On Thursday, the US government suspended eight IT companies from applying for green cards on behalf of foreign workers. Besides TCS, the list includes Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant and Microsoft. Washington’s argument is that the practice has made it harder for American workers to get jobs.

TCS responded on Friday. The company said it filed only a handful of applications under the programme, known as PERM, in the last two years. “Our PERM applications were in single digits in the last two years,” it said, so it doesn’t see the suspension affecting its workforce plans or customer work.

The company added that it will follow whatever instructions the US Department of Labour gives. TCS also stressed that its US strategy is built around hiring local talent, backed by a strong campus recruitment system. It says it has built a large local team across 31 offices and delivery centres in the country. It had also announced earlier that it plans to hire another 15,000 people in the US over the next five years.

Nasscom: two separate issues

Industry body Nasscom also weighed in. It said immigration and the movement of skilled talent are “two distinct issues” and shouldn’t be seen as the same thing. According to Nasscom, this decision affects one specific immigration route, and the body has always argued that the two should be kept apart.

Growing pressure on Indian IT

The move comes at a time when Indian IT firms are already dealing with a tougher environment in the US. Work visas are getting closer scrutiny and H-1B applications now cost more. The US is the biggest market for India’s USD 300-billion IT industry and companies there depend on skilled professionals being able to move across borders. This latest step adds to the uncertainty.

US H-1B crackdown: Tata, Infosys, Cognizant among 8 IT firms barred from Green Card filing| What it means for Indians

What Amazon has said

Amazon has accepted that a reduction is happening, but it calls it a change involving a "small number" of roles. The company says most of the changes are in its stores business, which handles its main online shopping operations.

The timing has drawn attention. The layoffs came just as the Great Indian Festival sale got underway. Some employees shared the news with colleagues on internal channels such as Slack.

Which teams are affected

The cuts are not limited to one kind of job. Reports say teams working on customer service, selling partner services and marketplace support have been hit. Engineers in the retail division have also lost roles.

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Why Amazon is cutting jobs again

This round follows a much bigger clean-up. Between late 2025 and January 2026, Amazon removed around 30,000 corporate jobs as it tried to cut costs and make the company simpler to run. The new layoffs are smaller, but they show that the restructuring is still not over.

At the same time, Amazon is betting big on artificial intelligence. The company plans to spend about $220 billion on data centres, chips and other infrastructure needed to run AI.

What it means for India

The cuts come even though Amazon keeps investing in India. In March, it opened a new Bengaluru campus, which it calls its second-largest office in Asia. The 1.1-million-square-foot building is expected to hold more than 7,000 employees working across e-commerce, payments, technology and seller services.

So the layoffs do not mean Amazon is leaving India. It looks more like the company is moving people and money to the areas where it wants to grow.

Great Indian Festival 2026: Offers to know

• The sale began at 12 am on October 8 for all customers. Here are the main offers:
• Up to 65 per cent off on home appliances such as TVs, refrigerators and washing machines
• 10 per cent instant discount on SBI debit and credit cards, including credit card EMI transactions
• Unlimited 5 per cent cashback for customers using the Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card
• Extra Rs 250 cashback for Prime members on select devices
• 10 per cent cashback on Amazon Pay Later EMI transactions

Primary schools will close at 2.30 pm. Middle, high and senior secondary schools will stay on until 2.50 pm. Until September 30, all schools ran from 8 am to 2 pm.

The revised timings apply to primary, middle, high and senior secondary schools and will stay in force until October 31. Punjab has more than 19,000 government schools.

The department has asked district education officers and school heads to make sure the new schedule is followed properly, so that students and parents don't face any inconvenience.

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Timings change three times a session

Punjab revises school hours thrice during an academic year. From April 1 to September 30, schools run from 8 am to 2 pm. The October 1 to October 31 schedule is the one now coming into effect.

From November 1 to February 28, primary schools will run from 9 am to 3 pm, while middle to senior secondary schools will work from 9 am to 3.20 pm.

Weather update from Punjab

Punjab is set for dry weather from today, September 30, till October 3, according to the Meteorological Centre, Chandigarh. The forecast comes as the monsoon begins its withdrawal from the state. Rainfall over the coming days is likely to stay below normal. Daytime temperatures may run slightly above normal, while nights in the north-western districts are expected to be cooler than usual. In the rest of the state, minimum temperatures should stay near normal.

Day temperatures rise by 3.3 degrees

Punjab's average maximum temperature went up by 3.3°C on Tuesday compared with the day before. It is still about 1.9°C below what is normal for this time of year.

Bathinda was the hottest place in the state at 34.0°C, while Bathinda airport recorded 33.9°C.

No rain was recorded at almost any weather station between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm on Tuesday, a sign that moisture in the air is falling.

The court directed that Class 6 students should receive the same exemption already extended to students of Classes 7, 8 and 9. The three-language policy will apply to the present Class 6 batch from April 1, 2027.

The order came after the Centre told the court that it was not ready to give Class 6 students an exemption for the current academic year.

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During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that around 99 per cent of CBSE schools had already adopted the third-language system and had the required arrangements in place.

The Centre said only about 1.2 per cent of schools were facing difficulties with the policy.

Despite the government's position, the Supreme Court said students who are currently in Class 6 should be given the same relief as the Class 7 batch.

The court also said that the broader questions surrounding the mandatory language requirement would be examined separately.

