Overview On December 26, 2025 , India communicated its concerns to the U.S. regarding the abrupt cancellation of pre-scheduled H1B visa interviews for a significant number of Indian applicants. The issue revolves around the postponement of these interviews, initially slated from mid-December, due to enhanced scrutiny measures. Key Developments Postponement of Interviews: Thousands of H-1B visa applicants had their interviews postponed, affecting appointments scheduled from December 15, 2025 , onwards. Reason for Delay: The U.S. authorities cited enhanced vetting measures, including scrutiny of social media posts and online profiles, as the reason for the delays. Impacted Individuals: Many applicants received emails informing them of new interview dates as late as May 2026 . Government Intervention: The Indian government, through the External Affairs Ministry , has taken up the matter with the U.S. both in New Delhi and Washington D.C. Hardships Faced: Many Indian nationals are stranded in India for extended periods, causing significant hardships to them and their families. Indian Government's Response The Indian government has actively engaged with the U.S. to minimize disruptions to its nationals. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the government has flagged these issues and concerns to the U.S. side. The government acknowledges the hardships faced by Indian nationals stranded in India due to the visa delays. Key Concerns Raised Disruptions to Nationals: The primary concern is the disruption caused to Indian nationals who are unable to return to the U.S. for their jobs. Extended Delays: Many applicants are facing extended delays, with interview dates pushed back by several months. Financial and Personal Impact: The delays are causing financial and personal hardships to the affected individuals and their families. U.S. Perspective The U.S. government has not officially commented on the specific reasons for the mass cancellation of interviews. However, it is understood that the enhanced vetting measures are aimed at ensuring national security and compliance with immigration laws. Visa-related issues fall under the sovereign domain of any country, allowing the U.S. to implement its own screening processes. Enhanced Vetting Measures Social Media Scrutiny: A key aspect of the enhanced vetting is the scrutiny of applicants' social media posts and online profiles. Security Concerns: The measures are likely driven by concerns related to national security and potential immigration violations. Compliance with Laws: The U.S. government aims to ensure that all visa applicants comply with U.S. immigration laws and regulations. UPSC Relevance This news is relevant to GS2 (International Relations) , as it highlights the diplomatic interactions between India and the U.S. regarding visa policies. It also touches upon GS3 (Economy) , considering the impact of visa policies on the movement of skilled labor and the Indian economy. Additionally, it relates to GS2 (Government Policies) concerning policies affecting the Indian diaspora. Potential UPSC Questions Discuss the implications of stricter U.S. visa policies on Indian professionals and the Indian economy. Evaluate the role of social media vetting in international visa policies and its potential impact on individual privacy. Analyze the diplomatic challenges arising from visa-related issues between India and the U.S. Important Facts The issue involves the cancellation of H1B visa interviews. The interviews were scheduled from December 15, 2025 , onwards. The reason for the cancellation is enhanced vetting measures, including social media scrutiny. The Indian government has raised concerns with the U.S. government. Many Indian nationals are facing hardships due to the delays.