Understand how to work with AI tools, not compete with them

Understand how to work with AI tools, not compete with them 

 CAREER COUNSELLOR  06.10.2025

TIMES EDUCATION BANGALORE 

Looking Beyond Coding I want to become a software developer. Is coding still safe in the AI era? -Nitya Raghavan, Indore 

Yes — but basic coding is increasingly automated now. Focus on full-stack development, AI integration, cybersecurity, and problem-solving. Learn languages in demand (Python, JavaScript, Go) and understand how to work with AI tools, not compete with them. Build domain expertise (for example, healthcare tech, FinTech) so you can design solutions tailored to real-world needs. 

|Key Business Mantras I want to run my own business after college. Where do I start, there is no one in my family to guide me. -Suhel Narayan, Kerala 

First, ditch the whole fantasy of becoming the overnight startup billionaire. Building a business is more ‘slow cook’ than ‘instant noodles.’ So while it is best to start by learning the basics of entrepreneurship — you would also need to spend time understanding people, because business is human behaviour in disguise. Study digital marketing so you can be seen, basic finance so you can survive, and negotiation so you can thrive. Don’t wait for ‘the big idea’ — identify a niche and launch small. Sell something, offer a service, test an idea. Internships, side hustles, even running a stall at a local Diwali mela are like miniMBAs in reality. Too many people think, “I’ll start when I have enough experience.” Truth bomb: you get the right experience by starting. AI can forecast trends and write business plans, but it can’t schmoose at a networking event or read a hesitant customer’s body language. Develop people and communication skills. Remember, at the end of the day, algorithms don’t sign cheques — people do. Best of luck. 

|Breaking New Ground I am a science student but I have decided I don’t want to bea doctor or engineer. What else can I do? -Sourav Tawade, Pune 

Oh, plenty — and you don’t have to think you are ‘wasting’ your science background by skipping the stereotypical routes. Science is a passport to everything from environmental consulting to forensic science, food technology, science communication, data analysis, public health policy, wildlife conservation, UX design for healthtech, and even… brewing craft beer (yes, it is Chemistry). Here is a secret: your science background is not just about facts — it is about thinking like a scientist (logically, systematically, curiously, sceptically). That problem-solving mindset works beautifully across a slew of careers you would not expect — like product design, finance, or even diplomacy. Whatever you do, make sure you are adequately AI savvy. However, while AI can crunch datasets at lightning speed, it cannot connect the dots in ways that break new ground. As of now, at least. Your edge will lie in spotting the weird, interesting, and possibly world-changing questions to ask in the first place. 

Making a Career in Music Although I don’t sing or play an instrument, I listen to music all the time. Can I make a career in music beyond performing? –Tithi Mishra, Asansol

 Absolutely — and you don’t have to be a vocalist or instrumentalist to make a living. The music world is vast and varied. Think sound engineering, audio branding for companies, music therapy, composing for films, games or ads, curating playlists for streaming platforms, teaching, or running your own indie label. Some careers are surprisingly niche — like designing soundscapes for luxury hotels or composing the tiny ‘ta-da’ tones you hear when you switch on a gadget. Here is the thing no one tells you : in music, versatility beats virtuosity. You might not win a Grammy, but you can still make a living that is rich in creativity. Also, AI can churn out tunes, but it can’t feel the ache of a love song or the mischief in a rap.

Master the art of directing emotion in music — knowing not just what notes to play, but why and for whom. That human emotional compass is irreplaceable.

Cabinet adds 10,000 new MBBS, PG seats; faculty shortage could restrict seat expansion

Cabinet adds 10,000 new MBBS, PG seats; faculty shortage could restrict seat expansion

 Unless the paucity is addressed, increasing seats would risk diluting training quality of new doctors 

Sonal.Srivastava@timesofindia.com 06.10.2025

The Union Cabinet approved phase-III medical expansion in September 2025, greenlighting the addition of over 10,000 new MBBS and PG seats to boost India’s healthcare capacity. As the government pushes ahead with expanding MBBS and postgraduate medical seats across the country, experts warn that a chronic shortage of faculty and inadequate infrastructure may dilute the quality of medical education. 

A 2023 NITI Aayog report pegged the faculty shortfall at nearly 30%. According to data presented in the Rajya Sabha, approximately 40% of faculty positions in various AIIMS remained unfilled in 2025. Premier institutions, such as AIIMS New Delhi, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, Patna, Raipur, and Rishikesh, have a faculty shortage of 23%-38% across various levels. 

