Google Keep may get updates soon: These are the two most interesting changes

Google Keep may get updates soon: 

These are the two most interesting changes

Google Keep may soon introduce a revamped toolbar and cleaner image previews, according to an APK teardown, aiming to modernize the app’s user interface.

AGENCIAS

April 3, 2025 Updated: April 3, 2025 at 4:25 PM

Google Keep, the simple yet powerful note-taking app, may be about to receive a fresh coat of paint in its upcoming versions. According to an APK teardown presented by Android Authority, two major changes stand out: a redesigned toolbar and a new way of displaying image attachments. While these updates aren’t available yet, they could arrive in a future release.

A cleaner, more dynamic toolbar is coming One of the main visual changes spotted is a revamped toolbar with larger, more prominent icons for key actions like attaching files, formatting text, and changing the background color. The icons appear with rounded backgrounds that adapt to the device’s theme, bringing a more modern and consistent look. Subheading formats such as H1 and H2 will also become slightly smaller, likely to improve overall readability.

Image attachments may finally look better In its current version, when a user adds an image to a note, it spans the entire width of the screen, often feeling visually intrusive. The previewed design changes that by introducing margins on both sides of the image, giving it rounded corners and a cleaner, more elegant appearance. This subtle tweak could significantly improve the app’s visual balance, especially for users who frequently include photos in their notes.

These updates follow Google Keep’s recent enhancements like floating action buttons and a shortcut for audio notes. While the redesign isn’t live yet, all signs suggest Google is preparing a more refined and user-friendly experience for its loyal note-takers.

SC: State can't decide on rural stints for doctors from outside

SC: State can't decide on rural stints for doctors from outside 

The Supreme Court criticized the Uttarakhand government's 2009 policy requiring non-state students in MBBS courses to serve in remote areas or pay Rs 30 lakh. The court emphasized that this policy should be a uniform decision by the Union government, citing challenges faced by students from other states in serving in inaccessible regions.

Dhananjay.MahapatraTNN

Apr 3, 2025, 5:25 IST

Supreme Court NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Wednesday faulted Uttarakhand govt's 2009 policy mandating non-state students admitted to MBBS courses in its medical colleges under the 15% all-India quota (AIQ) to either serve in remote areas for five years or pay Rs 30 lakh in addition to steep annual fees. "What is the use of asking a student from Tamil Nadu, who gets admission into an MBBS course in a govt medical college in Uttarakhand based on his all-India rank and primarily taught medicine in English, to serve in inaccessible areas of the state?" asked a bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh. "Will he be able to interact with patients in remote villages and inaccessible areas and treat them? It is a laudable concept for inter-state exchange of civil servants and other subject experts.

However, a state cannot decide rural service for non-state all-India quota students, doing MBBS from the govt college within its territory. It requires a uniform policy decision, for which the Union govt is the competent authority," the bench said. As per the 2009 policy decision of the Uttarakhand govt, an AIQ student was required to sign a bond for Rs 30 lakh promising to serve in rural areas for five years on completing an MBBS course from its medical college. It also stipulated that if an AIQ student opted out of mandatory rural service in the state, then he would have to pay an annual fee of Rs 2.2 lakh instead of Rs 15,000.

"Justice Hurried Is Justice Buried": Madras High Court Upholds Order Quashing Disciplinary Proceeding Conducted Within Two Weeks

"Justice Hurried Is Justice Buried": Madras High Court Upholds Order Quashing Disciplinary Proceeding Conducted Within Two Weeks

Upasana Sajeev

2 Apr 2025 6:43 PM

The Madras High Court has dismissed an appeal filed by the General Manager & Reviewing Authority of the Canara Bank against an order of the single judge quashing the disciplinary proceedings against an employee.

The bench of Justice GR Swaminathan and Justice P Vadamalai noted that while disciplinary proceedings usually take a few months to conclude, the disciplinary proceedings in the present case were concluded within two weeks. The court thus said that the committee had shown undue hate for bringing the enquiry to a closure.

Also Read - One-Year LLM Program Approved By UGC, Valid For Getting Appointment In Public Departments Or Universities: Madras High Court

“We take judicial notice of the fact that disciplinary proceedings of this nature would normally take at least a few months to conclude. 'Justice hurried is justice buried' is a well known adage. It is inconceivable that the entire proceedings could have been concluded in a fair manner within a period of two weeks,” the court said.

The court remarked that disciplinary proceedings are not like a bullet train journey and should be conducted in a manner with a possibility of “two roads diverging in the yellow woods”. While the court noted that the proceedings need not be slow, it had to be carried on with a reasonable speed. The court added that the proceedings should be permeated with fairness and the end result should not be premeditated.

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“A disciplinary proceeding should not resemble a point to point bullet train journey. A charge memo need not necessarily culminate in punishment. The delinquent employee stands the chance of being exonerated also. The proceeding should therefore be conducted in a manner that is pregnant with the possibility of “two roads diverging in the yellow woods”. There must be halting stations. And the halts should be meaningful and not for the sake of it. The process need not be necessarily slow. It can very well be carried on with reasonable speed and despatch. The Judge carrying out the task of judicial review must get the feeling that the entire process was permeated with fairness and that the end result was not predetermined,” the court said.

