAY and Improvement Result 2026 is expected to be announced today, July 21, 2026, by DHSE Kerala. Students can check their provisional scorecards through the official result websites using their register number and date of birth. Those facing website congestion can also access results through the PRD Live app, school-wise result facility or DigiLocker after declaration. Candidates must meet the prescribed subject-wise passing criteria to quali

WBJEE 2026 Round 2 allotment: The WBJEE 2026 Round 2 seat allotment result will be announced today, July 21, 2026, on the official WBJEEB portal. Candidates can download their allotment letter after logging in and must complete seat acceptance fee payment, document verification and institute reporting by July 23. Those seeking further participation can register for the Round 3 Mop-Up round from July 24. Physical reporting is mandatory for candidates accepting or upgrading their allotted seats.

Karnataka DCET 2026: KEA has started the Karnataka DCET 2026 Round 1 option entry process today, July 21, 2026, from 11.00 am. Eligible candidates can submit their preferred colleges and branches until July 24 before the mock allotment is released. The counselling schedule includes option modification, final seat allotment, fee payment and reporting deadlines. Previous cut-off trends indicate intense competition for Computer Science and Information Science seats at leading engineering colleges a

India must embrace failure as an essential part of scientific discovery to become a global innovation leader, senior chemical engineer Man Mohan Sharma said at NSRTC 2026 while receiving the Vigyan Maharshi Award. He urged researchers to pursue curiosity-driven research despite uncertain outcomes. R. A. Mashelkar stressed that India should create science-powered startups and homegrown technologies, while other speakers called for stronger collaboration among universities, industry and government

Himachal Pradesh school holiday: Educational institutions across Kangra, Mandi, Chamba and Sirmaur districts of Himachal Pradesh are closed today, July 21, 2026, following an IMD Red Alert for heavy rainfall, flash floods and landslides. Examinations scheduled in the affected districts have been postponed, while teaching and non-teaching staff have been granted leave, subject to emergency duties. Several other districts remain open, although local authorities have been authorised to suspend clas

IBPS PO Recruitment 2026: Today, July 21, 2026, is the last date to apply online for IBPS PO Recruitment 2026, which offers 7,365 Probationary Officer and Management Trainee vacancies in participating public sector banks. Eligible graduates aged 20 to 30 years can complete registration and fee payment through the official website before the deadline. The selection process includes Preliminary and Main examinations, Personality Test, Interview, Document Verification and, where applicable, a Medic

PNB LBO Recruitment 2026: Punjab National Bank (PNB) has started the online application process for 545 Local Bank Officer (LBO) posts under Junior Management Grade Scale-I. Eligible graduates with one year of banking experience and proficiency in the relevant local language can apply between July 20, 2026 and August 09, 2026. The recruitment process includes a written examination, document screening, Local Language Proficiency Test, interview and document verification. Selected candidates will

MMU ET 2026 result: Marwar Medical University has declared the MMU ET 2026 result for candidates who appeared in the entrance examination on July 3, 2026. Scorecards are available through the official candidate portal. Online counselling, including choice filling and seat allotment, will begin in the fourth week of July. The admission schedule, registration trends, attendance figures, score benchmarks and university admission framework have also been released for candidates preparing for the nex

Competitive Exam explainers | Indian economy

IIT Madras has released the GATE 2027 schedule, with the examination set to be conducted across six dates in February and registrations expected to begin in mid-August. The upcoming edition introduces a revised syllabus, a new Robotics and Automation paper, DigiLocker-based verification with facial authentication, while retaining the existing eligibility criteria and examination pattern.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has cautioned NEET UG 2026 candidates against submitting fake, AI-generated or digitally altered OMR sheets and scorecards, warning that such acts could lead to criminal prosecution, cancellation of candidature and future exam bans. The agency said official records remain the only valid basis for evaluation and advised candidates to raise genuine grievances only through authorised channels.

The Kerala DHSE is expected to announce the Plus Two SAY Result 2026 shortly on its official websites. Students who appeared for the supplementary examination can check their provisional scorecards using their roll number and date of birth. The SAY exam gives candidates a second chance to clear failed subjects and continue their studies without losing an academic year.

As excitement over the FIFA World Cup 2026 final swept across India, Kerala, Meghalaya and Manipur declared a holiday on July 20 for all educational institutions. The move allowed students to watch the late-night Spain vs Argentina showdown without worrying about classes, while also recognising football's deep cultural significance and encouraging greater interest in sports.

The Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (BCECEB) is expected to announce the DCECE 2026 Round 2 seat allotment result today on its official website. Alongside the allotment list, the board will release opening and closing cutoff ranks for Polytechnic Engineering admissions. Candidates allotted seats must download their allotment letters and complete document verification and admission within the notified schedule.

An IIT (BHU) graduate's candid admission that he felt imprisoned by his engineering degree has triggered a spirited online debate about passion, privilege and career choices. His journey from an uninterested metallurgy student to a professional in a completely different field has reignited discussions on whether a college degree should define an individual's lifelong career.

The Joint Entrance Examination Council, Uttar Pradesh (JEECUP) has announced the Round 3 seat allotment result for UP Polytechnic Counselling 2026 on its official portal. Candidates can check their allotted institute and diploma branch online, pay the seat acceptance fee from July 21 to 23, complete document verification by July 24, and begin classes from August 1.

Delhi University has announced the Round 3 seat allotment results for BTech Admissions 2026 on its admission portal. Candidates can check their allocation status by logging into their dashboards using their JEE credentials. Allotted students must accept their seats by July 21, while document verification and fee payment will continue until July 23.

The AP EAPCET 2026 Phase 1 counselling registration is set to begin on July 20 for admissions to undergraduate engineering programmes in Andhra Pradesh. Eligible candidates must complete online registration, upload documents, and pay the processing fee by July 29. Only verified applicants will be allowed to participate in the web options and seat allotment process.

UPTET Result 2026 is expected to be announced soon by the Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission. Lakhs of candidates who appeared for the teacher eligibility examination are waiting for their scorecards and merit list PDF. The Commission has not announced the official result date yet. Candidates who qualify will receive a lifetime-valid UPTET certificate. The article covers qualifying marks, exam levels, result checking process and steps to download the merit list.

Kerala has declared a holiday for all educational institutions on Monday ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Argentina and Spain. The decision was taken considering the match's late-night schedule, which could make it difficult for students to attend morning classes. However, pre-scheduled examinations will continue as planned. The announcement came after demands from opposition leaders and others seeking relief for students. The move highlights Kerala's football enthusiasm and studen

After multiple setbacks in competitive examinations, Bihar's Shashank Gaurav secured Rank 2 in the latest BPSC examination, proving the value of perseverance. A Zoology graduate from Ramjas College, University of Delhi, he failed four UPSC Civil Services attempts and two BPSC attempts before succeeding on his third BPSC try. With a disciplined study routine, consistent revision and strong family support, Shashank transformed years of disappointment into an inspiring success story for civil servi

A NEET-UG 2026 aspirant from Kanpur has alleged that her score changed from a calculated 609 marks to 540 and later to 167 after the National Testing Agency corrected the sequence of questions in her OMR sheet. The candidate claims she has submitted screenshots, OMR sheets and supporting documents to the Prime Minister, Union Education Minister and NTA, seeking verification. The examination authority has not publicly responded to her specific allegations.

Aakriti Goel left a leadership role in Bengaluru's startup ecosystem, where she reportedly earned Rs 30 lakh annually, to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a doctor. After nearly a decade away from academics, she prepared intensively for NEET UG, studying around 10 hours daily and scoring 676/720 with AIR 1118 in 2021. Now in her final year of MBBS at Hindu Rao Medical College, her journey highlights the value of purpose, perseverance and career reinvention.

The UP Police Constable written examination result is expected to be announced in the last week of July 2026, ahead of the Document Verification and Physical Standard Test scheduled to begin around August 17. The recruitment drive aims to fill 32,679 vacancies across Civil Police, PAC and Jail Warder posts. Candidates will be able to check their results on the official UPPRPB website once released. The article also covers the recruitment timeline and expected cutoff.

The Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board has opened a special application window for candidates who had applied under Post Code 90/09 in 2009. Following a Supreme Court order, eligible applicants can submit fresh applications for 606 Grade II (GNCTDSS) or Assistant Section Officer vacancies under Post Code 804/26 between July 17 and August 17, 2026. Candidates must provide proof of their 2009 application, while an offline submission facility is also available.

Railway Recruitment Board has released the RRB ALP CBT 2 City Intimation Slip 2026 for candidates who qualified the Stage 1 examination under ALP CEN 01/2025. The city slip was issued on July 18, 2026, for the CBT 2 exam scheduled on July 28, 2026. A total of 1,58,705 candidates can download the document using their application number and date of birth. The admit cards are expected before the examination.