A senior official from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare acknowledges that the shortage of faculty remains a pressing concern. “The government has put in place stop-gap measures to address the issue as medical seats continue to expand,” he adds. “In a few streams, especially in the preand para-clinical areas, medical colleges are unable to find suitable faculty as fewer students opt for them compared to clinical subjects,” says the official. To increase the faculty number, the government has allowed MSc and PhD candidates to teach preand para-clinical subjects. “This is only for the initial years; eventually, reliance will increase on AI and e-books that will assist the faculty,” says the official.

Broadening the faculty pool through MSc and PhD candidates is necessary; however, preference will be given to candidates with MBBS/MD degrees. Once there is sufficient faculty and the system stabilises, these pressures will gradually subside, he adds.

Doubling MBBS seats without increasing the number of teachers and developing infrastructure will not help sustain the quality of education, says Dr Sajal Bansal, chief advisor, FAIMA, Maharashtra. “The student-teacher ratio is impacted negatively because of faculty shortage. Earlier, one teacher taught 20-25 students; now, a teacher is expected to handle a higher number of students,” he adds. To understand student experiences, FAIMA has launched a nationwide survey of medical students, covering issues such as faculty availability, clinical exposure, libraries, and infrastructure. 

Over 1,700 responses have been received so far. The shortage is particularly acute in non-clinical subjects such as Anatomy, Pharmacology, and Microbiology, where PG seats often remain vacant. “Most students prefer clinical branches because they want patient exposure, and non-clinical departments suffer because opportunities are limited — labs are under equipped, research exposure is poor, and job prospects are uncertain,” says Dr Bansal. Hospitals with more than 220 beds are also being converted into medical colleges to expand capacity. “These measures may bring some temporary relief, but they will not fully solve the shortage,” says Dr Sanjay Teotia, senior consultant, Balrampur Hospital, UP. 

Unless the shortage is addressed, the rapid expansion of medical seats risks diluting the training of new doctors. “Infrastructure and faculty must grow in tandem with seat expansion. Otherwise, the system will produce doctors with limited clinical exposure and inadequate guidance, which will ultimately affect patient care,” says Dr Teotia. SSC introduces reforms to make exams secure and transparent The SSC has rolled out a series of reforms to make its examinations more transparent, secure, and convenient for candidates. Candidates appearing in SSC exams can view their own question papers, responses, and the correct answers. However, restrictions apply during ongoing multishift exams to ensure that papers from later sessions are not compromised. To further assist aspirants, the Commission has also decided to publish selected past question papers as official sample sets at regular intervals. SSC has halved the fee for challenging questions, from Rs 100 to Rs 50 per question, reducing the financial burden on aspirants who wish to contest an answer. 

Another significant measure is the introduction of equi-percentile normalisation. This method compares candidates based on their percentile score rather than raw marks. It removes any 

advantage or disadvantage that may arise from variation in difficulty levels across different exam shifts. Ensuring exam security and fairness has also been a major focus. Aadhaarbased authentication has been introduced to prevent impersonation and to stop candidates from attempting the same exam multiple times.

Doctor who prescribed cough syrup held in M.P.

Doctor who prescribed cough syrup held in M.P.

06.10.2025

Superintendent of Police, Chhindwara, Ajay Pandey told The Hindu that Dr. Soni was taken into custody late on Saturday night after a first information report was lodged against him and Sresan Pharmaceuticals, based in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu, under Sections 105 and 276 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and Section 27A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

“The SIT led by an Additional Superintendent of Police will soon visit Tamil Nadu and other locations linked to the case. We have also written to the Tamil Nadu police for assistance in the investigation,” Mr. Pandey said. He said that a team had searched Dr. Soni’s clinic and other locations to gather evidence.

“We are also questioning him on how many patients he has prescribed the syrup to or how long he has been prescribing it,” he said.

Mr. Pandey said the death toll in the district had surged to 13, including 10 from Parasia, two from Chhindwara city, and one from Chaurai sub-division area, while an official at the Chief Minister’s Office said one child died in neighbouring Pandhurna district, allegedly from problems caused by the syrup.

The children had died over a period of one month with the first death having been reported in early September.

Aid distributed

Additional District Magistrate, Chhindwara, Dhirendra Singh said eight more children from the district were currently admitted in Nagpur.

“We have disbursed the financial aid [announced by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav] of ₹4 lakh each to the families of 14 deceased children,” Mr. Singh said.

Meanwhile, a report from the Drug Testing Laboratory of Madhya Pradesh’s Food and Drugs Administration also found the sample of Coldrif syrup “adulterated with diethylene glycol 46.28% w/v which is injurious to health”.

NEWS TODAY 05.10.2025