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The court was hearing the appeal filed by the management against the order of the single judge setting aside the order passed by the disciplinary authority against the authority. The allegation against the employee was that while working as the Branch Manager of Canara Bank from 2007 to 2009, he had sanctioned a large number of loans in favour of self-help groups. He was later transferred in 2009. A charge memo was issued in 2012 containing seven articles of charge.

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The court noted that though the employee was called on to offer his explanation within 15 days, the enquiry commenced without waiting for his reply and was completed within 2 days. The enquiry officer also submitted that report within a few days and the employee's representation was also obtained on the same day. The disciplinary authority passed an order after 4 days agreeing with the finding of the enquiry officer and imposing a punishment of dismissal from service.

The management argued that the in-house investigation reports clearly revealed that the employee, as a sanctioning authority, did not adhere to the procedure laid down in the bank norms and due to the improper, irregular, and fraudulent loan disbursement, the bank suffered huge financial loss. Thus, it was argued that the bank was justified in imposing the punishment. Challenging the order of the single judge, the bank management argued that the writ court could not assume the function of a fact finder or decide the quantum of punishment to be awarded.

The court noted that though procedure was followed, there was undue haste. The court noted that the employee was given only 15 days to offer his explanation and the enquiry commenced even without waiting for his reply. The court also noted that the enquiry officer had marked 96 documents and examined 17 witnesses within 2 days. Further, the court also noted that the enquiry report was furnished to the delinquent even before submitting it to the disciplinary authority. Thus, the court deemed the entire exercise to be “whirlwind proceedings”.

From the entire sequence of events, the court also suggested that the employee seemed to have been given an assurance that he would be let off lightly if he cooperated, as no employee would otherwise willingly participate in the proceedings without submitting his defence statement. The court held that the employee was led like a lamb to be mercilessly slaughtered. The court concluded that the process was not fair and an interference was justified.

“When it comes to adherence to principles of procedural fairness, we would expect the employer to be an exemplar. They cannot take advantage of the acquiescence on the part of the employee. By no stretch of imagination can the process that had taken place in this case held to be fair. On this sole ground, interference is justified,” the court said.

The court also noted that the order of the disciplinary authority and the appellate authority did not detail the defences taken by the employee. The court thus agreed with the single judge that the orders were non-speaking ones. Considering all the facts, the court found no reason to interfere with the order of the single judge and dismissed the appeal.

Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. N. Dilip Kumar

Counsel for Respondents: Mr. M.E.Ilango

Case Title: The General Manager and Others v. SV. Mothilal

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Mad) 126

Case No: WA(MD)No.932 of 2021

One-Year LLM Program Approved By UGC, Valid For Getting Appointment In Public Departments Or Universities: Madras High Court

One-Year LLM Program Approved By UGC, Valid For Getting Appointment In Public Departments Or Universities: Madras High Court

Upasana Sajeev

3 Apr 2025 7:15 PM

The Madras High Court recently observed that that the one-year LLM programme was approved by the UGC and could not be held to be invalid for getting appointed into public departments or Universities. The court thus asked the Teachers Recruitment Board to include the name of a woman whose name was withheld merely because she had done a one-year LLM course.

Justice RN Manjula observed that the notification for appointment did not prescribe that one of the requirements for the appointment was only a two-year LLM degree. The court observed that while the employer could demand the educational requirement for a post, the qualification contemplated could not be arbitrary and bring in discrimination between similar courses.

Also Read - If Complaint Discloses Prima Facie Allegations, Malafide Intention Of Complainant Of No Consequence: Madras HC Denies Relief To Ma Subramanian

“Even though the employer is a rightful person who should demand the educational requirement for a post to be filled up in this regard, the qualification contemplated by the employer shall not make any arbitrary discrimination between equivalent and similar course without any valid basis,” the court said.

The court was hearing a petition was filed by Sangeetha Sriraam challenging the provisional selection list of candidates published by the Teachers Recruitment Board and to direct the Board to appoint her to the post of Assistant Professor against the vacancy in Human Rights Department.

Also Read - High Court Asks Senior Advocate To Enquire Into Genuineness Of Exam Conducted By Madras University Upon Student's Plea

The petitioner informed the court that she had applied to the post of “Assistant Professor” (Human Rights) when the notification was issued by the Board. She submitted that she had attended the written examination and topped it by obtaining 133 marks out of 175 and got a call letter from the Board for attending the interview. Following this she attended the interview. However, when the provisional selection of candidates was published, her name was not on the list and the candidates who had obtained lesser marks than the petitioner found place in the selection list.

Also Read - Madras High Court Asks Govt Advocate To Evaluate Criminology Paper Of Law Student, Doubts Transparency Of Ambedkar Law University

The petitioner argued that even if the other candidates had obtained full marks, she could not have been excluded from the selection list. She also submitted that if her interview marks were clubbed with her written examination mark, she would be ahead of the selected candidates.

Opposing the plea, the State argued that the petitioner's candidature could not be considered as she had qualified in LLM degree by doing one year LLM Programme while the degree required for appointment was two year LLM Programme.

