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.

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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

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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.

Also Read | Wife, lover kill Delhi man in his sleep, stage fake robbery; here's how police cracked the case

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.

The outreach was organised under the ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’ campaign, which aims to educate people about fake visa offers, fraudulent agents and unsafe routes to overseas education and employment.

Rajinder S Nagarkoti, senior adviser at the British High Commission, and Capt Sandeep Sandhu, general secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, also participated in the interaction.

The session gave local residents and young people an opportunity to ask questions about UK visas, overseas education and employment opportunities.

Also Read | Viral: Daughter dies one month before graduation, father walks on stage with her cutout to receive degree

The British delegation used the interaction to explain the risks associated with fraudulent visa agents and misleading promises made to prospective travellers.

Alba Smeriglio and Nagarkoti urged people to use verified sources of information before making decisions about studying or working in the UK.

They also advised young people and families to be careful when dealing with agents who promise quick or guaranteed results.

Officials highlighted common warning signs of visa fraud, including claims that an applicant is guaranteed a UK visa or a guaranteed job in Britain.

The ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’ campaign is being taken to educational institutions and local communities across Punjab and Haryana.

The campaign aims to help prospective students, workers and travellers understand the legal procedures for travelling to the UK and avoid fraudulent schemes.

Through direct engagement with communities, UK officials are encouraging people to check information carefully before paying agents or submitting visa applications.

WhatsApp Chatbot offers visa guidance

As part of the awareness drive, the British High Commission is also encouraging prospective travellers to use its dedicated WhatsApp chatbot for information related to UK visas. The chatbot can be accessed at 91 70652 51380 and provides guidance on UK visa-related queries.

Officials said the campaign is aimed at helping people make informed decisions and choose legal and secure routes for overseas education and employment.

Under the new regulations, employers covered by the rule will have to pay $4,000 for each H-1B visa extension and $4,500 for each L-1 visa extension. Earlier these fees were generally charged when filing new visa petitions or when an employee changed jobs, rather than for routine extensions.

The changes are expected to have a significant impact on large Indian IT and consulting companies that employ thousands of professionals in the United States.


Also Read |  Viral: Daughter dies one month before graduation, father walks on stage with her cutout to receive degree

According to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the revised 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee will come into effect on September 9. The rule will apply to employers that have 50 or more employees in the United States, where more than half of the workforce holds H-1B or L-1 visas.

This means technology companies, global consulting firms and IT service providers with a large number of foreign professionals will face higher visa-related expenses.

Companies to pay extra for visa extensions

The biggest change is that employers will now have to pay the additional fee whenever they seek to extend the visa of an existing employee.

Until now, companies generally did not have to pay this charge when applying for routine extensions for workers already employed in the country.

However, DHS has clarified that applications that do not request an extension of stay will not be subject to the higher fee.

Indian IT firms likely to be affected

Many of India's largest IT and consulting companies rely heavily on the H-1B and L-1 visa system to send engineers and professionals to work with clients in the United States. As a result, companies with thousands of Indian employees on these visas could see their annual immigration costs rise substantially.

Industry experts expect the rule to add millions of dollars in additional expenses for firms that regularly renew visas for large numbers of employees.

US govt expects $157.3 million in revenue

The US government estimates that the new fee structure will generate around $157.3 million every year. The money collected will be used to support the biometric entry-exit system operated by US Customs and Border Protection.

The fee was originally introduced by Congress in 2015 as part of efforts aimed at strengthening national security and improving the country's immigration monitoring systems.

Higher costs for technology and consulting companies

The revised rules are likely to increase the overall cost of employing foreign professionals in the United States, particularly for companies that depend heavily on skilled workers holding H-1B and L-1 visas.

For large Indian IT companies, which have thousands of engineers working in the US, the new extension fees could translate into a significant additional financial burden each year.

Cherilyn Cahilig had completed her Business Management degree at the University of Antique. She had been preparing to attend her graduation ceremony when she met with a road accident and died. 

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Student dies in road mishap

Cherilyn died in a road accident just one month before her graduation ceremony. She had worked toward completing her degree and had hoped to personally walk across the stage to receive her diploma. However, her sudden death meant she could no longer be there for the moment she had worked so hard to achieve.

Her family and university community decided that her achievement should still be recognised.

University creates life-size graduation cutout

Teachers and friends at the University of Antique came up with a touching way to keep Cherilyn's presence alive during the graduation ceremony. They arranged a life-size cardboard cutout of Cherilyn wearing a graduation cap and gown.

