A new bill introduced in the United States has sent waves of concern through the Indian student community studying abroad. This proposed legislation aims to eliminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, a critical opportunity for international students to gain work experience in the U.S. after graduation. For many Indian students, this news feels like a punch to the gut, stirring up anxiety about their future plans and career dreams.

Published on April 7, 2025, this development has sparked a frenzy of discussions among students who rely on OPT to kickstart their professional lives in America. The program currently allows STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) graduates to work in the U.S. for up to three years post-graduation, offering a vital bridge between education and employment. For non-STEM students, the window is shorter, at just one year. If this bill passes, however, that lifeline could vanish, leaving students with no choice but to pack up and head home right after their studies—unless they secure an H-1B visa, which is notoriously tough to snag.

Why Indian Students Are Freaking Out

The stakes are especially high for Indian students, who make up a huge chunk of the international student population in the U.S. According to the Open Doors 2024 report, over 300,000 Indian students were enrolled in American universities during the 2023-24 academic year, with roughly a third eligible for OPT. That’s a massive number of young people now facing uncertainty. “OPT is a game-changer,” says Poorvi Chothani, an immigration expert from LawQuest in Florida. “It gives students a year to find a job, and STEM grads get an extra two years if they’re with a qualified employer. Without it, they might have to leave immediately—no transition, no backup plan.”

The panic is real. Students who’ve poured their hearts (and hefty tuition fees averaging $60,000 a year) into studying in the U.S. are now wondering if it’ll all be for nothing. Many take out loans to fund their education, banking on OPT to land jobs and start paying off that debt. “Losing the chance to work here and earn a U.S. salary is a huge blow,” Chothani adds. “It’s not just about jobs—it’s about financial survival.”

What’s Driving This Bill?

The push to end OPT isn’t new, but it’s gaining traction amid a wave of anti-immigration sentiment tied to President Donald Trump’s administration. This bill comes hot on the heels of promises for tougher immigration policies, including mass deportations. While past attempts to kill OPT have fizzled out, the current political climate feels different, and that’s got students on edge. The Economic Times reports that Indian students are even canceling summer trips home, terrified they won’t be allowed back into the U.S. Prestigious schools like Cornell, Columbia, and Yale have quietly advised their international students to stay put, just in case.

A Ripple Effect on Study Abroad Dreams

The U.S. has long been the top destination for Indian students chasing world-class education and career opportunities. But if OPT disappears, that appeal could take a hit. Experts are already seeing a 20% spike in applications to countries like Canada and Europe for the 2025 and 2026 academic years. “Families want certainty after graduation,” says Adarsh Khandelwal, co-founder of Collegify, a study abroad platform. “The U.S. isn’t cheap, and without OPT, it’s a riskier investment.”

Students are feeling the heat in real time. “We used to talk about coding bootcamps and internships,” Khandelwal notes. “Now it’s all legal webinars and immigration forums. The vibe has totally shifted.” It’s a stark reminder of how policy changes can upend lives overnight.

The Bigger Picture

Here’s the kicker: international students aren’t just here to study—they’re a powerhouse for the U.S. economy. In the 2023-24 academic year, they pumped a jaw-dropping $43.8 billion into the system and supported over 378,000 jobs, according to NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Indian students, in particular, are a big part of that economic boost. Scrapping OPT could mean losing talent to other countries and taking a financial hit at home.

For now, the bill’s fate hangs in the balance. It’s got to clear the Senate and land on the President’s desk before it’s official, and with Democrats holding sway in Congress, it’s not a done deal. Still, the uncertainty is enough to keep Indian students—and their families—up at night. Will they get to chase their American dream, or will they have to pivot to Plan B? Only time will tell, but one thing’s clear: this is a story worth watching.

Starting April 8, 2025, cooking gas prices in India are going up by Rs 50 per cylinder, as announced by Union Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday. This price hike, rolled out by distribution companies, affects everyone—whether you’re a general user or part of the Ujjwala scheme. For the average household, this means a 14.2-kg LPG cylinder will now cost Rs 853, up from Rs 803. Meanwhile, Ujjwala beneficiaries will see their subsidized rate jump from Rs 503 to Rs 553.

