‘Tough’ CBSE physics paper has students on tenterhooks

‘Tough’ CBSE physics paper has students on tenterhooks 

Even 1-Mark MCQs Too Complex, Say Students, Feel Out Of Depth & Time

Ramendra.Singh@timesofindia.com 23.02.2025 

Bhopal : This was the board exam or JEE-Mains? That was the feeling among the majority of students after the CBSE class 12 physics paper on Friday. And on Saturday, social media was buzzing with complaints of how tough and lengthy it was. Students complained that the paper was far too heavy on numericals and broke from the pattern of a balanced distribution of topics and complexity.

 “It is not a competitive exam, but a qualifying exam. All three sets were lengthy, complex and needed strong problem-solving skills. How many children in India can solve such a paper without private coaching? How many CBSE students in villages can afford coaching?” asked a school teacher, requesting not to be named. 

Several teachers told TOI that even the section containing one-mark questions included very complex theoretical concepts that required a deeper understanding and far more investment of time than the weightage merited. Students faced ‘unforeseen components’ and numerical problems that demanded extensive calculations, requiring careful time management. Many struggled to finish the paper in time. Most of those who could, didn’t get time to revise. 

“The examination pattern deviated slightly from previous years, catching students off guard,” said a teacher. Derivations got far less weitage that previous years. “The numerical questions, especially those carrying two marks, proved exceptionally difficult. Several MCQs were extremely complicated,” said a student, Samarth Kumar. Some students said that one of the MCQs was drawn from topics excluded from the syllabus. Education experts suggested that the paper's structure could have been more balanced. They emphasised that while challenging questions are necessary to differentiate between students’ 

capabilities, the overall difficulty level should have been more moderate. Some teachers felt that the paper reflected the need of the times and would help acquaint students with the toughness of competitive examinations.

Doc leaves mop in woman’s stomach during C-section

Doc leaves mop in woman’s stomach during C-section 

MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE? 23.02.2025

BANGALORE 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK In an alleged case of medical negligence, a doctor at a Puttur hospital in Dakshin Kannada left a surgical mop inside a woman’s stomach during a C-section, putting her life in danger and requiring an emergency surgery at another hospital two months later, after a CT scan exposed the doctor’s carelessness. She is still not able to breastfeed her newborn. 

“We have posted the issue on National Consumer Grievance portal and department of consumer affairs. We have spent lakhs on her treatment,” the woman’s husband said. Dakshina Kannada district health and family welfare officer Dr Thimmaiah HR said a thorough probe will be conducted. The husband posted on X that his wife underwent a Csection on Nov 27 at a private hospital, but a week after she was discharged on Dec 2, she developed high fever and had to be readmitted. Concerned about an unusual sensation on one side of her stomach, the couple insisted on an ultrasound scan, which revealed a 10cm mass. However, the radiologist allegedly refused to disclose its details or communicate with the doctor in their presence. 

The doctor, in turn, dismissed their concerns, claiming it was hematoma rather than a foreign object. As the discomfort persisted, the couple requested a CT scan, but the doctor reportedly disregarded it, insisting the condition would resolve over time. Although the woman’s fever subsided, follow-up ultrasounds showed no reduction in the mass. Meanwhile, she began experiencing severe joint, wrist and leg pain, making it difficult for her to walk, stand or even lift her baby to feed. 

A CT scan later confirmed the presence of a surgical mop inside her stomach. By then, the infection had spread to her lungs, blood, putting her life at grave risk, her husband alleged. When they confronted the doctor who had performed the C-section, he allegedly refused to take responsibility.  Ultimately, an emergency surgery was performed at another private hospital on Jan 25 to remove the mop. She was discharged on Feb 15.

Biometrics block Aadhaar update, man moves HC

Biometrics block Aadhaar update, man moves HC

BIOMETRIC DATA TAKEN 12 YEARS AGO DO NOT MATCH, HIGH COURT SEEKS REPLY FROM UIDAI OFFICIALS

23.01.2025

TIMES NEWS NETWORK Ahmedabad : The Gujarat high court has sought a response from the ministry of electronics and information technology’s Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) over a petition from an individual facing difficulties in updating his Aadhaar card. The issue stems from his current biometrics not matching those recorded during his childhood. Mohammed Mansuri, 22, participated in a 2011 Aadhaar registration camp held in his locality at Raikhad in Ahmedabad when he was eight years old.

Along with other residents, he queued up for biometric recording and subsequently received his Aadhaar card. When attempting to update his Aadhaar in Sep 2023, particularly to replace his childhood photograph and for correction in his birthdate, he submitted an application to UIDAI but encountered no success. Officials informed him about the biometric mismatch with their recorded data. He made another attempt unsuccessfully in April 2024, Mansuri mentioned in his petition.