The standee allowed her to symbolically take part in the ceremony despite her absence.

Father walks on stage with daughter’s cutout

During the graduation ceremony, Cherilyn's father, Cesar Cahilig, carried the life-size cutout of his daughter onto the stage. He accepted her diploma on her behalf.

Other members of the family also joined the emotional moment. They were seen carrying flowers and framed photographs of Cherilyn as the family gathered to honour her achievement. The scene left many people at the ceremony visibly emotional.

Emotional graduation photos go viral

Cherilyn could not be physically present to hear her name called or collect her degree herself. However, her family, friends and teachers ensured that her achievement received the recognition it deserved.

Photos and videos showing Cesar Cahilig receiving the diploma alongside his daughter's life-size cutout have since attracted widespread attention on social media.

The revised fee will increase the total tuition cost of the five-and-a-half-year MBBS course from Rs 9.98 lakh to Rs 10.83 lakh, adding nearly
Rs 85,000 to the overall cost of medical education.

New fee structure for MBBS students

As per the revised fee structure, the first-year tuition fee has been increased from Rs 1.92 lakh to Rs 2.02 lakh. The fee for the second year has gone up from Rs 2.11 lakh to Rs 2.22 lakh.

For third-year students, the fee will now be Rs 2.44 lakh, compared with Rs 2.29 lakh earlier. The fourth-year fee has also been raised from Rs 2.49 lakh to Rs 2.68 lakh.

The sharpest increase has been announced for the final six months of the course. The fee for this period has risen from Rs 1.17 lakh to Rs 1.47 lakh, an increase of Rs 30,000.

With these revisions, the total tuition fee for the complete MBBS course will rise from Rs 9.98 lakh to Rs 10.83 lakh.

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Fee hike to apply to 2026-27 admissions

The revised fee structure will apply to students admitted through the Punjab NEET-UG counselling process for the 2026-27 academic session.

Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS), Faridkot, conducts counselling in Punjab for admission to MBBS and BDS courses offered by medical and dental colleges across the state.

Candidates qualifying for NEET-UG can seek admission under different categories, including the state quota, government quota, management quota, minority quota and NRI quota.

Under the existing admission arrangement, 85% of MBBS seats in government medical colleges are filled through Punjab state counselling conducted by BFUHS. The remaining 15% are allotted through the All India Quota.

Govt defends annual revision

The Punjab medical education department has defended the increase, saying it is part of the annual fee revision mechanism introduced through a notification issued in 2020 by the then Congress government.

The department said the decision to increase tuition fees every year was taken by the previous government.

However, officials noted that the recently notified fee structure reflects an increase of around 8.5%. The annual hike was supposed to be 5%, and the discrepancy is expected to be corrected by Monday.

RDA opposes increase in medical fees

The fee hike has drawn opposition from the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA), which has raised concerns over the rising cost of medical education.

The fee revision comes at a time when Punjab has one of the lowest numbers of government medical colleges among neighbouring states.

According to the National Medical Commission’s MBBS seat matrix for the 2026 academic session, Punjab has only five government medical colleges, the lowest number among several neighbouring states.

Rajasthan has 33 government medical colleges, while Delhi and Haryana have eight each. Himachal Pradesh has six.

Punjab also has seven private medical colleges, but tuition fees at these institutions are considerably higher. Government medical colleges therefore remain the more affordable option for many students.

New Government Medical College planned in Hoshiarpur

The Punjab government has announced plans to expand medical education infrastructure in the state. The first new government medical college under the expansion plan is expected to become operational by 2028 in Hoshiarpur. The existing district hospital is being upgraded into a medical college under a 60:40 funding arrangement between the Centre and the state government.

The expansion is expected to increase the number of government medical seats in Punjab, although the state continues to have fewer government medical colleges compared with several neighbouring states.

Eligible candidates can register through the official Civil Defence portal by visiting https://civildefencewarriors.gov.in/.

Who can apply?

According to Manpreet Singh Randhawa, District Commander, Punjab Home Guards-cum-Additional Controller Civil Defence, Amritsar, every eligible Indian citizen aged 18 years or above can apply for enrolment as a civil defence volunteer.

The entire application process is online. Applicants can register using their mobile number, complete the application form and later track the status of their application through the portal.

Training in disaster management and emergency response

Selected civil defence volunteers receive regular training in several critical areas, including disaster management, first aid, fire safety, search and rescue operations, emergency response and public safety.

