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Mint
a day ago
- Business
- Mint
On US ‘vague' social media visa rule, Indian students anxious: ‘Even memes feel risky now'
A 24-year-old from Delhi, recently admitted to Harvard University, now starts his day by checking his Instagram account. 'Every few hours, I think of how an old post may be problematic, and then delete it,' he says. 'Even memes feel risky now.' He is among several Indian students who shared their growing concerns with The Indian Express over a new US rule that asks all F, M, and J visa applicants to make their social media profiles public. The advisory, issued in the name of 'national security and public safety,' asks applicants to adjust their privacy settings so that US consular officers can review their accounts. In previous years, only publicly visible content was checked. The US now treats every visa application as a 'national security decision.' Applicants must provide usernames or handles for all social media platforms used in the last five years. The US Embassy in India warned on Thursday that failure to share this information 'could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas.' 'I gave my interview earlier in June, and I'm still waiting for my visa,' a Delhi-based student was quoted as saying by Indian Express. 'The guideline is very vague. It says 'anything that violates American values.' We don't even know what that is supposed to mean.' The lack of clarity has left many students stressed, as they are unsure what kind of posts may raise red flags. A 23-year-old from Mumbai, also admitted to Harvard, said he made all his accounts public on 22 May — the day he submitted his DS-160 visa application form. 'Since then, I've archived everything even remotely political. I've stopped liking posts too, just in case even that is visible,' he says. Career counselling firms say they've had to adjust quickly to guide students in managing their digital presence. 'The recent US government directive is a significant development — but one that serious academically-oriented applicants can certainly navigate successfully,' Aman Singh, co-founder of GradRight, Gurgaon told Indian Express. 'Our core guidance now focuses on helping students understand and actively manage their digital footprint. It's about being mindful and authentic.' According to Singh, while the number of Indian students going to the US has dropped by 20–25% in the past 6–8 months, loan approvals for students admitted to top universities through GradRight have increased by 60%. 'The appeal of US universities remains strong. For strong, high-intent students, the process is still working,' he adds. Still, students say the uncertainty is stressful. Many are second-guessing posts that once seemed completely harmless.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Think of how an old post may be problematic, then delete it': New US Visa rule fuels student anxiety over social media
A 24-year-old from Delhi, who recently secured admission to Harvard University in the United States, describes how his days now begin with combing through his Instagram account. 'Every few hours, I think of how an old post may be problematic, and then delete it,' he says. 'Even memes feel risky now.' He is one of the several Indian students who spoke to The Indian Express about the rising anxiety over a recent US directive requiring all F, M, and J visa applicants to make their social media accounts public. The advisory, citing 'national security and public safety,' instructs visa applicants to change their privacy settings to allow for vetting by consular officers — a marked shift from previous years, when only publicly visible content could be viewed and considered. The F, M, and J visas are non-immigrant visas for foreign nationals seeking to study or participate in exchange programmes. Outlining each visa adjudication as a 'national security decision,' the United States has mandated that applicants reveal their social media usernames or handles for every platform used in the past five years. On Thursday, the US Embassy in India issued a statement, warning that failure to disclose social media information 'could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas.' 'I gave my interview earlier in June, and I'm still waiting for my visa,' says the Delhi-based student. 'The guideline is very vague. It says 'anything that violates American values.' We don't even know what that is supposed to mean.' For most students, the process of making years of personal content accessible to immigration authorities has been stressful, especially because there is little clarity on what might raise red flags. A 23-year-old from Mumbai, who also got into Harvard, says he made all his accounts public on May 22 — the day he submitted his online non-immigrant visa application (DS-160 form). 'Since then, I've archived everything even remotely political. I've stopped liking posts too, just in case even that is visible,' he shares. Career counselling firms said they had to swiftly adapt in light of the change. 'The recent US government directive is a significant development — but one that serious academically-oriented applicants can certainly navigate successfully,' underlines Aman Singh, co-founder, GradRight, Gurgaon. 'Our core guidance now focuses on helping students understand and actively manage their digital footprint. It's about being mindful and authentic.' While there has been a 20-25% drop in the number of students going to the US over the past 6-8 months, according to Singh, loan approvals through GradRight for students accepted to top-tier colleges have gone up by 60%. 'The appeal of US universities remains strong. For strong, high-intent students, the process is still working,' he adds. Akshay Chaturvedi, founder and CEO of Leverage Edu, based in Noida, says the shift merely formalises what many universities were already doing. 