JOBS AND EDUCATION
Student aspirations shattered as 118 lose US visas in sweeping SEVIS review – The Times of India

The unfolding crisis facing international students in Texas has raised alarms across university campuses and legal circles alike. At least 118 students across the state have had their immigration status altered in a controversial move that saw their names removed from the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). In a bold and unprecedented maneuver, these students were notified that their visas had been revoked, leaving them to navigate a legal labyrinth with limited options. The sweeping changes, which are said to be linked to recent protests and growing tensions surrounding political activism, have thrown a wrench into the future of these students, many of whom are now at a crossroads.
The SEVIS Snafu: A quick and unforgiving consequence
Unlike a simple visa revocation, which bars re-entry to the US but does not immediately end a student’s legal standing, a SEVIS removal has a far-reaching impact. In a blink, the students affected by this decision lost more than just their academic status: Their employment eligibility vanished, and their family members, including spouses and children, now face harsh consequences as well. As is typical in cases of this nature, the students were given no opportunity to contest the charges, rendering them powerless in defending their case.
The Universities affected: Texas’ higher education institutions in the crosshairs
The ripple effect has not spared even the largest universities in Texas. Institutions such as the University of North Texas (UNT), University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), and Texas A&M University have confirmed that several of their students have been swept into this wave of immigration status changes, according to media reports.
While the numbers vary, with UNT and UTA each reporting 27 affected students, the real impact is yet to be fully understood. Smaller institutions such as Texas Tech University and Texas Woman’s University are also grappling with similar issues, though their numbers are relatively smaller.
While some universities have yet to disclose specific figures, one thing remains clear: A significant portion of Texas’s international student body has been dealt a heavy blow. And with recent pro-Palestinian protests on these campuses serving as the backdrop, questions have begun to swirl regarding whether these actions are politically motivated, especially as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has recently announced it will begin scrutinizing international students’ social media for “antisemitic” content.
The DHS Gambit: Screening Social Media and Political Activism in the Crosshairs
In a highly controversial move, the Department of Homeland Security has added a new layer of scrutiny by pledging to scan international students’ social media for content deemed “antisemitic.” The move, which follows widespread pro-Palestinian protests on campuses such as UNT and UTD, has many questioning whether political affiliations are now being used as a barometer for academic immigration status.
The DHS’s announcement comes amid a backdrop of rising political tensions, with student activists across the country seeking to make their voices heard in a manner that has attracted both admiration and condemnation.
The fallout: Students caught between a rock and a hard place
The options for students facing SEVIS removals are grim. In most cases, they can either leave the country voluntarily or seek to reinstate their status, but neither option is without its hurdles. The process of reinstating a SEVIS status is notoriously difficult, and with the added complication of being unable to contest the charges, many students now face an uncertain future. Their ability to continue their studies has been severely hampered, leaving them with the crushing weight of potential deportation hanging over them.
For those students who remain in the US without proper immigration status, the consequences could be catastrophic. Many will be forced to leave their families and lives behind, while others may be left with shattered academic aspirations and limited prospects for the future.
The price of political dissent and the unanswered questions ahead
As this wave of immigration actions continues to unfold, the situation remains murky. University and government officials have provided little clarity on the rationale behind the removals, leaving students and legal advocates scrambling for answers. With the backdrop of political unrest and growing scrutiny over pro-Palestinian protests, it remains to be seen whether these actions are a sign of a broader shift in US immigration policy or a targeted response to specific political events.
One thing, however, is certain: The international students who have found themselves ensnared in this web are paying the price for a system that seems more inclined to wield its power swiftly and without due consideration. As the dust settles, the legal and ethical questions raised by this debacle are likely to linger, sparking a broader conversation on the limits of political freedom and academic autonomy in today’s increasingly polarized world.