The training equips volunteers to assist the administration during natural disasters, emergencies and other crisis situations.

Volunteers play a key role during emergencies

Civil defence volunteers work alongside government agencies during disasters to support rescue operations, provide relief assistance and help ensure public safety.

Officials said these volunteers play a crucial role in strengthening disaster preparedness and community response during emergencies.

Citizens urged to participate

District Commander Manpreet Singh Randhawa has appealed to eligible citizens to come forward and register in large numbers to contribute towards national service. For additional information, interested applicants can contact their nearest Civil Defence office or local Civil Defence officials and volunteers.

The email landed between 4 am and 5 am.

Visa Layoffs: What Happened In India?

The layoffs were not limited to junior employees only, rather senior directors, engineer managers and employees who had spent years with Visa were also among those affected. 

The job cuts would reduce around 7 % of global workforce affecting nearly 2,600 employees as Visa looks to expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) across its business. Chief Executive Officer Ryan McInerney said the company was reshaping its workforce to prepare for the next phase of AI adoption.

Notably, Visa had about 34,100 employees in fiscal 2025. That means the latest cuts amount to roughly one in every 14 employees globally. 

Layoffs not due to business crisis

Visa continues to perform well, with consumer spending staying strong. Its business model is also different from traditional banks because it earns mainly from processing transactions rather than lending money, which means it faces much lower credit risk.

This means the company's job cuts are not about financial trouble or survival. Instead, they are part of an effort to reshape its workforce as technology and business needs continue to change.

The development is especially important for India. Over the years, many global technology companies have built large engineering and operations teams in the country, creating thousands of jobs.

Visa is one of them, with major technology centres in India employing thousands of people across engineering, product development and corporate functions. As a result, the layoffs have raised concerns among India's technology workforce.

The bigger question now is whether more global companies will start reducing technology jobs as advances in automation and artificial intelligence allow some work to be done with fewer employees. Similar trends are already being seen at other multinational companies.

The agitation has also received support from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), adding momentum to the growing movement.

#WATCH | Ranchi, Jharkhand: Student leader Devendra Nath Mahato sat on an indefinite hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in protest against irregularities in competitive exams.

He said, "The results of the 14th Preliminary Test (PT) were declared on the 2nd of last… pic.twitter.com/uOfljeOeZH

— ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2026

Hunger strike begins in Ranchi

Mahato launched his indefinite hunger strike on Sunday at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, where students have been protesting over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations conducted by the JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

Addressing the gathering, Mahato said the controversy began after the results of the 14th JPSC Preliminary Test were announced last month.

He recalled that students launched their protest on July 5, met the Governor on July 7, staged an effigy-burning protest on July 8, and later submitted evidence to Chief Minister Hemant Soren during a meeting on July 20, which led to official action.

#WATCH | Ranchi, Jharkhand | Protests by students over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations continue in Ranchi.

CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke and Ashutosh spoke to the protesting aspirants over a phone call to extend support and discuss the ongoing issues regarding… pic.twitter.com/ILqyozAXqa

— ANI (@ANI) August 2, 2026

'Students are losing confidence'

Mahato alleged that despite weeks of demonstrations, the state government and the JPSC had failed to address the concerns of aspirants.

He said the government's response had discouraged thousands of students and that he had decided to begin an indefinite fast to strengthen the movement.

According to Mahato, the primary demands include the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Preliminary Test and an investigation into all examinations conducted through the TDPL agency.

He also stated that the hunger strike would continue until the government accepted the demands submitted to the Chief Minister.

Protesters seek reforms in recruitment process

Besides seeking cancellation of the examination, students are demanding a complete review of recruitment examinations conducted through TDPL and structural reforms in both the JPSC and JSSC.

Mahato said the movement was not limited to one examination but aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability and fairness in future recruitment processes.

Why are students protesting?

The protests have been triggered by allegations of repeated paper leaks, recruitment irregularities and administrative failures in several competitive examinations conducted in Jharkhand.

Students claim that multiple recruitment tests have been compromised, affecting the careers of thousands of job aspirants.

One of the protesters alleged that question papers in examinations conducted by JPSC and JSSC have repeatedly been leaked.

Another student said merely taking action after controversies emerge is not enough. She argued that the government acted in the JPSC matter only after an OMR sheet reportedly surfaced publicly.

Students demand transparency and accountability

The protesters are urging the Hemant Soren government to initiate direct talks with students and ensure complete transparency in the recruitment process.

