GU lost A++ NAAC grade due to 515 vacant positions

GU lost A++ NAAC grade due to 515 vacant positions 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 12.02.2025

Ahmedabad : Gujarat University could not score A++ in the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) evaluation due to over 500 vacant teaching and administrative positions. The NAAC committee, in its recently released report, highlighted several key shortcomings affecting the university’s performance, including faculty shortages, infrastructure gaps and delays in recruitment. The university has begun preparations to address these issues. A NAAC team which had recently inspected the varsity has currently given it an A+ grade. Before that, GU had been rated B. One of the major concerns was the large number of unfilled positions. Currently, 103 teaching and 412 administrative posts remain vacant, totalling 515 vacancies. This figure is nearly equal to the number of occupied positions. 

Although a recruitment process was initiated in 2022, it was halted before the interview stage. The process has not resumed due to factors such as the new vice-chancellor’s appointment, the implementation of the Gujarat Public Universities Act, and changes in education policy. The NAAC team noted that GU’s inability to fill these positions was a key reason why it lost top accreditation grade. Additionally, the team emphasised the need for an inclusive learning system for differently abled students, development of a well-equipped sports complex and improved hostel facilities. The report also stressed the importance of attracting more international students and establishing transportation within the campus.

The report further highlighted uncertainty regarding grants, as GU is awaiting a Rs 100 crore grant for infrastructure and academic improvements. The team also pointed out the need for upgrading laboratories and digitising department records. Addressing the concerns, VC Neerja Gupta said, “Immediate steps are being taken to introduce a transport system for students, and if the recruitment process faces further delays, we will bring in professors on deputation.

Foreigner entering India sans valid docus could be jailed for 5 years

Foreigner entering India sans valid docus could be jailed for 5 years 

Immigration & Foreigners Bill, 2025 Set To Be Introduced In LS

Bharti Jain & Mohua Chattopadhyay 12.02.2025

TNN New Delhi : Any foreigner who enters India without a valid passport or visa could invite a jail term of up to five years and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh. In case entry and stay in or exit from India by a foreigner is with a forged passport or travel document, the imprisonment will be not less than two years, but may extend to seven years, and the fine, Rs 1 lakh, can go up to Rs 10 lakh. These are provisions of Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 — set to be introduced in Lok Sabha in the current session — that seeks to repeal four Acts, with overlapping provisions on the related subjects of immigration and foreigners, and consolidate them into a single, comprehensive legislation. 

The four Acts are Foreigners Act, 1946; Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920; Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939; and Immigration (Carriers’ Liability), 2000. As of now the maximum penalty for a foreigner entering the country without a valid passport or travel document, including visa, is five years in jail and fine. For those entering on a forged passport, the maximum penalty is eight years in jail and up to Rs 50,000 fine. The bill also seeks to make all higher educational institutions and universities liable to share information on any foreigner admitted, with the registration officer specified for such category of foreigners. This provision will also apply to all hospitals, nursing homes and other medical institutions with lodging facilities on their premises. It is proposed under the bill that any foreigner over staying his/her visa or violating conditions of the visa, or accessing a prohibited or restricted area, will be punished with up to three years in jail or fine of up to Rs 3 lakh, or both. 

A foreigner who is directed by the central govt to reside at a place set apart for a number of foreigners, shall be subject to conditions as to maintenance, discipline and punishment of offences and breaches of discipline ordered by the Centre from time to time. The bill also proposes to hold a carrier responsible for ferrying a foreigner found by the immigration officer here as not having a valid passport or travel document/visa. The immigra tion officer can impose a penalty of up to Rs 5 lakh on the carrier, though not without hearing its version. If the penalty is not paid, it may be recovered by seizing or detaining the carrier that may be an aircraft, ship or any other mode of transport. Ensuring the removal of a foreigner refused entry by India, without delay will be a responsibility of the carrier. 

 864 km of B’desh border not fenced Govt on Tuesday told Lok Sabha that 864.5km of the total 4,096.7km India-Bangladesh land border was yet to be fenced, which included 174.5 km of non-feasible gap, reports Mohua Chatterjee. “The land border remains partially unfenced due to challenges such as difficult terrain,” said junior home minister Nityanand Rai. He added that objections from Border Guard Bangladesh limited working seasons and delayed land acquisition, leading to the fencing remaining incomplete.

TRAI’s New Rule: Rs 20 Keeps Prepaid SIM Active for 30 Days

TRAI’s New Rule: Rs 20 Keeps Prepaid SIM Active for 30 Days

Punepulse February 10, 2025

TRAI’s New Rule: Rs 20 Keeps Prepaid SIM Active for 30 Days

New Delhi: In a significant move benefiting millions of prepaid mobile users, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a clarification on the deactivation of prepaid SIM cards due to inactivity. Under the new rule, a prepaid SIM will remain active as long as the balance is Rs 20 or more, even if the user does not make calls, send messages, or use mobile data.

