From Students to Tourists: Who Will Lose US Visa Interview Waivers This Year?

Synopsis: Starting from September 2, 2025, the U.S. is tightening its visa process. This pulls back most interview waivers and forces thousands of Indian students, professionals, and tourists to attend in-person interviews. But who exactly will be affected, and how will these rules disrupt travel plans and timelines?. Read Here....

Big Change Ahead: Why US Visa Interviews Will Be Harder for Indians from September 2

New US visa interview rules are coming into effect from September 2, 2025. If you are planning to travel to the United States after that date, the process will feel different. The U.S. Department of State is cutting back on interview waivers, which means a lot more people will have to go in person now. This applies not only to first-time applicants but also to many people who are simply renewing their visas.

It feels like they are undoing the relaxed update that came in February earlier this year. For students heading to universities, professionals on H-1B, and families planning holidays, this change is going to matter.

Know what exactly is changing? For most non-immigrant visas, an in-person interview will now be required. The B-1/B-2 tourist and business visa renewals are affected the most. The waiver window that used to be 48 months is being cut down to just 12. That means if your last visa expired more than a year ago, you will have to attend an interview. The previous age exemptions for children under 14 and seniors over 79 are mostly being removed, too. Even student visas (F and M), work visas like H-1B, and exchange visas (J) that sometimes skipped interviews will now almost always require one.

Who falls under this rule? Pretty much everyone in those categories: B-1/B-2 applicants, students, H-1B holders, J exchange visitors, children under 14, seniors over 79, and anyone who ever had a visa refused unless it was overturned later. Even people who qualified for the drop-box system earlier may no longer get it. Some official or diplomatic visa holders might still have waivers, and in very specific cases, a full-validity B-1 or B-2 renewal could qualify. But even then, the consular officer can still ask you to come in.

For Indian travellers, this has some obvious impacts. Wait times are going to stretch because so many more people will need appointments. Students who used to skip interviews under drop-box rules will now have to go in person, which could affect joining dates. H-1B professionals visiting India to renew will have to factor in interview slots, which can make returning to work in the U.S. a bit more complicated. Tourists and business travellers will lose some flexibility since the waiver is now limited to visas that expired within 12 months. Families will feel it too because kids under 14 and older parents will, in most cases, need interviews now. And of course, interviews bring more preparation: documents, biometrics, and travel to the consulate. All of it adds extra time and cost.

So what can you do now? First thing is to check your visa category carefully and find out if you still fall under any waiver at all. If you are a student or someone renewing a work visa, applying early is the safest option.

This change is going to affect a large number of Indian students, working professionals, and even families planning trips.  A bit of preparation now can save you a lot of stress later.

 

Before You Get Excited About Starlink in India, Read This...

Image Credit: Starlink

Starlink, the satellite internet service by Elon Musk, is facing fresh hurdles before it can fully launch in India. The Indian government has come up with some new restrictions. It has reportedly capped Starlink’s user base at 20 lakh connections across the country. And honestly, it feels like a balancing act. On one hand, the tech sounds promising. On the other hand, the government is clearly trying to protect its own telecom space and, of course, national security.

First off, there is a user cap. Starlink can only serve up to 2 million users in India. That sounds like a lot, but in a country this big? It is a limitation.

Along with that come the security rules. There are 30 of them, that is right. And they are not light rules either. Things like setting up local data centers, using India’s own navigation system called NavIC, and making sure they can block websites or hand over metadata when the authorities ask. Basically, Starlink needs to be fully controllable from within India.

Also, they are being told to build control centers inside the country. These centers would let the government shut down or restrict services in any sensitive region if it ever comes to that.

Read More: Musk’s Starlink All Set to Launch in India: Will It Be Affordable, and Who Will Be Impacted?

Now, why all this? Well, the domestic players like BSNL, Jio, and Airtel were obviously concerned. The government seems to be giving them some breathing room. These new Starlink conditions kind of level the playing field a bit. You could say it is a way to make sure the local telecom companies are not blindsided by a global tech giant swooping in.

Even though Starlink already got a GMPCS license, that alone is not enough. They now need to meet all these extra requirements to actually start offering services.

According to reports, Starlink, operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, will be permitted to offer internet speeds of up to 200 Mbps. The service is expected to primarily cater to users in rural and remote areas of India. The upfront cost of Starlink’s satellite setup will be high. Monthly charges for the service are likely to be around Rs 3,000, making it a costly option for most users.

Starlink has reportedly obtained IN-SPACe Approval from IN-SPACe to operate its Gen-1 satellite constellation in Indian Airspace. The licence is valid for 5 years, up to July 7, 2030.

In short, the government seems open to innovation, but not at the cost of control or fairness. It is being careful about how and when to let in something as disruptive as satellite internet.

My View: I feel Starlink could change internet access in rural India, but these rules show the government wants control before letting it grow. It looks like India is saying yes to new technology, but only on its own terms.