They have also demanded immediate action against examinations linked to the blacklisted TDL company, accountability for those responsible for alleged irregularities and reforms in recruitment agencies.

As part of the ongoing agitation, students also organised a Mashal March in Ranchi.

Fifth day of continuous protest

The agitation entered its fifth consecutive day on Sunday, with hundreds of students continuing their sit-in protest that began on July 29.

Among the key demands are:

Cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination held on April 19.

A CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation into alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by JPSC and JSSC.

Introduction of a fifth "Not Attempted" option in OMR answer sheets.

Comprehensive reforms in the state's recruitment agencies.

CJP extends support

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has extended its support to the protesting students. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said he had spoken to the students and backed their demands.

In a post on X, Dipke stated that the party stands with students protesting against alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations.

Candidates who have registered for the examination are advised to check the updated schedule and keep an eye on the official regional RRB websites for the release of admit cards.

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According to the updated timetable, the Computer-Based Test will be held in multiple phases across the country on the following dates:

August 3 to August 6, 2026

August 9 to August 14, 2026

August 25, 2026

The revised schedule extends the examination period, giving the Railway Recruitment Board additional time to conduct the recruitment process smoothly at various examination centres nationwide.

22,195 Level-1 vacancies to be filled 

The RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 drive aims to fill 22,195 vacancies for Level-1 posts in different zones and divisions of the Indian Railways.

The recruitment is one of the biggest hiring drives by Indian Railways, attracting lakhs of aspirants from across the country.

Lakhs of aspirants to appear

A large number of candidates are expected to take the examination in hopes of securing a government job in various departments of Indian Railways. The CBT will be conducted at designated centres across India.

RRB Group D admit card 2026

The RRB Group D admit card 2026 is expected to be released shortly on the official websites of the respective regional Railway Recruitment Boards.

Candidates will be able to download their hall tickets by logging in with their registration number and password or date of birth, as required. The admit card will include important information such as candidate's name and roll number, examination date and shift, reporting time, exam centre address and candidate photograph and signature. Candidates should carefully verify all details mentioned on the hall ticket before the examination.

Applicants must report to the examination centre on the date, time and venue mentioned on their admit card. The Railway Recruitment Board has clarified that requests for changing the examination date, shift or centre will not be entertained.

Candidates are also advised to regularly visit the official websites of their respective regional RRBs for the latest updates regarding the admit card and examination.

The holiday has already been included in the Punjab Government's 2026 official holiday calendar and all government institutions will remain closed on the occasion.

As part of the public holiday, all government schools, colleges and other government educational institutions across Punjab will remain closed on July 31. Students, teachers and staff members of these institutions will observe the holiday in honour of the legendary freedom fighter.

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Apart from educational institutions, Punjab government offices and other state-run establishments will also remain closed on Friday.

People planning to visit government offices for official work have been advised to schedule their visits accordingly to avoid inconvenience.

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Tributes to Shaheed Udham Singh

Every year, Punjab observes Shaheed Udham Singh's martyrdom day by organising tribute programmes and commemorative events at various places across the state. The public holiday has been announced to pay homage to the revolutionary freedom fighter, whose sacrifice continues to inspire generations.

The Punjab government has urged citizens to take note of the holiday while planning official work and other activities on July 31.

Instead of immediately taking legal action, the institute is considering offering the student an internship at its cybersecurity research centre, C3iHub. However, IIT Kanpur has made it clear that hacking institutional systems is not an acceptable way to prove one's talent.

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Student left a message on the website

The incident came to light after the student gained unauthorised access to the institute's website and displayed the message: "Site is Hacked. All I Need Is Just a Fair Chance."

The student later shared screenshots of the hacked website on social media platforms, including X and Reddit, claiming responsibility for the breach.

According to the student, the intention was not to damage the website but to demonstrate cybersecurity skills after being denied admission to the programme.

IIT Kanpur chooses opportunity over punishment

Speaking on the incident, IIT Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal said the admission process had already been completed, making it impossible to offer the student a seat due to legal and procedural reasons.

However, he said the institute did not want to negatively affect the student's future and is therefore considering offering an internship at C3iHub. The student can also apply for admission again next year.

Admission process already tests technical skills

The institute said applicants to the BTech Cyber Security programme already get several opportunities to showcase their technical abilities during the admission process, including participation in hackathons and other assessments.

According to IIT Kanpur, the student was unable to demonstrate the required skills during the selection process despite these opportunities.

