NEWS TODAY 27.09.2024

 

Can’t say there’s no prima facie case against Balaji: SC

Can’t say there’s no prima facie case against Balaji: SC

AmitAnand.Choudhary@timesofindia.com 27.09.2024

New Delhi : Examining the evidence against former TN minister Senthil Balaji, Supreme Court said Thursday there is no reason, at this stage, to doubt the authenticity of the soft files, and there is also prima facie material to show a cash deposit of Rs 1.3cr in his bank account. “At this stage, the contention of the appellant regarding the deposit of remuneration received as MLA and agriculture income cannot be accepted in the absence of any prima facie evidence to show the existence of the appellant’s cash income as MLA and the appellant’s agriculture income. Therefore, at this stage, it will be very difficult to hold that there’s no prima facie case against appellant...” SC said. 

However, SC said ED could not be permitted to use stringent bail provision Section 45(1)(ii) of PMLA as an instrument to keep an accused in custody for a long period. Granting bail, SC imposed stringent conditions on Balaji: he has to report to ED every Monday and Friday and has to be present in courts holding trial in the corruption and money laundering cases. SC noted a higher threshold has been provided in these statutes for grant of bail as reflected in Section 45 (1) (ii) of PMLA, proviso to Section 43D(5) of UAPAand Section 37 of NDPS Act, overriding provisions of Criminal Procedure Code. 

“Considering the gravity of the offences in such statutes, expeditious disposal of trials for crimes under these statutes is contemplated. Moreover, such statutes contain provi sions laying down higher threshold for grant of bail. The expeditious disposal of the trial is also warranted considering the higher threshold set for the grant of bail... It is a well-settled principle of our criminal jurisprudence that bail is the rule, and jail is the exception. These stringent provisions regarding grant of bail, such as Section 45(1)(iii) of PMLA, cannot become a tool which can be used to incarcerate the accused without trial for an unreasonably long time,” SC said. SC held that prolonged incarceration without trial is violative of rights of an accused and the court should step in to protect him and no provision can take away the power of constitutional courts to grant bail on grounds of violation of fundamental rights. “When trial of the complaint under PMLA is likely to prolong beyond reasonable limits, Constitutional Courts will have to consider exercising their powers to grant bail.

The reason is that Section 45 (1)(ii) does not confer power on State to detain an accused for an unreasonably long time, especially when there is no possibility of trial concluding within reasonable time.” 

Balaji likely to rejoin cabinet next week 

Amid signs Senthil Balaji will be re-inducted into the cabinet, TN CM MK Stalin hailed the former minister on his release on bail after 471 days in prison, saying: “Your sacrifice is great! Your resolve greater!” Multiple sources confirmed to TOI that an announcement on Balaji’s return to the cabinet is expected next week. “He is most likely to be re-inducted. It is unclear if he will retain his original portfolio, energy, prohibition and excise,” said a DMK neta.

HC asks Bengal to reply to PIL on ‘threat culture’ in medical colleges

HC asks Bengal to reply to PIL on ‘threat culture’ in medical colleges 

27.09.2024 

Kolkata : Calcutta high court on Thursday directed the Bengal govt to file an affidavit responding to the allegations made in a PIL alleging that there was ‘threat culture’ in state medical colleges and hospitals. “If any one or more than one (allegations) is found to be correct, the matter is a very serious issue,” Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam said. The petitioners demanded an investigation of the “threat nexus syndicate” by constituting a special investigating team to be led by a former judge of this court. The PIL, filed by two individuals, a doctor and a social worker — in the aftermath of a PG doctor’s rape murder at RG Kar Hospital — was heard by the division bench of Chief Justice Sivagnanam and Justice Bivas Pattanayak

Medical college hospital accepts Communist veteran’s body

Medical college hospital accepts Communist veteran’s body 

Kochi : The Kalamassery Medical College, which was directed by the Kerala high court to decide on the donation of the body of Communist veteran M M Lawrence, has decided to accept the body, and it has been transferred to the Anatomy department. In an order issued on September 25, Kalamassery Medical College principal, Prathap S, said the consent for body donation was valid. 