Read More: How I Wonder What You Dream; Starlink Moves Closer to India Launch

Why is TCS Letting Go of 12,000 Employees? The Unspoken Side

Alas! I read about this big move at TCS! They are letting go of about twelve thousand employees. That is about two per cent of their global workforce. Means thousands of mid and senior-level staff are affected.

What surprised me is that they said this is not just about cutting costs. The CEO insisted that it is not due to AI productivity gains. Rather, it is about a mismatch between what skills the company needs and what people currently have. They tried reskilling and redeployment. But some roles did not fit into the new model.

TCS says it wants to become more agile and future-ready. The technology world is shifting fast. They are moving to AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and data solutions. Many traditional project and program managers are no longer in demand. That, they say, is the real reason behind the cuts.

This also comes with a stricter bench policy. More than thirty-five days without a project could lead to termination. They now require employees on the bench to train and be in the office. Billable days are fixed at 225 per year.

Here is the part that feels like a warning lamp for industry watchers. Analysts call this a "canary in the coal mine" for Indian IT services. If TCS is doing this, other big firms could be next. For investors, it shows deep structural shifts and rising risk.

But I keep wondering: is TCS doing the right thing? Sure, they plan to offer severance, health insurance, and career support. Yet letting go of so many skilled people in the name of future readiness leaves a question. Does their reputation stand for resilience or caution?

I urge TCS not to go this way, as thousands of professionals have built their careers with you, given their best, and adapted through every shift and transformation. Let us not forget that they are not just resources. They are people. Loyal employees, skilled minds, and families depending on them.

Reskilling takes time. Guidance, too. Cutting off may seem faster, but rebuilding trust is much slower. With the reputation and strength TCS holds, you have the chance to lead by example, not just in business, but in care.

So, before letting go, can we ask,  have we truly done everything possible to support employees?

Let this not be remembered as a cost-cutting move, but a human-first decision made by a company millions admire.

The Last Word: Dear TCS, if you really go ahead with laying off 12,000+ of your own, think again. People are not just employees; they are your real capital. Investors are watching. The market reacts not only to numbers, but to sentiment, trust, and ethics. You risk more than talent loss. You risk public confidence. If the people lose faith in your values, they will lose interest in your stock, too.

The Great LinkedIn Job Hunt Circus

Job seekers, beware of:  LinkedIn is turning into a talent trap! Behind flashy job titles and “urgent hiring” lies a circus of fake posts, recharge scams, and profile polish pressure. Stay sharp, trust real contacts, and always double-check before you click “Easy Apply.”

Easy Apply, Hard Regret

Mr. P C was a highly optimistic job seeker with a polished resume and even bigger dreams. Every morning, he would log into LinkedIn as if it were a temple darshan. Polished his profile, added motivational quotes like “Ready to work hard and harder,” and waited. One fine Monday, his eyes lit up:-  “Urgent Hiring: Remote Rs.. 80K per month, Work 3 hours a day.” Hallelujah!

He clicked “Easy Apply.” No response.

Next, he applied for “Government project hiring secretarial consultant for NASA project (India Division).” He even changed his display pic to look more “NASA-ish.”

Again… silence.

A week passed.  P C  got excited when he received a message: 

“Hi, Sir, we saw your profile. Kindly send Rs. 499 for the application kit.” 

P C, now semi-suspicious, replied, “Do you take UPI?” 

They said, “Only Google Play recharge codes accepted.”

That is when reality hit. Mr. P C realized LinkedIn was less job portal, more job puzzle. He started noticing patterns: 

*   Jobs with no company name. 

*   No contact emails. 

*   37 job posts from one “Global HR manager” who had 14 followers.

Frustrated, he posted: 

“Dear LinkedIn, why does my resume need 5 stars to find 1 genuine job?”

Solution Suggestion (with a laugh):

 P C now runs his own blog covering many “Job*  seeker Jokes & Justice.” 

He recommends this: 

*   Post jobs like proper “WANTED” ads. 

*   Add Gmail for contact. 

*   No AI bots, no ghost recruiters. 

*   Use LinkedIn to connect, not confuse.

And as Mr. P C  now says, 

“Your skill should speak louder than your resume font!”

Read More:

IBPS PO & SO 2025: Correction Window Now Open

Missed a detail in your IBPS PO or SO application? Now is your only chance to fix it! IBPS has opened a rare 2-day correction window. Find out who can edit, what can be changed, and why this matters before time runs out.

Key Updates

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection has opened a two-day correction window. It will run from July 31 to August 1, 2025. During this time, candidates can edit and resubmit their PO and SO application forms. This option is only for those who submitted their forms and paid the fee by the extended deadline, which was July 28, 2025.

Who Can Use It and What They Can Change:

Only a single edit is allowed during this window.

Editable fields include:

  *  Academic qualifications

  *  Communication address

  *  Employment preferences

  *  Category (within permitted combinations such as OBC to GEN or EWS)

*   Non-editable fields: name, email address, and mobile number remain locked.