Odisha Public Service Commission has released OPSC Recruitment 2026 notification for 502 vacancies in Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Assistant Fisheries Officer and Assistant Horticulture Officer posts. Applications will be accepted online through the OPSC recruitment portal. The selection process includes written examination, interview for applicable posts and document verification. The recruitment covers positions under Fisheries & Animal Resources Development and Agriculture & Farmers Empowerm

UPSC CMS admit card 2026: UPSC CMS 2026 written examination will be conducted on August 2, 2026, for recruitment to 1,358 medical officer posts across Central Health Service, Indian Railways and municipal corporations. The admit cards are expected to be released in late July on the UPSC website. The exam will have two computer-based objective papers covering General Medicine, Paediatrics, Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, and Preventive & Social Medicine. The article covers important dates, vac

Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has opened fresh registration for UGNEET-2026 admissions to MBBS, BDS and AYUSH courses in Karnataka. Candidates who have not registered for UGCET-2026 can apply online through the KEA portal between July 17, 2026, and July 24, 2026. The authority has issued instructions for CET-2026 applicants, non-Karnataka candidates, OCI, PIO, NRI and foreign candidates regarding registration, fee payment, marks submission and document verification procedures.

UGC NET June 2026 answer key: The National Testing Agency is expected to release the provisional UGC NET June 2026 answer key and response sheets shortly on its official portal. Candidates will be able to download the answer key, question paper and recorded responses using their login credentials and raise objections by paying ?200 per question. The final answer key, prepared after reviewing valid challenges, will determine the results. Nearly 9.94 lakh candidates registered for the examination

The NEET-UG 2026 OMR controversy has intensified as the NTA warned of legal action against candidates submitting fake or AI-generated OMR sheets after finding manipulation in two cases. At the same time, fresh complaints continue to emerge, with candidates alleging mismatches between uploaded OMR sheets and their actual responses, including claims of exchanged or incomplete OMR records. While the OMR challenge window has closed, several candidates are still awaiting the NTA's response and verifi

The Railway Recruitment Board has released the Railway ALP CBT 2 Exam City Intimation Slip 2026 for candidates shortlisted after CBT 1. Aspirants can check their allotted exam city through the official portal using their login credentials. The CBT 2 examination is scheduled for July 28, while the admit card will be issued separately ahead of the recruitment test.

The Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS) has declared the ATMA July 2026 results on its official website. Candidates who appeared for the July 12 examination can now download their scorecards using their login credentials. The scores will be accepted by over 700 management institutes offering MBA, PGDM, MMS and MCA programmes, with admissions set to commence.

The Bar Council of India has directed State Bar Councils and legal education institutions to enforce new social media and digital ethics guidelines for advocates, law students, and interns. The rules seek to curb courtroom reels, internship-related content, and legal misinformation while introducing mandatory undertakings, awareness programs, and disciplinary measures to safeguard professional ethics and confidentiality.

The Bar Council of India has announced the AIBE XXI Result 2026 on its official website. Candidates who appeared for the June 7 examination can now download their scorecards using their login credentials. The result is crucial for obtaining the Certificate of Practice, while candidates are advised to verify all details on the scorecard and report any discrepancies promptly.

Schools in parts of Himachal Pradesh may remain closed as the IMD has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall until July 23. The state government has authorised deputy commissioners to decide on suspending classes based on local weather conditions, with student safety taking priority amid warnings of landslides, flash floods and disrupted road connectivity.

NICL Assistant Recruitment 2026: National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) has announced the Assistant Recruitment 2026 notification for 500 permanent posts. Eligible graduates can apply online from July 18 to August 7, 2026. The selection process includes Phase-I and Phase-II online examinations, Regional Language Test, document verification and medical examination. Candidates aged 21 to 30 years can apply, with selected employees receiving a basic pay of Rs 36,290 and approximate monthly emolu

The National Testing Agency is expected to release the UGC NET June 2026 provisional answer key shortly on its official website. Candidates will be able to download the subject-wise PDFs, estimate their scores, and raise objections by paying the prescribed fee. Despite past trends suggesting an earlier release, the answer key remains awaited following the July 5 re-examination.

The Directorate of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE), Kerala, is set to release the Plus Two SAY (Save A Year) / Improvement Result 2026 shortly. Students who appeared for the supplementary examinations can check their provisional scorecards through official portals using their Registration Number and Date of Birth once the link is activated. The article covers result-checking steps, alternate platforms, examination timeline, board performance statistics, stream-wise pass percentages and eligibi

A software professionals Reddit post has sparked debate after he claimed that helping his senior manager during his reporting managers leave affected his appraisal rating. The employee said his manager gave him a lower evaluation after learning about the interaction. The post triggered discussions on workplace hierarchy, communication and corporate culture, with users sharing different views on whether the issue was about overstepping authority or failing to keep the reporting manager informed.