Global Literacy at 88% but 739 Million Illiterate: UNESCO Data Shows Regional & Gender Disparities

Caste & Income Drive Private Schooling Gap; Gender Gap Uniform Across All Groups: CMS-E 2025 Data

Analysis of the 2025 CMS-E data reveals that caste and income significantly affect private schooling, but the gender gap is minimal and uniform across all income, caste, and geographic groups. The gender gap in private coaching is about 2 percentage points and does not change with household wealth or social group, challenging the assumption of compounding disadvantages. Policy implications: income-based RTE seat reservation cannot address the caste gap that income does not explain.

US Proposes $103,265 H-1B Fee: Impact on Indian IT Firms and Workers

The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed an additional $103,265 fee on H-1B visa petitions subject to annual caps, targeting Indian IT professionals who account for over 70% of approved petitions. This follows a court striking down a similar $100,000 fee imposed via presidential directive, now using formal rulemaking under a different legal provision. The move could significantly increase costs for Indian IT firms and reduce opportunities for Indian workers.

US Labour Dept Suspends Cognizant's PERM Green-Card Filings Amid Fraud Probe; IT Industry Faces Tougher Scrutiny

The US Department of Labour has suspended Cognizant's PERM green-card filings amid a fraud investigation, signalling heightened scrutiny on the H-1B-to-green-card pathway for Indian IT professionals. This move could trigger talent retention issues for Cognizant and push the broader IT industry toward local hiring and stricter compliance.

NIMHANS Designated Nodal Body for BRICS Mental Health Centres of Excellence Under 18th Summit Declaration

The 18th BRICS Summit's New Delhi Declaration designates Bengaluru's NIMHANS as the coordinating centre for a network of mental health training hubs and centres of excellence across BRICS nations. The initiative aims to foster collaborative research, policy dialogue, and evidence-based mental health promotion, alongside launching a healthy lifestyle mission and a traditional medicine working group.

BRICS Endorses AI in Education, Explores Global University Ranking System at 13th Education Ministers' Meet

BRICS leaders have agreed to share best practices in AI education, explore a joint university ranking system, and strengthen TVET cooperation. India’s initiative on traditional knowledge systems was noted. This impacts India's role in global education diplomacy and could shape future higher education policies.

US-Iran Talks: Key Sticking Points – Lebanon Issue, Strait of Hormuz, Crude Oil Price

After 156 days of war and an MoU, US-Iran talks resume amid uncertainty. Key issues include military aggression in Lebanon, control of the Strait of Hormuz (through which 1/5th of global oil passes), and surging crude oil prices impacting global economies, especially oil-importing nations like India.

India and V4 Hold First Foreign Ministers' Meeting at UNGA 81, Agree on Annual Business Forum and Defence Cooperation

India and the Visegrad Group (V4) of Central Europe – Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia – held their first-ever Foreign Ministers' meeting on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly. They agreed to institutionalize annual meetings, launch a business forum, and deepen defence, technology, and space cooperation. This marks a new diplomatic milestone for India's engagement with a key European sub-regional grouping.

UK, France, Canada Ban Trade with Illegal West Bank Settlements; Two-State Solution Supported

Britain, France and Canada have jointly banned trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank to preserve the two-state solution. The sanctions (within 6-9 months) target construction and real estate companies. Though economically minimal, the move carries strong diplomatic weight, drawing sharp criticism from Israel and the US.