The Times of India News

An Alabama lawmaker has introduced HB 75 to require public high schools that hold athletic signing days to also recognise students committing to military service and trade schools. Sponsored by Rep. Chad Robertson, the proposal aims to give equal visibility to non-athletic career pathways. The bill includes accommodation requirements for schools and follows a similar measure that passed the House previously but stalled in the Senate.

The Bihar School Examination Board has extended the application deadline for the D.EL.ED Joint Entrance Examination 2026 for admission to the Diploma in Elementary Education course for the 20262028 session. Candidates can now submit online forms and pay fees until January 09, 2026. The examination schedule, eligibility criteria, application fee details, and admit card timelines remain unchanged as per the official notification issued by BSEB.

The Trump administration plans to restart federal collection efforts against US student loan borrowers in default, including wage garnishment beginning in 2026. The US Department of Education will start issuing notices in January, with collections scaling up in the following months. The move ends pandemic-era protections that paused enforcement since 2020 and follows earlier steps to withhold tax refunds and other federal payments from borrowers who failed to resume loan repayments.

Delhi schools have ended hybrid learning and resumed normal physical classes for students of Classes 6 to 9 and 11 after GRAP 4 measures were lifted. The Directorate of Education issued directions to government and private schools to implement the change immediately. The decision followed an improvement in air quality, with authorities continuing GRAP stages 1 to 3 while monitoring conditions closely across the capital.

Delhis Directorate of Education has fixed January 10 as the deadline for private schools to form fee regulation committees for the 202526 academic year. Under the new process, schools must place their proposed charges before these committeeswhere parents and teachers are representedby January 25. Decisions must follow within 30 days, shifting fee discussions from sudden announcements to a defined, time-bound process that parents can track.

Teachers are increasingly hearing anxiety and emotional fatigue instead of academic doubts in classrooms. The Student Sync Index 2026 reveals that student stress is constant, with mental health concerns now outweighing academic pressure. While teachers recognise this shift and respond with empathy, the roots of stress are often externalised, leaving school systems largely unchanged.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released the official NEET UG 2026 syllabus, guiding students preparing for NEET 2025. Focus on Biology, Physics, and Chemistry from Class 11 and 12 NCERT textbooks. Follow a clear study plan, revise regularly, solve past papers, and take mock tests. Stay consistent, manage time well, and maintain health and motivation for effective preparation.

Public sector banks have opened major recruitment drives this week, offering over 1,900 vacancies across India. SBI, BOI, NABARD and Rajkot Nagarik Sahakari Bank are inviting applications for apprentice, credit officer and specialist posts. The opportunities are open to graduates, postgraduates and experienced professionals. Selection processes include online tests, interviews and shortlisting, with application deadlines spread between late December and early January.

CBSE has announced a one-time application completion window for candidates with incomplete CTET February 2026 registrations. The special facility will be available on ctet.nic.in from December 27 to December 30, 2025. Out of over 25 lakh applicants, more than 1.61 lakh registrations remained incomplete. CBSE stated that no fresh registrations will be allowed and candidates must verify and correct details carefully, as no further correction opportunities will be provided.

Indian students are driving strong growth in Irelands international education sector. ApplyBoard data shows enrolments from India rose nearly 30% in 2024/25, making them the largest international student group. Overall, Ireland has sustained over 10% yearly growth in international enrolments for the past four years, reaching 44,535 students. Popular fields include business, law, ICT, and STEM. Postgraduate enrolments increased 11%, and Ireland remains attractive for Indian students due to Englis

Rao Danish Ali, a 45-year-old computer teacher at AMUs ABK High School, was shot dead during an evening walk near the Maulana Azad Library on the university campus. The attackers arrived on a two-wheeler and fled after firing at close range. Police said the assailants are unidentified and may have been known to the victim. Ali had served the university for over a decade.

