Government Employee Dying A Day Before 60th Birthday Is Deemed Under 60, Dependent Eligible For Compassionate Appointment : Calcutta HC

Government Employee Dying A Day Before 60th Birthday Is Deemed Under 60, Dependent Eligible For Compassionate Appointment : Calcutta HC

Namdev Singh

25 Mar 2025 1:15 PM




The Calcutta High Court bench comprising of Saugata Bhattacharyya, J. held that a government employee is deemed not to have completed 60 years of age if they die one day before their 60th birthday, therefore making their dependent eligible for compassionate appointment.

Background Facts

The petitioner applied for appointment on compassionate ground in a secondary school after death of his father. The date of birth of father was 2nd January, 1961. He turned sixty on January 1, 2021, the same day he passed away. The respondent refused the prayer of the petitioner. The reason assigned by the respondent in the memo dated 5th February, 2024 was attainment of age of sixty years by father of the petitioner on 1st January, 2021 when he died.

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The respondent decided on the basis of Schedule V of the West Bengal School Service Commission (Selection of Persons for Appointment to the Post of Non-teaching Staff) Rules, 2009 (Rules of 2009), that father of the petitioner attained sixty years on the date of his death, therefore, petitioner was not entitled to get benefit of appointment on compassionate ground.

Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner filed the writ petition for quashing the memo dated 5th February, 2024 issued by the Assistant Secretary, West Bengal Regional School Service Commission.

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It was contended by the petitioner that since date of birth of father of the petitioner was 2nd January, 1961 therefore, father of the petitioner did not complete sixty years on 1st January, 2021. He would have completed sixty years on 2nd January, 2021. It was further argued that, despite the petitioner's father's date of superannuation, the petitioner should have been considered an eligible candidate for appointment on compassionate grounds. It was stated that there was one day short to complete age of 60 years on the date of death, which makes the petitioner entitled to be considered for appointment on compassionate ground.

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Further petitioner relied on Rules 18 and 20 of the West Bengal Primary School Teachers Recruitment Rules, 2016. As per Rule 18, the superannuation date of father of the petitioner was 31st January, 2021. It was further submitted that Rule 20 states the financial hardship of family of deceased teacher and definition of family are to be taken into consideration in terms of Schedule V of the Rules of 2009.

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On the other hand it was contended by the respondent that Rules of 2016 was not applicable but Schedule V of Rules of 2009 was applicable while adjudging eligibility of the petitioner to be appointed on compassionate ground. Clause 1 of Schedule V of the Rules of 2009 states that date of superannuation of father of petitioner was fixed on 31st January, 2021. However, father of the petitioner attained sixty years on 1st January, 2021 which makes the petitioner disentitled in the matter of granting appointment on compassionate ground. According to the respondent authorities, date of birth of father of the petitioner was 2nd January, 1961 and he completed sixty years of age on 1st January, 2021. Therefore, petitioner was not entitled to be considered for appointment on compassionate ground.

Findings of the Court

The Clause 1 under Schedule V of the Rules of 2009 was relied upon by the court which provides that when a teacher or non-teaching staff dies in harness before the date of his superannuation that is the age of sixty years in that event only one of the family members of the deceased teacher /nonteaching staff is entitled to be considered for appointment on compassionate ground.

It was observed by the court that father of the petitioner was scheduled to retire on 31st January, 2021 but unfortunately, he died on 1st January, 2021 when his age was 59 years 11 months and 29 days. If the father would have died on 2nd January, 2021 it could have been concluded that father completed sixty years of age.

It was further observed that had father of the petitioner died on 2nd January, 2021 then son would have been adjudged being not eligible to be considered for appointment on compassionate ground. But in the present case, since father died on the last date when he attained 60th year it cannot be concluded that the father completed sixty years.

Therefore, it was held by the court that there is no bar in considering application of the petitioner seeking appointment on compassionate ground if father of the petitioner had died on the last date just before completing sixty years of age. Therefore, the memo dated 5th February, 2024 issued by the respondent was set aside by the court.

With the aforesaid observations, the writ petition was allowed.

Case Name : Sk. Monikul Hossain VS. The State of West Bengal & Ors.

Case No. : W.P.A. 28275 OF 2024

Counsel for the Petitioner : Firdous Samim, Gopa Biswas, Sampriti Saha, Swati Dey

Counsel for the Respondents : Biswabrata Basu Mallick, Biman Halder, Sunit Kumar Roy, Saibal Acharyya, Tanweer Jamil Mandal

13 UG students suspended in Kovai for attacking PG student

13 UG students suspended in Kovai for attacking PG student

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 24.03.2025

Coimbatore : Thirteen first year undergraduate students of a private college here were suspended for assaulting a post graduate student in the college hostel on Saturday. The 13 students studying BE and B Tech at Nehru institute of technology near Thirumalayampalayam alleged the victim Haathi, a postgraduate student from Chennai studying second year M A Criminology in Nehru college of arts and science had stolen money from their hostel room. 