JOBS AND EDUCATION
NEET UG 2025 exam city intimation slip released on neet.nta.nic.in, admit card expected by May 1: Check direct link here – The Times of India

NEET UG city intimation slip 2025 out: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the Advance City Intimation Slip for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG 2025, a crucial step for over 23 lakh medical aspirants preparing for the undergraduate medical entrance exam. The slip, available as of April 23, 2025, informs candidates of their allotted exam city, enabling them to plan travel and accommodation logistics. The NEET UG 2025 exam is scheduled for May 4, 2025, and the admit card is expected to be released by May 1, 2025. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest updates, exam details, and more.
The NEET UG 2025 City Intimation Slip was made available on the official NTA website, neet.nta.nic.in, on April 23, 2025, earlier than the anticipated date of April 26. Candidates can download the slip by logging in with their application number and date of birth. The slip specifies the exam city but does not include the exact exam center address, which will be detailed in the admit card. This advance notification helps candidates, especially those assigned centers far from home, arrange travel plans well in advance. The exam will be conducted across 552 cities in India and 14 cities abroad, totaling 566 exam cities, with approximately 5,000 exam centers.
Admit Card Release Date
The NEET UG 2025 admit card is slated for release on or before May 1, 2025, as confirmed by the NTA. Candidates can download it from neet.nta.nic.in using their application number and date of birth or password. The admit card is a mandatory document for exam entry, containing critical details such as the candidate’s name, roll number, exam center address, reporting time, and exam day guidelines. Aspirants are advised to verify all details on the admit card and contact the NTA helpline immediately if discrepancies are found. The admit card will also be emailed to candidates’ registered IDs.
Exam Timings, Shifts, and Mode
NEET UG 2025 will be conducted on May 4, 2025, in a single shift from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM IST, with a duration of 3 hours. Candidates must report to their exam centers by 1:30 PM, as late entries will not be permitted. The exam will be held in pen-and-paper (offline) mode, featuring 180 compulsory multiple-choice questions (MCQs) across Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany and Zoology). Unlike previous years, the 2025 exam reverts to the pre-Covid format, eliminating optional questions. The test will be conducted in 13 languages, including English, Hindi, and regional languages like Tamil, Telugu, and Assamese.
Direct link to download the NEET UG city intimation slip 2025
Approximate Participation
NEET UG remains India’s largest undergraduate medical entrance exam, with an estimated 23 lakh candidates expected to participate in 2025. This number is slightly lower than the 24 lakh registrations in 2024, though the NTA has not released official figures. The exam facilitates admission to over 1 lakh MBBS seats, 27,618 BDS seats, 52,720 AYUSH seats, and other medical courses across 612 medical and 315 dental colleges in India, including 1,899 AIIMS and 249 JIPMER seats.
Key Instructions for Candidates
Candidates must carry a printed admit card, a valid photo ID (e.g., Aadhaar, PAN card), and a passport-sized photograph matching the one uploaded during registration. The city intimation slip is not a substitute for the admit card and cannot be used for exam entry. Aspirants are advised to visit their exam center a day prior to familiarize themselves with the location and avoid last-minute hassles. Prohibited items include electronic devices, and candidates must adhere to the NTA’s dress code and exam day guidelines.
Next Steps
Following the exam, the NTA will release provisional answer keys in the fourth week of May 2025, with results expected by June 14, 2025. Counseling for All India Quota and state quota seats will commence in July 2025, managed by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and state authorities, respectively. Candidates are urged to stay updated via neet.nta.nic.in and prepare diligently for the exam, which remains a gateway to prestigious medical institutions across India.
JOBS AND EDUCATION
Tennessee legislature adjourns after passing DEI restrictions – The Times of India

Tennessee’s Republican-controlled legislature closed its session Tuesday by pushing through a decisive set of bills targeting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. In a crescendo of conservative policymaking, lawmakers dismantled long-standing frameworks meant to bolster representation in government and higher education, replacing them with a strict meritocratic model. Central to the legislative finale was a bill that directly targets the infrastructure of DEI. The measure orders the dissolution of state and local offices tasked with promoting diversity, mandates the elimination of identity-based criteria for board appointments, and instructs the removal of demographic benchmarks in employment policies across public institutions.
