A report by Scholars at Risk, 'Free to Think 2026', states that academic freedom in India is "severely restricted" due to increasing government influence over higher education, university governance, and curbs on student expression. India is listed among six countries in this category, with its Academic Freedom Index score sharply declining. The report cites instances of faculty dismissals, event cancellations, and pressure on student protests, highlighting the alleged use of the UGC as a vehicle for state influence.
A nationwide survey by a Supreme Court-appointed panel reveals that 15% of higher education students felt overwhelmed or distressed, and 9% experienced suicidal thoughts in the past six months. The findings, part of an upcoming report, highlight deep-rooted social discrimination, academic pressures, and inadequate counselling services contributing to mental health concerns and rising student suicides in Indian Higher Educational Institutions.
The Mumbai Police has transferred the alleged suicide case of a second-year IIT Bombay BTech student to the Crime Branch after his father filed a complaint alleging casteist slurs and harassment by Professor Suryanarayan Dulla, who was also named in an FIR.
An assistant professor at a Jodhpur university was sacked and arrested following multiple allegations of sexual harassment, including sending obscene messages, pressuring students for personal relationships, and using academic performance to coerce them. The university terminated his services, and police arrested him on Monday, securing two-day custody for questioning.
The Supreme Court has urged the CBSE to reconsider the implementation of its three-language policy for Class 9 students, emphasising that children should not be subjected to undue pressure. The court highlighted concerns about infrastructure, the starting point of the policy, and the definition of 'native' languages.
'If a student can get a good teacher, quality content and mock tests at no cost, it becomes very hard for a mid-tier coaching centre to keep charging for the same lecture.'
Students at Scottish Church College in Kolkata allege they were threatened with academic repercussions for refusing to participate in a play titled 'Namo Seva -- Untold Stories', a charge denied by the principal who states participation is voluntary and follows state directives.
IIT Bombay has removed Suryanarayana Doolla, Dean of Administrative Affairs, from his post and issued a public apology following the death by suicide of 22-year-old student Sahil Wakode, who his parents allege faced caste-based discrimination.
A Class XII student in Beed district, Maharashtra, allegedly committed suicide due to exam stress, according to police reports. The incident occurred in Ambajogai town, where the student was living with her brother and grandmother.
The Supreme Court has asked the CBSE to consider deferring the implementation of its three-language policy for Class 6 students, which mandates two native Indian languages, until the academic session starting 2027. The CBSE stated it would consider the suggestion. The policy, aligned with NEP-2020, makes two native Indian languages compulsory for Class 6 and Class 9, with provisions for foreign languages as additional options and no board exams for the third language in Class 10.
A 20-year-old NEET aspirant in Kota, Madhya Pradesh, died by suicide, reportedly due to stress over her previous exam score. This incident marks the eighth student suicide in Kota this year, raising concerns about the immense pressure faced by coaching students.
The Supreme Court has urged the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to consider exempting Class 6 students from its three-language policy for the current academic year. The policy, which mandates the study of three languages including two native Indian languages, is challenged by petitioners who question CBSE's jurisdiction over classes 6-8. The court emphasized finding a solution that avoids student pressure and suggested a potential deferral for Class 6.
While AI can help automate routine, repetitive tasks, jobs that require high emotional intelligence, communication skills, creativity and the ability to work in unpredictable situations are likely to withstand the rise of AI, says Kumar Rajagopalan, vice president (strategic initiatives) and country head (India), at Dexian, a global provider of IT consulting, digital transformation and workforce solutions.
The Crime Branch has taken over the investigation into the alleged suicide of a 22-year-old IIT Bombay student, Sahil Ravindra Wakode. Wakode was found dead after being caught using a mobile phone and ChatGPT during an exam. His parents have filed a complaint alleging institutional harassment and caste-based discrimination, leading to a protest by students. A professor has been named as an accused, and the Crime Branch is expected to summon them for questioning. This marks the third suicide at IIT Bombay in seven months.
A 26-year-old PhD student from Kerala allegedly died by suicide at his rented flat near the BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus in Vasco, marking the seventh such incident in the last one-and-a-half years.
Indian shooter Niraj Kumar, a silver medallist in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions team event at the Asian Games, shared his joy and the sacrifices he made for his sport. He recounted choosing shooting over academics, asking his parents to buy him equipment, and expressed gratitude for the support from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). He also reflected on his Asian Games debut and future aspirations for an individual medal.
Harita Bhadra, India's Asian Games bronze-winning sprinter, showcased her dual talents by securing a medal in her debut international competition while also planning to design a special piece for her handmade jewellery brand, Dagina. The Loughborough University graduate, who dedicated a year to athletics, overcame a last-minute inclusion to deliver a strong performance in the 200m final, crediting her family's unwavering support.