A video of the assault went viral on social media on Sunday. Preliminary inquiry revealed a group of BE and B Tech students brought Haathi to their hostel room, locked him up there and assaulted him. One of them also recorded the attack on video. The senior student was injured in the assault. According to deputy chief warden of the hostel Maheshwaran, the incident took place on March 20 night. The victim was held in the room throughout the night and was beaten. The harassment continued the following day as well, the internal investigation revealed. After being let out on March 21, he informed his parents, who visited the college hostel on March 22 and took him home. 

As the management got wind of the incident, an in- quiry was conducted and principal M Sivaraja suspended the 13 students. The injured student and the suspended students have been asked to appear before the college administration on Monday for further inquiry. After the internal investigation, the college management reported the incident to the police. The Madukkarai police have also begun a probe. Police said once the victim lodges a formal complaint, a case will be registered.

Students demand safety after medical intern is left injured in clash

Students demand safety after medical intern is left injured in clash 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 23.03.2025

Chennai : Two days after a medical intern at the ESIC Medical College and Hospital in KK Nagar was injured in a clash with the housekeeping and security staff, students —undergraduates and postgraduates — went on a protest on Saturday, demanding safety on campus. The protest, which began at 8am, lasted more than four hours. Students ended it after the management issued a four-page circular promising further inquiry into the incident and enhanced security for students. On Friday, the MGR Nagar police registered a case and arrested housekeeping staff member A P Balajeevagan, who was produced before a magistrate court and remanded in judicial custody. Hospital sources said the security and housekeeping staff stopped a food delivery agent from entering the campus at 11:30pm on Thursday as it was beyond “permitted hours”.

Following this, the intern who had ordered the food, Alfred, argued with Balajeevagan and five other security staff as one of the students recorded them. In the video sent to media, Alfred is seen asking who ordered them to prevent students from ordering food late at night. The arguments turned into a fistfight, and Balajeevagan was seen beating Alfred. Alfred was not available for comment. “Alfred has blunt injuries on his shoulder. He is being treated at the hospital,” hospital dean Dr Kalidas Chavan said. “Preliminary enquiries revealed the intern was beaten. We terminated the housekeeping and security staff. The agencies that employed them gave us a copy of the termination letters. We also filed a police complaint and initiated an internal enquiry into the incident. 

A three-member committee headed by the medical superintendent will inquire into the incident,” he said. The college had asked the security to not permit outsiders, including food delivery agents, on campus after 10:30pm for security reasons, he said. Senior professors said they counselled students and promised legal action against those who hurt Alfred. Meanwhile, students said the management gave them a copy of the letters from two agencies — Urekha Security Agency Private Limited, which terminated H Anwer Basha, R Durai Raj, S Uthirapathy, N Ramamoorthy, and S Durai from services, and from Alert Security Services, which relieved Balajeevagan due to “administrative reasons.”

Madras High Court restrains authorities from publishing NIRF ranking for 2025

Madras High Court restrains authorities from publishing NIRF ranking for 2025

A PIL petition has claimed the ranking is without any basis and is misleading students

Published - March 21, 2025 08:47 pm IST - MADURAI

The Hindu Bureau

The Hindu

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday restrained the Ministry of Education and the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) from publishing the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranking for 2025.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation petition filed by C. Chellamuthu of Oddanchatram in Dindigul district. The petitioner claimed the NIRF ranking was totally without any basis and it was misleading students.

NIRF was launched by the NBA on the direction of the Ministry of Education for evaluating higher education institutions in the country. The NBA publishes the NIRF rankings of colleges every year. The NIRF ranking framework evaluates institutions in five broad categories: Teaching, Learning and Resources; Research and Professional Practice; Graduation Outcomes; Outreach and Inclusivity; and Perception, the petition said.

The NBA directs the institutions to upload the data such as student and staff strength, staff salaries, graduation index, placement details and funds received for research and development on its web portal. Based on the data entered by the institutions, rankings were awarded without any further verification or auditing, the petitioner said.

Comparing it with the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) Annual Quality Assurance Report (AQAR), the petitioner said the NAAC AQAR documents were audited and checked by expert committees sent by the NAAC to the institutions.