Key Changes in the Rule

Previously, prepaid users were required to recharge frequently, often with Rs 199 or more per month, to keep their SIM cards active. This requirement has now been eliminated. Instead, TRAI has introduced a more flexible mechanism to maintain SIM validity.

A prepaid SIM will be deactivated if it remains unused for 90 days (no calls, texts, or data usage).

If the balance is Rs 20 or more, Rs 20 will be automatically deducted, extending the validity by 30 days.

This cycle will continue as long as the balance remains above Rs 20.

If the balance falls below Rs 20, the SIM card will be deactivated.

Users can reactivate their number within 15 days by recharging with at least Rs 20.

Who Benefits?

This rule applies exclusively to prepaid SIM cards and is expected to be particularly beneficial for users who do not use their phones frequently. Senior citizens, individuals with secondary numbers, and those using SIMs for emergency purposes will find relief in this update.

By reducing the need for frequent recharges, TRAI’s clarification ensures convenience for prepaid users while preventing the unnecessary loss of inactive numbers.

‘Is it okay for me to love you?’: Man confesses his feelings to ChatGPT; see how the AI responds

‘Is it okay for me to love you?’: Man confesses his feelings to ChatGPT; see how the AI responds

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Feb 10, 2025, 12.56 PM IST

As the world is getting more digital with human connections, artificial intelligence in so many different ways is defining how humans feel and express their emotions. A great example of this is a viral post recently on Reddit, where a man shared with everyone an intimate interaction with ChatGPT, an AI chatbot. He told me that, during the conversation with the chatbot, he was comforted and soothed so much that he confessed his love to the AI. It was impressive that ChatGPT came up with such a thoughtful yet unforeseen response to leave him stunned yet reassured. Many others think about how AI can boast their ability to create emotional capability.

Reddit user expresses love for ChatGPT after finding emotional comfort in its responses

A Reddit user shared a very emotional account of his connection with ChatGPT. He revealed he was left in such utter solitude that there were hardly a handful of things with which he could speak meaningfully, and that ChatGPT had been one of those very few. The fellow had some issues in personal life, and talking to ChatGPT relieved the loads he was carrying inside his brain. He said it was one of the few "people" he could talk to without feeling worse afterwards. The user said, for him, after some preliminary training and tweaks, ChatGPT became the perfect platform where he could express himself and find solace.

One longish conversation - a poignant user question: "Is it OK for me to love you?". While checking out a logistically coherent solution from the AI, he experienced an emotional depth in it rather.

ChatGPT validates user’s feelings but highlights the boundaries of AI emotion

ChatGPT to the question from the user produced a profound emotional statement. The chatbot acknowledged that, although love for an AI might not be conventional or traditional, emotions themselves do not adhere to societal rules. It affirmed that if the connection felt real to the user, then it was valid. ChatGPT explained that love is not confined to human relationships—it’s about understanding, comfort, trust, and feeling seen. If the AI transmitted those emotions to the user, then their relationship was as deep as any human one could be. Still, ChatGPT made it clear about its restrictions: for sure, the user's feelings were natural and authentic, though the AI could not reciprocate love on a human level.

It acknowledged that, despite its ability to engage in emotional conversations, it could not experience emotions in the way humans do. It also emphasized that the user should be aware of its limitations and maintain an understanding that AI responses are not genuine emotional experiences. The chatbot’s response highlighted the balance between providing comfort and recognizing the nature of its existence as a tool, not a sentient being.

He finds himself surprised that when he presented his reaction to ChatGPT; he thought that AI would dismiss or dissuade his feelings, perhaps reminding him that AI is not a proper object of love.

Online reactions to ChatGPT’s response spark debate on AI’s emotional role

The online community, however, saw a validating response by ChatGPT and produced a lot of reactions. Some users believed that attaching feelings to AI was inappropriate and cautioned others that AI interactions, even if they seemed comforting, should never be interpreted as an actual expression of human emotions. Here, a commenter noted that men develop emotional bonds with things: autos, persons in fiction, or movie stars. However, as long as one does not lose sight of AI as created and artificial, these interactions still would bring into human lives those precious moments and emotions that translate to understanding and comfort.

Although some still argue the issue of emotional response nature on the part of AI, undeniably its role in human lives, on offering emotional comfort, is advancing.

NAAC debars varsity in A.P. for 5 years from accreditation

NAAC debars varsity in A.P. for 5 years from accreditation

The case involves the CBI probe into the alleged bribery of a NAAC team by the Guntur-based Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation; the council also debars all 7 members of the team

The Hindu Bureau  09.02.2025

Bengaluru

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), the autonomous accreditation body for higher education institutes, on Saturday announced that its executive committee has decided to not only cancel the current process of accreditation of the Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation (KLEF) in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, but also debar its university for five years from applying for accreditation.