Institute wanted to send the right message

Officials initially considered registering an FIR over the cyberattack but later decided against it. The institute said it wants to encourage talented students while also making it clear that illegal access to computer systems cannot be accepted.

The director stressed that students should always follow legal and ethical methods to build their careers and prove their abilities.

C3iHub invites skilled cybersecurity enthusiasts

IIT Kanpur also announced that skilled cybersecurity enthusiasts can send their CVs for internship and job opportunities at C3iHub, the institute's cybersecurity technology and innovation centre.

The institute said deserving candidates will be considered based on their skills, but they must follow the proper and lawful process.

Welcoming the students, Prof. (Dr.) Kapil Pandla, Director of the Business School, encouraged them to make the most of the next two years by focusing on academic excellence, discipline, industry exposure and continuous learning. He stressed the importance of developing the skills needed to succeed in today's competitive business environment.

Sharing the institution's journey, Prof. (Dr.) SC Vaidya, General Secretary of the GGDSD College Society, spoke about the history and vision behind the Business School. Prof. (Dr.) SK Sharma, General Secretary of the Society, urged students to become lifelong learners and responsible leaders. Speaking about Artificial Intelligence, he advised students to use AI as a tool to support their work rather than depend entirely on it, saying, "Use AI as your subordinate, not your master."

The chief guest, Dr. Sanjeev Juneja, Founder of Divisa Herbals Pvt. Ltd. and the creator of well-known brands such as Kesh King, Dr Ortho, Roop Mantra and Pet Saffa, shared his entrepreneurial journey with the students. He spoke about how innovative ideas, determination and understanding customer needs helped him build successful brands.

Encouraging students to stay updated with changing market trends, Dr. Juneja said that adaptability is one of the biggest strengths in business. He also reminded them that failures should be seen as learning opportunities and motivated them to pursue their goals with honesty, innovation, resilience and dedication.

The programme was also attended by Jatinder Bhatia, Finance Secretary, GGDSD College Society, Chandigarh, and Dr. PK Bajaj, General Secretary, GGDSD College Society, Chandigarh.

The orientation programme concluded on a positive note, with students leaving inspired and ready to begin their academic journey at PML SD Business School.

The warning was issued on Monday during a joint press conference attended by CJP representatives and Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal.

The organisation had ended its agitation on July 25 following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. However, the CJP now claims that police action against students and other protesters has continued despite assurances given during talks with the Centre.

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CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said the organisation would consider restarting its protests if it does not receive a written copy of the commitments agreed upon on July 25. According to the CJP, the Centre had agreed to withdraw FIRs registered against protesters and organisers and assured that no new cases would be filed in connection with the agitation.

The organisation also said the agreement included a commitment to provide maximum possible compensation to the families of those who died by suicide in connection with the NEET paper leak controversy.

The CJP further said the government had agreed to consider its five-point proposal for reforms in the examination system.

Allegations of arrests and harassment

The CJP has accused authorities in several states of continuing to arrest and monitor protesters despite the reported agreement.

Earlier on Monday, CJP spokesperson Abhishek Ranka claimed on social media that hundreds of students had been arrested in Bihar and West Bengal. He also alleged that volunteers and supporters in Delhi and other parts of the country were being monitored and harassed.

Ranka demanded the immediate withdrawal of all FIRs registered against protesters. He also called for an assurance that no new cases would be filed by the Delhi Police, central agencies or police forces in BJP-ruled and BJP-allied states.

The allegations have not been independently verified.

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Speaking at the press conference, Saurav Das said the organisation had been concerned that police action would increase after the agitation was suspended.

He claimed the CJP had remained in contact with Kapil Sibal before and after the protest was called off because of fears that individual students could be targeted once the movement lost momentum.

Another CJP member, Ratna Singh, alleged that police cases had increased in several states. She claimed that seven to eight FIRs had been registered in Assam, while 11 persons were arrested in Kolkata. She further claimed that 86 persons had been arrested in Bihar.

The claims could not be independently verified.

CJP launches platform for protesters

The organisation also announced the launch of an online platform called ‘Saakshi’, where protesters can upload photographs and videos that they claim show police action against them.

Kapil Sibal said he would provide legal assistance to protesters facing police action. He also announced a contribution of ?1 crore towards setting up a legal support platform.

Sibal appealed to lawyers across the country to come forward and assist protesters who face legal action.

Sibal alleges facial recognition is being used

Sibal also alleged that the Delhi Police was using facial recognition technology to identify people who participated in the protests. He expressed concern that such identification could result in protesters being singled out or targeted on communal lines.