'This update adds a new layer to visa assessments but also reinforces the value of a student's digital presence,' he says. 'No need to delete or disguise — just ensure coherence and avoid ambiguity.' 'With the right awareness, students can use this as an opportunity to project clarity and intent, traits that matter across every global education system,' Chaturvedi adds. About 15-20% of the monthly student applications at Leverage Edu represent students aiming to pursue higher education in the United States. The ambiguity is what's bothering the applicants. With little clarity on what is considered 'acceptable,' many said they are second-guessing posts that seemed harmless. On Tuesday, Harvard acted swiftly after the US government unveiled sweeping restrictions. Harvard Kennedy School's Dean, Jeremy Weinstein, emphasised in an email to students, 'We hope to see you on campus in the fall, but if that is not possible, we will bring HKS to you.' At Harvard Kennedy School, leaders emphasised their unwavering commitment: 'We are committed to supporting all of our students, even if some are unable to make it to campus due to visa or entry restrictions.' Consequently, they have launched two tailored pathways: 'HKS Global (for new and returning students)… a blended academic experience that features world‑class online coursework and in‑person convenings around the world', and 'HKS at Munk School (for returning students only)… through an arrangement with the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto', ensuring that 'students will engage in online coursework led by HKS faculty' and 'participants will complete their HKS degree by taking a mix of online and in‑person courses taught by both HKS and University of Toronto faculty'.
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Business Standard
18-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Lucrative domestic mkt, financial arbitrage attracting UK colleges to India
UK-based universities are looking to tap into India's higher education market by setting up foreign campuses here, offering low-cost foreign degrees within India at a time of rising student visa uncertainties in the US. Some are also opening liaison offices in India, aiming to increase academic collaborations with Indian universities through student and faculty exchange programmes. As of now, at least six major UK universities have announced plans to set up campuses or liaison offices in India. While the Universities of Coventry, Southampton, Liverpool, York, and Aberdeen have received letters of intent from the education ministry to set up campuses, Imperial College London has already inaugurated its liaison office in Bengaluru. Southampton has announced the start of its campus in Gurugram by August this year, followed by Liverpool's Bengaluru campus in the next academic year. Similarly, Coventry is expected to open its campus in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City next year. The development follows the University Grants Commission's (UGC's) 2023 notification of rules facilitating the entry of foreign higher educational institutions into India, as part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 reforms. According to these regulations, foreign institutions seeking to establish campuses in India must rank within the top 500 globally in either overall or subject-wise rankings and demonstrate outstanding expertise in their fields, subject to UGC approval. Aman Singh, cofounder at education-focused financial technology platform GradRight, said that these universities are seeing an opportunity in India, with increasing demand for quality education from Indian students and parents, and the limitations of the domestic higher education sector in fulfilling that need. According to the All India Survey on Higher Education 2021–22, India has over 40 million students enrolled in higher education, including around 1.5 million science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates per year. Experts add that another key reason could be that, much like in the US, domestic enrolments in UK universities appear to be stagnating or even decreasing in some cases. 'The cost structures of a lot of universities are high and need additional lines of revenue before they start facing financial strain. It is imperative that they find new sources of revenue outside the UK,' Singh said. He noted that existing laws in the sector and strengthened agreements between the UK and India do not restrict the repatriation of earnings back to the UK by such universities, which helps strengthen their overall financial position. 'With the cost of living being low in India, a large cohort will be attracted to get a foreign degree at a low cost, which will impact their employability in the long run,' another expert added. The number of Indian students going abroad has been increasing, with roughly 180,000 students choosing to study in the UK annually. Average programme costs range from £20,000 to £35,000 (₹25 lakh to ₹40 lakh), depending on the course and university. Professor Hugh Brady, president of Imperial College London, said the hub's focus is on strengthening and co-creating new research and innovation partnerships between Imperial and leading universities and institutes in India. Imperial does not plan to open a branch campus under the NEP 2020 provisions but aims to build cross-sector science and technology partnerships. Experts also suggest these universities will be looking at the startup community and friendly government regulations to foster academic and industry collaborations in India. Saurabh Arora, founder and chief executive officer at foreign education consultancy University Living, added that many of these collaborations create new pathways where students can begin their degrees in India and complete them in the UK, gaining valuable global exposure in the process. However, concerns remain about whether they will maintain a high standard of delivery and push domestic institutions to improve their quality of education to remain competitive. Singh said that he foresees more universities setting up bases in India, and there is hope they will maintain a high standard of education and not profiteer at the expense of Indian students and families. 'Another worry we have is whether their quality and fee structure, as appropriate as that might be, may motivate other domestic players to increase their fees, which in turn may start increasing the education loan burden of Indian students,' he added.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Time of India
