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Trump signs executive order limiting Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility: Will it affect student loan borrowers? – The Times of India

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Trump signs executive order limiting Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility: Will it affect student loan borrowers? – The Times of India


President Donald Trump holds a signed executive order as he speaks in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (Pool via AP)

President Trump has signed an executive order significantly restricting eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. The order, signed late last week, specifically targets nonprofit workers associated with causes the administration deems “anti-American,” including immigration advocacy, gender-affirming care, and other politically contentious activities. This move marks a stark departure from previous federal student loan policies and has already sparked significant backlash from borrower advocacy groups and legal experts, who argue that it is unconstitutional and politically motivated.
The Trump administration justified the move as part of a broader effort to curb ideological biases in federal programs. The order coincides with widespread federal employee layoffs, indicating a substantial restructuring of government policy. Critics, including the Student Debt Crisis Center and the National Student Legal Defense Network, have condemned the order as an attack on free speech and a politically driven misuse of federal loan forgiveness. Given the legal challenges promised by advocacy groups, the implementation of the order is expected to face serious legal and procedural hurdles.

Understanding the Executive Order: Key provisions and restrictions

The executive order instructs the Department of Education to redefine “public service” under PSLF, excluding organizations that allegedly promote illegal immigration, terrorism, child abuse, discrimination, and public disruption. This broad classification gives the administration significant discretion in determining which organizations and their employees qualify for PSLF, introducing uncertainty for many borrowers currently pursuing loan forgiveness.
The order mandates that Education Secretary Linda McMahon draft new regulations to formalize these changes, specifying that eligibility should exclude organizations engaging in activities deemed “contrary to national interests.” This includes organizations allegedly aiding violations of immigration law or supporting gender-affirming care, among other controversial activities. The administration has framed this as an effort to return PSLF to its “original intent”, to support essential public service workers, such as nurses and law enforcement officers, rather than advocacy groups.

Why was a revision made in eligibility criteria?

The administration argues that PSLF has been misused to subsidize organizations that “exploit nonprofit status while undermining national interests.” It also suggests that PSLF contributes to rising tuition costs and student debt burdens in non-essential fields. Despite these claims, legal experts point out that PSLF eligibility is governed by congressional legislation, meaning an executive order alone cannot unilaterally alter its rules. Any substantive changes would require a lengthy regulatory process and congressional approval, making implementation uncertain.

How does the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) work?

PSLF was established to forgive federal student loans for borrowers working in qualifying public service jobs after 120 qualifying monthly payments (10 years). Eligible employers include federal, state, and local government agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and other organizations providing public services. The program’s employer-based approach means that all employees of qualifying organizations, regardless of their specific job responsibilities, are eligible.
To qualify, borrowers must have Direct Loans and be enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan. The program offers substantial financial relief, particularly for professionals in lower-paying public service roles, such as teachers, public defenders, and healthcare workers. This incentive helps public institutions attract and retain skilled professionals who might otherwise pursue higher-paying private sector jobs to manage their student debt.

How will the executive order is set to impact on student loan borrowers?

The executive order is expected to face legal challenges that could delay or prevent its implementation. Experts argue that changing PSLF eligibility requires congressional action, and advocacy groups have already indicated plans to sue. Legal proceedings could create a prolonged period of uncertainty for borrowers currently working toward PSLF eligibility.
Furthermore, the regulatory process required to implement such changes is lengthy, involving public comment periods and legal reviews. Even if the administration successfully enforces the order, it may take years before new rules are applied, leaving current borrowers uncertain about their loan forgiveness status.

Concerns for Current and Future PSLF Participants

For current PSLF participants, the order raises concerns about whether their past qualifying payments will remain valid. Many borrowers have structured their careers and financial plans around the expectation of loan forgiveness after 10 years. If eligibility rules change retroactively, borrowers could be forced to reassess their career paths and financial futures.
Employees of nonprofits involved in immigration, civil rights, and gender-affirming care are particularly vulnerable. Many have spent years making payments under PSLF, only to now face the possibility of being disqualified due to political considerations. This uncertainty could discourage professionals from entering public service roles, leading to talent shortages in critical areas such as legal aid, social work, and public health.
Future applicants may also be hesitant to rely on PSLF, given the possibility of eligibility criteria shifting with each administration. If borrowers perceive PSLF as unstable, fewer will pursue public service careers, exacerbating existing staffing shortages in government agencies and nonprofits.
Additionally, the executive order sets a precedent for politicizing loan forgiveness based on ideological grounds rather than objective public service criteria. Critics argue that this could lead to further restrictions on federal benefits based on political alignment, raising broader concerns about government overreach and the erosion of bipartisan support for programs like PSLF. Ultimately, the order introduces significant uncertainty for student loan borrowers, potentially undermining the very purpose of PSLF, to support and incentivize careers in public service.





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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

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NEET UG 2025: Exam city slip available now, exam on May 4

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.





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Tennessee legislature adjourns after passing DEI restrictions – The Times of India

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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.





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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

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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:

Institute Age Limit
AIIMS (All Branches) 35 years
PGIMER, Chandigarh 45 years
NIMHANS, Bengaluru 37 years
SCTIMST, Trivandrum 40 years
JIPMER, Puducherry No limit

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:

Event Date
Online Registration Begins April 22, 2025 (Tuesday)
Last Date to Apply May 6, 2025 (Tuesday)
Application Status Update May 13, 2025
Last Date to Submit Required Documents May 16, 2025
Admit Card Release May 20, 2025
CBT Exam Date May 24, 2025 (Saturday)
Course Commencement July 1, 2025
Last Date for Admission August 31, 2025





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