The Empower HER Foundation hosted its annual lecture in Pune to educate girls and women on water conservation and sustainable living. Ecologist Dr. Gurudas Nulkar highlighted womens traditional leadership in managing water and household resources, stressing that small daily changes can reduce wastewater. Foundation President Sandeep Nulkar underscored long-term empowerment beyond livelihoods, aiming to break poverty cycles and build responsible citizens committed to sustainability. The event als

Yayasan Mitra Mandiri Indonesia, with VFS Global and FUEL India, concluded the 2025 VFS Global Career Advancement Programme in Jakarta after three months of training for vocational students. Delivered at SMKN 25 and SMK PGRI 1, the programme trained about 400 students in communication, customer service, teamwork, and basic administration. High performers can apply for VFS Global Jakarta internships, strengthening school-to-work transitions and youth employability. Partners reaffirmed collaborati

CBSE will introduce wide-ranging reforms from the 202526 session, reshaping exams, curriculum, and student support. Class 10 board exams will become biannual from 2026, allowing score improvement. APAAR ID linkage is now mandatory for Classes 912. Exam fees have increased, while syllabi align with NCF 2023. New career guidance, mental health counselling models, and an AI-powered digital experience centre aim to reduce stress and modernise learning for students, parents, and schools nationwide an

The Odisha Subordinate Staff Selection Commission has released a short notification for OSSSC Forest Guard and Forester recruitment 2026, announcing 943 vacancies. The recruitment includes 896 Forest Guard posts and 47 Forester posts under the Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Department. Online registration starts on December 30, 2025, through osssc.gov.in. The selection process involves a written test, physical tests, and document verification. No application fee is required.

The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) is set to release the Bihar STET 2025 results soon. Over 4 lakh candidates appeared for the exam, held in CBT mode from October 1431. Passing STET is required for BPSC Teacher Recruitment Exam-4. Candidates can check results online at bsebstet.org. Age limits and educational qualifications vary by category and paper.

The Assam Rifles has released the 2025 Technical and Tradesmen result for Group B and C posts on its official website. The recruitment covered 215 vacancies and involved multiple stages, including PST, PET, Trade Test, Written Test, and Medical Examination. Shortlisted candidates can download the result PDF online and check their names or roll numbers for further appointment procedures.

CAT 2025 results have been announced by IIM Kozhikode, with 12 candidates achieving a perfect 100 percentile. Of these, nine are from non-engineering backgrounds, reflecting academic diversity among top scorers. The exam saw participation from 2.58 lakh candidates, with a balanced gender and category-wise representation. Delhi emerged as the leading state among 100 percentile scorers. IIMs and 93 non-IIM institutions will now begin their admission shortlisting processes.

Americas H-1B visa process has picked up a new gatekeeper: your social media. A December 2025 State Department update asks H-1B applicants and H-4 dependants to keep their accounts public during visa processing, widening a review earlier used for student visas. For skilled workers, the shift is subtle but realcredentials still matter, but so does your digital footprint, and how it might be read.

The registration process for the Haryana Teachers Eligibility Test has begun on the official website. Conducted by the Board of School Education, Haryana, HTET is required for government teaching jobs in the state. The exam is held for three teaching levels, follows an offline MCQ pattern, and offers a lifetime-valid eligibility certificate to qualified candidates.

The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) has extended the registration deadline for its 6 Months Certificate Course (Bridge) in Primary Teacher Education to January 19, 2026. Designed by the National Council for Teacher Education, the course is mandatory for B.Ed-qualified teachers appointed between June 2018 and August 2023. Over 66,000 teachers have registered so far, with steps for enrollment clearly outlined online.

The National Testing Agency is set to release the UGC NET admit card 2025 soon on its official website. The exam will be held from December 31, 2025, to January 7, 2026, in two shifts daily. The admit card is mandatory and carries crucial exam details, while the test will be conducted in CBT mode with 150 questions over three hours.

New Jersey is poised to restrict cellphone use in public schools as both the state Senate and General Assembly passed a bill. The legislation, awaiting Governor Phil Murphy's signature, directs the Department of Education to create guidelines for districts to manage device policies, aiming to improve student focus and reduce cyberbullying.