July 25 truce under pressure

The latest confrontation comes only days after the CJP ended its agitation following three rounds of discussions with Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh.

The CJP says the talks resulted in commitments on withdrawing FIRs, avoiding further action against protesters, providing compensation to families of NEET paper leak-related suicide victims and considering its proposed examination reforms.

The six-member panel brings together experts from technology, space, security, education, academia and logistics to recommend structural and technology-driven reforms for public examinations.

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In a video message addressed to students, the Prime Minister said that the government has already taken steps to mitigate examination irregularities by introducing several measures such as setting up fast-track courts and stricter legal provisions against exam fraud. However, he stressed that strengthening the examination system itself is essential to restore public confidence.

The team's biggest strength lies in the inclusion of experts from across four critical domains - technology, security, logistics and administration. It can transform the examination system by leveraging their areas of expertise.

Nandan Nilekani, Infosys co-founder 

Entrepreneur and Infosys co-founder, Nilekani will chair the task force. Widely regarded as the architct of the India's Aadhaar digital systems, he is expected to lead the panel in order to make the examination system leakproof, transparent and more secure with the help of high-powered technological systems. 

V Kamakoti, IIT Madras Director

Kamakoti can help strengthen the software and server systems used for computer-based tests to protect them from cyberattacks. AI can also be used to randomise questions for every computer, changing their order so that cheating methods like hacking local servers or screen-sharing become much harder.

S Somanath, Ex ISRO chief

Former ISRO Chairman S Somanath can bring his experience in zero-error systems and cyber intelligence. Using the same high safety standards followed in space missions, he can suggest multiple layers of checks at every stage of the exam process, from preparing question papers to declaring results, reducing the chances of mistakes or technical problems.

Tapan Deka, Former IB Director

Former Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka can help create intelligence networks and real-time cyber monitoring systems to identify exam mafias and paper-leak gangs before leaks happen. He can also recommend stronger security audits for examination centres.

Amrit Lal Meena, Logistics expert

Logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena can improve the printing, storage and transport of question papers through tamper-proof systems such as GPS tracking and digitally locked containers that can only be opened at the right place and time. This would prevent papers from going missing or being photographed illegally.

Anita Karwal, Former Education Secretary

Former Education Secretary and ex-CBSE chairperson Anita Karwal can provide guidance on education reforms and student-related policies. She can suggest clear rules on grace marks, quicker resolution of answer-key objections and strict SOPs for exam centres to ensure transparency and fair treatment for students.

Veer Madho Singh Bhandari Uttarakhand Technical University (UTU) has cancelled two engineering semester examinations after an internal inquiry found evidence of a possible breach in the examination process. The university has also registered an FIR against an assistant professor and launched a detailed investigation.

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The cancelled examinations are Machine Learning for Internet of Things and Electromagnetic Field Theory, both part of the 2025-26 engineering semester examinations.

According to the university, the decision was taken after an internal inquiry found indications that the confidentiality of the question papers may have been compromised.

WhatsApp leak under scanner

The preliminary inquiry found that Assistant Professor Ashish Kumar Gupta of Shivalik College of Engineering was involved in preparing the question paper for the Machine Learning for Internet of Things examination.

The university alleged that nearly 90 per cent of the questions in the exam closely matched questions that had reportedly been shared with students in a college WhatsApp group before the examination.

During the inquiry, officials also found signs of a possible confidentiality breach involving the Electromagnetic Field Theory paper, leading to the cancellation of that examination as well.

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FIR lodged, probe underway

The university has lodged an FIR against the accused faculty member and initiated a detailed investigation into the matter. Officials are also examining whether the college had any role in the alleged leak and whether there were any lapses in the examination process.

Vice-Chancellor assures strict action

Vice-Chancellor Tripta Thakur said the university acted immediately after receiving information about the alleged paper leak.

She said the internal inquiry revealed that a large number of questions in one of the examinations closely matched those allegedly circulated in a WhatsApp group before the test. The inquiry also pointed to a possible breach involving another examination paper.

Thakur said the university has cancelled both examinations to protect the integrity of the evaluation process and assured that strict action would be taken against anyone found guilty after the investigation is completed.

Fresh questions over examination security

The latest incident has emerged at a time when examination transparency is under intense public scrutiny. Protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET paper leak controversy, have continued in several parts of the country, with the Cockroach Janta Party leading demonstrations and demanding accountability, education reforms and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.