“I hereby instruct the remains of Shri M M Lawrence which were donated for educational purpose be accepted and transferred to the Anatomy department to be embalmed and preserved till being taken up for teaching purposes. The Honourable Court’s decision is thus complied herewith,” the order read. Meanwhile, reacting to the development, Lawrence’s daughter Asha posted on social media that she would approach the court seeking justice. Dramatic scenes had unfolded at the Ernakulam town hall here on Monday, where the mortal remains of CPM leader Lawrence were kept for public homage, as the late leader’s daughter protested the decision to hand over his body to the Government Medical College Hospital here. PTI

Sites exposing citizens’Aadhaar, PAN blocked

Sites exposing citizens’Aadhaar, PAN blocked 

27.09.2024

New Delhi : IT ministry has come down heavily on websites exposing sensitive personal identifiable information of citizens, including their Aadhaar and PA N Card details, and has ordered them to be blocked. Sources said the websites/ URLs ordered blocked include https://www.asianbariatrics.com/uploads/, https://thestarkidz.com/cp/ img/dob_proof_imgae/, and

https://indianaerospaceandengineering.com/media/ student/aadharc ard/ There was, however, no official confirmation of the same. The step comes days after the Star Health hacking episode where data of 31 million citizens is feared to have been compromised. In an official statement, IT ministry said govt is committed to having an open, safe, trusted and accountable internet. “It has come to notice… that some websites were exposing sensitive personal identifiable information, including Aadhaar and PA N Card details, of citizens. This has been taken up seriously as govt accords highest priority to safe cyber security practices and protection of personal data. In line with this, prompt action has been taken to block these websites.” TNN

Insurer made to pay for ‘non-medical’ deductions

Insurer made to pay for ‘non-medical’ deductions

 NimeshKhakhariya@timesofindia.com 27.09.2024 

 Rajkot : A consumer court of Rajkot rejected a deduction made by a health insurance company for reasonable, customary and non-medical item charges in the cataract treatment of a 45-yearold man and called it a deficiency in service. A Rajkot resident, Chirag Jasani, bought the Happy Family Floater policy health insurance from Oriental Insurance Company Ltd for the period of March 6, 2023, to March 4, 2024. Jasani had been a policyholder for 11 years and his sum assured was Rs 5 lakh. He had a vision problem and needed cataract treatment in both eyes as an indoor patient. His right eye was treated between July 10 and 11, 2023, for which he paid a medical bill of Rs 88,090. He underwent treatment for his left eye between July 24 and 25 and paid Rs 89,007. He spent Rs 1.77 lakh on both eyes. 

He filed a claim befobut the company sanctioned only Rs 48,000. Jasani moved the consumer court. The insurer submitted that they approved the partial claim after deducting the reasonable and customa ry charges, non-medical items and co-payment. The court order stated that Rs 500 deducted as nonmedical expense for the right eye and Rs 5,600 deducted as hospital discount for the left eye were reasonable according to the terms and conditions of the policy. According to the terms and conditions, 10% was deductible as co-payment. 

However, the court, in its order dated Aug 31, rejected the argument of the insurance company regarding the deduction under reasonable and customary charges, stating that the company failed to prove medically that the expense by the policyholder was excessive, and the policyholder was not eligible to get it under the policy conditions.

IIM-A student hangs self on eve of mgmt fest

IIM-A student hangs self on eve of mgmt fest 

Bhukya Was A Brilliant Student: Batchmates 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 26.09.2024 

Ahmedabad : A second-year PGP student at the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A) hanged himself in his hostel room at the B-school’s new campus in Vastrapur on Thursday. Police investigators believe stress may have been the likely cause behind the suicide even as the incident is being probed further. According to Vastrapur police, the deceased, Akshith Bhukya, 24, a native of Warangal in Telangana, was found hanging in his hostel room around 10.45am. Following his death, the IIM-A authorities declared The Red Brick Summit (TRBS), a premier management conclave, cancelled. Bhukya was the primary coordinator for the prestigious threeday event, scheduled to begin on Sep 27. 