Also Read - "Justice Hurried Is Justice Buried": Madras High Court Upholds Order Quashing Disciplinary Proceeding Conducted Within Two Weeks

The court, however, noted that the above requirement was informed to the petitioner only through the counter and not anytime before. The court also noted that as per the rules in the notification, the requirement regarding Master's Degree was 55% of mark or an equivalent grade in the point scale wherever the grade system is followed in a concerned/relevant/allied subject from an Indian University or an equivalent degree from an accredited foreign University. The court thus noted that the notification did not specify the two-year LLM requirements.

The court noted that through an earlier order, the court had held that one one-year LLM programme recognised by the UGC was accepted for the purpose of admission to PHD. The court added that when the same was allowed, there was no reason to reject the one-year LLM degree for the purpose of appointment.

“As stated already one year LLM Programme has been approved by UGC and that has been accepted as qualification to get enrolled in Ph.D. programme in Tamil Nadu Dr.Ambedkar Law University itself. It is needless to state that the University in which the petitioner had done her one year LLM course is one of the most reputed Law School in the country and it is needless to state that one year LLM course would have also included the research aspect as well. Under such circumstances, no invalidation can be attached to one year LLM degree for the purpose of getting appointment in the public departments or Universities,” the court said.

Thus, noting that the petitioner had proved her eligibility by securing first rank in written examination and that the authorities ought to have considered her candidature, the court directed the Board to include her name in the selection list and to release her appointment order.

Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. M. Nirmalkumar

Counsel for Respondents: Mr. R. Neelakandan Additional Advocate General Assisted by Mr. R. Siddharath Standing Counsel for TRB, Mr. V. Umakanth, Mr. P. R. Gopinathan

Case Title: Dr. Sangeetha Sriraam v. The Teachers Recruitment Board and Others

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Mad) 128

Case No: W.P.No.15473 of 2019

Government increases NEET UG and PG seats to meet rising demand for medical professionals

Government increases NEET UG and PG seats to meet rising demand for medical professionals 

The Indian government has announced a significant increase in medical seats, with MBBS seats reaching 1,18,190 and PG seats at 74,306. This move aims to address the gap between medical aspirants and available seats, supporting healthcare needs across the country. 

Plans include expanding medical colleges and upgrading existing ones, alongside the establishment of new medical institutions attached to district hospitals. The government's initiative seeks to enhance healthcare delivery and provide more opportunities for aspiring doctors.

TOI Education

Apr 3, 2025, 18:10 IST

Government increases medical seats to address rising demand for healthcare professionals in India. (AI Image) NEET UG and PG seats 2025: In a bid to tackle the growing demand for medical professionals in India, the government has announced a significant increase in the number of medical seats available across the country. This includes both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) medical courses, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the capacity of India’s healthcare system. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, revealed that the total number of MBBS seats in India has now reached an impressive 1,18,190, while PG seats have increased to 74,306. 

This marks a major achievement, as the number of medical seats has grown substantially in recent years. The government’s efforts are in line with the promises made in the 2025 budget, which highlighted the addition of 75,000 new medical seats over the next five years. The government has already made significant strides in this area, adding 13,436 new medical seats in the academic year 2024-25 alone.

The Minister emphasized that increasing the number of medical seats is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the healthcare system in India, addressing the rising need for doctors and specialists in both urban and rural areas. Patel further noted that the number of medical colleges has risen sharply, with the total number of medical institutions now standing at 780, up from just 387 in 2014. This represents a remarkable 101.5% increase in the last decade. Moreover, the number of MBBS seats has grown by 130%, from 51,348 in 2014 to over 1.18 lakh today, while PG seats have increased by 138%. These efforts have been supported through various government schemes, including the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for establishing new medical colleges, particularly in underserved and aspirational districts. Under this scheme, new medical colleges have been attached to existing district and referral hospitals to ensure the availability of healthcare education in remote areas. So far, the government has approved the establishment of 157 such medical colleges, with 131 already functioning. Additionally, the government has worked on upgrading existing medical colleges to increase the capacity for both MBBS and PG seats. This includes an ongoing initiative that provides financial assistance for civil works, devices, and furniture to enhance the infrastructure of government medical colleges.

As part of this initiative, 4,977 new MBBS seats have been added in 83 colleges, and PG seats have been increased by 8,058 across various phases in 137 colleges. The rise in the number of medical seats aims to bridge the significant gap between the number of students aspiring to pursue medical education and the seats available.

According to the National Testing Agency, more than 24 lakh students registered for the NEET UG exam in 2024, while 2.28 lakh students applied for the NEET PG exam. The increase in seats is expected to provide opportunities to many more aspiring medical professionals. 

A key focus of the government’s plan is to address the needs of underserved regions, where access to healthcare and medical education has been historically limited. With this initiative, the government hopes to improve healthcare delivery and meet the growing demands of India's vast and diverse population. In related developments, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi will see an expansion of its medical facilities, including the increase of MBBS seats from 100 to 250. This will not only provide more opportunities for students but also add 666 new beds, increasing the hospital’s capacity from 1,532 to 2,198 beds, in a bid to provide better healthcare services to the public. 

The government’s ongoing focus on improving medical education and healthcare infrastructure reflects a commitment to building a robust healthcare system to meet the challenges of the future. As the country prepares for the NEET UG exam on May 4, 2025, students will have more opportunities to pursue their dreams of becoming doctors, with a greater number of seats available in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses. This significant expansion of medical seats is a crucial step toward addressing the medical workforce shortage in India, ensuring a healthier future for the nation.

