Ashoka University 500 Scholarships 2026, SC RTE Act Plea, Delhi School Audit & US Visa Challenges

Oct 16, 2025

Published: Thursday, October 16, 2025

Ashoka University Announces 500 Scholarships for 2026 Undergraduate Admissions

Ashoka University has opened undergraduate applications for its 2026 academic intake from October 13, 2025, announcing 500 comprehensive scholarships designed to make quality liberal arts education accessible across India. The Sonipat-based private university combines merit recognition with financial need support through a structured three-tier scholarship program.

Comprehensive Scholarship Framework and Eligibility

Special Merit Scholarships target 50 students with outstanding performance in national-level entrance examinations, offering full tuition fee waivers. Eligible candidates include those achieving 98th percentile and above in JEE Mains, top 2000 ranks in IISER Aptitude Test, top 100 ranks in CMI Entrance Exam, and those qualifying for training camp stages in Indian National Olympiads.

Achievers' Merit Scholarships provide up to 100% tuition fee waivers for 150 students who scored 98% or more in CBSE or ICSE/ISC Class X and XII exams (final or predicted) and perform exceptionally in Ashoka's admission process. Importantly, merit scholarship recipients can also apply for additional need-based aid if necessary.

Need-Based Scholarships support 300 students requiring financial assistance, with the university reviewing family financial situations, including income, savings, and dependents, before determining aid amounts. This comprehensive approach ensures talented students aren't excluded due to economic constraints.

Application Timeline and Accessibility Measures

Admissions will occur across four rounds from October 13, 2025, through May 31, 2026, providing ample application opportunities. For Indian residents, Ashoka's admission tests will be conducted at 37 centres nationwide, with special provisions for students with physical disabilities or mobility challenges, ensuring inclusive access throughout the admission process.

The university offers undergraduate programs across Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Economics, maintaining its liberal arts foundation and multidisciplinary curriculum designed to prepare students for a changing world. Additional information and applications are available at www.ashoka.edu.in.

Supreme Court Refers Minority Institutions RTE Act Plea to Chief Justice

The Supreme Court has directed that a plea concerning the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act be placed before the Chief Justice of India for appropriate orders, recognising that similar issues remain pending adjudication. A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih was hearing a PIL filed by Nitin Upadhyay seeking direction that schools providing both religious and secular education be covered under the RTE Act provisions.

Constitutional Questions and Educational Equity Concerns

The petition, filed through advocate Ashwani Kumar Dubey, challenges sections 1(4) and 1(5) of the RTE Act as arbitrary and contrary to Article 14 (equality before law). The plea highlights that the Teacher Eligibility Test, introduced to maintain teacher quality standards, applies to non-minority institutions but not minority institutions, creating an unequal regulatory framework.

On September 1, the Supreme Court had expressed doubts about its 2014 Pramati Educational and Cultural Trust verdict that kept minority schools outside the RTE Act's ambit, referring the matter to a larger bench. The court observed that this exemption "might have, unknowingly, jeopardised the very foundation of universal elementary education" and leads to "fragmentation of the common schooling vision".

Framework Questions for Constitutional Review

The Supreme Court framed four critical questions, including whether the Pramati judgment exempting minority educational institutions from the RTE Act requires reconsideration. The court noted that while the RTE Act ensures children's entitlements such as basic infrastructure, trained teachers, books, uniforms, and mid-day meals, minority schools excluded from its purview aren't necessarily bound to provide these facilities.

Article 21A of the Constitution mandates that "The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years," while Article 30 deals with minorities' right to establish and administer educational institutions. The constitutional tension between these provisions forms the core of the pending adjudication.

Delhi Government Launches Comprehensive School Social Audit

The Delhi government will conduct a social audit of government schools under the Samagra Shiksha scheme for 2025-26, covering approximately 60% of government schools in the city. The audit, following revised guidelines from the Ministry of Education, operates with a budget of ₹3.73 crore and aims to ensure all Right to Education Act entitlements are provided timely and equitable.

Comprehensive Evaluation Framework

The social audit will be conducted by universities, colleges, or technical institutes with National Assessment and Accreditation Council ratings of B+ and above, with preference given to Delhi's State Administrative University. Selected institutions will train social auditors, conduct field visits, prepare reports, and upload findings online.

The audit's primary purpose is to ensure students receive RTE Act and Samagra Shiksha entitlements fairly and promptly. It will examine school infrastructure conditions including classrooms, toilets, drinking water, and electricity, while reviewing student safety, especially for girls. The evaluation will also assess enrollment, attendance, student retention, and inclusion of children with special needs.

Community Participation and Policy Alignment

The audit involves parents, teachers, and community members in assessing school functioning, helping identify ground-level issues that may not be visible through routine monitoring. An official noted that this approach will enable the government to take corrective steps where necessary.

Samagra Shiksha, a centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2018, aims to improve school education from pre-primary through Class 12. It combines three earlier schemes—Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, and Teacher Education—and has been aligned with the National Education Policy 2020. The social audit will also promote the government's zero-tolerance policy toward negligence related to student safety and security.

Indian Students Navigate Uncertain US Visa Landscape

Indian students in the United States face significant uncertainty regarding career prospects amid restrictive immigration policies, particularly affecting H-1B visa pathways. As the nation contributing the largest number of H-1B visa holders globally, new policies have left many students—especially those nearing graduation—reassessing their plans and exploring alternatives.

Current Challenges and Policy Uncertainties

Most graduating students currently apply for Optional Practical Training, enabling F-1 visa holders to work in the US for up to one year after degree completion, with an additional 24-month extension available for eligible STEM graduates. However, the broader economic situation remains challenging for foreign workers.

According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, of the 352,000 people aged 20-29 who completed associate degrees between January and October 2024, only 78.1% were employed by October 2024. A 26-year-old computer science graduate from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, noted that the new rule has complicated job prospects, stating, "I'm one of those who will be badly affected by this new H-1B visa rule, as I cannot apply for the upcoming lottery".

Diverse Student Responses and Expert Perspectives

Chell Roberts, Dean of the University of San Diego, described the policy changes as landing "like a seismic shock" that has "disrupted the aspirations of students, families, and companies who have long viewed the H-1B as a bridge to opportunity." Legal challenges are underway, though uncertainty continues regarding judicial scrutiny, possible exceptions for critical industries, and potential policy shifts.

Some students maintain pragmatic approaches, with one MBA graduate noting: "I wanted to stay and learn in this competitive market, but after the new rule, I've decided to stay flexible—repay my loans, save, and if needed, explore opportunities in India or elsewhere." Experts recommend focusing on quality and employability, with Aman Singh, co-founder of GradRight, noting, "The door isn't closing; it's becoming more selective".