“Prima facie, we do not suspect any foul play in the incident. The investigation so far indicates that Bhukya was possibly under stress due to the TRBS that was scheduled to begin on Friday. This is just the preliminary detail, and we are further investigating if he suffered from depression or if there was any other issue at play,” said Himanshu Kumar Verma, DCP, Zone-1. 

Verma said that Bhukya’s parents have been informed about the incident. They were expected to reach Ahmedabad on Thursday night. V D Mori, in-charge inspector of Vastrapur police, said that Bhukya was coordinating for the Red Brick Summit and had last spoken to a friend around 10am on Thursday. “After talking to his friend, he went to his room around 10.30am. When calls made by his friends went unanswered, they came to check on him and knocked on the door of his room. When they received no response, they entered his room through the window and found him hanging by a rope,” Mori said. 

 “His friends told us that he was the lead coordinator for the summit and was under stress,” Mori added. The nature of stress, however, is being investigated. “We have registered a case of accidental death. The body has been sent to Sola Civil Hospital for postmortem,” Mori said. Bhukya’s LinkedIn profile mentions that he was a BTech graduate in computer science from Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal. He worked as a software developer for more than a year in Hyderabad before joining the IIM-A in 2023. Earlier this year, he interned at S&P Global in Hyderabad. He was in the second year of the Post Graduate Programme (PGP), the flagship MBA course of IIM-A. Bhukya was set to graduate next year. Details about his placement could not be ascertained.

An opportunity to rethink India’s pension system

An opportunity to rethink India’s pension system

T.T. Sreekumar

Professor, The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad

The HIndu Hyderabad 27.09.2024 

The pension system in India has undergone a significant transformation over the years with three major schemes, the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), New Pension Scheme (NPS), and the proposed Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), marking the different phases of government policy. Each scheme impacts retirees in different ways, with the OPS often being viewed as a more secure system compared to the NPS, which ties retirement funds to volatile market conditions. As the world witnesses a retreat from neoliberal policies, the debate around welfarism is being reignited. In this context, the UPS requires considerable rectification to ensure that it serves the interests of retirees effectively.

A shift with greater individual risk

The OPS, prevalent before 2004, guaranteed a defined benefit pension to government employees. In this scheme, the pension amount was fixed and determined by the last drawn salary, and the government was solely responsible for disbursing the pensions. The OPS provided stability and ensured that retirees were insulated from any financial market risks. The reliance on a fixed percentage of the last drawn salary for pensions meant that employees could plan their retirements with a sense of financial security, knowing that they would have a guaranteed income stream throughout their post-retirement years. The OPS reflected the government’s commitment to social security by excluding the market from the equation and offering guaranteed pensions.

In 2004, the Government of India replaced the OPS with the New Pension Scheme (NPS). Here, the shift was from a defined-benefit model to a defined-contribution model, wherein employee and the government contributed towards a pension fund, which was then invested in financial markets. The pension payout under the NPS is linked to the performance of these investments, meaning retirees’ incomes are now subject to the fluctuations of market forces.

The shift from OPS to NPS represents the neoliberal tendency to reduce state involvement in welfare provisions and transfer risk to individuals. The NPS left retirees vulnerable to market volatility, effectively placing their futures at the mercy of speculative market conditions. The NPS has drawn criticism because the security once provided by the state under OPS has been eroded. During periods of economic downturn, retirees may face reduced returns, undermining their financial stability.

This market-driven pension model has also fuelled wider concerns about the commercialisation of public welfare programmes and the weakening of the state’s social responsibility.

A return to welfarism

Globally, the era of neoliberalism that dominated economic policy for the past few decades is showing signs of a retreat. The 2008 financial crisis exposed the risks associated with excessive market reliance, leading to calls for stronger social safety nets and a return to welfarism. The COVID-19 pandemic further amplified these demands, as governments worldwide were compelled to intervene in unprecedented ways to protect the health and livelihoods of their citizens. India, too, is experiencing a similar shift, with demands for the return of state-backed welfare provisions.