Neither parent can tweak kid’s birth record to satisfy ego: HC

 Neither parent can tweak kid’s birth record to satisfy ego: HC

Mother Wanted Child’s Birth Cert With Only Her Name As Parent

Swati.Deshpande@timesofindia.com 

Mumbai : Dismissing a woman’s plea to record only her name as a single parent in her child’s birth certificate, Bombay high court said her petition “demonstrates to what extent the parents embroiled in a matrimonial dispute can go to satisfy their ego”. “Neither parent can exercise any right in respect of the child’s birth record,” the Aurangabad bench of Bombay high court said in a recent order. “It is quite evident that the petitioner, to satisfy her ego, is not bothered about the interest of the child. The child has not even been made a party... In all such matters, the welfare of the child is of paramount consideration,” observed justices Mangesh Patil and Y G Khobragade on Mar 28. 

The woman did not dispute that her husband was the father, but she sought directions from the high court to the municipal corporation of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to issue their child’s birth certificate with only her name as the parent. “One wonders as to how a mother, for whatever reason, could wish to mask its [child’s] paternity,” the order asked.

Her reason, her lawyer argued, was that her husband never saw the child and was “addicted to vices”. His behaviour, she claimed, entitled her to be named as a single parent in the birth record. “The issue, in our considered view, is quite serious,” the high court said. The woman, “in spite of being the biological mother, cannot insist” on only her name as the parent, said the high court.

“The relief being claimed clearly demonstrates that she can go to the extent of treating her child as if it were a property in respect of which she can claim some rights, ignoring the interest and welfare of the child... The very request of the petitioner to record her name as a single parent in the birth record undermines the child’s interest,” the high court said. 

Distinguishing the cases cited to argue her plea, the high court said in them the woman before the Supreme Court was an unwed mother. There, the Supreme Court had to ensure the child’s right to know the identity of his father was not undermined, compromised, or jeopardised, and had impressed on the woman to disclose the name of the father in a sealed envelope to be read only after specific directions of the top court. The high court said the apex court’s order thus clearly underscores the right of a child, how he wishes to be known by society.

 The woman’s petition is “a sheer abuse” of the legal process and a “precious waste” of court time, the high court said, dismissing it with ₹5,000 costs to be deposited in court in two weeks

New train between Rameswaram, Tambaram

New train between Rameswaram, Tambaram 

04.04.2025

Board, on Wednesday, approved Southern Railway’s proposal for the introduction of a daily train between Tambaram and Rameswaram. The train, which will travel through the mainline connecting delta districts, is likely to be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. In a letter, Railway Board said Train No. 16103 Tambaram – Rameswaram Express will leave Tambaram at 6.05pm every day and reach Rameswaram at 5.45 am the next day. Train No. 16104 Rameswaram – Tambaram Express will leave Rameswaram at 5.35pm every day and reach Tambaram at 3.10am the next day. 

The train will have stoppages at Chengalpet, Villupuram, Tirupadiripuliyur, Chidambaram, Mayiladuthurai, Thiruvarur, Tiruturaipoondi, Pattukottai, Arantangi, Karaikudi, Sivaganga, Manamadurai, Paramakudi, and Ramanathapuram. It will have LHB (LinkeHoffman Busch) coaches with one 2-tier AC coach, five 3-tier AC coaches, six sleeper coaches, four general coaches, one luggage-cum-generator coach, and one guard and differently abled (divyaang) coach. 

These trains will run on electric traction from Tambaram to Tiruvarur and diesel traction from Tiruvarur to Rameswaram and vice versa. TNN

Bar colleges with fake faculty: NGO

Bar colleges with fake faculty: NGO 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 04.04.2025

Chennai : Arappor Iyakkam, an anti-corruption NGO, has urged the Tamil Nadu govt to debar engineering colleges found to be involved in showing fake faculty members from taking part in upcoming engineering counselling. Anna University is to conduct reinspection for 2024-25 and physical inspection of all engineering colleges and courses for granting affiliation for the next academic year (2025-26) from thelast week of March. “Aadhaar-based face authentication will be used and the varsity will videograph the inspection to rule out duplication of faculty members. However, it should also check for salary statements, PF, and ESI details to ensure the faculty was employed in the college,” said Radhakrishnan M from the NGO. 

He also sought removal of sub-standard colleges from participating in counselling. The NGO found that 353 people worked in multiple engineering colleges du-ring the 2023-24 academic year. Following this, the varsity’sinternal probe found 2,000 faculty positions were shown with fake faculty members by engineering colleges for 2024-25. “The higher education department set up a fact-finding committee following the expose. The committee was given one week’s time. Despite the lapse of eight months, there has been no announcement on the progress of the inquiry or action taken against the colleges,” the NGO said in arepresentation to chief minister M K Stalin and higher education minister Govi Chezhiaan. The university found the involvement of around 1,000 faculty members and around 30 engineering colleges involved in the duplication of identity. “The university can take action against the colleges which have shown fake faculty members for the 2023-24 academic year. For other colleges, the action can be taken after the physical inspection,” Radhakrishnan said.