Four peddlers held with drugs worth Rs 25 lakh
Indore: In two back-to-back operations, the crime branch of Indore police has arrested four persons involved in illegal trade of narcotic substances. The police have recovered approximately 70 grams of MD drugs, 5.55 kilograms of cannabis, an SUV, mobile phones, and other items with an estimated international market value of around Rs 25 questioning, the accused confessed to purchasing illegal drugs at low prices and selling them at higher rates to addicts in Indore. One of the accused, Annu Chauhan, is a habitual offender with nearly a dozen cases registered against him and is known to be both a consumer and seller of the first operation, conducted at CB Scheme No. 140 Main Road in Indore, police intercepted a suspicious vehicle during routine checking. Upon questioning, the occupants identified themselves as Annu Chauhan (37), Aman Singh (21), and Saurabh Singh (20), all residents of Pithampur in Dhar district. Annu admitted to being an autorickshaw driver who turned to drug dealing to fund his addiction. A total of 69.42 grams of MD drugs, along with a car and other items, were recovered from them. A case was registered under Section 8/21 of the NDPS another operation, the team acted on a tip-off and apprehended a man with a large quantity of cannabis near the Infosys campus on Super Corridor Road, Indore. The accused, Jivan Solanki (42), a resident of Gandhi Nagar, was arrested with 5.55 kilograms of cannabis. He admitted to bringing the substance from another district for personal use and resale in Indore to earn quick money. A case was registered under section 8/20 of the NDPS obtained remand of all the accused and are conducting further investigation to identify and apprehend other members of the drug network. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
AU experts to study impact of screen time on youngsters in state
1 2 Prayagraj: In an era dominated by smartphones, tablets and digital platforms, experts from Allahabad University are now focusing on the growing concerns over screen addiction among youngsters. The department of Psychology is spearheading a ground-breaking two-year research project aimed at studying the impact of screen time on the overall well-being of young adults in state. The study, led by Assistant Professor at the department, Manikandaprabu M, is backed by an Rs 18 lakh grant from the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi. Spanning from April 2025 to March 2027, the research will engage an estimated 1,100 participants from prominent educational cities such as Lucknow, Kanpur, Prayagraj, and Noida. These urban centres are considered educational hubs and represent diverse socio-cultural backgrounds, making them ideal for conducting a comprehensive study on youth behaviour and digital consumption patterns. The objective of the study is to explore both the detrimental and beneficial effects of screen time on physical, mental and social health. A random controlled intervention (methodolgy) will be used, making to understand the nuances of digital device usage among Indian youth. The intervention will be customised to identify risk factors, highlight potential benefits, and develop strategies for more mindful and productive use of digital technology. "Screen time has become an integral part of our daily lives, but we are still unravelling how it shapes our psychological and social experiences," said Manikandaprabu. "Through this study, we aim to offer science-backed insights and practical recommendations to help young adults strike a healthier balance in their digital habits," he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scarlett Johansson, 40, Shows Off Her Real Size In A New Vacation Photos 33 Bridges Undo Aman Singh, a PhD scholar of the same department, emphasised that the solution is not to reject technology, but to learn how to coexist with it in a healthy manner. He added that good sleep, regular physical activity and active social engagement can serve as protective factors against the harmful effects of excessive screen use. "Previous research in the field reflects a mixed understanding. Studies by scholars such as Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez and Andrew K. Przybylski show that moderate use of digital devices can enhance certain cognitive functions like decision-making, planning, and working memory. However, excessive screen time is widely associated with negative outcomes including depression, anxiety, reduced attention span, poor memory, and low self-esteem, as supported by findings from researchers like Mohd Sheikh Saleem and Jean M. Twenge", says Aman Singh. The research team plans to collaborate with local universities and community organisations, facilitating greater reach and deeper community engagement. Once completed, the findings will be shared through academic journals, conferences, and public awareness campaigns to influence educational and public health policies on responsible technology use.