The UPS, as proposed by the Narendra Modi government, emerges in this context as an attempt to provide universal pensions while balancing state involvement and market participation.

While the U-turn of the Modi government, as pointed out by the Opposition, aims to address the issues raised by the NPS, the UPS is still in its nascent stages and requires significant rectification before it can be seen as a viable alternative to the NPS. Critics have already pointed out that the UPS promises retirement payouts but offers reduced returns compared to the OPS and exposes retirees to the risks of uncertain market-based assets. The requirement of 25 years of service for a full pension is a disadvantage for those who join late, while potential underfunding raises concerns about future pension delays or corpus depletion.

Moreover, the scheme only covers Union government employees, excluding many public sector workers such as teachers, and may disincentivise further pay commissions. One of the critical aspects of the UPS that needs attention is the need for greater state intervention to ensure that retirees are not left vulnerable to market forces. While the UPS offers a universal framework, its structure should incorporate safeguards against market fluctuations, possibly by providing a minimum guaranteed pension similar to the OPS.

Issue of government contribution

Another area that needs reform is the level of government contribution. The UPS hybrid model would not completely mitigate risks associated with market reliance and may fail to offer a balanced pension system. Further, ensuring the inclusivity of the UPS across all sectors, including informal labour, is critical. India’s vast informal workforce currently lacks adequate pension coverage. The UPS must broaden its scope to provide pension security to all citizens, and not just to government employees, aligning with the broader return of welfarism that is gaining momentum globally.

The comparison of the OPS, the NPS and the UPS illustrates the tension between state-backed welfare and market-driven policies in India’s pension system. While the OPS provided a stable and predictable pension income, the NPS shifted retirees’ financial futures into the volatile realm of market investments, creating uncertainties and vulnerabilities. The retreat of neoliberalism and the return to welfarism worldwide, although on a limited scale or even notionally, provide an opportunity to rethink India’s pension system and strike a better balance between state responsibility and market participation. The UPS, if properly restructured, could become an important tool in protecting the financial security of retirees and addressing the shortcomings of the NPS, ensuring that India’s retirees are not left to the mercy of market forces but are supported by a robust welfare system.

MUMBAI Bombay floods

 

UP village pays, prays for boy fighting for missed IIT seat

UP village pays, prays for boy fighting for missed IIT seat

Mohammad.Dilshad@timesofindia.com 26.09.2024

Titora (Muzaffarnagar) : The story of Atul Kumar, a bright-eyed 18-year-old Dalit student, has rippled through the quiet, unassuming village of Titora, which hides a little off the map, about 100km from Delhi. It’s only a short detour from NH-58, which links the capital to bustling Muzaffarnagar in UP, yet Titora remains something of a secret — roads dissolve into dusty tracks, apps promising directions stutter and stall. Travellers must ask local folks for directions. But once you arrive, there’s no mistaking the pride that radiates from its people. 

Finding Atul’s home is easy. “Oh, the family with the IIT boys?” chime in passersby. In Titora now, conversation about Atul’s triumph, his despair, and the glimmer of hope offered by SC dominates every tea stall and village square. The people here had pooled in to help pay Atul’s fees, but he missed the deadline by an agonising heartbeat. › Only one goal, 

A Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, on Tuesday took up Atul’s plea, with the CJI promising, “We will help you as far as possible.” From a below-poverty line family, Atul’s dreams of attending IIT (ISM) Dhanbad were nearly crushed by the missed fee deadline. He had cleared JEE Advanced but financial constraints and a technical glitch prevented him from paying the Rs 17,500 acceptance fee on time, leading to the cancellation of his hard-won seat. In a display of empathy, the top court sought responses from the Joint Seat Allocation Authority and IIT-Madras, where Atul had sat for his exams. 