Supreme Court raises concern over sudden change

The bench also discussed the problems students could face if they were asked to change their language choices in the middle of their schooling.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant suggested that senior government officials could speak to the schools that had approached the court and understand the difficulties being faced by students and parents.

However, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing the parents, said another committee would not resolve the issue and urged the court to take a decision.

He said some students had been studying their chosen language since Class 4 and were now being asked to switch to another language.

Parents raise textbook concerns

The parents' side also raised concerns about the availability of textbooks. They told the court that while the Centre had stated that the books were available, physical copies had not been provided to students in some cases.

The lawyer cited the example of students at a Delhi Public School who had been studying Spanish since Class 4. According to the submission, several students were now being asked to study Sanskrit instead.

The parents' side also questioned the treatment of English under the new language framework and referred to its use in courts and constitutional documents.

Court says students should not face extra difficulty

The bench stressed that students should not be put under unnecessary pressure because of the change in language requirements.

Justice Joymalya Bagchi said the court wanted students to have "comfort, not difficulty" while dealing with the new system.

The court clarified that it was not stopping CBSE from implementing the policy in general. Instead, it directed that the students presently studying in Class 6 should receive the same relief as Class 7 students.

The policy will therefore be implemented for this Class 6 batch from April 1, 2027.

Case to be heard again

The Supreme Court has also kept the larger issue of the mandatory language requirement open for consideration.

The Centre has been given four weeks to file its counter-affidavit, while the petitioners will have two weeks after that to file their rejoinder. The matter has been listed after six weeks for further hearing.

An NRI entrepreneur has shared an estimate of how much a family of four may need to earn each year to maintain a comfortable lifestyle in 10 major US cities in 2026.

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A post shared by Aniruddha (@growwith_ani)

Aniruddha Anjana, a startup entrepreneur who spent around 10 years in the US before returning to India, shared the figures in an Instagram post. His calculation is based on the 50/30/20 budgeting rule, which generally allocates 50% of income to essential expenses, 30% to discretionary spending and 20% to savings or investments.

Anjana said his figures were intended to show what it could take for an H-1B worker supporting a family to live comfortably, rather than simply manage basic expenses.

San Francisco tops the list

According to Anjana's estimate, San Francisco requires the highest annual income among the 10 cities listed. A family of four would need about $407,597 a year, or roughly Rs 3.89 crore, under his calculation.

The estimated income requirements for the cities are:

San Francisco: $407,597

San Jose: $402,771

Boston: $368,742

New York: $337,875

Seattle: $334,131

Washington DC: $319,405

Chicago: $242,278

Austin: $229,050

Dallas: $214,490

Houston: $204,672

The figures are based on Anjana's own budgeting method and are not official income requirements. Actual household expenses can differ significantly depending on rent, location, childcare, healthcare, taxes, schooling and personal spending habits.

Even Houston crosses the $200,000 mark

One of the notable points in the calculation is that even Houston, which is generally considered more affordable than several major US technology hubs, comes in at more than $200,000 a year.

Anjana said this is something Indians considering a move to the US should keep in mind, particularly those relocating with spouses and children on H-1B visas.

He argued that a salary that may seem very large when converted into Indian currency can feel much less impressive after accounting for the cost of living in the US.

Why a six-figure US salary may not feel as high

For immigrant families, housing is often one of the biggest expenses. Healthcare premiums and out-of-pocket costs can also add to the monthly budget. Families with young children may additionally have to account for childcare, while education and other household expenses can further increase the financial burden.

As a result, the amount an H-1B worker actually needs can vary widely from one family to another.

Entrepreneur shares his US experience

Anjana also spoke about his own experience in the US and the reasons behind his decision to return to India.

He said he eventually felt that his earnings did not adequately reflect the personal and financial trade-offs involved in living in the US. He later started a company there and eventually moved back to India to operate it.

According to Anjana, earning in US dollars while living in India provided him with more financial flexibility. He suggested that building an income source that is not directly linked to US living costs could be an alternative to simply pursuing a higher salary.

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His post has since drawn attention to the financial realities of life in the US for immigrant families. While American salaries can appear considerably higher than comparable Indian salaries, the difference becomes less straightforward once taxes and living expenses are taken into account.

For H-1B holders with families, there is no single salary figure that guarantees a comfortable lifestyle. The required income depends on the city, family size, housing choice, childcare needs, healthcare costs and individual lifestyle.

The employee, who shared the experience in a post titled “Laid off over a Google Meet,” claimed that the team was asked to work from home that day due to “operational reasons”. However, several hours into their evening shift, employees were reportedly called into a virtual meeting and informed that the entire Indian customer service team was being terminated.

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“At 9.30pm they just invited us on a Google Meet and told us the entire Indian Customer service team has been fired!”

The employee claimed that around 80 staff members were affected, describing the development as a blow to several families.

The post also criticised the lack of advance notice and said employees had continued working long hours amid concerns over job security.

Laid off over a Google meet
by

u/Busilysnoozed in

IndianWorkplace

Employee claims performance was cited

The employee said management told the team that the Indian unit was not delivering the expected output.

However, the former employee disputed that explanation, claiming that the Indian team had worked hard and put in extra effort because of concerns about job security.

The claims have since attracted significant attention online, with social media users describing the mass termination as “sad” and “disheartening”.

When asked about the company involved, the employee identified it as Bluevine, a US digital banking platform that offers financial products and services to small businesses.