‘Data manipulated’

According to him, in all the ranking parameters, the data provided by the institutions that got NIRF ranking was manipulated and completely false. There was no transparency or accountability of the data submitted by the institutions. Instead of collecting data from the available official government records, institutions were invited to submit the data online. Without verifying the information entered, top rankings were awarded, he said.

It could negatively impact the quality of education in India. Reputed academicians and educationalists had criticised the system followed by the NIRF, the petitioner said, and sought the grant of an order of interim stay restraining the authorities from publishing the NIRF ranking for 2025.

The petitioner sought a direction to the NBA to publish the NIRF ranking after comparing and verifying the data submitted by the institutions with the data in the government records and disclose the calculation method.

A Division Bench of Justices J. Nisha Banu and S. Srimathy restrained the authorities from publishing the ranking for 2025. The court sought a counter affidavit and posted the matter to April 24.

Published - March 21, 2025 08:47 pm IST

Students struggle to get tatkal passport appointments in Hyd

Students struggle to get tatkal passport appointments in Hyd

Ashresh.Marupaka@timesofindia.com 21.03.2025

Hyderabad : The ongoing delay in tatkal passport appointments at Hyderabad’s Ameerpet and Begumpet passport seva kendras (PSKs) has raised concerns among those planning to pursue higher education or work abroad. With over three weeks of waiting already in effect, prospective students and educational consultancies are worried about missing the August intake window to foreign universities if they do not have their passports in time. 

Currently, the earliest tatkal appointments are available only in the second week of April. “Students, especially for the upcoming August intake, are going to decide now after the global scenario stabilises. For them, the first step is to go for a passport. If passport processing is delayed, they might miss this window,” says Arvind Manduva, a educational consultant. The situation has forced many applicants to explore alternatives, including travelling to smaller cities for appointments. “In Hyderabad centre, we do not have enough slots. They are taking up some other slots to places like Nizamabad and Karimnagar, and people have to travel there to get it done,” explained Sahas Yuvraj, another consultant. 

He shared a recent case highlighting the impact of these delays: “A UK-based NRI got married, but his wife does not have a passport. They are trying to apply with their marriage certificate, but no slots are available. They have been waiting for 3-4 days. Now they are forced to go for a change of plans.” 

‘Running at 75% capacity’ 

However, the Regional Passport Office has issued a clarification regarding the reduced appointment availability. Hyderabad’s Regional Passport Officer, Snehaja Jonnalagadda, explained, “We are in the process of system migration, because of which we have reduced the number of appointments. We are running at 75% capacity.” She assured that the situation is temporary and should improve soon. “We are rescheduling appointments and hope it will be solved in a week or two,” Snehaja added.

Govt faces scrutiny over purchase of medicines without issuing tenders

Govt faces scrutiny over purchase of medicines without issuing tenders

 Min Says All Procedures Duly Followed

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 21.03.2025

Jaipur : Govt’s response to a starred question by Congress MLA Rafeek Khan Thursday showed that SN Medical College in Jodhpur purchased medicines worth Rs 5 crore in 2024-25 without going through the mandatory tendering process while medicine supplies worth Rs 28.5 crore were obtained through tenders. 

Responding to Khan’s question on the methods deployed to purchase medicines and healthcare equipment, health minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar said medical colleges and departments follow established regulations for purchases. He said that due to emergency reasons, purchases are sometimes made without tenders. Khimsar assured Khan that any complaints regarding irregularity will be thoroughly investigated. He promised to forward detailed information on this to Khan.

Khimsar’s written response clarified that some medicines were purchased without tenders from cooperative consumer centres and Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi centres, and also locally for amounts under Rs 10,000. Urgent requirements necessitated some equipment purchases without tenders, he added. The medical department’s tender-based procurement for 2024-25 (until Feb 28) included medicines worth Rs 1,366.7 crore and equipment worth Rs 110.9 crore (until March 3). Khimsar announced that the IPD Tower at SMS Hospital in Jaipur will be completed and ready for commissioning by 2028, while the Cardiac Tower is expected to become operational in 3-4 months. The cardiac building at SMS Hospital will be operational within three to four months and offer cardiac services. The 28-storey IPD tower’s completion is scheduled for 2028

NMC clarifies on promotions, seniority

NMC clarifies on promotions, seniority 

Intishab.Ali@timesofindia.com 20.03.2025

Jaipur : In a bid to address promotion related concerns raised by Rajasthan Medical College Teachers Association, National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued guidelines this month to ensure eligible candidates receive promotions retrospectively. 