Back in Titora, villagers can’t stop talking about the family. Atul’s father, Rajendra Kumar, 47, labours at a cloth factory in Meerut to make Rs 450 per day, while his mother, Rajesh Devi, 45, juggles between toiling in the fields and making cots to supplement their meagre income. However, cycling to work and sacrificing personal needs, Atul’s brothers achieved remarkable academic success. Mohit Kumar, 24, completed his M Tech from NIT Hamirpur. Rohit Kumar, 23, graduated with a B Tech from IIT-Kharagpur. Amit, 20, is in college and doing well. He wants to go abroad for higher studies. “We have only one goal — to educate our four sons, no matter the cost,” Rajesh told TOI on Wednesday. For Atul, SC’s promise offers a second chance. “Only we know what we’ve been through,” he said. “I need to do this for my parents. And I’m waiting to pay off the Rs 3 lakh loan my father took to help us study.”

NEWS TODAY 26.09.2024

 

Goats to bait leopards end up as feasts for men

Goats to bait leopards end up as feasts for men

Times of India Hyderabad 26.09.2024

Bijnor : The forest department in Bijnor is grappling with an unusual challenge as it attempts to address the growing threat of leopard attacks in the region, with more than 25 people having fallen victim to the big cats and over a dozen injured since 2023, reports Harveer Dabas.

In what was thought to be a smart move, the department set up over 50 traps across the region,

using goats as bait to capture marauding leopards. However, despite the imminent danger, thieves continue to steal the goats. Rupesh Kumar, a local, said, “A leopard was spotted near the village a few days ago. Upon receiving the information, the forest department installed a cage with a goat.However, someone stole the goat.”

He added, “Unfortunately, the second goat was also stolen on Wednesday. Frustrated, locals have now decided to remove the cage altogether.”

NRI quota in T med colleges to stay unaltered this year Very Late For Changes In The System, Says Kaloji Varsity

NRI quota in T med colleges to stay unaltered this year Very Late For Changes In The System, Says Kaloji Varsity 

Nirupa.Vatyam@timesofindia.com 26.09.2024

Hyderabad : For this academic year, Telangana will allow candidates with NRI uncles and aunts to seek MBBS admission, confirmed officials at Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS) on Wednesday. They, however, maintained that the state only extends this benefit to “blood relatives of NRIs after due verification”. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court rejected the Punjab govt's plea challenging the high court's verdict on widening of the NRI quota in medical colleges. The apex court stated that distant relatives of NRIs cannot be granted this benefit, while calling for the need to put an end to the NRI quota business. 

Earlier, the Punjab govt had proposed to include uncles, aunts, grandparents, cousins etc as “close relations” of the candidate under this quota. “It might be too late to make any changes to the system as we are yet to receive the Supreme Court order on the subject. A decision can be taken only after studying the order in consultation with the state’s legal team,” an official said, adding that admissions for 2024-25 will go ahead as planned, since the notification for NRI quota has already been released. 600 seats under quota now Telangana currently has about 600 MBBS seats under this quota. To apply under this provision, candidates have to submit various documents: NRI sponsorship certificate (Declaration form), NRI status certificate of the financial supporter issued by the embassy of the respective country under their seal, a copy of the NRI bank account passbook of the financial supporter, and a copy of the passport of the NRI financial supporter, or the sponsor, who is a blood relative – father, mother, brother, sister, uncle, or aunt. 

“Only after thorough scrutiny do we allot these seats. And they are strictly given only to blood  relatives,” the official added. As per KNRUHS, the state receives around 500 to 1000 applications for MBBS seats under the NRI quota every year. But eventually about 15% to 20% of them are converted into management quota as it does end up with the required number of NRI applicants, post scrutiny. Many also drop out along the way. When it comes to PG medical seats, almost 100% of them are converted into management quota as there is no demand among NRIs for these seats. Given the practice, experts also pointed out a revision in NRI quota guidelines, in the future, is unlikely to make much difference. 