The allegations are based on the employee’s social media account and have not, from the information provided, been independently verified. There is no official statement from Bluevine too. 

The German sportswear giant informed employees about the restructuring during a town hall meeting on Tuesday, September 15. The Gurgaon tech hub currently has around 700 employees, meaning the reported job cuts could affect a substantial portion of its workforce.

Adidas has confirmed that roles are being eliminated within its technology organisation in India, although the company has not disclosed the exact number of positions being cut.

Software engineers, data teams among those affected

People familiar with the matter said employees working in technology roles, including software engineering, data science and data engineering, are among those impacted by the restructuring.

The India Technology Hub was launched in 2021 as part of Adidas’ efforts to build a strong technology and engineering talent base in the country. The centre works on technology initiatives supporting the company’s products, digital operations and broader business objectives.

According to information, employees affected by the layoffs have been placed into two groups. Some employees received their exit letters on September 15, shortly after the workforce reduction was communicated during the town hall. Another group is expected to remain with the company until December 15 to complete knowledge transfers and hand over their responsibilities.

Adidas calls workforce reduction a difficult decision

Adidas confirmed the restructuring in a statement, saying the changes are aimed at adjusting its operating model to meet changing business requirements.

The company said the move would help simplify parts of its organisation and strengthen key technology capabilities.

“India remains a strategically important market for adidas,” the company said, adding that its Technology Hub will continue to support its growth, innovation and digital transformation plans.

Adidas also said it appreciates the contributions of employees affected by the changes and will provide transition support during the process.

Also Read | 'Today is your last day': Oracle begins mass layoffs in India amid AI push, product engineering team most affected

Meanwhile, Oracle has started another round of layoffs in India, with employees from several teams receiving termination notices, sources said. The latest job cuts began in the US on September 14 and have now extended to India, with product engineering teams appearing to be the most affected.

Support and consulting teams have seen fewer layoffs, while some senior employees of Oracle Financial Services Software (OFSS) have also been affected globally. Oracle has not revealed the exact number of employees impacted by the latest cuts.

The termination email sent to employees said their positions were being eliminated as part of a “broader organisational change”. It did not give individual reasons for the layoffs.

Employees were also informed that their access to Oracle’s computers, email, voicemail and files would soon be disabled. They were asked to provide a personal email address to receive details about severance pay and other documents related to their exit.

Under the revised rules, a student travelling alone to Canada will have to show at least CAD 23,448 to cover one year of living expenses. Depending on the exchange rate, this comes to around Rs 15-17 lakh. The amount is meant to cover expenses such as accommodation, food and other basic living costs.

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The new financial requirement applies to study permit applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026. For applications made between January 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026, the living-expense requirement for a single applicant was CAD 22,895.

More funds required when family members travel with the student

The financial requirement increases when a student is accompanied by family members. For two people, including the student, IRCC now requires CAD 29,192 for living expenses. For a three-member family, the amount is CAD 35,888, while a four-member family must show CAD 43,572.

The requirement continues to rise with every additional family member. For a five-member family, the amount is CAD 49,419, and it rises to CAD 55,736 for six people and CAD 62,054 for seven people. After seven members, an additional CAD 6,318 is required for each extra family member.

These figures cover living expenses only and do not include tuition fees or transportation costs.

Tuition fee and travel expenses have to be shown separately

Students applying for a Canadian study permit should keep in mind that the new living-expense figure is not the total amount they need for their visa application.

IRCC requires applicants to demonstrate that they have enough money for their first year of studies. This includes tuition fees, living expenses and transportation costs. Students enrolling in courses lasting more than one year also need to explain how they intend to pay for the remaining period of their studies.

For instance, if a student's first-year tuition fee is CAD 20,000, that amount would have to be considered separately from the CAD 23,448 required for living expenses, along with the applicable travel costs.

What can be used as proof of funds?

Students can use different documents to demonstrate their financial ability. IRCC accepts evidence such as bank statements, education loans, scholarships, guaranteed investment certificates and other financial documents showing access to sufficient funds.

If a student's education is being funded by parents or another sponsor, relevant financial documents can also be provided to establish the source of the funds and the financial support available to the applicant.

Students should ensure that their financial documents are clear and consistent and that they can demonstrate access to enough money to cover their expected expenses in Canada.

Quebec has separate requirements

The revised figures apply to students planning to study in Canadian provinces and territories other than Quebec. Quebec has its own financial requirements, so students heading to the province must follow the rules applicable there.

For Punjab students preparing to apply for a Canadian study permit, the change means financial planning will become an even more important part of the application process. Applicants should check the latest IRCC requirements before submitting their visa file, as the required amounts can be updated periodically.

The key change from September 1 is that students applying outside Quebec will have to show CAD 23,448 in annual living expenses if travelling alone, with tuition fees and transportation costs accounted for separately.

Support and consulting teams have seen fewer layoffs, while some senior employees of Oracle Financial Services Software (OFSS) have also been affected globally. Oracle has not revealed the exact number of employees impacted by the latest cuts.

The termination email sent to employees said their positions were being eliminated as part of a “broader organisational change”. It did not give individual reasons for the layoffs.

Employees were also informed that their access to Oracle’s computers, email, voicemail and files would soon be disabled. They were asked to provide a personal email address to receive details about severance pay and other documents related to their exit.

