NEET row, Centre notifies law with ₹1 crore fine

 

Amid uproar over allegations of irregularities in the conduct of NEET-UG exams and cancellation of the UGC-NET entrance test, the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Friday cancelled the June edition of the National Eligibility Exam of the Joint Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and University Grants Commission and postponed the Joint CSIR-UGC-NET, a test conducted to determine eligibility for Junior Research Fellowships and admission to doctoral courses in science. The central government on Friday announced stringent laws to eradicate cheating and malpractice in competitive exams. The laws provide stringent penalties, including a maximum of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of Rs 10 crore, for those involved in these offences. Here are 10 points on the NEET and UGC-NET exam paper leak controversy: CSIR is the national testing agency in the loop over the cancellation of the UGC-NET exam after the

exam paper leak was discovered online - The UGC-NET exam has been postponed citing unavoidable circumstances and logistical issues. "The June 2024 joint CSIR-UGC-NET examination, scheduled to be held from June 25, 2024 to June 27, 2024, is postponed due to unavoidable circumstances and logistical issues. Any rescheduled conduct of the survey will be announced on the official website at a later date," the NTA said in a notification.

Congress has slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government over the development. "Yet again, NTA examination has been postponed, this time for CSIR-UGC-NET. "NTA has clearly become a traumatic institution for the youth of Narendra," said senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.

The CSIR-UGC-NET exam is conducted twice a year in June and December and is computer-based in five subjects including chemistry, earth, atmospheric, marine and planetary sciences, life sciences, mathematics and physics. The results pave the way for admission to all premier institutions offering doctoral programs in these fields, including the IITs and Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs). Over 200,000 students were expected to appear for the exam. Over 175,000 students appeared for the exam in December last year.

Meanwhile, the Public Examinations (Prevention of Cheating Practices) Act, 2024 was announced by the Personnel Ministry on Friday evening. The provisions of the Act came into force on June 21, four months after President Dhruv Padi Murmu gave his assent. "In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 2 of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Cheating Practices) Act, 2024 (1 of 2024), the Central Government hereby fixes June 21, 2024 as the date of examination. The provisions of the Act shall come into force," the announcement said.

The Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha on February 9 and in the Lok Sabha on February 6. It received presidential assent on February 12. The scope of the Act includes exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), railways, bank recruitment examinations and the National Testing Agency (NTA). According to the Act, those involved in organised crime related to scams will be punished with five to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of at least Rs 10 crore.

The BJP government has ordered a CBI probe into the cancellation of the UGC-NET exams. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday said the exams were cancelled after authorities found the issues on the dark web. The document will also be shared on Telegram, he added.

He said the paper leak was a systematic failure of the NTA. The government has set up an expert committee to recommend reforms to the inspection agency. "The paper leak is a systematic failure of the NTA. A reform committee will be set up and I will ensure that measures are taken," he said.

The Supreme Court on Saturday refused to stay counselling for the NEET exam. After 67 students secured perfect 720 marks in one of the toughest exams in the country, medical students alleged irregularities in the conduct of the exam. There has also been dissatisfaction with the good results. The agency has asked over 1,500 students to retake the medical exam.

Authorities have arrested four people, including a medical student, in Bihar for allegedly leaking papers for the NEET-UG 2024 exam.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slammed the government over allegations of rigging in competitive exams. "In the last five years, 43 cases of recruitment exam papers have been leaked in the country. Under the BJP rule, document leaks have become a national issue in our country and have so far ruined the future of millions of young people. India is the youngest country in the world. We have the largest youth population." Instead of making these youth skilled and competent, the Bharatiya Janata Party government is weakening them,” she alleged.

Arvind Kejriwal Bail -Delhi HC halts release of Arvind Kejriwal

The Delhi high court today paused the trial court bail order of Arvind Kejriwal. Opposing the bail order, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had approached HC to challenge the bail order. The case pertains to money laundering linked to the government's old excise policy. Additional solicitor General SV Raju presented the plea to Justices Sudhir Kumar Jain and Ravinder Dudeja, who were overseeing the matter during the court's vacation period.

Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un take turns driving Russian-made limousine

 

Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un take turns driving Russian-made limousine

One of Vladimir Putin's aides said earlier on Wednesday that the Russian leader had presented Kim Jong Un with a Russian-built Aurus limousine as a gift.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un took turns to drive each other around in a Russian-built Aurus limousine on Wednesday after the Kremlin said Putin had gifted one of the luxury vehicles to Kim.