“I don’t see any harm in uncles and aunts sponsoring under the NRI quota. But, if the state has to amend it based on the court’s direction, it should not be a problem as these seats will be converted to management quota. Once they are converted to management quota, anyone will be able to apply and it doesn’t make any difference whether they are related to NRI or not,” said K Mahesh Kumar, president, Healthcare Reforms Doctor

Give pension hike benefit to staff from the day they are 80

Give pension hike benefit to staff from the day they are 80 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 26.09.2024

Bhopal/Jabalpur : The MP high court has held that a retired govt employee should get the benefit of a 20% increase in pension as he enters into the 80th year of his life and not on completion of 80 years of age. In its decision on a petition filed by an 87-year-old retired professor of a govt engineering college, the single judge bench of Justice Vishal Mishra said that his pension should have been increased by 20% as soon as he entered into his 80th year rather than on completion of 80 years of age. Dr Laxmi Chandra Jain from Jabalpur in his petition, said that he retired as a professor from a govt engineering college, Jabalpur on June 30, 1998. 

According to the notification of the state govt, there is a provision for an increase of 20% in pension to a retired employee between the age of 80 to 85 years. The state govt, however, increased his pension by 20 percent after he completed 80 years of age and got into his 81st year. He should have been given 20 percent more pension as soon as he entered the 80th year of life. Advocate Aditya Sanghi, appearing for the petitioner, argued that his client is in the last leg of his life. He should have got the benefit of increased pension when he completed 79 years of age and got into his 80th year. The notification provides for an increase in pension between the age of 80 to 85 years. After hearing both sides, the court decided the case in favour of the retired professor

HC: Follow UGC norms to recruit guest lecturers

HC: Follow UGC norms to recruit guest lecturers 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  26.09.2024 

Bengaluru : The high court directed the departments of higher education and collegiate education to ensure complete compliance with the minimum qualifications prescribed by University Grants Commission (UGC) before selecting candidates for posts of guest lecturers. Justice R Nataraj gave the direction while partly allowing a petition filed by aspiring guest lecturer H Sanjeevaiah and three others. 

The petitioners had challenged an Aug 24 notification issued for recruiting guest lecturers without insisting on Karnataka State Eligibility Test (KSET), State Eligibility Test (SET), National Eligibility Test (NET) or PhD examinations, on the ground that it is contrary to UGC regulations. Rajendra Kumar Sungay, counsel for the petitioners, submitted that as per UGC regulations, the qualification prescribed is the same for regular and contract appointments. He added that the authorities have been processing the applications of candidates who possess a mere PG qualification and factoring in the weightage for the previous years of service, depriving opportunity to candidates such as the petitioners. 

The govt advocate submitted that since the petitioners challenged the notification, which pertains to engaging guest faculty in govt first grade colleges in the state, they have to approach Karnataka State Administrative Tribunal. Justice Nataraj said UGC regulations prescribe that the minimum qualification should be fulfilled for contractual lecturers too. However, the marks prescribed for past service for a maximum period of 16 years at the rate of 3 marks shall continue to be applied. “It is also made clear that the respondents shall not select candidates by placing a condition that they shall obtain the requisite qualification, namely NET/SLET/SET, before Jan 13, 2025, unless he/she is awarded a doctorate or is registered for a doctoral programme prior to July 2009,” the judge said.

Diversity a challenge for Indian institutions

Diversity a challenge for Indian institutions 

 TOI BANGALORE 

Despite these declines, three Indian institutions rank in the global top 50 for employability, with IIM Bangalore leading in alumni impact. The QS Quacquarelli Symonds, a global higher education analyst, released the 2025 rankings for MBA and Business Master's programmes. These rankings underscore India's growing presence in global business education, with 14 MBA programmes making it to the list. The QS Global MBA and Business Master’s Rankings for 2025 span 58 countries and territories, evaluating 340 top MBA programmes and specialised master’s degrees in areas such as Management, Finance, Marketing, Business Analytics, and Supply Chain Management. Three Indian MBA programmes stand among the world’s top 50 for employability: IIM Bangalore (33), IIM Calcutta (34), and IIM Ahmedabad (47), with a fourth Indian programme making it into the top 100 for this key indicator. IIM Bangalore also leads nationally in the Entrepreneurship and Alumni Impact category, with two other Indian programmes ranking in the global top 100 in this category. IIM Bangalore’s full-time MBA programme delivers the highest return on investment in India, ranking 53rd globally. 

IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Calcutta also feature in the world’s top 100 for ROI. However, Indian institutions face challenges, particularly in student and faculty diversity. None of the 14 Indian programmes ranked among the top 250 globally in this area, highlighting a need for greater internationalisation. "These rankings offer independent insights for careerdriven students navigating the global business education landscape…. Whether aiming to lead in corporations, innovate in start-ups, or impact the public sector, students can use these insights as they shape their professional paths," said QS CEO Jessica Turner, adding, “However, ongoing chal lenges related to internationalisation and gender diversity remain critical areas for improvement. Bridging these gaps is not only key to enhancing the global competitiveness of India's leading business schools, but also vital for fostering more inclusive environments that align with the future of business leadership.” Regionally, India dominates Asia’s rankings with 14 programmes, followed by Mainland China with 10, further solidifying India's role in the region’s business education ecosystem. Globally, the United States continues to lead the MBA rankings, occupying all three top spots. For the fifth year running, Stanford GSB holds the No. 1 position, followed by The Wharton School and Harvard Business School. Stanford's leadership is attributedto exceptional alumni impact and graduate employability

4 Indian MBAs in QS Global Top 100, IIM-B’lore leads nationally

4 Indian MBAs in QS Global Top 100, IIM-B’lore leads nationally 

TIMES OF INDIA BANGALORE 26.09.2024 

New Delhi : Four Indian fulltime MBA programmes have made it into top 100 in QS’s Global Rankings for 2025, reports Manash Gohain. Leading the Indian cohort is IIM-Bangalore, which dropped to 53rd from 48th last year. In total, 14 Indian MBA programmes have secured a spot in the QS rankings, including three new entries: IIM-Kozhikode, debuting in the 151-200 band, and the Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad, and Somaiya Vidyavihar University, appearing in 251+ band. Other programmes in the top 100: IIM Ahmedabad at 60 (down from 53), IIM Calcutta at 65 (59), and Indian School of Business at 86 (78). › Diversity challenge, P 13 Diversity a challenge for Indian institutions Despite these declines, three Indian institutions rank in the global top 50 for employability, with IIM Bangalore leading in alumni impact. 

The QS Quacquarelli Symonds, a global higher education analyst, released the 2025 rankings for MBA and Business Master's programmes. These rankings underscore India's growing presence in global business education, with 14 MBA programmes making it to the list. The QS Global MBA and Business Master’s Rankings for 2025 span 58 countries and territories, evaluating 340 top MBA programmes and specialised master’s degrees in areas such as Management, Finance, Marketing, Business Analytics, and Supply Chain Management. 

Three Indian MBA programmes stand among the world’s top 50 for employability: IIM Bangalore (33), IIM Calcutta (34), and IIM Ahmedabad (47), with a fourth Indian programme making it into the top 100 for this key indicator. IIM Bangalore also leads nationally in the Entrepreneurship and Alumni Impact category, with two other Indian programmes ranking in the global top 100 in this category. IIM Bangalore’s full-time MBA programme delivers the highest return on investment in India, ranking 53rd globally. IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Calcutta also feature in the world’s top 100 for ROI. However, Indian institutions face challenges, particularly in student and faculty diversity. None of the 14 Indian programmes ranked among the top 250 globally in this area, highlighting a need for greater internationalisation. "These rankings offer independent insights for careerdriven students navigating the global business education landscape…. Whether aiming to lead in corporations, innovate in start-ups, or impact the public sector, students can use these insights as they shape their professional paths," said QS CEO Jessica Turner, adding, “However, ongoing chal lenges related to internationalisation and gender diversity remain critical areas for improvement. Bridging these gaps is not only key to enhancing the global competitiveness of India's leading business schools, but also vital for fostering more inclusive environments that align with the future of business leadership.” Regionally, India dominates Asia’s rankings with 14 programmes, followed by Mainland China with 10, further solidifying India's role in the region’s business education ecosystem. Globally, the United States continues to lead the MBA rankings, occupying all three top spots. For the fifth year running, Stanford GSB holds the No. 1 position, followed by The Wharton School and Harvard Business School. Stanford's leadership is attributedto exceptional alumni impact and graduate employability.