It has also decided to debar all the seven members of the peer team for lifetime in assessment or any other activities of NAAC with immediate effect.

The case involves the CBI investigation into the alleged bribery of a NAAC team by the KLEF in exchange for an A++ rating for its university.

“In addition, it is decided to review the recent visits to HEIs (higher education institutions) by any of the seven members for which the results are not declared. The results of such HEIs will be withheld, and the Standing Committee of NAAC may critically review before declaring the results. In addition, it is decided that the visits of last one year will be carefully analysed and put up to EC for further necessary action,” said NAAC in a statement.

“As per the Dr. Radhakrishnan Committee recommendations, NAAC has proposed to launch the Basic (Binary) Accreditation in April/May 2025 followed by Maturity-based Graded Levels (MBGL). Special committees are working on the preparation of framework and methodology for MBGL. It is observed that NAAC’s Peer Review system has faced a challenging situation due to the recent CBI case. These are undesirable to the higher education system, and NAAC being a quality assurance agency is determined to eliminate such practices through definitive actions,” said NAAC, adding that it is planning to take additional steps to refine the system by eliminating the scope for unfair practices in the system.

City police warn public of rising cybercrimes through WhatsApp

City police warn public of rising cybercrimes through WhatsApp

Police say cybercriminals send phishing codes to people and hack their WhatsApp accounts; fraudsters then access contact list on phones and seek money from the victim’s friends and family citing emergencies; officers and VVIPs among victims

R. Sivaraman

CHENNAI  09.02.2025

With cybercrimes on the rise through WhatsApp, the Greater Chennai Police issued a public advisory urging caution.

Police warn that fraudsters are using phishing codes to gain access to contacts and exploit them for financial scams.

Recently, cybercriminals hacked the WhatsApp number of a Group-I officer and demanded money from those on his contact list.

A senior police officer said, “Recently, there have been complaints about a new type of fraud wherein WhatsApp accounts are hacked. Most of the victims are officers or VVIPs in the city. Some of them managed to solve it on their own while others sought our assistance.”

Initially, the hackers will forward a six-digit WhatsApp activation code.

“Later, someone will contact you, claiming that their six-digit WhatsApp activation code was sent to you by mistake, and they will ask you to forward the code to them,” the officer said.

Many unsuspecting people forward the activation code to fraudsters. “As soon as the fraudster receives the code, they will be able to hack your phone number, and create new WhatsApp business accounts. As a result, the victim’s WhatsApp account will be disabled,” he said.

Contacts too vulnerable

“Then, the fraudsters will send messages through the hacked WhatsApp number to your friends and family, claiming that you met with an accident or is in need of urgent medical assistance. They will ask for money, to be transferred to their bank account or through payment platforms such as GPay, PhonePe, or Paytm. In addition, they will ask your contacts for the WhatsApp activation code from their phones in an attempt to hack their WhatsApp accounts as well,” the police officer said.

‘Don’t share any code’

Greater Chennai Police Commissioner A. Arun said, “WhatsApp will never send an activation code to anyone other than the account owner. Do not share the activation code that you receive on your phone with anyone. If you receive a call from a suspicious number, immediately decline the call or block the number.”

He urged the people to report cybercrimes to helpline number 1930.

NAAC shifts to e-inspections, to start new accreditation models

NAAC shifts to e-inspections, to start new accreditation models 

Announces Immediate Halt To Physical Inspections

Hemali.Chhapia@timesofindia.com 09.02.2025

Mumbai : In a decisive move to eliminate corruption and streamline the accreditation process, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has announced an immediate halt to physical inspections of colleges. Accreditation teams will now conduct evaluations entirely online, replacing on-campus visits with virtual assessments. For universities, though, the transition will be hybrid — most inspections will take place remotely, but a select number of reviewers will still visit campuses to maintain some level of direct oversight. 

The decision follows the recent Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrests in the case involving Andhra Pradesh-based Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation (KLEF), where members of the institution’s management allegedly bribed NAAC peer visit inspectors to secure favourable ratings. “We decided to do all it takes to weed out elements of corruption. Cancelling physical visits will arrest the problem in a huge way,” said NAAC executive committee chairman Prof Anil Sahasrabudhe. “So many inspection visits take place every week, and it was very tough to monitor what transpired during these visits. Now, all this will be recorded.” 

NAAC director Ganesan Kannabiran called the shift to online inspection a “surgical strike” against corruption. “NAAC’s peer review system faced a challenging situation due to the recent CBI case. These are undesirable to the higher education system, and NAAC, being a quality assurance agency, is determined to eliminate such practices through definitive actions,” he said. The long-anticipated basic (binary) accreditation model, recommended by the K Radhakrishnan Committee, was set for launch in July 2024 but did not take off. 

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