Indian Chess: V S Rathanvel became India’s 99th Grandmaster after crossing 2500 Elo at the Guwahati Smart City International Open 2026, finally ending a long wait since his GM norms in 2022 and bringing India one step from 100 GMs. Education & Conduct: Bihar reportedly suspended “India’s Got Latent” contestant Sakshi Jha after backlash over remarks about men, reigniting debate on whether public comments should affect teaching careers. Space & Skills: Skyroot’s Vikram-1 launch highlights India’s shift toward private-led orbital capability, with knock-on implications for STEM education and talent pipelines. AI Governance: China’s World AI Conference in Shanghai pushed “openness” and risk management, including plans for 5,000 AI training slots for developing countries. US Student Visas: DHS ended the “duration of status” approach, capping F/J/I students’ stay at up to four years and tightening timelines—raising uncertainty for international learners. Health Education Expansion: India’s medical education boom continues, with reports of doubled medical colleges and major MBBS seat growth. School Safety: Jammu and Kashmir extended summer vacation by three days to July 22 due to heatwave and heavy-rain forecasts. Regional AI in Classrooms: India’s embassy in Phnom Penh sent 30 Cambodian officials and teachers for AI-STEM training in Chennai. Higher Ed Modernisation: Tokyo and NYU signed an MoU to explore a Tokyo campus, aiming to boost international education and research links.