In a carefully staged public relations opportunity held amid tight security, the two leaders used the moment to show how close their working relationship has become during what was a pomp-filled visit to Pyongyang by Putin, his first in nearly a quarter of a century. Their jaunt took place after the two leaders had signed a deal that included a mutual defence pledge, one of Russia's most significant moves in Asia for years that Kim said amounted to an "alliance".

Video released by Russian state TV showed Putin jumping behind the wheel of the black armoured Aurus, which is his official presidential car back in Russia, with Kim getting in the passenger seat.

The car then drives down a winding road through a carefully maintained park and comes to a halt. A South Korean man in a suit and white gloves holds the door open for Kim, and then hurries off to hold it open for Putin.

Putin and Kim then talk as they walk side by side along a forest path, with two men walking behind them, presumably translators. Afterwards, Kim, who is considered an avid car enthusiast, drives Putin back in his car.

One of Putin's advisers said earlier Wednesday that the Russian president had gifted Kim a Russian-made Owl limousine.

Putin gifted Kim his first Aurus sedan in February this year, the two countries said at the time, meaning Putin now owns at least two cars.

The Aurus Senat, designed in the retro style of the Soviet-era ZIL limousine, is Russia's official presidential car, and Putin rode in one of these vehicles to the recent inauguration ceremony at the Kremlin in May.

Putin showed Kim one of the cars during Kim's visit to eastern Russia last September. Kim sat next to Putin in the car and appeared to enjoy it.

Kim owns a large collection of foreign luxury cars, which were likely smuggled in due to UN Security Council resolutions banning the export of luxury goods to North Korea.

He has been seen driving a Maybach sedan, several Mercedes, a Rolls-Royce Phantom and a Lexus SUV.

Aurus Motors began producing cars in Russia's Tatarstan region, about 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from Moscow, in 2021.

A senior Russian official said last month that Russia would start producing Aurus cars this year at a former Toyota plant in St. Petersburg.

South Korea receives first batch of P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft

 

After India, South Korea has joined the elite in joint operation 'flying monsters' capable of tracking and hunting Chinese submarines

South Korea has joined a special team of the country's powerful P-8 Poseidon; Many missions on maritime patrol aircraft know this. For its success in submarine detection and offshore defense.

India is the world's largest operator of the P-8 Poseidon fleet, the best platform for joint operations. It should be emphasized that cooperation between India and South Korea is important in promoting peace in the Indo-Pacific region.

South Korea welcomed the first batch of P-8A Poseidon maritime reconnaissance aircraft. Three Boeing P-8A aircraft landed at the Naval Aviation Command in Pohang, 162 miles south of Seoul. Three P-8A aircraft are expected to arrive on June 30. The multi-purpose missile is expected to enhance South Korea's anti-submarine capabilities.

P-8 Poseidon Order History

The Boeing P-8 is a multi-role maritime surveillance aircraft tasked with anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and search and rescue operations. The P-8I can also be used for coastal surveillance.

Boeing Defense, Aerospace & Security designs and manufactures the P-8 Poseidon aircraft, which is derived from the commercial Boeing 737-800 airliner. Originally built for the United States Navy (USN), there are currently 200 P-8s in service or under contract with nine countries.

The U.S. and Indian navies, as well as the Australian Air Force, Royal Air Force, Royal Norwegian Air Force, and Royal New Zealand Air Force, have also deployed the platform aboard their ships. The Republic of Korea Navy (South Korea) still plans to operate the P-8 Poseidon.

The German Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force have also ordered the P-8 Poseidon. Germany decided in November to purchase three Boeing-made submarines, bringing the total fleet to eight. These new planes are being built now.

In November 2023, Canada announced its decision to purchase the P-8A Poseidon to replace the current CP-140 Aurora. Boeing has signed a $3.4 billion contract to build 14 P-8A Poseidon jets for the Royal Canadian Air Force, with the first aircraft expected to be delivered in 2026. Germany and Norway are on a multi-purpose platform. Boeing said the contracts were designed to leverage the two companies' additional leverage to provide management, technology and training costs for the P-8A Poseidon program.

P-8I: India's Most Powerful

For Boeing, the Indian Navy is the first and still the largest global customer for the P-8. India is the second largest operator of these aircraft outside the United States.