Oracle spending billions on AI

Oracle is investing heavily in data centres and computing infrastructure to meet the growing demand for AI services. The company spent $28.5 billion on capital expenditure in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, more than three times the $8.5 billion it spent during the same period last year.

Oracle has maintained its full-year capital expenditure forecast of $90 billion to $95 billion. At the same time, demand for its AI cloud services remains strong. The company said it signed more than $30 billion in additional AI cloud contracts during the quarter.

However, building this infrastructure is expensive. Oracle reported negative free cash flow of $5.4 billion during the quarter. The company is therefore trying to balance heavy spending on AI with efforts to control costs.

Already cut 21,000 Jobs

Oracle’s workforce declined by around 21,000 employees, or 13 per cent, during fiscal 2026. The company had around 1,41,000 employees globally at the end of May, compared with approximately 1,62,000 a year earlier.

Oracle also spent about $1.84 billion on severance payments and other restructuring-related costs during the year. The company has said that the adoption and deployment of AI were among the factors behind the workforce reduction.

Passport holders from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland fall under the main exemption category. Certain other applicants may also qualify for an exemption if they have completed the required period of study in specified English-speaking countries or meet other conditions set by Australia's Department of Home Affairs.

The clarification comes at a time when Australia has tightened scrutiny of student visa applications. Refusal rates have climbed sharply in recent months, with applicants being examined more closely on the credibility of their study plans and whether their proposed education fits their academic and professional background.

India not among five exempt countries

For Indian students, the English-language requirement remains an important part of preparing a student visa application unless they qualify for an exemption under another specific provision. The five main passport-based exemption countries are the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland. Holding an Indian passport does not place an applicant in this category.

However, the English-language test requirement is only one part of the student visa process. Applicants must also satisfy other visa conditions and provide information and evidence required by the Department of Home Affairs.

Australia continues to be a major destination for Indian students. In 2025, India was the country's second-largest source of international students, with 145,012 students, behind China with 196,957. Nepal followed with 71,177 students.

The large number of students from these countries means changes in Australia's visa assessment process are closely watched by prospective applicants and education consultants.

Student visa refusals rise sharply

Against this backdrop, Australia's student visa refusal rate has reached its highest level in a decade. According to Department of Home Affairs data reported by ABC News, the overall refusal rate for international student visa applications reached 24.2% in June 2026, compared with 7.9% in June 2016.

Applicants from India and Nepal have faced particularly high refusal rates. During the 2025-26 financial year, more than 40% of applications from India were reportedly refused, while the refusal rate for Nepalese applicants was above 51%. For Chinese applicants, the reported refusal rate was considerably lower at 5.8%.

CLICK HERE TO READ DETAILED NEWS | Australia student visa shock: Refusal rate hits 10-year high, India and Nepal applicants face tough scrutiny

The overall refusal rate for international student visa applications rose to 24.2% in June 2026, the highest level recorded over the past decade. The figure marks a sharp increase from 7.9% in June 2016.

The latest numbers indicate that students applying to study in Australia are now facing much closer scrutiny, particularly over whether their study plans appear genuine and consistent with their background.

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Applicants from Nepal and India recorded some of the highest refusal rates during the 2025-26 financial year. According to the reported figures, more than 51% of applications from Nepal were refused, while the refusal rate for applicants from India was above 40%. The rate was considerably lower for applicants from China, at 5.8%.

However, the figures do not mean that applications are rejected simply because of an applicant's nationality. Australia's Department of Home Affairs says every application is assessed individually against the country's migration requirements.

The difference in refusal rates nevertheless highlights the level of scrutiny currently being applied to student visa applications.

Genuine Student requirement under focus

One of the most important parts of the assessment is Australia's Genuine Student requirement.

Applicants are expected to explain why they want to study a particular course and show that the proposed education makes sense in light of their previous studies, employment history, personal circumstances and future career plans.

Immigration officials may look at an applicant's circumstances in their home country, their expected situation in Australia, the relevance and value of the chosen course, previous immigration history and other factors.

Simply stating that Australia provides good education may not be enough.

Applicants are expected to give a clear explanation of why they selected the course, how it connects with their existing education or work experience and how it supports their future plans.

A study plan that appears inconsistent with an applicant's background may therefore face greater scrutiny.

What should students do after a visa refusal?

Students who receive a visa refusal should first go through the refusal letter carefully.

The letter should be checked for the specific reasons behind the decision, the visa requirement that was not satisfied, the evidence considered by the department and whether the applicant has a right to seek a review.

Depending on the circumstances, some applicants may be able to approach the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). Others may need to submit a fresh application or explore a different migration option.

Any review deadline mentioned in the decision should be followed closely.

Since June 1, 2026, most student visa refusal reviews at the ART are generally being decided without an oral hearing. This makes the written submission and supporting evidence particularly important for applicants who are eligible for review.

Reapplying without fixing the problem could hurt

A visa refusal does not necessarily mean that an applicant has no further options. However, submitting another application without dealing with the concerns raised in the original refusal could weaken the new case.

Students should first understand why their application was rejected and make sure any future application directly addresses those concerns.

With Australia's student visa refusal rate now at its highest level in a decade, applicants are likely to face greater attention on the credibility of their study plans and the overall consistency of their applications.

Those planning to apply, or those who have already received a refusal, should carefully review the applicable requirements and consider seeking qualified immigration advice before deciding on their next step.