Govt warns colleges against misleading placement ads

Govt warns colleges against misleading placement ads

Ragu.Raman@timesofindia.com 04.04.2025

Chennai : Tamil Nadu state council for higher education (TANSCHE) on Thursday warned engineering, arts, and science colleges against issuing misleading information, including inflated salary packages, in advertisements of campus placement. “It has come to our attention that some institutions are presenting misleading information in their placement-related advertisements on inflated salary packages. Some ads also portray internships as full-time employment,” a circular from TANSCHE issued to all colleges said. 

Sources said some colleges have been claiming in their ads that their students received up to ₹2 crore pay packages. “Colleges are advised to maintain accuracy and transparency in all placement-related communications. Salary packages, job roles, and other employment details must be presented truthfully, ensuring students receive re liable information about their career prospects,” the circular further said.

It has also asked the colleges to adhere to ethical standards and ensure responsible communication in all admission and placement-related materials. “Such practices create unrealistic expecta tions among students and parents and must be avoided,” M P Vijayakumar, vice-chairman of TANSCHE, said. He further said the higher education council will actively monitor placement-related advertisements issued by higher education institutions and, if needed, will audit the claims made by the institutions. “Placement advertisements are published to lure parents and students,” said T Kalaiselvan, former additional director, Centre for University Industry Collaboration, Anna University. “Like an academic audit, the council should evolve a mechanism for third-party placement audits in the colleges. On demand from competent authorities, the colleges should produce details like job roles, names of the companies, and salary package letters. 

It would prevent spreading the misleading information,” he added.

Professors have asked the parents and students to verify the claims made by colleges in these advertisement

High speed driving not necessarily negligent: HC

High speed driving not necessarily negligent: HC 

Abhinav.Garg@timesofindia.com  04.04.2025

New Delhi : Driving a vehicle at ahigh speed is not necessarily tantamount to rash and negligent driving, Delhi high court ruled while acquitting a petitioner. The HC ruling came while hearing an appeal filed by a car cleaner, who had taken someone else’s vehicle out for a spin, but lost control and fatally hit two pe destrians in 2012. The petitioner, who claimed there was a sudden tyre burst that led to the accident, was handed an 18- month jail term in 2022. Allowing the appeal filed by the man, Justice Saurabh Banerjee said that merely because the petitioner was driving at a “high speed”, one cannot conclude he was “rash and negligent”. 

Justice Banerjee had examined the testimonies of witnesses who all said the car was being driven at a high speed, but could offer no further details on whether it was being driven rashly. The judge pointed out that there were lacunae in the case set up by prosecution. “Prosecution was not able to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt that the petitioner was indeed driving the car in a ‘rash and negligent’ manner, which resulted in the demise of the two pedestrians,” Justice Banerjee ruled, acquitting the petitioner. The jud ge further observed that several circumstantial aspects, such as the time of the accident, the condition of the vehicle, and whether there was indeed a flat tyre had “neither been addressed by prosecution nor taken into consideration” by the trial courts. The court said that to sustain any punishment or conviction, it is a pre-requisite that the act that leads to death or is likely to cause injury must be “rash” and “negligent”.

SC to hear petition by Bengal govt on April 8

SC to hear petition by Bengal govt on April 8 

04.04.2025

However, SC said even though non-tainted candidates would lose jobs because the entire selection process stands cancelled, they won’t be asked to refund salaries and other reimbursements they received. “No candidate can be appointed (from the select list for 2016 recruitment) once the entire examination process and results have been declared void,” the bench said. In another important clarification, SC said some of the selected candidates, who do not fall in the tainted category and may have worked in govt departments prior to their selection to the teaching and non-teaching jobs, “will have the right to apply to their previous de partments or autonomous bodies to continue in their service with those entities”. 

Their application for being restored to their previous jobs would be processed in three months and they allowed to resume their positions, the court said, adding, “The period between termination of their previous appointment and their rejoining will not be considered a break in employment.” The bench said it will on April 8 hear the petition filed by state govt challenging HC direction for a CBI probe against officials and ministers who decided to create supernumerary posts for teachers and non-teaching staff, and appoint more people than those who had made it to the list of selected candidates. Full report on www.toi.in

SC quashes ‘tainted’ selection of 25,752 Bengal school staff ‘Fraud, Cover-Up Dented Process Beyond Repair’

SC quashes ‘tainted’ selection of 25,752 Bengal school staff ‘Fraud, Cover-Up Dented Process Beyond Repair’ 

Dhananjay.Mahapatra@timesofindia.com 04.04.2025

New Delhi : In a big blow to the West Bengal govt, Supreme Court on Thursday concurred with Calcutta high court’s decision to cancel the 2016 recruitment of more than 25,000 teachers and non-teaching staff for the state’s govt schools, saying the selection process was corrupted beyond repair. Dismissing appeals of the Mamata Banerjee govt, West Bengal School Services Commission (WBSSC) and 125 petitions by successful candidates, abench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said, “The entire selection process has been vitiated and tainted beyond resolution.” Writing the 41-page judgment that rejected fervent pleas for segregation of tainted and untainted candidates instead of cancelling the entire recruitment process, CJI Khanna said, “Manipulations and frauds on a large scale, coupled with the attempted cover-up, have dented the selection process … The credibility and legitimacy of the selection are denuded.” 