Medical colleges’ faculty had raised objections about delayed promotions linked to the BCMET course, particularly when course access was limited. They pointed out the lack of clear selection criteria for course participation, noting that the current system could permanently im

pact career advancement for many members. NMC's intervention is expected to settle the dispute in favour of the affected personnel. NMC’s March 2025 order said, “In view of the requirement of BCMET course for promotion, it is clarified if a faculty member completes BCMET course after due date of promotion and submits the completion certificate, then he should be promoted from due date of promotion.” Those completing BCMET before Apr 1, 2024, will receive promotions this year, whilst later completions will be considered for Apr 1, 2025.

Missing fee records: GU withholds degrees

Missing fee records: GU withholds degrees 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  20.03.2025

Ahmedabad : A new controversy has emerged at Gujarat University’s animation department regarding fee-related issues of reserved category students. Recently, students raised concerns about their mark sheets and degree certificates being withheld due to unpaid fees. However, university officials have now admitted that they do not have any statistical data on how many students paid their fees. A student leader formally requested the exact figures, but the university failed to provide any details. It was also revealed that the former coordinator, Kawaljit Lakhtariya, did not maintain proper records regarding fee payments. Due to this lack of data, the department has withheld the mark sheets and degree certificates of all students, causing severe inconvenience. Additionally, the newly appointed in-charge registrar has also confirmed that no official records of fee payments are available. As a result, only students who can personally provide proof of payment are receiving their mark sheets, while others remain deprived. The incident has raised serious concerns about the university’s administrative efficiency, and students are demanding an immediate resolution to the issue.

High court stays GST action against Gujarat Medical Council, other boards

High court stays GST action against Gujarat Medical Council, other boards 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 20.03.2025

Ahmedabad : The Gujarat high court on Thursday stayed the Goods & Services Tax (GST) department from taking any action against five different councils and boards that regulate and register practitioners of different systems of medicine in the state over payment of taxes. According to the case details, the director general of GST Intelligence (DGGI) issued notices to the Gujarat Medical Council, the Council of Homeopathic System of Medicine, the Gujarat Board of Ayurvedic and Unani System of Medicine, the Gujarat State Dental Council and the Gujarat State Council for Physiotherapy under Section 74 of the GST Act. 

It stated that these bodies are corporates and have GST numbers as well, for they provide services in lieu of charging fees. Hence, their services are taxable under the GST law. After getting expert opinion, these councils and boards replied to the department and conveyed that they are not liable to pay GST because they are not private corporate bodies but were formed under the statutes and they act as extended govt bodies. However, the department insisted that these councils and boards are not govt companies, but body corporates and therefore are liable to pay taxes on the services they offer. According to advocate Neel Lakhani, who appeared for DGGI, the councils and boards filed petitions in the HC claiming that they are not taxable persons and demanded that the communication issued by the GST department be quashed. 

After a preliminary hearing, Justice Bhargav Karia and Justice D N Ray issued a notice seeking a reply from the department by May 1, and directed the department not to take any coercive action against the petitioners until then

‘Two with criminal records selected for panel to choose VC’ HC ISSUES NOTICES

‘Two with criminal records selected for panel to choose VC’  HC ISSUES NOTICES 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 18.03.2025

 Bhopal : A division bench of MP high court issued notices to respondents in a petition charging that persons with criminal background have been selected in the committee formed to suggest a panel of names for the post of vice-chancellor, Indira Gandhi national tribal university. The court further said that appointment of vice chancellor will be subject to the final decision of the court on the petition. Ajay Mishra from Anuppur town in his petition said that a three-member committee has been constituted to suggest names for the post of vice-chancellor to Indira Gandhi national tribal university. The two names of the committee were recommended by the executive council of the university while the third name was chosen by the President of India. 

The two members recommended by the executive council have criminal cases pending against them, he said, praying the court that they be dropped from the committee. The union education ministry, vice-chancellor, registrar and three professors of Indira Gandhi national tribal university have been named as respondents in the case. The bench comprising chief justice S K Kait and Justice Vivek Jain, while asking respondents to give a reply to the petition within three weeks on an affidavit, said appointment of V-C of the tribal university will be subject to court decision on the petition.

HC orders TN to consider making woman prof RGGGH dean

HC orders TN to consider making woman prof RGGGH dean

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  18.03.2025

Chennai : Madras high court has criticised the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) for not considering the administrative experience of a petitioner to include her in the panel for appointment as dean to Rajiv Gandhi Govt General Hospital (RGGGH) in Chennai. Justice N Anand Venkatesh observed that the petitioner’s name was dropped ‘like a hot potato’, and the authorities are taking a hypertechnical stand that the petitioner holding the incharge position cannot be considered. 

“The authorities have virtually used the services of the petitioner as the HoD whenever it is favourable to them and are denying her position as the HOD when it comes to recognising her administrative experience. Such a stand taken by the authorities is quite un- fortunate and cannot be entertained,” the court said. 