The Staff Selection Commission has released the tentative answer key for the CPO SI Paper I exam, conducted from December 9-12, 2025. Candidates can now access their question papers and response sheets on ssc.gov.in. An online window is open until December 27, 2025, for raising objections against specific answers, with a fee of INR 50 per question.

Christmas, often perceived as a fixed tradition, is a holiday deeply shaped by belief, history, and evolving customs. From the unknown birth date of Jesus to the recent origins of many popular traditions like Christmas cards and trees, the season is a testament to cultural shifts and historical moments, not just a timeless celebration.

US consumer confidence fell for the fifth month in December, dropping to 89.1, despite a strong labor market. Americans are earning but cautious about spending, with fears of layoffs and economic uncertainty affecting purchases. Jobs now influence not just income but confidence, shaping household behavior and slowing consumerism, with potential ripple effects across the broader economy.

Kerala's KEAM 2026 registration is set to begin soon. Candidates seeking reservation benefits or fee concessions must prepare valid certificates from revenue authorities. This includes Non-Creamy Layer, caste, income, and EWS certificates, with specific requirements for NRI quota applicants. Ensure all documents are state-educational purpose valid to avoid admission issues.

The West Bengal Medical Counselling Committee has announced the round 2 seat allotment for NEET PG admissions. A total of 839 candidates secured MD and MS seats. Those allotted must report to their institutes by December 30. Round 3 registration begins December 31. Candidates can check results on wbmcc.nic.in. Required documents include ID proof and scorecards.

IBPS has released the Regional Rural Banks Officer Scale I Preliminary Examination 2025 scorecards. Candidates can download their results from ibps.in until December 31, 2025. Those who cleared the prelims will now prepare for the Main Examination scheduled for December 28, 2025, featuring six sections. Visit the official website for more details.

Chhattisgarh has released its NEET PG 2025 round 1 seat allotment results, with 273 candidates securing MD/MS seats. The cut-off ranged from AIR 697 to AIR 1.35 lakh. Candidates must report to their allotted colleges between December 24-28 with necessary documents to finalize admissions. General Medicine at Raipur's medical college was the most sought-after program.

The Union Budget 2025 positions education as strategic national infrastructure, boosting the Ministry of Educations allocation to 1,28,650 crore. Key initiatives include broadband for schools, 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs, digital textbooks in Indian languages, expanded IIT and medical seats, AI-driven learning, skill centres, and research fellowshipsaimed at enhancing access, quality, and employability for Indias students.

The National Medical Commission has released the NEET UG 2026 syllabus, exclusively based on Class 11 and 12 NCERT textbooks. This syllabus outlines topics for Biology, Physics, and Chemistry, emphasizing strict adherence to prevent over-preparation. Candidates are advised to download the official PDF and use NCERT as their primary study material.

Bharat Electronics Limited has released the provisional answer key for its Probationary Engineer recruitment examination 2025. Candidates can check the key on the official website. A window is open for raising objections until December 28, 2025. BEL will then publish the final answer key, which will be used to prepare the examination results.

Bank of India is recruiting 400 apprentices for 2025-26. Graduates born between April 1, 2021, and December 1, 2025, aged 20-28, can apply online from December 25, 2025, to January 10, 2026. Selection involves an online exam and a local language test. Apprentices will receive 13,000 monthly for a year.

The Indian Institute of Management has released the CAT 2025 result on iimcat.ac.in, ending weeks of anticipation for MBA aspirants. The scorecards display scaled scores and normalised percentiles across exam slots. These results will guide shortlisting for WAT, GD, and PI rounds conducted by IIMs and other management institutes. Candidates must check the direct link provided here to download the CAT result 2025.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has expanded the NIFTEE 2026 examination cities to 102, adding Vapi in Gujarat and Daman. This move, requested by NIFT, aims to enhance accessibility for candidates. Applicants can change their exam city preference during the correction window, with the Stage 1 test scheduled for February 8, 2026.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has opened registrations for the 11th Food Analyst Examination 202526, with applications accepted from December 23 to January 22. The computer-based test is scheduled for March 8, 2026, followed by practical assessments and mandatory training. Eligible science graduates with relevant experience can apply online.