Referring to the destruction of candidates’ OMR (answer) sheets purportedly for illegal rank jumping, appointment of those who didn’t qualify and even those who submitted blank answer papers, the bench said HC had on April 22 last year rightly decided to order cancellation of the entire recruitment. SC said the tainted candidates, who were appointed as teachers or to non-teaching staff posts, “should be required to refund any salaries/payments received. Since their appointments were the result of fraud, this amounts to cheating”. uHearing on April 8, P 14 SC to hear petition by Bengal govt on April 8 However, SC said even though non-tainted candidates would lose jobs because the entire selection process stands cancelled, they won’t be asked to refund salaries and other reimbursements they received. “No candidate can be appointed (from the select list for 2016 recruitment) once the entire examination process and results have been declared void,” the bench said. 

In another important clarification, SC said some of the selected candidates, who do not fall in the tainted category and may have worked in govt departments prior to their selection to the teaching and non-teaching jobs, “will have  the right to apply to their previous departments or autonomous bodies to continue in their service with those entities”. Their application for being restored to their previous jobs would be processed in three months and they allowed to resume their positions, the court said, adding, “The period between termination of their previous appointment and their rejoining will not be considered a break in employment.”

The bench said it will on April 8 hear the petition filed by state govt challenging HC direction for a CBI probe against officials and ministers who decided to create supernumerary posts for teachers and non-teaching staff, and appoint more people than those who had made it to the list of selected candidates. Full report on www.toi.in

NEWS TODAY 3.4.2025

 

Should a TN medical student serve in U’khand village, asks top court

Should a TN medical student serve in U’khand village, asks top court

 Dhananjay.Mahapatra@timesofindia.com 3.4.2025 

New Delhi : Supreme Court on Wednesday faulted Uttarakhand govt’s 2009 policy mandating non-state students admitted to MBBS courses in its medical colleges under the 15% all-India quota (AIQ) to either serve in remote areas for five years or pay Rs 30 lakh in addition to steep annual fees.

 “What is the use of asking a student from Tamil Nadu, who gets admission into an MBBS course in a govt medical college in Uttarakhand based on his all-India rank and primarily taught medicine in English, to serve in inaccessible areas of the state?” asked a division bench.

 “Will he be able to interact with patients in remote villages and inaccessible areas and treat them? It is a laudable concept for inter-state exchange of civil servants and other subject experts. However, a state cannot decide rural service for non-state all-India quota students, doing MBBS from the govt college within its territory.

It requires a uniform policy decision, for which the Union govt is the competent authority,” the bench said. 

As per the 2009 policy decision of the Uttarakhand govt, an AIQ student was required to sign a bond for Rs 30 lakh promising to serve in rural areas for five years on completing an MBBS course from its medical college. It also stipulated that if an AIQ student opted out of mandatory rural service in the state, then he would have to pay an annual fee of Rs 2.2 lakh instead of Rs 15,000. 

The bench said the policy itself provided an exit policy, that is if the AIQ student did not want to serve in remote areas of the state after completing MBBS degree, then he had to pay an annual fee of Rs 2.2 lakh instead of Rs 15,000 payable by those who were willing to serve in the hinterland. Quashing the condition of Rs 30 lakh bond, it said those who had signed the bond and had yet n ot served in rural areas would now have to pay arrears of the annual fee of Rs 2.2 lakh with 9% simple interest instead of 18% directed by the HC.

How chatbots became the new-age parenting guru

How chatbots became the new-age parenting guru 

AI tools like ChatGPT are not only coming in handy for homework assignments ( don’t judge, please! ), they are also offering both practical advice and emotional support 

Neha Bhayana Five-year-old Anaisha ran to her mother for help with drawing a decent unicorn. “Please show me an easy way,” she begged. Zenobia Panthaky was at a loss for ideas, more so as she was busy changing her six-month-old’s diaper, so she decided to ask her trusted parenting partner, ChatGPT. A few seconds later Panthaky followed the steps suggested by the AI app and helped Anaisha draw a beautiful unicorn which she put up in her room. “ChatGPT is my secret genie,” winks the Punebased software professional. 

One would have imagined that Indian parents, who are always trying to restrict their kids’ screen time and reminiscing about the good ol’ days when students went to libraries or looked up encyclopedias, would steer clear of artificial intelligence. But the opposite is happening, experts say. Like many moms and dads across the world, Indian parents too are bitten by the AI bug. From asking Meta AI about how to deal with the multiple night wakings of their baby to seeking ChatGPT’s help with preschool projects and research for higher grades and even venting about their daily struggles with non-cooperative kids, parents say artificial intelligence is their trusted advisor, assistant, confidante and companion rolled into one.

HOMEWORK HELPER ChatGPT seems to have become a parent’s best homework helper. Need to make your son solve an equation but can’t think of an easy way? Ask ChatGPT. Need to help your daughter write an Independence Day speech about the freedom struggle? Ask Meta AI to write it for you. The ninth edition of the Global Online Safety Survey by Microsoft revealed that 65% of Indians used generative AI in 2024, which is more than twice the global average. ‘Support with schoolwork’ was among the top reasons for use of AI. 

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the world’s largest tech professionals’ organisation, conducted a survey with millennial parents (aged 24 to 39 years) across US, UK, India, China and Brazil and reported that 81% of Indian parents would be comfortable taking the help of robot nannies to help their kids do homework compared to the global average of 66% who would do so. Apart from Indians, only Chinese parents expressed similar comfort. Mumbai-based Khyati Mehta, who introduces herself as a full-time mom and part-time French teacher, says AI came to the rescue when she was struggling to help her son prepare for the Class 7 final exams earlier this month.