From representation to “qualification”
Lawmakers also gave final approval to a companion bill barring public agencies, including higher education institutions, from making hiring decisions based on an individual’s race, ethnicity, sex, or age. Instead, agencies must rely solely on “merit,” “qualifications,” veteran status, or lawful eligibility. The law repositions Tennessee firmly within a growing conservative ideology that views demographic consideration as antithetical to fairness.
A policy echo of Trump-era ideology
The Tennessee legislation is not occurring in a vacuum. It mirrors initiatives launched under President Donald Trump, whose administration sought to link the distribution of federal funds to the exclusion of DEI policies. That precedent laid the groundwork for state-level action—Tennessee now becomes a key player in actualizing that agenda.
Boards to lose identity-based representation
Beyond hiring practices, the new laws strike directly at identity-based governance structures. Requirements that certain public boards maintain racial, gender, or age representation have been deleted. Critics argue this strips underrepresented communities of vital political visibility; proponents counter that appointments should be blind to personal characteristics and based on perceived competence alone.
Opposition raises alarm bells
Civil rights advocates and education leaders have condemned the bills, warning they will reverse decades of effort to correct systemic inequalities. Others fear the chilling effect these moves could have on recruitment, retention, and morale within public service sectors.
Higher education in the crosshairs
Public universities—long champions of diversity offices and equity initiatives—are now under pressure to restructure or eliminate these arms. The University of Tennessee system and others will be forced to reexamine staff positions, student programs, and scholarship criteria that once relied on DEI frameworks.
A new conservative doctrine emerges
Tennessee’s Republican-controlled legislature closed its session Tuesday by pushing through a decisive set of bills targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. In a crescendo of conservative policymaking, lawmakers dismantled long-standing frameworks meant to bolster representation in government and higher education, replacing them with a strict meritocratic model.
DEI programs dismantled statewide
Central to the legislative finale was a bill that directly targets the infrastructure of DEI. The measure orders the dissolution of state and local offices tasked with promoting diversity, mandates the elimination of identity-based criteria for board appointments, and instructs the removal of demographic benchmarks in employment policies across public institutions.
JOBS AND EDUCATION
AIIMS INI SS July 2025 registration underway, window closes on May 6: Check direct link to apply and important details here – The Times of India

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi has opened the online application window for the Institute of National Importance Super-Speciality Test (INI SS) July 2025 session. Interested and eligible candidates can submit their applications through the official website, iniss.aiimsexams.ac.in, on or before May 6, 2025.
The entrance examination will be conducted on May 24 for admission into Doctorate of Medicine (DM)/Master of Chirurgiae (M.Ch.) courses at leading medical institutions including All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), and Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST).
AIIMS INI SS 2025: Eligibility criteria and age limits
To apply for the AIIMS INI SS July 2025, candidates must fulfill the following eligibility conditions:
- Must possess MD/MS or DNB in a relevant specialty.
- Must complete the qualifying degree by July 31, 2025.
Upper age limit as on July 1, 2025:
Age relaxations:
- OBC: 3 years
- SC/ST: 5 years
- Ex-Servicemen/ECOs: 5 years
AIIMS INI SS 2025: How to apply
Candidates can follow the steps given here to complete the application process:
Step 1. Visit the official portal, iniss.aiimsexams.ac.in
Step 2. Click on ‘New Registration’ for fresh applicants.
Step 3. Fill in the registration form and personal details carefully as guided by the portal.
Step 4. Submit the form and download the confirmation page for future reference.
Alternatively, candidates can click here to submit their applications for AIIMS INI SS 2025.
AIIMS INI SS 2025: Important dates
Candidates must adhere to the official schedule to avoid missing any deadlines. Key dates for the AIIMS INI SS July 2025 session are:
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