Blog

Maryam Mirzakhani’s journey from a teenage mathematics Olympiad champion in Iran to the first woman and first Iranian to win the Fields Medal offers a powerful lesson in patience and perseverance. Rather than treating mathematics as a race, she embraced a slower, exploratory approach to solving complex problems. Her groundbreaking research in geometry and dynamical systems transformed modern mathematics. For students, her life shows that taking time to think deeply can lead to extraordinary discoveries.

IISER has announced the Round 3 seat allotment results for IAT 2026 counselling. Candidates can check their allotted institute and course by logging into the admission portal. Those offered seats must submit their acceptance decision and pay the seat acceptance fee online within the deadline to retain their allotment and remain eligible for further counselling.

Ryka Chopra, a 17-year-old student at Mission San Jose High School in Fremont, California, is among the 40 finalists of the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search. Her project combines graph theory, game theory and reinforcement learning to model how nations’ conservation decisions could affect Arctic ice loss. Simulating interactions among 25 Arctic-related nations and regions, her model found that appropriate incentives could encourage countries to cooperate on conservation while considering their economic interests.

India’s presence in global higher education has expanded significantly, with 52 Indian institutions featuring in the QS World University Rankings 2027, compared with 11 in 2015. The latest rankings show gains beyond the IITs, with 26 institutions improving their positions. The Centre attributed the progress to NIRF, NEP 2020, institutional expansion and higher education reforms.

More than 3,500 faculty vacancies have been filled across IITs between September 2022 and May 2026 under a mission-mode recruitment drive. However, the latest Lok Sabha response does not reveal the current faculty-student ratio at individual IITs. With the 1:10 norm still relevant, questions remain over whether recruitment has kept pace with rising enrolment and expanding academic programmes.

Sixth-grader Mai Ngoc Duy of Thanh Hoa, Vietnam, faced an unexpected setback just three days before the AIMO 2026 International Mathematical Olympiad final when he was hospitalised after falling ill. Determined not to miss his first international final, Duy requested permission to compete after doctors confirmed he was fit to travel. His family took him to Hanoi, where he completed the challenging exam before returning to hospital. He later learned he had won a silver medal.

NEET UG Counselling 2026 has entered a crucial phase with MCC opening Round 1 choice filling for AIQ seats and a reset facility for correcting registration errors. Meanwhile, state counselling is progressing at different stages across Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Punjab. Revised PwBD guidelines also add another important requirement for eligible candidates.

The Space for Good India Challenge 2026, launched by Viasat, invites university students across India to develop innovative space and satellite technology solutions for real-world challenges. Participants can explore areas such as connectivity, disaster management, digital access and cybersecurity. With cash prizes of up to Rs 5 lakh, finalists will also receive expert mentorship and industry exposure.

Rajeshwari Suve M’s UPSC journey is a powerful story of resilience and persistence. After clearing the Preliminary Examination on her fifth attempt, she went on to secure All India Rank 2 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025. Her journey from Tamil Nadu to the country’s top ranks highlights how learning from setbacks, refining strategy and staying committed can turn adversity into achievement.

Delhi University organised its 2026 placement drive, bringing together more than 75 organisations and over 500 participants. Students from tourism, lifelong learning, social sciences and distance education programmes interacted with recruiters and industry professionals across sectors. The university said it will continue such employment-focused initiatives to strengthen industry-academia ties and widen students’ career opportunities.