 Fees & Submission Guidelines:

*  There is a non-refundable correction fee of Rs 200 per candidate, except if the application was submitted using DigiLocker.

*  Once the corrected form is submitted, it becomes final. No further edits will be possible.

Why This Matters:

This is a one-time opportunity to fix any errors that could lead to rejection or disqualification during document verification.

Many candidates have reported issues, such as incorrect credentials, category, or personal details. This window gives them a last chance to rectify those mistakes.

At a Glance

Application Deadline: July 28, 2025                       

Correction Window: July 31 to  August 1, 2025            

Correction Fee: Rs. 200 (waived via DigiLocker)        

Editable Fields: Education, address, preferences, category 

Non-Editable Fields: Name, email, mobile number          

Final Take

This correction window is a critical safety net. If you have already applied, please review your details carefully and make any necessary edits within the next two days. After that, there is no turning back. Make it count.

Check full official details and notice on IBPS

Looking for Industry-Relevant Research Funding? This Fellowship Opens the Door

Applications are now open for this Post-Doctoral Fellowship program in India. The deadline is 04 August 2025. Every year, they take in 25 fellows. It is a one-year fellowship, and the focus is on research in areas that are still developing or emerging.

This is not for just anyone. They are looking for people with a solid research background. People who have published papers, maybe won some recognitions. Basically, people who have already proven they are serious about research.

The fellowship gives Rs. 1.08 lakh per month. That is under the main fellowship budget. Apart from that, there is an additional Rs. 1.0 lakh per year as a contingency grant. But again, it is temporary. Only for one year.

Now, here is how it works. The proposal has to be submitted by institutions,  not by individuals directly. Only certain eligible institutions can send in the proposal. And if the proposal is accepted, that institution will enroll the selected fellow. So, if you are planning to apply, you need to do it through one of those institutions.

There are some eligibility rules. You must be an Indian citizen. You must have a PhD from a recognized university. And all your academic records, right from the beginning, should be first-class. Your PhD should have been completed not more than five years ago. Also, you should be under 40 years of age at the time of applying.

You cannot apply to the same institution from which you completed your PhD. That is not allowed. Also, your application needs to include the name of a mentor. This mentor should be someone already working in that institution in a regular academic or research post. They must also have a PhD, either in science or engineering.

They will give preference to candidates who have some kind of industry connection. Maybe you are solving a problem that is relevant to industry. Or you are collaborating with an industry partner. That helps. Your proposal needs to be clear. It should explain what you plan to do, what you hope to achieve, and how you will go about it.

There are a few restrictions, too. If you are in regular employment, you cannot apply. But if you are in a temporary job, then you can, only if you are ready to resign if selected. Also, if you are already getting another fellowship, then you cannot apply.

In case someone decides to quit the fellowship midway, then the institution has to inform the PhD Cell at DIC, MeitY. They need to give at least one month’s notice, and they have to stop using the fellowship funds from the date the fellow leaves.

There are other reasons why the fellowship could be canceled. Like if the fellow is not making good progress, or if they misuse the funds, or do not follow the guidelines. Also, if they take up any part-time or full-time job during the fellowship, that will lead to cancellation.

For More details, check HERE

AAI’s New Hiring Drive: Are You the Expert They Are Looking For?

Find Job Here: I came across this new job opening from the Airports Authority of India.  They are hiring Senior Consultants for their head office in Delhi.  There are 10 positions, and the pay? About  Rs 1.5 lakh per month!.

They are splitting the roles into two types:  

• Six for Planning 
• Four for Operations

Know who can apply. First off, age.  you should be under 45 years old by August 1, 2025. That is the cut-off.

Then comes the education part. For Planning roles, they want people with a Civil or Electrical Engineering degree, and also an MBA. If you are from IIT or NIT, that is a plus.

For Operations roles, the degree options are wider:- Engineering, Statistics, Economics, or Operations Research, plus an MBA.

But degrees are not enough. They also want 8 to 10 years of experience. For Planning, it should be in things like project monitoring, execution, or airport infrastructure. For Operations, they need people who are good at data analysis and official reporting.

Applications are open from  21st July to 1st August, 2025. And apply online,  either on the  Airports Authority of India website or EdCIL India.

Also, if you are planning to apply for more than one role, make sure to send separate applications.

How is the Selection? That will be based on your academics, experience, documents, and finally, an interview. The AAI will inform you by email if you get shortlisted.

One thing to note is that this is a contract job for one year. Only Indian nationals can apply. And no, they are not covering any travel costs for the interview. The deadline is near. Just make sure you meet the conditions and get everything submitted in time.

Hi, I'm PC Thomas at the Best Blog. I write clear and useful articles, particularly career-oriented ones, that people benefit from. If you need good content for your website or blog, just email me at... askpcthomas@gmail.com.