The warning comes as demand for EB-1 visas among Indian applicants continues to remain high. The US fiscal year ends on September 30.

The EB-1 category is meant for priority workers, including people with extraordinary abilities, leading academics and researchers, as well as certain multinational company executives and managers.

US issues warning over EB-1 visa numbers

The US State Department issued the warning in its September Visa Bulletin. It said the number of EB-1 visas being used by applicants chargeable to India could reach the country's annual limit in the coming weeks.

If that happens, the EB-1 category for Indian applicants could be made unavailable for the rest of the fiscal year.

The department said it would continue to monitor the situation and make changes if necessary.

The development is important for Indian green card applicants because they are already dealing with long waiting periods in several employment-based categories.

EB-1 India cutoff date

For September, the final action date for Indian applicants in the EB-1 category is October 15, 2022.

In simple terms, an applicant generally needs a priority date before the listed cutoff date for a visa number to be available for final processing, provided all other requirements are met.

EB-2 India category unavailable

The situation is even more difficult in the EB-2 category, which covers professionals with advanced degrees and individuals with exceptional ability.

For September, the EB-2 category for India has been marked "U," or unavailable.

According to the State Department, this means visa numbers cannot be issued in that category during the month.

Long wait continues in EB-3

Indian applicants are also facing a major backlog in the EB-3 category, which covers skilled workers, professionals and certain other workers.

The EB-3 waiting line for Indians remains more than a decade long, showing the extent of the immigration backlog faced by applicants from the country.

The EB-5 investor programme is also facing restrictions. India's unreserved EB-5 category is unavailable for final action in September.

However, certain EB-5 set-aside categories remain available for applicants from all countries. These include visas reserved for rural areas, high-unemployment areas and qualifying infrastructure projects.

Filing dates give applicants some relief

The dates-for-filing chart provides slightly more flexibility than the final action dates.

For September, the filing date for Indian applicants is December 1, 2023, for EB-1 and January 15, 2015, for EB-2 and EB-3.

However, applicants already in the US and planning to file for adjustment of status should first check which Visa Bulletin chart the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has authorised for that month.

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Why Indian applicants face long delays

The continuing backlog is largely linked to the high number of employment-based green card applicants from India, combined with annual limits on employment-based immigrant visas.

With demand remaining strong, Indian professionals could continue to face uncertainty over when their green card applications will move forward.

The latest EB-1 warning adds to those concerns, particularly for applicants who have already spent years waiting for permanent residency in the US.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the one-year restriction as city officials begin a wider review of how AI is being used by children in classrooms. The move has been described by officials as one of the broadest student AI bans in the United States.

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AI ban to affect around 600,000 students

The temporary policy will apply to students through eighth grade and is expected to affect around 600,000 children in New York City public schools.

The city plans to stop the use of around 40 educational AI tools currently available in classrooms. AI-powered companion chatbots will also be prohibited across all grade levels.

The restriction is aimed at giving officials time to examine whether these technologies are helping students learn or creating problems such as excessive dependence on AI, cheating and reduced face-to-face interaction.

High school students will not face a full AI ban

Students in high school will not be covered by the full restriction. Instead, New York City plans to introduce AI literacy classes twice a year for public high school students. Some students will also take part in pilot programmes where selected AI platforms can be used under teacher supervision.

Teachers will continue to have access to AI tools for certain professional tasks, including lesson planning, scheduling and other administrative work.

What Mayor Zohran Mamdani said

Mamdani said schools should continue to focus on personal interaction and independent thinking. He argued that students need teachers, classmates and direct relationships with educators as they develop important academic and social skills.

The mayor also said schools should apply the same critical thinking to AI that they encourage students to use in other areas of learning.

New York also plans screen time limits

The AI restrictions are part of a larger plan to reduce unnecessary technology use in schools.

New York City is recommending daily screen-time limits of 30 minutes for students in grades three through five and 45 minutes for students in grades six through eight.

The city also plans to review education technology products used in schools and remove tools that officials believe are not essential to learning.

Los Angeles has taken a similar step

New York is not the only major US school district taking a cautious approach to generative AI. Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest school district in the country, has also temporarily blocked generative AI tools on student devices while it works on a broader policy.

Across the US, at least 37 states have issued some form of guidance on the use of AI in schools. However, there is still no nationwide standard covering AI literacy or how students should use these tools.

Bidhan, who is originally from Jind, Haryana, is a research scholar at Panjab University. The formal announcement of the election results is expected shortly.

The victory is significant for ABVP as it is the first time in Panjab University’s history that the organisation has secured the council’s top post for two consecutive terms. However, this time SOI had also extended support to the ABVP.

Four-way contest for president

The election for president saw a four-cornered contest between Gurman Singh Sidhu of NSUI, Aadil Bir Singh of AAP-backed ASAP, Ankit Bidhan of ABVP and Darshpreet Singh of Sath.

Voting was held for several positions, including president, vice-president, secretary, joint secretary and department representatives.

A total of 16 candidates were in the fray, with four candidates contesting for the president’s post.

Results from Chandigarh colleges

Apart from Panjab University, results were also declared at other colleges in Chandigarh.

Abhiraj Singh secured the president’s post at GGDSD College, Sector 32, while Parminder Singh won the president’s post at Post Graduate Government College, Sector 46.

Polling began at 9.30 am amid tight security and a heavy police presence. Voting continued until 11.30 am, after which the counting process started at noon.