The issue pertains to a plea moved by Dr Priya Pasupathy challenging a GO issued by the department dated Oct 1, 2024, as it does not include the petitioner’s name in the panel for the post of dean in RGGGMC, Chennai. The department clarified that the petitioner completed five years as a professor; however, she was not qualified as she does not possess 1-year mandatory administrative experience for the post. Opposing the stand, the petitioner submitted that she served as a director, Institute of Community Medicine, Madras Medical College (MMC) from May 1, 2020, to Aug 18, 2020. This apart, she also served as chief warden of the women’s hostel in the MMC, as a deputy warden of the ladies hostel at Kilpauk Medical College, and as the head of the department (HOD) of community medicine at the MMC. 

Recording the submissions, the court said if the stand of the authorities is taken to its logical conclusion, then the recognition and the renewal obtained from the NMC based on the signature subscribed by the petitioner as the HOD will become questionable. “It would mean that such recognition and renewal were obtained by portraying an unqualified person as the HOD before the NMC,” the court said. The court then allowed the plea and directed the department to include the name of the petitioner for the post of dean in the GMC by placing her in the appropriate position as per the seniority within four weeks.

AI ethical monitoring system a must to curb academic dishonesty

AI ethical monitoring system a must to curb academic dishonesty

Ayushi.Gupta1@timesofindia.com 17.03.2025

With the Supreme Court highlighting technology integration, lower courts will use technically inclined lawyers as their number rises. AI is gradually transforming the legal education system but there is still a wide technical divide that needs to be bridged. The lack of formal integration of AI into legal education in Indian colleges is the biggest challenge that needs to be addressed. Vageshwari Deswal, professor, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, says, “Colleges can enhance students’ understanding of complex legal theories, case laws, and statutes using AI tools. These technologies provide swift access to vast data, making legal research simpler. Simulated classrooms, techenabled virtual client counselling sessions, and mock sessions with AI chatbots can better equip students for real courtroom experiences. Students must learn that AI cannot contextualise data nor replace human reasoning or judgment.” 

“The integration of AI is a work in progress that demands adapting to the technology while preserving the core principles of legal education,” says V Shyam Kishore, dean, Alliance School of Law, Alliance University, Bengaluru. Before incorporating AI into the curriculum, it is crucial to educate students, faculty, and administrators about AI’s benefits, and limitations. “Understanding and using AI tools will become a fundamental skill in future, just like how legal professionals today are expected to know how to use MS Office, legal research databases, and citation tools,” he adds. The legal sector is rapidly adopting AI-driven tools, with several software applications already available for legal research, litigation support, and compliance monitoring. Kishore says, “Many of these tools are already being used by legal firms and institutions to streamline processes, improve research, and enhance efficiency. 

However, most of these AI-powered solutions are designed for global markets and must be tailored to India’s unique legal framework.” Currently, there is no national regulatory framework governing the use of AI in law schools, as the BCI is yet to update its policies to reflect the growing role of AI. Kishore says, “The establishment of AI governance mechanisms in law schools is required to regulate AI’s ethical and pedagogical use. AI ethics committees should be formed to monitor AI-assisted legal research and prevent academic dishonesty. These committees should align with ethical AI guidelines, such as those from NITI Aayog, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, and international standards like OECD and UNESCO.”

Traditional medical education to soon incorporate AI electives

Traditional medical education to soon incorporate AI electives

AI tools can make ayurveda knowledge and services more widely accessible, reaching global audiences 

Ayushi.Gupta1@timesofindia.com 17.03.2025

The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) is set to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) curricula to revolutionise the Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM). To equip students with both foundational knowledge of ISM and the skills to incorporate modern technological advancements, the ministry is working on formulating a benchmark framework to offer AI as one of the elective subjects. 

To implement the plan, the ministry has been evaluating the sector’s readiness for AI, creating a standardised framework for AI system integration, and developing AI educational tools. Creating a benchmark A framework is needed to integrate AI into traditional medicines to make it scientifically validated, efficient, and globally recognised. The ministry has collaborated with global focus groups to develop benchmarks for AI usage in traditional medicines. Talking to Education Times, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, says, “The Centre of Excellence (CoE) component of the Ayurswasthya Yojana, a project sanctioned to IIT Jodhpur, aims to combine functional genomics, electronics, digital health, and AI to realise evidence based ayurvedic solutions. 