The 12 P-8Is in the Indian Navy's arsenal significantly enhance its ability to monitor the Indo-Pacific region and enhance security in the maritime region.

Armed with Harpoon Block-II missiles, MK-54 lightweight torpedoes, rockets and depth charges, the sensor- and radar-equipped aircraft serve as the country's "intelligent eagle eyes" over the increasingly militarized Indian Ocean Region (IOR). .

With a maximum speed of 907 km/h and a range of over 1,200 nautical miles, the P-8I can detect and intercept threats before they reach the Indian coast.

Kejriwal granted bail by Rouse Avenue Court

 

Arvind Kejriwal Bail: AAP says 'Satyamev Jayate' released on court order, Bharatiya Janata Party hits back

Arvind Kejriwal has been granted bail by a Delhi court three months after he was arrested by Edgar Allan Poe in the GST policy case.

The Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday welcomed the Delhi court order granting bail to Chief Minister and party leader Arvind Kejriwal in the GST policy case.

The 55-year-old politician, who returned to Delhi's Tihar Jail on June 2 after expiry of his interim bail period, will be out of jail three months after he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the case.

"Satyemeva Jayate (Truth will prevail)" Delhi Minister Atish posted on X after the news of Kejriwal's bail broke. Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh, who was also arrested in the case and released on bail on April 4, said: "Democracy will be strengthened if Arvind Kejriwal is released from prison at a time like this." This is good news for the people of Delhi...ED's statements so far are based on lies...This is a baseless and fabricated case created to frame Kejriwal."

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said: "The granting of bail to CM Arvind Kejriwal is a landmark for the entire country. This decision will set a great example for our legal system. In PMLA cases, most people get relief only from the Supreme Court...Usually lower courts never grant relief...So it is clear that the Central Government does not have a case in this case."

International Yoga Day 2024 Yoga Day Celebrations, Led By PM Modi, Begins In Srinagar After Rain Delay

 

Addressing the nation on International Yoga Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the world is looking at Yoga as an agent of global good. The PM was scheduled to address the nations on the banks of the Dal Lake to celebrate the 10th International Yoga Day but due to incessant rain the event was moved indoor.

The prime minister is now performing yoga in a 30-minute session. This year's theme, "Yoga for Self and Society", emphasises yoga's vital role in fostering individual well-being and social harmony.

Over the years, PM Modi has led Yoga Day celebrations at various iconic locations, including Delhi's Kartavya Path, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Ranchi and Jabalpur. Last year, he led the events at the UN Headquarters in New York, which is expected to bring more attention to the Srinagar programme.

Patna HC scraps Bihar govt's quota hike to 65% in jobs, education

Patna HC scraps Bihar govt's quota hike to 65% in jobs, education
Patna HC scraps Bihar govt's quota hike to 65% in jobs, education

 

The Patna high court on Thursday set aside the Bihar government's notification increasing quota for backward classes, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes from 50% to 65% in government jobs and higher educational institutions in the state. A division bench headed by Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran passed the order on a batch of writ petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the legislations brought by the Nitish Kumar government in November 2023.

The Bihar government had issued the gazette notification for the two reservation bills – Bihar Reservation of vacancies in posts and services (For SC, ST, EBC and OBC) Amendment Bill and the Bihar (In Admission In Educational, Institutions) Reservation Amendment Bill, 2023 – paving the way for increase in quota from the existing 50% to 65%. With this, total reservation in the state would have reached 75% after adding 10% to the economic and weaker sections (EWS).

Based on the findings of the caste survey in the state, the government increased the quota for Scheduled Caste (SC) to 20%, for Scheduled Tribe (ST) to 2%, Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) to 25% and Other Backward Classes (OBC) to 18%.

“On analysis of data collected during ‘Caste based Survey 2022-23, it is apparent that large section of backward classes, schedule caste and schedule tribe need to be promoted for them to catch up to satisfy cherished aim in the Constitution of equality in opportunity and status,” the gazette notification stated.

The petitioners had argued that the hike in reservation by the state government was beyond its legislative powers.

“The amendments are violative of the Supreme Court verdict passed in the case of Indira Sawhney versus Union of India whereby a maximum ceiling of 50% was laid down. The quota hike was also discriminatory in nature and violative of the fundamental rights to equality as guaranteed to the citizens by Articles 14,15 and 16,” the petitioners' counsel had submitted.

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