The final official results are expected to be announced soon.

The scholarships are being offered for two one-year diploma courses — Interactive Comics & Sequential Arts and Visual Effects Mastery — and four six-month certificate courses in Virtual Art Department Content Creation, Media Tech Workflow, Character Animation, and E-Sports & Gaming Management.

Students and working professionals from across India can apply for these scholarships.

The initiative comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos on August 5. During the meeting, Modi spoke about India’s strong storytelling tradition and large pool of creative talent. He also stressed the need to make India a global centre for content creation.

Following this, the Netflix India Storytelling Initiative was launched to support India's creative talent and provide young storytellers with industry-focused skills in Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC).

IICT said the courses Visual Effects Mastery and Media Tech Workflow have been designed according to current industry practices and international standards, with inputs from Netflix.

IICT Board Chairman and Information and Broadcasting Ministry Secretary Chanchal Kumar said the creative industry is going through a major transformation as technology is changing the way stories are created.

ਭਰਤੀ ਨਾਲ ਜੁੜੀਆਂ ਕੁਝ ਖ਼ਾਸ ਗੱਲ੍ਹਾ 

• ਕੁੱਲ ਅਸਾਮੀਆਂ: 1401 
• ਅਹੁਦਾ : ਸੇਵਾਦਾਰ, ਚੌਕੀਦਾਰ, ਸਫਾਈ ਸੇਵਕ, ਮਾਲੀ, ਬੇਲਦਾਰ, ਵਾਟਰ ਕੈਰੀਅਰ, ਐਨੀਮਲ ਅਟੈਂਡੈਂਟ ਅਤੇ ਹੋਰ ਗਰੁੱਪ-ਡੀ ਅਸਾਮੀਆਂ ਸ਼ਾਮਲ 
• ​ਆਨਲਾਈਨ ਫਾਰਮ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਹੋਣ ਦੀ ਮਿਤੀ: 25 ਅਗਸਤ 2026  
• ​ਆਨਲਾਈਨ ਅਪਲਾਈ ਅਤੇ ਫੀਸ ਭਰਨ ਦੀ ਆਖਰੀ ਮਿਤੀ: 04 ਸਤੰਬਰ 2026  
• ​ਅਧਿਕਾਰਤ ਵੈੱਬਸਾਈਟ: sssb.punjab.gov.in  

ਇੱਥੇ ਇਹ ਵੀ ਧਿਆਨਦੇਣਯੋਗ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਉਮੀਦਵਾਰਾਂ ਨੇ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਹੀ ਫਾਰਮ ਭਰ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਹਨ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਇਹ ਫਾਰਮ ਮੁੜ ਤੋਂ ਭਰਨ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ।  

ਵਿੱਦਿਅਕ ਯੋਗਤਾ : ਉਮੀਦਵਾਰ ਨੇ ਕਿਸੇ ਮਾਨਤਾ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਬੋਰਡ/ਸੰਸਥਾ ਤੋਂ ਦਸਵੀਂ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਖਿਆ ਪਾਸ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੋਵੇ ਤੇ ਦਸਵੀਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਭਾਸ਼ਾ ਇੱਕ ਲਾਜ਼ਮੀ। 

ਉਮਰ ਸੀਮਾ - (01.01.2026 ਤੱਕ)

• ​ਆਮ ਵਰਗ: 18 ਤੋਂ 37 ਸਾਲ 
• ​ਪੱਛੜੀਆਂ ਸ਼੍ਰੇਣੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਅਨੁਸੂਚਿਤ ਜਾਤੀ : 18 ਤੋਂ 42 ਸਾਲ  
• ​ਦਿਵਿਆਂਗ : 18 ਤੋਂ 47 ਸਾਲ  
• ​ਸਾਬਕਾ ਫੌਜੀ : ਨਿਯਮਾਂ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਉਮਰ ਸੀਮਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਛੋਟ   

ਫੀਸ 

• ​ਆਮ ਵਰਗ / ਸੁਤੰਤਰਤਾ ਸੰਗਰਾਮੀ / ਖਿਡਾਰੀ: 1000/-  
• ​ਅਨੁਸੂਚਿਤ ਜਾਤੀ / ਪੱਛੜੀ ਸ਼੍ਰੇਣੀ / EWS: 250/-  
• ​ਸਾਬਕਾ ਫੌਜੀ ਅਤੇ ਆਸ਼ਰਿਤ : 200/-  
• ​ਦਿਵਿਆਂਗ : 500/-  

ਚੋਣ ਵਿਧੀ 

• ​ਲਿਖਤੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਖਿਆ : ਪ੍ਰੀਖਿਆ ਦੋ ਭਾਗਾਂ (Part-A ਅਤੇ Part-B) ਵਿੱਚ ਲਏ ਜਾਣ ਦੀ ਯੋਜਨਾ  
• ​Part-A: ਦਸਵੀਂ ਪੱਧਰ ਦੀ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਭਾਸ਼ਾ ਦਾ ਟੈਸਟ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ (ਕੁਆਲੀਫਾਈ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਘੱਟੋ-ਘੱਟ 50% ਅੰਕ ਜ਼ਰੂਰੀ)।  
• ​Part-B: ਲਿਖਤੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਖਿਆ ਵਿੱਚ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਅੰਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਆਧਾਰ 'ਤੇ ਹੀ ਅੰਤਿਮ ਮੈਰਿਟ ਲਿਸਟ। ਦੱਸ ਦਈਏ ਕਿ ਪਾਰਟ ਬੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਨੇਗੇਟਿਵ ਮਾਰਕਿੰਗ ਵੀ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ - 1/4 ਅੰਕ ਕੱਟਿਆ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ।