The CoE will provide technological solutions for understanding and applying ayurveda’s principles and practices—P5 medicine: Personalised, Preventive, Predictive, Participatory, and Promotive—as well as integrative medicine, including environmental response and disease development.” Integrating AI in ayurveda can enhance diagnostic accuracy, personalised treatment planning, research efforts, and healthcare delivery, says Pooja Sabharwal, assistant professor, Govt of NCT of Delhi. “Training students in traditional medicine to provide AIenabled public health services alongside their core curriculum can empower them to deliver more comprehensive and effective care, contribute to improved health outcomes, and adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape. 

With AI algorithms, students can identify patterns and correlations in complex datasets, such as ayurvedic diagnostic criteria, symptoms, and treatment outcomes. Analysing these patterns through AI allows it to assist ayurvedic practitioners in diagnosing diseases more accurately and predicting the efficacy of various treatment modalities,” she adds. Moreover, AI can enhance various aspects of education and healthcare, particularly in the context of ayurveda and traditional medicine. 

“AI can automate administrative tasks, assist in curriculum development, and provide real-time feedback to educators, allowing them to focus more on mentorship and teaching. AI-driven platforms can also make ayurveda knowledge and services more widely accessible, reaching global audiences,” adds Kotecha. In 2017, the ministry launched AYUSH Grid, an initiative to integrate technology with traditional medicine systems like ayurveda, yoga, unani, siddha, and homeopathy. Through the Grid, students are trained in modern technologies to improve healthcare services such as accessibility, quality, and efficiency. Kotecha says, “Students are already using the AYUSH Learning Management System (e-LMS) under AYUSH Grid, where AI-driven analytics are being developed.” 

Strengthening research Incorporating AI into research methodology courses will enable students to conduct data-driven research in ayurveda, says Vaidya Rabinarayan Acharya, director general, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS). He says, “The regulatory body of AYUSH education, the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM), is taking steps to strengthen the research system. The implementation of AI-integrated education at universities and colleges can take several forms. For example, developing a curriculum with dedicated courses on data science, AI, and machine learning, tailored to ayurvedic studies, including their application in traditional medicine research and practice.”

PG NEET: NRI application rejection doubles at 324

PG NEET: NRI application rejection doubles at 324 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  17.03.2025 BANGALURU

Bengaluru : Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) rejected 324 applications for NRI (nonresident Indian) quota in PG NEET admissions this time, more than twice the number it did last year. As the PG NEET admissions for 2024-25 come to a close, a closer look at the data shows that KEA received 1,090 applications for NRI seats. This was 91 more than last year. While 766 of these were approved, 324 were rejected. At the same time last year, 850 were approved and 149 rejected. The bigger rejection rate is because of the stringent scrutiny KEA adhered to after a scam in allotting NRI seats was reported from Tamil Nadu. 

It may be recalled that in TN, a verification by the selection committee at the Directorate of Medical Education found that at least 44 doctors faked their certificates in their applications. Candidates applying under NRI sponsorship must have a real blood relation to the financial supporter. “As per the SC rulings, it should be up to first-degree relation. But many of the applications had only distant relations with the sponsor, resulting in their rejection. We also wrote to various embassies asking about the genuineness of the certificates, but we are yet to receive any reply from them,” said H Prasanna, KEA executive director.

“Many candidates approached us and asked us to consider their applications under general category,” he said. The number of seats allotted to NRI quota has also fallen drastically this year. Only 87 seats were allotted, while 344 vacant seats were converted to management. Last year, 394 seats were allotted for NRIs, and only 254 were converted to management. “We are unable to understand why only fewer students took up NRI seats this year. Students try through various states and the All India quota. They might have got better seats elsewhere,” he said.

HC allows legal heir certs based on affidavits in absence of other proof

HC allows legal heir certs based on affidavits in absence of other proof 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  17.03.2025

Chennai : Madras high court has observed that legal heir certificates can even be provided based on affidavits of applicants and their kin. When there is no other proof, the applicant can be directed to file affidavits and arrange for five affidavits from persons known to the family, which will include relatives and neighbours. On that basis, the certificate can be issued when there is no rival claim, Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy said. 

The court passed the order on a plea moved by S Arasu, challenging the order of the Mylapore tahsildar denying him certificates as a legal heir of C P Subramaniyam who died on Dec 19, 1998, and the death was reported. However, so far, no one applied for a legal heir certificate. His application for the certificate was rejected as the authorities could not conclude who the legal heirs of the deceased were. 

Aggrieved, the petitioner moved the court. When the plea came up for hearing, the court said, “Once the death is reported, when an application is made for a legal heirship certificate, it has to be determined who the legal heirs are.” Setting aside the order, the court directed the petitioner to appear before the tahsildar for further enquiry on March 28. 

