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Gaokao is a prerequisite for entrance to almost all higher education institutions at the undergraduate level in China Every year in the beginning of June, millions of students take the Gaokao, China’s National College Entrance Examination. This year, more than 10 million students took the exam across China, reports CNBC. What is Gaokao? Gaokao is a prerequisite for entrance to almost all higher education institutions at the undergraduate level in China. It is usually taken by students in their last year of senior high school. However, there has been no age restriction since 2001. The exams last about nine hours and are held over a period of two days, depending on the province. Chinese and mathematics are included in all tests. An English test was formerly required of all students, but now Japanese, Russian or French may be taken instead. Why the Gaokao examination day is marked as a national holiday Gaokao is termed as a national event on a par with a public h...

Under fire from trade unions, Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has decided to change the new rules that restrict employees from withdrawing their entire provident fund ( PF ) balance till the age of 58. The EPFO has brought in norms that exclude subscribers falling in certain categories. According to amended norms, a subscriber can withdraw his or her entire savings for housing purpose, treatment of himself/herself or family members suffering from TB (tuberculosis), leprosy, paralysis, cancer or undergoing heart operation, marriage of children as well as professional education (medical, engineering, dental) of children. Further, the rules have been relaxed for a member who joins an establishment under the control of the central or state governments and becomes a member of old-age pension schemes framed by the central or state governments. The fresh amendment will come into effect from August 1. According to a February notification, EPFO subscribers can with...