 “Some chemistry concepts are too complicated. I asked ChatGPT to give us a simplified version which we could remember, retain and use in writing the papers,” says Mehta, adding that without the tool she would have had to check multiple websites or watch videos uploaded by tutors on YouTube to try to understand how to determine the valency of chemical compounds and explain it to her son. The 41-year-old also asked the app to produce English and Gujarati sample essays on various topics and made her son read those the day before the language exams, so he could tackle the write-ups better. For the English literature exam, Mehta wanted to create a timeline of the places visited by the protagonist in the novel ‘The Invisible Man’ so she simply scanned and uploaded the text and ChatGPT presented her the timeline in an easy-to-understand tabular format within seconds. “I think AI is a great tool to help a child understand lessons better and enhance the academic performance,” she says.

POSTPARTUM PARTNER Moms with newborns say that while they would hesitate to call a friend or relative at 3am to ask why their baby won’t stop crying, AI helps them with instant advice at any hour. “I use AI for whatever doubts I have,” says Panthaky. The Pune mom points out that she first used ChatGPT after her younger daughter’s delivery because she wanted to know about quick games that she could play with her elder one while lying in bed. “I had a bad postpartum phase. My baby was in the neonatal intensive care unit for 15 days and I was not feeling well enough to look after my elder one. ChatGPT gave me some very good suggestions,” she says, adding that now most of her conversations with the app are regarding food for her six-monthold.

 “I recently asked ChatGPT if it would be a good idea to mix rice and apple for my baby’s meal. ChatGPT not only validated this but also gave me five more options, some personalised for me,” she adds. Delhi mom Shriya Bhatia says Meta AI gives her clearer and sounder advice than her friends’ group. “If I ask fellow moms if it is okay to give egg to my 10-month-old, I get so many different opinions that I feel more confused. Sometimes, it is easier to ask Meta AI,” she says. Panthaky, however, feels no one can replace mommy friends or family elders when it comes to giving emotional support. 

TANTRUM TAMER Kunal Dalal, author of the book ‘The A.I. Parent: How artificial intelligence is helping me be a better father’ observes in a LinkedIn post that AI has become “a partner in the emotional and psychological work of parenting, one that can help us cultivate greater self-awareness, empathy, and resilience in ourselves and our children.” Most parents who have used AI chatbots for advice on managing tantrums, meltdowns and teen drama seem to agree. When Niti Mehta (name changed) told Meta AI that her 12-year-old had asked her to get out of the room (she was too embarrassed to talk to her friends or mom about this) and asked for suggestions on how to react, the chatbot not only acknowledged her feelings (“It is natural to feel hurt…) and explained why this had happened (“Your 12-yearold is growing up and asserting her independence”), it also helped her with a potential script for her response: “Hey [daughter’s name], I wanted to talk to you about earlier when you asked me to leave your room. I felt a bit hurt, but I understand that you need your own space sometimes. Can you help me understand why you wanted me to leave? Let’s talk about how we can respect each other’s boundaries.” 

Mehta says she felt better instantly. “And, I literally repeated the script, otherwise I wouldn’t have known how to handle this situation,” she says, adding that WhatsApp’s Meta AI is like having a personal, non-judgmental therapist at your fingertips. The IEEE survey had also found that 83% of Indian parents are likely to use an AI chatbot to diagnose their sick child in the future. Parents say they are already doing this. “If I Google the symptoms faced by my child, I end up scouring sites for hours. AI gives me a potential diagnosis in seconds,” says Bhatia. In an article on Motherly, twin mom Sarah Boland admits she seeks advice from parenting support AI app Breda and others to ease her mental load. “I know that I won’t be able to turn to AI for every parenting situation but it’s nice to know I have a resource quite literally in my back pocket that can guide me through whatever comes my way,” she notes.

SILENT OBSERVER While a section of parents is using AI to their advantage, some are still wary of its use. Punebased counselling psychologist and early childhood educator Pritika Parwani is one of them. “While the benefits of AI are tremendous and it saves time for educators and counsellors like me, it has robbed the generation of creativity. The whole essence of research, including the use of physical texts, encyclopaedias and even basic Google search is lost entirely. I have students who submit entirely plagiarised and AI generated essays, without even reading it once,” she says, adding that she hopes to keep her daughter away from AI writing tools as much as possible.

The 33-year-old admits she does occasionally use AI tools, such as Canva and ChatGPT to design worksheets and generate annual lesson plans aligned to the learning outcomes, but she makes sure her use is minimal. “I still prefer old school research and brainstorming for my work!” she says. Mumbai mom-of-two Shradha Grover too avoids use of Meta AI, as tempting as it may be, and prefers to come up with her own creative ideas for her six-year-old’s school presentations. “I would often use AI for help with thinking about topics for show-and-tell day at school, but I try not to now,” she says, adding that she feels concerned that AI is “like a silent observer” tracking all our activities, searches and even emotions. “I feel the disadvantages are more than the advantages,” she quips. The frequent incidents of deepfakes, scams, online abuse, and hallucinations has also made parents like Grover concerned about the adverse impact of AI.