The tahsildar shall insist on affidavits or relegate him to the revenue inspector for further enquiry, and the authorities shall make further enquiry and come to a conclusion by their best judgment as to who all the legal heirs are, include the names of those persons, and issue the legal heirship certificate, the court said. The exercise shall be completed within 12 weeks, the judge added.

Stay off roads to beat heat & disease Grabbing A Drink On Roadside In Summers Can Increase Risk Of Infections

Stay off roads to beat heat & disease Grabbing A Drink On Roadside In Summers Can Increase Risk Of Infections 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 17.03.2025

Chennai : The stifling heat may tempt people to grab a glass of lemonade or seasonal fruits sold on the roadside, but in summer these carry an increased risk of viral and bacterial infections that can lead to stomach infections, including acute gastroenteritis disorders, health officials warn. 

Doctors across the city say they see cases, mostly family clusters, of hepatitis A and E, typhoid, and gastrointestinal diseases, all caused by contaminated water and food. The public health department says epidemiological data shows contaminated food and water-borne diseases increase in summer. Cut fruits, with their exposed surfaces and high sugar content, are vulnerable to growth of bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, and warm weather can expedite this. 

“Fruits naturally spoil faster in hot weather. Cutting them accelerates this process, as the exposed flesh oxidises and decays,” said Dr P Sampath, joint director of public health (epidemics). “During summer, flies and other insects are more prevalent, increasing the risk of contamination. Poor hygiene practices, such as unwashed hands or unclean cutting surfaces, can also contribute to contamination,” he added. 

Summer fruits such as watermelon, pineapples, and citrus fruits are high in water content, crucial for staying hydrated. They are also packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support overall health and immunity, particularly important in summer. 

“It’s important for children to eat a bowl of fruits every day. We recommend people buy whole, uncut fruits,” said paediatrician Dr S Balasubramanian. “We must teach children to wash them thoroughly. It is preferable to eat fruit that is washed and cut at home. This way, you know they are clean and hygienic.” 

Food safety officials, meanwhile, are holding discussions with vendors, asking them not to use chemicals to ripen fruit. “They pack chemicals such as calcium carbide in fruit boxes to expedite ripening. We have told vendors we will destroy boxes of fruits if we find them using unsafe artificial methods,” said designated food safety officer (Chennai) Dr P Satheesh Kumar. 

Officials are also asking street food vendors to ensure they buy fresh raw material in small quantities from authorised dealers and source clean water for cooking and cleaning. “Meat and dairy should be preserved at the right temperature, cooked food must be stored in closed containers, and food handlers must follow hand hygiene practices,” said designated food safety officer (Tiruvallur) Dr Subhash Chandra Bose.

 “We also tell people to ask vendors about the source of water and hygienic practices. They can also check for FSSAI licences on food carts and inside hotels. If there are issues, people must file complaints to prevent disease outbreaks,” he said.

RGUHS students get same questions from prep paper of two colleges in final Ayurveda exam

RGUHS students get same questions from prep paper of two colleges in final Ayurveda exam

Mar 15, 2025, 23:23 IST

Read more at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/119052907.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Bengaluru: A controversy has erupted over the Ayurveda exams conducted by Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) after students discovered that their final examination paper was identical to the preparatory question paper of two colleges. The revelation has triggered outrage among students, who are now questioning the fairness of the examination process.

The Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) first professional Sahita Adhyayana-1 final examination was held on March 7, 2025. On Monday, the university received an anonymous mail, stating that the final exam question paper was identical to the preparatory question paper of SDM Ayurveda College, Udupi, and Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya and Hospital, Hubbali. Though the colleges had no role in the question paper that was distributed, the news spread and the students alleged foul play over the conduct of the exam. Thr incident has raised serious concerns about the integrity and fairness of the examination process. University exams are meant to assess students on an equal footing, but if the same questions appear in both a practice test and final exam, it puts some students at an unfair advantage, while leaving others at a disadvantage," alleged Likith Gowda N M, convenor of Jignasa Karnataka South.

"When we set a question paper, we call a group of experts from across Karnataka to prepare it. In June 2023, a set of examiners prepared around 12 question papers. Once they set the question paper, we take the confidentiality clause with them that whatever questions they have set should not be revealed or repeated. However, in this case, one of the examiners released it in Dec for the preparatory examination in their college," explained registrar evaluation of RGUHS, Riyaz Basha.

"Our system is computer-generated. From among the available sets of 10, one question paper was released on March 7. It turned out to be the same paper this examiner used three months back in his college. The same paper was shared between two colleges," he added. "It is not a question paper leak, but it is a fault of the paper setter. There is a clause of confidentiality and a sense of ethics that he has broken. After we were informed of this on March 11, we asked them for an explanation. They have now sent an explanation. On Monday, a committee will go through it. Depending upon how many people have been impacted and the quantum, a call will be taken on the future of the case," he added.

