rediffGURU Nayagam PP, career counsellor and founder of EduJob360 explains why cracking the UPSC exam is a dream for lakhs of young Indians.
A 17-year-old NEET aspirant in Lucknow allegedly died by suicide, reportedly due to depression following the cancellation of the NEET-UG examination and the pressure of the upcoming re-exam. Her family stated she was hopeful after the initial exam but became distressed after its cancellation.
Clashes erupted between police and students in Jharkhand protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment exams, even as the high court provided interim relief by staying notifications cancelling appointments for Child Development Project Officers and those recruited through JSSC-CGL tests.
Students intensified their protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand with five demonstrators joining an indefinite hunger strike, even as Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday said the question paper leak issues are a national problem and offered talks to resolve the impasse.
Computer-based testing can make the examination more secure and transparent. Ensuring equal opportunities to prepare will make it fair as well. India needs both, suggests Dibyasree Ganguly.
'This is not the end of your preparation. It is an unexpected extension of the race,' say experts.
Students, college-goers, competitive exam aspirants, and parents gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for a protest organised by supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party, expressing deep concerns over recurring examination controversies, result uncertainties, and a perceived lack of accountability within the education system.
A 19-year-old NEET aspirant in Odisha's Bhadrak district was found dead in his house, with his family alleging he took his life fearing failure in the exam.
When dialogue fails, protest becomes inevitable.
In a democracy, protest is often the only language left once institutions stop listening, explains Ramesh Menon.
A 20-year-old NEET aspirant allegedly committed suicide at her residence in Delhi. The incident occurred after the National Testing Agency cancelled the NEET exam held on May 3 due to paper leak allegations, scheduling a re-examination for June 21.
The cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 due to alleged paper leaks has led to widespread outrage among aspirants, who are questioning the competence of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and demanding that AIIMS-Delhi conduct the medical entrance exam.
Rather than thinking it as an unfortunate event, experts urge students to see it as 'another opportunity to improve your score. Focus on improving in your weak chapters/units.'
Rather than thinking it as an unfortunate event, experts urge students to see it as 'another opportunity to improve your score. Focus on improving in your weak chapters/units.'
A police official in Nagpur has been issued a show cause notice for allegedly failing to attach the suicide note of a female NEET aspirant, Akanksha Chaturvedi, to the case papers. Chaturvedi, 18, died by suicide after the NEET-UG exam was cancelled due to paper leak allegations, expressing fears about a retest in her note. The incident has drawn national attention, and an inquiry into the police lapse is underway.
Millions play cricket in India; only a few reach the IPL teams or the Indian team. Sometimes, a player may not get selected not due to lack of skill, at other times it may be due to team balance. But what every youngster should remember is that talent is permanent; selection is temporary, notes K R Nayar.
A 23-year-old B Tech gold medallist in Kanpur died by suicide, leaving a note apologising for his inability to secure a government job despite numerous attempts. His family stated he was under severe stress after failing competitive examinations for various sectors. Police are investigating the incident.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has stated that the ban on the Cockroach Janata Party's social media handles is a symptom of widespread frustration among India's youth regarding employment, competitive examinations, and economic pressures, urging the government to address these concerns through policy changes.
The suicide of a NEET aspirant in Uttar Pradesh, allegedly due to the cancellation of the medical entrance exam, has triggered strong reactions from opposition leaders who are demanding accountability and compensation for the family.
'After more than 12 years in power, he has been forced to retreat under public pressure. The education minister's resignation is the biggest political climbdown of his government so far.'
Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation is significant because it punctures, however slightly, the perception that the Modi government never retreats under pressure. Every long-serving government eventually reaches a point where every institutional failure is identified with the leader himself. Removing the minister may have prevented that political burden from falling directly on Modi. Whether it also resolves the underlying crisis is another matter, notes Ramesh Menon.
Teenager Pritam Kendre won a gold medal in the men's 10m air rifle at the ISSF Junior World Championship in Suhl, Germany, contributing to India's growing medal tally of 11, including five golds. India also secured a bronze in the women's 25m pistol team event, showcasing strong performances from its young shooting contingent.
'22 students are fighting over 35,000 seats. In that situation, when someone tells a desperate parent there is a shortcut, and the shortcut costs Rs 3 to Rs 5 lakh versus Rs 1.5 crore -- the maths is seductive.'
Indian shooter Esha Singh credits her mental fortitude, developed after the Paris Olympics, for her recent success, including a world-record gold at the ISSF World Cup in Munich.
'India kills its own talent before the world even gets to see it'
The new approach emphasises practical understanding and contemporary skills, encouraging students to think critically and apply concepts in real-world contexts, says Srividya Sridhar, principal of Lotus Petal Senior Secondary School.
rediffGURUS and CAT experts Aashish Sood and Patrick Dsouza tell you how to boost your confidence and performance in the final weeks leading to the exam.
rediffGURU Radheshyam Zanwar, founder of Zanwar Classes, guides students on how to prepare for engineering entrance exams and secure engineering admissions.
Over two lakh students move to Kota annually to prepare for competitive exams such as the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) for engineering and the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to medical colleges.
rediffGURU Radheshyam Zanwar counsels students about how to pursue a successful career in science, medicine and technology.
To future CA aspirants, this is what Sanskruti and Shruti Parolia would like to say: 'The journey is long and tough. Be consistent and persistent. The end result will be rewarding.'
Interacting with students, parents and teachers during his annual 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' programme, the prime minister suggested that students should compete with themselves and not others and parents should never sow the seeds of competition and rivalry between siblings.
What is pushing students to take this extreme step?
Instead of repeating the same study patterns, focus on creating a more efficient schedule that prioritises building a strong foundation in maths, physics and chemistry, advises Rohit Gupta, COO, College Vidya.
Mental health experts and counsellors highlight how to identify early signs of distress in children and what parents and peers can do to prevent someone from taking their life.
Gaurav Batra, founder and CEO Infinite Group, suggests smart tips to help you reduce living and transportation costs while studying in the US.
All work in the armed forces is team work. One has to deal with people all the time -- at work, play and even during war, advises IAF Veteran Air Commodore Nitin Sathe.
From mothers on sabbatical to grandparents and homemakers, many people are choosing to shift to the coaching hub Kota with their children to ensure they are not stressed while preparing for entrance exams and do not take any extreme step.
Harsh Gupta's first JEE attempt was plagued by ill-health. But he did not give up.
Ask rediffGURU Aashish Sood your CAT related questions.
Rocked by a spate of student suicides, the city police has set up a dedicated "Student Cell" to reach out to students and make attempts to detect early signs of stress and depression.
