Brief by Shorts91 NewsDesk / 05:56am on 02 Jul 2025,Wednesday Education
The Trump administration has revived a 2020 proposal to impose fixed-term limits on F‑1 and J‑1 student visas, replacing the current "duration of status" system that allows full‑time students to stay as long as they maintain enrollment. The Department of Homeland Security has forwarded the plan to the Office of Management and Budget for final review. The move aligns with Trump’s broader agenda to curb both illegal immigration and campus anti‑Semitism. Under the new rule, all foreign students and exchange visitors would receive visas with explicit expiry dates, necessitating periodic renewals rather than staying automatically while enrolled. (PC: The New Yorker & Amber)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:55am on 29 Jun 2025,Sunday Education
Kamala Sohonie (1911–1998) became the first Indian woman to earn a PhD in a scientific discipline in 1939, following her defiance of gender bias at IISc. Initially denied admission by C.V. Raman solely for being female, she persisted until granted conditional entry in 1933. Excelling in research on milk proteins, she earned an MSc with distinction and persuaded Raman to open IISc to women a year later. Awarded a scholarship, she pursued groundbreaking biochemical work at Cambridge, discovering cytochrome C. Returning to India, she advanced public health through nutritional research on Neera, later leading Bombay’s Institute of Science. (PC: Times Now)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 11:35am on 25 Jun 2025,Wednesday Education
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has approved a significant change in the examination system, allowing Class 10 students to take board exams twice a year starting from 2026. Under this new structure, the first exam session will be held in February and will be mandatory, while the second session in May will be optional. Students can choose to appear in one or both exams, with the best score considered for the final result. This move is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to reduce exam-related stress and give students greater flexibility. Both exam sessions will cover the full syllabus, and internal assessments or practical exams will only be conducted once a year. CBSE is expected to release detailed guidelines soon regarding schedules, rules, and evaluation procedures.
Brief by Shorts91 NewsDesk / 05:13pm on 14 Jun 2025,Saturday Education
The NTA has officially released the NEET‑UG 2025 final answer key and results on June 14, for the exam held on May 4, with over 22.7 lakh registrants and 20.8 lakh takers. The cut‑off percentile dropped notably: General/EWS from 720‑162 in 2024 to 686‑144 in 2025; OBC/SC/ST and PwBD cut‑off now 143‑113, while OBC‑PwD/SC‑PwD/ST‑PwD are at 126‑113. Rajasthan’s Mahesh Kumar secured AIR 1 (99.9999547 percentile), followed by Utkarsh Awadhiya (AIR 2) and Krishang Joshi (AIR 3). Over 12.36 lakh candidates qualified and counselling is expected to begin in late June or July. (Hindustan Times)
Brief by Shorts91 NewsDesk / 04:28am on 10 Jun 2025,Tuesday Education
The Trump administration has barred Harvard University from enrolling international students about 27% of its body after the university resisted demands to submit records and enforce ideological reforms. DHS, led by Secretary Noem, revoked Harvard’s SEVP certification for the 2025–26 academic year, forcing current foreign students to transfer or face deportation. Harvard filed suit, obtaining an immediate restraining order from Judge Burroughs to block enforcement. The administration also froze over $2 billion in research funds and threatened Harvard’s tax-exempt status. Meanwhile, visa interviews are halted pending expanded social‑media vetting. The standoff spotlights mounting federal pressure on academic independence. (PC: NDTV & The Guardian)
Brief by Shorts91 NewsDesk / 08:19am on 25 May 2025,Sunday Education
U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of Harvard University, defending his administration's attempt to block the institution from enrolling international students. Trump highlighted that nearly 31% of Harvard's students are from foreign countries, accusing the university of withholding information about these students despite repeated requests. He questioned why these countries, some allegedly unfriendly to the U.S., contribute nothing toward their students' education. Although a judge has temporarily suspended the administration's action, Trump insists on obtaining the names and countries of origin of these students, arguing it's reasonable given the federal funding Harvard receives. He criticized Harvard for not being transparent and suggested the university should utilize its $52 million endowment instead of relying on federal grants. (PC: Business Standard)
Brief by Shorts91 NewsDesk / 06:44pm on 24 May 2025,Saturday Education
The Trump administration has barred Harvard University from enrolling foreign students, citing alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party. This move forces current international students to transfer or risk losing legal status. A U.S. judge temporarily halted the policy for two weeks. Harvard condemned the action as unlawful and pledged support for its students. Chinese students, the largest foreign group at Harvard, are seeking legal advice and canceling travel plans amid fears of immigration enforcement. The Chinese government criticized the U.S. action, vowing to protect its students' rights. This policy may further deter Chinese students from studying in the U.S., shifting preferences to countries like Australia and Singapore. (PC: Reuters)
Brief by Shorts91 NewsDesk / 02:55pm on 24 May 2025,Saturday Education
Despite a federal judge temporarily blocking the Trump administration's revocation of Harvard University's ability to enroll international students, fear persists among the over 7,000 affected students, comprising about 27% of Harvard's student body. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that students must transfer before the 2025–2026 academic year or lose legal status. Harvard's student body co-president, Abdullah Shahid Sial, highlighted the panic among students, many of whom are far from home and uncertain about their futures. Harvard's lawsuit claims the government's action is retaliatory and would have an immediate, devastating effect on the university and its international students. (PC: Hindustan Times & The Telegraph)
Brief by Shorts91 NewsDesk / 10:54am on 23 May 2025,Friday Education
The Trump administration has revoked Harvard University's certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, barring it from enrolling foreign students. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem cited alleged antisemitism and ties to the Chinese Communist Party as reasons. Harvard denies these allegations. This action affects approximately 6,800 international students, including 788 from India, who must transfer or risk losing their visa status. The administration also froze $2.2 billion in federal funding and threatened to revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status. Harvard has filed a lawsuit, claiming the measures are unlawful and harm its academic mission. The crackdown may extend to other universities, intensifying concerns over academic freedom and international education in the U.S. (PC: ECFR & Harvard University)
Brief by Shorts91 NewsDesk / 05:54am on 23 May 2025,Friday Education
The Trump administration has revoked Harvard University's certification to enroll international students, impacting over 6,800 students, including many from India. The Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, cited Harvard's alleged failure to provide records on foreign students' "illegal and violent activities." Harvard condemned the action as unlawful and a threat to academic freedom, vowing legal action. This move is part of a broader crackdown, with the administration freezing over $3 billion in federal funding and threatening the university's tax-exempt status. Critics argue these measures undermine higher education and international collaboration, while Harvard maintains its commitment to institutional autonomy and support for its international community. (PC: France 24 & Hindustan Times)