Here’s how ChatGPT helped us solve some common parenting issues 

My toddler is lying on the floor in a mall. Should I give in to his demand? ChatGPT begins the 253-word answer by assuring the parent “It’s completely normal for toddlers to get overwhelmed or upset and express themselves by lying on the floor”. The app then says that the situation will determine whether the parent should give in to the demand or not. Moreover, the app advises the parent to consider the child’s safety first, then assess the demand (see if it is reasonable or not) and stay calm. The parent is also advised to try to distract the toddler. Most parents would agree that this is a very practical suggestion. Logic and reasoning usually fail when one is trying to manage a tantrum.

How to get my kid to listen to me? ChatGPT came up with a 777-word answer to this question. The app suggested 11 strategies like ‘Make eye contact, use positive reinforcement and use a calm and assertive tone’. Each suggestion is followed by an explanation and tips too. My baby is spitting out khichdi. What can I do? The app advises the parent to check the texture and temperature of the khichdi, offer smaller bites, use colourful spoons and bowls, and be patient. “Introduce khichdi slowly and continue offering it even if they refuse initially. It can take several tries for babies to accept a new food,” reads a point in the 239-word answer. ChatGPT also asks the parent to consult a paediatrician if the baby continues to reject food and enquires about the child’s age. When we say the age is five months, the chatbot presents tips appropriate for that age and also advises the parent to ensure the khichdi is smooth and runny as the child is too small.

Bengaluru Man Lands in ICU After BP Hits 230 : 'Work is important, but...'

Bengaluru Man Lands in ICU After BP Hits 230 : 'Work is important, but...'

Amit Mishra, the founder and CEO of Dazeinfo Media and Research, shared his shocking experience in a viral LinkedIn post. He described how an ordinary Saturday turned into a medical emergency.

Authored by: Shivya Kanojia

Updated Apr 2, 2025, 23:15 IST

Mishra was immediately admitted to the ICU, where doctors worked to stabilise his condition.

A Bengaluru entrepreneur had a harsh reminder that health should always come first when he was rushed to the ICU after a sudden spike in blood pressure.

Amit Mishra, the founder and CEO of Dazeinfo Media and Research, shared his shocking experience in a viral LinkedIn post. He described how an ordinary Saturday turned into a medical emergency. While working on his laptop, he suddenly suffered a severe nosebleed that would not stop. Within moments, his washbasin was covered in blood, and he feared losing consciousness.

By the time he reached Apollo Hospital, he had already lost a significant amount of blood. The emergency team struggled for 20 minutes to control the bleeding. However, what followed was even more alarming—his blood pressure had soared to a dangerous 230. There were no prior symptoms, no history of hypertension, and no warning signs like dizziness or headaches.

Mishra was immediately admitted to the ICU, where doctors worked to stabilise his condition. Though his BP was eventually brought under control, a new problem arose the next morning when he attempted to walk. His blood pressure dropped drastically, causing him to faint, leaving doctors baffled.

Over the next four days, he underwent multiple tests, including ECG, LFT, ECHO, cholesterol tests, and even an angiography. Surprisingly, all results came back normal. His unexplained BP fluctuations have raised serious concerns, and further tests are still required.

'' The big question: How did my BP shoot up so high and suddenly dropped without warning?

While I am still under treatment, need to go through few more test, this experience left me with some important learnings:

- Your body doesn’t always give clear warnings. High BP, stress, and health risks can be silent killers. Regular checkups are a must.

- Work is important, but health is non-negotiable. We often ignore small signs, thinking we’re fine, until we’re not.

- Emergency preparedness matters. Knowing what to do in a crisis (and where the nearest hospital is) can save lives.

- Medical science still has mysteries. Even after 15+ tests, the cause of my BP spike remains unknown. But what’s clear is that taking care of one’s health is not an option. it’s a necessity,'' the post read.

Reflecting on the experience, Mishra called it an unexpected wake-up call. He questioned how his blood pressure could rise and fall so dramatically without warning. His ordeal has prompted many professionals to reconsider their lifestyles and the toll of work-related stress.

As he continues his recovery, Mishra shared a vital message—no job is worth risking one’s health. His experience serves as a stark reminder to prioritise well-being over professional commitments.

NBEMS launches official WhatsApp channel for real-time updates

NBEMS launches official WhatsApp channel for real-time updates

The platform will offer timely updates on examinations, accreditation, and training of medical professionals

Curated by Arunima Jha

Image by freepik

Apr 02, 2025

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has launched its official WhatsApp channel to give real-time updates about medical education. Students and stakeholders can access the channel through the following link:[https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAseBd7T8bTcZS9mg20].

As per an official announcement made by NBEMS, "In order to enhance accessibility to crucial information, NBEMS has started its official WhatsApp channel, providing a trustworthy platform for real-time updates."

The channel is accessible to candidates, medical colleges, faculty members, and healthcare professionals. It will offer vital updates on:

- Examinations – Schedules for exams, information bulletins, application process, admit cards, and results.

- Accreditation – Details on accreditation procedures, eligibility, and application requirements for institutions applying for NBEMS accreditation.

- Training and Monitoring – Information on counselling for admissions to

NBEMS courses, registration of trainees, guidelines for training, submission of theses, webinars, and academic programs.