Gujarat University relieves retired admin staff on extension

Gujarat University relieves retired admin staff on extension

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 26.09.2024

Ahmedabad : The Gujarat University has decided to terminate the services of all retired varsity administrative employees on extension with immediate effect. The vice-chancellor’s order has raised eyebrows, as about seven retired employees from various govt organizations who draw hefty salaries from GU apart from their govt pensions, have not been removed from departments such as accounts, estate, and examination. 

Sources said that GU had hired several administrative and other employees after their retirement. The abrupt termination of their services has left many questioning the university’s motives. Terminated contractual employees argued that most of those hired after retirement do not have pensions and were working out of necessity. In contrast, retired officials from central and state govt jobs, including ONGC and SBI, have been hired at high salaries for senior positions in departments like estate, GUSEC, and accounts. These officials, already getting hefty pensions, have been offered salaries ranging from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh by GU authorities. 

This has led to speculation about the double standards of the university authorities, as fresh appointments could have provided numerous job opportunities for young candidates

Race club files contempt plea against TN govt

Race club files contempt plea against TN govt 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  26.09.2024

Chennai : A day after the Madras high court reserved its verdict on whether nor not to waive the mandatory two month notice to govt before hearing a civil suit moved by Madras Race Club (MRC) challenging the termination of the lease of 160 acres of land allotted to it, the club has moved a contempt plea against Tamil Nadu govt. The club alleged that the state failed to honour the undertaking made by advocate general P S Raman that separate proceedings would be initiated to take possession of the property.

During the hearing of the suit moved by MRC, the state differed with the AG’s statement that the possession of the property was yet to be taken by the state. On Wednesday, when the division bench of Justice S S Sundar and Justice K Rajasekhar commenced proceeding, MRC made a mention seeking an urgent hearing of the contempt plea. Though the bench agreed to hear the matter during lunch motion, the plea could not be taken up for hearing since the contempt plea was not officially numbered by the registry. Representing the club, senior advocate A L Somayaji pointed out that the 15 days’ time granted to vacate the property expires on Wednesday and sought an urgent hearing. Opposing the same, senior advocate P Wilson and additional advocate-general J Ravindran submitted that there was no need for an urgent hearing since the possession of the property has already been taken by the state. 

Responding to the submissions, the bench observed that the govt is challenging what the court had recorded in the order and that it is making the court a litigant. The court further added that the club cannot seek interim relief in the contempt petition. The court then directed the registry to number the contempt petition and list it for hearing on Thursday

Medical colleges to offer MBBS courses in Tamil, English

Medical colleges to offer MBBS courses in Tamil, English 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 

Chennai : Medical colleges affiliated to Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University will teach undergraduate courses in both Tamil and English, vice-chancellor Dr K Narayanasamy said on Wednesday. The state will also offer medical textbooks to students in Tamil, if required, he said. Guidelines detailing subject-wise competencies are published on NMC website along with the Attitude, Ethics and Communication (AETCOM) course. 

The new guidelines suggest a bilingual mode of education. “Teaching, learning, and assessment may be carried out using a bilingual mode (Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu) along with English,” it said. While health minister Ma Subramanian initially said TN would not follow NMC curriculum, he later said it would be followed. “Until now, professors primarily taught in English as the class is likely to have candidates from other states (All India candidates) who don’t know Tamil. Faculty would, however, explain to those who do not understand English in Tamil,” said Dr Narayanasamy. 

“Now, this will be done more formally. In addition, the student too can answer questions during viva or even in written tests in Tamil if he or she cannot explain themselves in English.” MBBS textbooks are also available in Tamil. “Those who have studied in Tamil medium until Class XII may prefer to read in Tamil. We, nevertheless, encourage them to learn English.” Guidelines also propose a National Exit Test for students who join colleges this year. As per the calendar, phase 1 exam will be held a year after commencement of the course, and phase 2 at end of second year. In the third year, they will write part 1 of phase 3 exam and 18 months later will write step one of the proposed NExT. After a year of CRMI and internship, they will write step 2 of NExT.