Why the Increase?

The minister explained that this adjustment comes after public sector oil companies faced massive losses—over Rs 41,338 crore in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025—due to selling LPG below cost. With international oil prices fluctuating, the actual cost of a 14.2-kg cylinder in Delhi should be Rs 1,028.50. However, companies have been keeping prices lower to ease the burden on consumers, leading to what’s called “under-recoveries.” Now, with losses piling up, this moderate hike aims to cover future costs, while the Oil Ministry plans to seek extra budget support to offset past deficits.

How Cooking Gas Prices Impacts Your Wallet

For Ujjwala households, cooking with LPG will now cost about Rs 6.10 per day, while general users will pay around Rs 14.58 daily. Puri called these rates “reasonable,” noting that prices will be reviewed monthly. If global oil prices drop, consumers could see some relief down the line. Alongside this, the government has also raised excise duties on petrol and diesel by Rs 2 per liter each, though retail pump prices won’t change for now—oil companies will absorb this hit thanks to lower international crude costs.

A Balancing Act

This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about keeping kitchens running affordably while managing a complex energy market. The Rs 50 hike might sting a little, especially for budget-conscious families, but it’s a step to stabilize the system. For now, oil companies are bearing the brunt of past losses, and the additional revenue from fuel duties might help them recover.

Stay tuned for monthly updates on LPG rates, and let’s hope softer global prices bring some good news soon! For the latest on cooking gas prices and how they affect your household, keep checking back here.

Nifty Dives 1,000 Points Amid Global Trade War Fears—What’s Next for India’s Market?

On April 7, 2025, India’s stock market took a brutal hit, leaving investors reeling. The BSE Sensex nosedived by more than 2,500 points, while the NSE Nifty plummeted over 1,000 points in early trading. This dramatic drop wiped out a staggering Rs. 20 lakh crore in investor wealth in mere seconds, all triggered by escalating fears over U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies.

The chaos began after Trump rolled out hefty reciprocal tariffs on April 2, targeting around 60 countries. India faced a 26% tariff hike, while China got slapped with a whopping 54%. Not to be outdone, China fired back with a 34% tariff on the U.S., igniting panic about a full-blown global trade war. The ripple effect was swift—Asian markets tanked, U.S. futures signaled more pain ahead, and India’s financial hubs felt the heat.

By midday, the Sensex was down over 3,000 points, hovering around 72,000, with the Nifty slipping below 22,000. The Indian rupee weakened too, dropping 30 paise to 85.74 against the dollar. Experts point to Trump’s tariffs as the main culprit, warning that this could be just the beginning. “India’s getting caught in the crossfire of global trade tensions,” said market analyst Ajay Bagga. “We’re not crashing because of our own mess—it’s the world’s mess spilling over. India needs bold fiscal moves to shield itself from this storm.”

The fallout wasn’t limited to India. Wall Street’s futures hinted at a rough Monday ahead, while Japan and Taiwan saw trading halts as their markets spiraled. Back home, every major sector—auto, IT, pharma, you name it—was bleeding red. Not a single BSE Sensex stock escaped the carnage.

Analysts are sounding the alarm: if this tariff showdown drags on, India’s economy could face serious headwinds. “The Nifty’s already broken key support levels,” noted SEBI-registered analyst Sunil Gurjar. “If it keeps sliding, we’re looking at a deeper downturn.” Meanwhile, some experts see a silver lining, suggesting India might need a hefty reform package to weather this “global economic winter.”

As Trump digs in his heels—calling tariffs “necessary medicine” for trade imbalances—the world’s markets are left scrambling. For Indian investors, it’s a tense wait-and-see game. Will the government step in with a rescue plan, or is this just the start of a wild ride? Stay tuned as this story unfolds.