ਇਹ ਵੀ ਪੜ੍ਹੋ  : 'Cockroach' ਮੁੜ ਆ ਰਹੇ ਦਿੱਲੀ ; CJP ਨੇ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਵੱਡਾ ਐਲਾਨ, ਜੰਤਰ-ਮੰਤਰ ਮਗਰੋਂ ਹੁਣ ਇੰਡੀਆ ਗੇਟ

The activities included an Intra-College Startup Idea Competition organised by Dr. Kanupriya and Dr. Rakesh, a competition on business challenges by Dr. Shaveta and Dr. Nisha, and a mentoring session on Lean Startups by Dr. Anupreet and Dr. Gurwinder. Dr. Rajesh Sharma, Dr. Karuna and Dr. Chetan organised workshops on AI tools for fundraising and drone making, while Dr. Priyanka, Dr. Rita and Dr. Urmila conducted a session on addressing financial needs of startups. Dr. Saurabh and Ms. Anu, along with Dr. Kamalpreet, organised poster presentations on startup ideas.

The programmes covered various dimensions of innovation and entrepreneurship, aiming to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the college and channelise youth energy towards productive and nation-building activities. Students participated enthusiastically in all the activities.

Prof. (Dr.) Rama Arora, Principal, congratulated the staff and motivated them to continue such initiatives. Dr. Baljeet Singh, Convener, Innovation Cell, and Dr. Tanuja Talwar, Startup Coordinator, appreciated the efforts of the organising team and emphasised the important role of teachers in channelising the energy of youth in a constructive direction.

Prominent resource persons included Mr. Aman from iTinker Lab, Mr. Ashish Mehta, COO, Innovation Mission Punjab, Mr. Rahul Mahajan (Entrepreneur), and Dr. Ajay Kumar Godara, Founder & Director, Enovate Skill.

The event aimed to celebrate the spirit of independence while promoting environmental awareness, sustainability and community participation.

Also Read: Independence Day: PM Modi announces AI training, free online coaching for competitive exams for youths

As part of the initiative, 80 medicinal plants were distributed to underline the importance of protecting the environment and promoting a greener and healthier future.

Students of the Rotaract Club, members of the Rotary Club of Chandigarh Uptown and members of the public participated in the Walkathon.

 The participation of students highlighted the role of youth in community service, volunteerism and social responsibility.

The event also saw enthusiastic participation from the public, adding to the spirit of unity and patriotism at Sukhna Lake.

The organisers said the initiative was aimed at linking Independence Day celebrations with a sense of responsibility towards the environment and society. The Walkathon and plant distribution conveyed a simple message of contributing to a greener India.

The initiative also reaffirmed the commitment of the Rotaract Club of Amity University Punjab and Rotary Club of Chandigarh Uptown to promoting youth participation, environmental sustainability and community service.

According to the organisers, the objective of this initiative was to liken Independence Day celebrations with a sense of responsibility that each and every individual should possess towards environment and society. The message conveyed through this walkathon was simple- to make significant contribution to a greener India. 

Also Read: 'Last 48 hours extremely difficult': Harsimrat Kaur Badal gets emotional, says 'attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal well planned conspiracy

The Supreme Court made it clear that students cannot be prevented from expressing their views through lawful and peaceful means. The bench also restrained the BCI and state bar councils from taking punitive or criminal action against students or faculty members of national law universities and other universities over the controversy.

Supreme Court takes up NALSAR enrolment row

The observations came after senior advocate K Parameshwar raised the matter before a bench headed by CJI Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.

The court agreed to hear a petition challenging the BCI's actions and issued notice to the Council. The BCI has been asked to file its response within two weeks.

CJI Kant said the BCI's intervention was unnecessary and stressed that students have a constitutional right to protest when they have a genuine grievance. “If students have a cause or a reason to protest, they have a right to protest. Nobody can stop them, and we will not allow this,” the CJI observed.

Also Read | Chamoli tunnel accident: 7 workers dead at THDC Pipalkoti Project, rescue operation underway

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During the hearing, Parameshwar argued that the BCI had no role in matters taking place within a university and that its actions affected students' fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression.

The senior advocate said that withdrawing the BCI's initial order freezing enrolment did not resolve the underlying issue.

The CJI backed the submission, saying the students had written to him and that the matter was essentially a dialogue between the students and the Chief Justice.

“We are with you. This is absolutely uncalled for. They had no business to interfere,” CJI Kant said.

He also referred to his own student days and said universities must allow students to express dissent. “So long as they are lawfully and peacefully protesting, they have a right to raise their voice,” he said.

CJI says even wrong views can be expressed

The Chief Justice further stressed that democratic institutions should be open to criticism and disagreement. “We have to be large-hearted. They should be allowed to speak. Even if they are wrong, they have a right to speak,” he said.

Justice Joymalya Bagchi also questioned whether the BCI's decision relating to the NALSAR students had actually been taken at a properly convened meeting of the Council. The court asked the BCI to explain the process in its response.