AKTU to use blockchain tech to check fraud, errors in degrees

AKTU to use blockchain tech to check fraud, errors in degrees 

Mohita.Tewari @timesofindia.com 16.03.2025

Lucknow : The Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) is implementing blockchain technology for generating degrees and marksheets. This digital system creates and validates academic credentials through a secure computerised database, ensuring authenticity and preventing unauthorised altera- tions. AKTU officials said that blockchain provides a reliable method for issuing and managing digital credentials. This system eliminates possibilities of errors or manipulations in university documents. Students will have the ability to print their digital degrees as needed.

Following council approval, the university plans to implement this system in the upcoming academic session. “Cases of fraud in degree marksheets often come to the fore in many universities of the country and state. In view of this and further upgrading its technology, the university administration has now decided to use blockchain technology,” said AKTU vice chancellor Prof JP Pandey. He explained that students’ examination and result information will be distributed across multiple ser- vers. The university will compile degree marksheets using roll numbers and other unique identifiers. The system’s security ensures that data remains protected even if individual servers face security breaches or disruptions. “Students will receive login credentials to access and print their degree marksheets as required. Blockchain enhances degree and marksheet security,” said the VC.

Can’t pay you: Govt to Madras varsity ‘Not Bound To Provide Salaries’

Can’t pay you: Govt to Madras varsity ‘Not Bound To Provide Salaries’

Ragu.Raman@timesofindia.com 14.03.2025

Chennai : A letter from state govt stating that it is under no obligation to provide salary or pension grants to the University of Madras has sparked a controvery. Educationists want the govt to adopt a holistic approach to resolve the financial crisis and save the struggling state university. The letter was sent in reply to the member-secretary of Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority asking the govt to depute an officer to appear at the counselling centre on March 12 in connection with a pension-related case. 

“As per University of Madras statutes, there is no obligation on the part of the govt to provide salary or pension or any grant to the university. Previous sanctions were made as a special grant to meet the payment of pension and family pension arrears,” G K Arun Sundar Thayalan, special secretary to govt, said in his letter to the Madras University Registrar on March 11.

“Hence, the university is liable to pay pension arrears, family pension arrears, and DCRG arrears. Above all, the govt does not sanction pensions for the university officials,” he further stated in the letter. Former vice-chancellor of the university P Duraisamy said whatever was stated in the letter is correct as per the statutes. 

“At the same time, the state govt should allow the increase of fees to boost the revenue of the university. The govt should take a holistic approach to solve the financial crisis,” he said. Another former ViceChancellor, S P Thyagarajan, said if the state govt does not provide the funding, it would be disastrous. “University of Madras is not offering any professional courses. The admission to PG programmes in university departments is also less. The state govt should provide the grant so the poor and downtrodden will have access to higher education,” he said.

The govt can adopt any model to provide the grant, he added. “This is the first university established in the state. Not allowing the university to increase the fees periodically also affected it. So, the state govt cannot say it has no obligation. It should immediately release the grants meant for the university,” said C Murugan, general secretary, Madras University Teachers 'Association.

‘Include UGC Chairman’s nominee in V-C search panel for sports university’

‘Include UGC Chairman’s nominee in V-C search panel for sports university’

R.N. Ravi

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI 12.03.2025

Governor R.N. Ravi has called upon the Tamil Nadu government to notify the search committee for the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University, “as constituted by the Chancellor”, which included the University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman’s nominee, the Raj Bhavan said on Tuesday.

Though the Chancellor had, in October 2024, directed the State government to notify the constitution of the committee with four members, including the UGC Chairman’s nominee, the G.O. issued by the Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department on January 28, 2025 “purposefully excluded the UGC Chairman’s nominee, in violation of the judgments of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India”, the Raj Bhavan said.

The notifications issued by the State government was contrary to the existing UGC regulations and orders of the Supreme Court, it said.

The Chancellor had urged the Government of Tamil Nadu to recall the said notifications, the Raj Bhavan said.

It pointed out that the Supreme Court had held in Prof. (Dr.) Sreejith P.S. vs. Dr. Rajasree M.S. & others that any appointment as Vice-Chancellor made on the recommendation of the search committee, which was constituted contrary to the provisions of the UGC regulations, shall be void ab initio.

The search committee constituted by the Chancellor was as per the provisions of Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University Act as well as UGC regulations, 2018, it pointed out.

“The inclusion of UGC Chairman’s nominee in the Search Committee of State Universities is held to be mandatory by the Supreme Court,” it said.