Punjab NEET PG counselling 2025 Round 2 choice filling is underway until 5 pm today, following a Punjab and Haryana High Court order that added 53 MD/MS seats across four institutions. Candidates must report to allotted colleges by December 30 to confirm admissions or can opt for upgradation in Round 3.

India's National Testing Agency will introduce facial recognition and live photo checks for major exams like NEET and JEE starting in 2026. This move aims to strengthen candidate verification at application and exam stages. The system builds on successful pilot tests. This technology will ensure fair and secure examinations for all students across the country.

The State Bank of India has extended the SBI Specialist Cadre Officer recruitment 2025 application deadline to January 5, giving candidates additional time to apply for 996 vacancies. Eligible graduates can submit applications online through the official portal. Selection will be based solely on interview performance, with no written examination prescribed for this recruitment cycle.

IIM Mumbai has announced its MBA admission policy for the 2026-28 batch. Admissions will be based on CAT 2025 scores, followed by interviews. Eligibility requires a bachelor's degree with specific marks. The selection process considers CAT scores, interview performance, and academic records. Seat reservations will follow government norms. The institute reserves the right to modify the policy.

Rajasthan's Sriganganagar education department has issued a stern warning to private schools, prohibiting them from forcing students to dress as Santa Claus for Christmas. The order, citing parental consent and sensitivity towards 'Veer Bal Diwas', emphasizes that schools will face action if students or parents are pressured into participating in such activities.

Government job aspirants have a crucial week to apply for over 26,000 vacancies across various central and state organizations. Key recruitment drives from SSC, DRDO, WBPSC, CEIL, and BEL have application deadlines between late December 2025 and early January 2026. Candidates are urged to review eligibility and submit applications promptly to avoid last-minute issues.

Bihar DElEd admission for the 2026-28 session closes today, December 24, 2026. Aspiring elementary teachers must register on the official portal for over 30,000 seats. The entrance exam requires a minimum of 50% in Class 12, with relaxations for reserved categories. Details on eligibility, exam pattern, fees, and required documents are available.

The Karnataka Teacher Eligibility Test (KARTET) 2025 results have been declared on the official portal. Candidates can download their scorecards online and verify key details. Those who qualify must now secure their eligibility certificate, track upcoming teacher recruitment notifications, keep documents ready, and prepare for further selection stages, as KARTET qualification only establishes eligibility, not direct appointment.

The West Bengal Police Recruitment Board has released the Kolkata Police SI admit card 2025 on its official portal. Registered candidates can download the hall ticket using their application number and date of birth. The written examination begins on December 30, 2025, and the admit card includes key details on exam timing, venue, and mandatory instructions.

The Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test 2025 concluded on December 17. Candidates are eagerly awaiting the provisional answer key, expected by the last week of December. This key will allow them to check their responses and calculate scores. Aspirants can raise objections to the provisional key before the final version is released. The OTET certificate holds lifetime validity for teaching positions.

The Railway Recruitment Board has revised the RRB Group D 2025 CBT schedule for recruitment to over 32,000 railway posts. The exam, earlier planned for early January, will now be conducted on select dates in January and February. Candidates will receive city intimation alerts via registered SMS and email, with admit cards issued shortly before the exam.

The Staff Selection Commission has urged applicants for Constable (GD) and Rifleman (GD) posts to submit applications before the December 31, 2025 deadline. Candidates are cautioned against last-minute submissions due to potential website traffic issues, with no extensions to be granted. The application window is currently open at the official website, ssc.gov.in.

The Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board has announced a revised Group D recruitment drive for 2025. A total of 406 vacancies are available across various state government departments. Candidates with matriculation can apply. The application deadline has been extended to January 3, 2026. Selection involves a written exam and document verification.