'There was a huge cultural gap. I could not understand the slang, the Mumbai lingo, and would often feel left out during conversations. Since I had studied in the Hindi medium till then, I could not understand English,' says Anup Raaj, an alumnus of IIT-B and founder of InstaPreps AI, a confidence-building platform for students, and coaching institute 7Classes.
Eighteen-year-old Indian shooter Parth Mane secured a silver medal in the men's 10m air rifle team event at the Asian Games, marking his senior continental debut.
JNU Professor Emerita Zoya Hasan's Independence Day speech at a private school in Delhi was cancelled following a protest by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The school and police cited security concerns, a decision criticised by Sahmat, which alleged pressure from the VHP.
171 IIT student deaths by suicide or other unnatural causes have been recorded between January 2006 and September 2026. Of these, 120 were recorded between 2016 and September 2026, compared with 51 in the preceding decade.
Indian shooters Suruchi Inder Singh and Kamaljeet overcame initial disappointments at the Asian Games to clinch India's first shooting gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. Both athletes had faced setbacks in their individual qualifications but rallied together, setting a Games and Asian record score of 484.6 to defeat South Korea. Their victory marks a significant turnaround and a testament to their resilience and teamwork.
A 21-year-old man in Lucknow has been arrested for allegedly murdering and dismembering his father after an argument about the NEET medical entrance exam.
A second-year student at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kurukshetra, was found dead in her hostel room, marking the fourth suspected student suicide in two months, triggering protests on campus.
Some see in the CJP the potential of weakening the Opposition. Hence the BJP/RSS's 'softly softly catchee monkey' approach, with co-option being the ultimate aim, points out Aditi Phadnis.
For five Mumbaikars who were teenagers or in their 20s during the 1980s, the decade was not a sepia-toned Instagram filter. It was their everyday life, they tell Rediff's Rishika Shah. And while they remember its limitations, what they seem to miss most is something technology can't recreate -- the unhurried warmth of human connection.
When you apply for a US visa, you need to be clear and honest about why you chose this course or country and what you plan to do with the qualification afterwards -- whether you will be returning home or building a career abroad, says Sonal Kapoor, global chief business officer, Prodigy Finance.
The task force's move to directly solicit views from students, parents and teachers marks a parallel effort to bring education stakeholders into the reform process.
'One important clarification is that the reported US action is not a blanket cancellation of all US tourist visas.'
Auqib Nabi, a right-arm pacer from Jammu and Kashmir, has made history by becoming the first cricketer from the region to be named in India's Test squad, earning a call-up for the tour of Sri Lanka after a remarkable domestic season.
A 16-year-old student in Faridabad allegedly committed suicide after receiving low marks in his Class 11 examinations, highlighting the immense pressure students face regarding academic performance.
A Class 11 student in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, allegedly committed suicide after failing his examination. In a separate incident, another teenager in Sultanpur village also took his own life, with the motive currently unknown.
Newly-crowned junior squash World champion Anahat Singh has decided to defer her admission to Harvard University to fully dedicate herself to preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, aiming for a medal in squash's Olympic debut.
'I remember that Indira Gandhi was virtually worshipped as a goddess. The kind of power wielded by Indira Gandhi in the early 1970s was much more than what Modi does today, but in just three years down the line Indira Gandhi faced defeat.' 'So you cannot take people's sentiments for granted. That is a lesson that the BJP should learn.'
Activist Sonam Wangchuk's health is deteriorating on the 18th day of his hunger strike, with his weight dropping significantly and vital signs requiring continuous monitoring. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has accused the government of 'cruelty' for its refusal to engage in dialogue regarding alleged NEET irregularities, intensifying calls for accountability from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
'For every 10,000 applicants, even an additional Rs 300 to Rs 700 per candidate for testing, assessment administration and re-screening can mean Rs 30 lakh to Rs 70 lakh extra at the hiring-stage cost before training begins.'
A 21-year-old IIT-Kharagpur student was found dead on campus, with police suspecting a suicide.
CBSE's new Phase 2 exams offer Class 10 students a second chance but what happens if that fails too? Here's what you need to know and what you can do next.
A 17-year-old student in Bengaluru allegedly died by suicide after failing three subjects in her Pre-University Course exams. Police are investigating the incident.
A first-year BTech student at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kurukshetra, allegedly attempted suicide, police said. This incident follows the death of another student by suicide on the same campus, marking the fourth such incident in recent months. The student is currently stable and under medical care.