Supreme Court directs BCI not to block enrolment

The bench also asked the BCI to ensure that the students' enrolment was not delayed because of the controversy.

CJI Kant, through senior advocate Parameshwar, urged the affected students to complete their enrolment and apply for membership of the Supreme Court Bar Association.

In its order, the Supreme Court said that until further orders, no punitive or criminal action should be taken against students or faculty members of national law universities or other universities in connection with the matter.

How the NALSAR controversy started

The dispute began after a group of NALSAR students objected to the decision to invite CJI Surya Kant as the chief guest at their convocation.

On July 23, around 70 students from the outgoing LLB batch submitted their first representation. Students from other batches later expressed support for the campaign. The students referred to observations made by CJI Kant during proceedings concerning a petition alleging police excesses during student protests in Delhi.

They argued that the choice of a convocation chief guest should be consistent with NALSAR's commitment to constitutional values, access to justice and the right to raise grievances.

BCI changed its stand multiple times

The Supreme Court hearing came shortly after the BCI changed its position on the issue for the third time. BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra announced on Friday morning that proceedings against the NALSAR 2026 graduating batch would be closed completely.

In a post on X, Mishra said the decision was taken after considering representations from senior advocates, members of the Bar, law students and other members of the public.

He said the BCI was satisfied that the 2026 batch as a whole had not been involved in any disturbance or movement and that no further action was required against NALSAR.

BCI had earlier frozen enrolment

The latest decision marked a significant change from the Council's position a day earlier. On Thursday, Mishra had directed all State Bar Councils not to enrol students who graduated from NALSAR in 2026 until further orders.

The BCI had also sought an authenticated report from the university identifying individuals who allegedly initiated, organised or coordinated the campaign against CJI Kant's participation in the convocation.

Later the same day, the Council modified its order and said the majority of students were innocent and should not suffer for the actions of others.

However, it continued with an inquiry into allegations that some teachers and outsiders had influenced or misled students. The BCI's latest announcement has now dropped that inquiry as well.

NALSAR had questioned BCI's authority

The decision also followed a response from NALSAR Vice-Chancellor Srikrishna Deva Rao.

The university had indicated that it would examine, under its governance regulations, whether the inquiry sought by the BCI fell within the Council's constitutional powers.

While withdrawing the proceedings, BCI chairman Mishra advised students to maintain institutional discipline and decorum.

He said students should express their opinions freely but with respect for legal and judicial institutions. He also said dissent is an important part of democracy, while public ridicule of institutions can be counterproductive.

CJI Surya Kant, Surya Kant NALSAR controversy, NALSAR University of Law, NALSAR enrolment row, BCI NALSAR controversy, Bar Council of India, NALSAR students protest, Supreme Court NALSAR case, CJI Surya Kant latest news, students right to protest, NALSAR 2026 batch, BCI enrolment freeze, Supreme Court latest news, law students protest

Tags: CJI Surya Kant, NALSAR, NALSAR University of Law, Bar Council of India, BCI, Supreme Court, Law Students, Students Protest, NALSAR Enrolment, Surya Kant, Legal News, India News

URL: cji-surya-kant-slams-bci-nalsar-enrolment-row-students-right-to-protest

Meta Description: CJI Surya Kant criticised the BCI over the NALSAR enrolment row, saying students have the right to peacefully protest. Supreme Court restrained punitive action against students and faculty.

The case has surfaced weeks after the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, which had forced the National Testing Agency (NTA) to conduct a re-exam for affected candidates on June 21. Since then, questions have kept coming up about how exam records were maintained and processed.

Also Read | Vande Mataram echoes through Parliament as Monsoon Session ends: A first in history

The petitioner, Diksha Devi, took the re-exam after the leak controversy. She has now approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking judicial intervention over what she says are serious irregularities in her OMR sheet and scorecard.

Her lawyer, appearing before a bench of Justice Suvir Sehgal and Justice Dipinder Singh Nalwa, told the court that two different scorecards had been uploaded on the NTA website for the same candidate. One scorecard showed she scored 85 out of 720, while an earlier version had shown 520 out of 720. The lawyer argued that this points to the OMR sheet itself having been altered by the NTA.

NTA's response in court

Arun Gosain, the lawyer representing the NTA, told the court that the petitioner's earlier application on this matter had already been resolved. He placed on record a copy of an email dated July 27 related to the case.

After hearing both sides, the Bench directed that the original OMR sheet and scorecard be produced before the court in a sealed envelope. The matter has been listed for further hearing on August 14.

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How the score kept changing

According to her petition, the NTA had uploaded her OMR sheet on its website on July 13, along with a correction window for candidates. After matching her marked answers with the official answer key, she calculated her own score to be 520 out of 720.

However, when NEET results were declared on July 16, her scorecard showed only 85 marks out of 720.

Confused by the mismatch, she received another OMR sheet from the NTA on July 17. She claims that while the personal details on both OMR sheets were identical, the answers marked on them were different. The second sheet, she alleges, contained answers that added up to only 85 marks, not the 520 she had calculated herself.

The irregularities continued even after she raised a complaint. On July 19, she received an email from the NTA stating her score as 520 out of 720, matching the credentials on her original mark sheet.

Following this, she and her family visited the NTA office on July 20 and filed a written complaint about the discrepancy. She says her result was subsequently changed back to 520. But on July 27, it was altered once again,  this time back down to 85.