Through his lawyer Aziz Alvi, Mansuri presented two possibilities to the HC: either incorrect biometrics were recorded in his Aadhaar in 2011, or his biometrics have altered over time. Seeking the HC’s directive to UIDAI for updating his Aadhaar, Mansuri stated in his petition, “The petitioner is in need to update his Aadhaar card but due to the nonmatching of the biometrics, the respondent authority has not updated the Aadhaar card because they are dependent upon the matching of the biometrics.” Justice Aniruddha Mayee, after an initial hearing, has issued a notice asking for UIDAI’s response by Feb 28

Board exams: Secure answer sheets with white thread only or face action

Board exams: Secure answer sheets with white thread only or face action

TESTING TIMES 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 23.02.2025

Ahmedabad : A new rule has been implemented for the upcoming board exams: students are now required to use only the white thread provided by the Board to secure additional answer sheets. The use of any alternative thread types is strictly forbidden, and any violation of this regulation will be treated as a case of cheating, subject to severe penalties. 

The final exams for Class 10 and Class 12 students will begin on Feb 27. The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) has released detailed instructions to ensure a fair exam process for all students. To assist students in adhering to the correct answering format, the board has provided specific guidelines within the question papers. Essential instructions will be printed on the second page of each answer sheet, and failure to comply with these directives may result in disciplinary action. Students must verify that the seat number printed on the first page of their answer sheet matches the seat number on the barcode sticker. Any discrepancies should be immediately reported to the invigilator. The barcode sticker must be affixed correctly, without any folds or damage, and students should refrain from making any unnecessary markings on it. 

Students are required to write their seat number both in figures and words at the top of the answer sheet and complete the roll number section on page two. A signature is mandatory after the barcode sticker has been attached. Answers must be written exclusively in blue or black ink. The use of other colours for underlining is not permitted. Students are prohibited from removing pages from their answer sheets or making corrections through overwriting. 

Any alterations in the answer sequence must be properly indexed. Lastly, students are instructed not to leave any blank pages in their answer sheets; any unused pages should be marked with a cross.

FB ‘friend’ dupes man of ₹1.92 cr in crypto scam

FB ‘friend’ dupes man of ₹1.92 cr in crypto scam 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  23.02.2025 

Ahmedabad : In an era where digital connections often blur the lines between trust and deception, a 48-year-old businessman from Ahmedabad learned a costly lesson. What began as a friendly Facebook interaction evolved into a sophisticated scam, stripping him of Rs 1.92 crore. 

According to a complaint registered with the Cybercrime police on Friday, the fraud began in Aug 2024 when he received a friend request on his Facebook page from a woman claiming to be involved in gym equipment businesses in Dubai and Mumbai. The message read: "Hey, your profile caught my eye while checking my friends' suggestions and thought I would reach out. Can we get to know each other?" 

He responded to her message and soon their chats transitioned to WhatsApp, where she introduced him to a lucrative cryptocurrency investment opportunity, allegedly advised by her uncle, a high-ranking official at an American financial firm. The businessman checked online and found that the company was legitimate. The complainant stated, “My initial investment of $ 500 yielded a profit of $ 250, which encouraged me to make further investments.”He was able to withdraw $1,000 which encouraged him to invest larger sums. 

He eventually saw an online account balance of $677,806 (Rs 6 crore approximately). However, when attempting to withdraw Rs 77 lakh, he was asked to pay a 20% tax upfront. Subsequently, the woman became unreachable, and further research revealed the investment platform was fraudulent. Realizing he had been duped, with only Rs 92,000 returned from his Rs 1.92 crore investment, he reported the matter to the Cybercrime police. 

A complaint for criminal conspiracy, cheating,criminal breach of trust, and cheating by impersonation against an unidentified person has been registered.

AIIMS to shift to Thoppur by early 2026: Official

AIIMS to shift to Thoppur by early 2026: Official

TNN Feb 21, 2025, 0:59 IST

Madurai: AIIMS Madurai is expected to shift its operations to its permanent campus at Thoppur in Madurai by early 2026, according to M Hanumantha Rao, executive director and CEO of the institute. He said in a statement on Thursday that construction of the buildings in phase I is 28% complete. "We are working toward shifting operations to the permanent campus by the end of this year or early next year," Rao said.

Phase I which includes academic block, hospital outpatient services, hostels and essential service buildings, is expected to be completed within 18 months of commencement. Phase II, covering the remaining infrastructure, will be completed within 33 months, by February 2027. He said construction is aligned with global standards, prioritizing sustainability. "We are aiming for an IGBC Gold rating to ensure environmental responsibility and energy efficiency across the campus," he said.

The 900-bed hospital, including a dedicated 150-bed infectious disease block, is designed to be comprehensive and patient-centric, with an academic zone, hospital zone, hostel and residential areas, sports facilities, and a 750-seater auditorium. Faculty recruitment is being carried out in phases. At present, the AIIMS is functioning from its temporary campus at Government Medical College, Ramanathapuram.

Pvt varsities rope in service providers for degree programmes

Pvt varsities rope in service providers for degree programmes

Sruthy Susan Ullas

Feb 19, 2025, 23:48 IST

Bengaluru: Several private universities in the state have started taking the help of service providers to conduct degree programmes, especially in new-age fields where their existing faculty don't have expertise. These programmes range from computer science engineering to BBA to BCom.

Face Prep, for instance, which was into campus placement training for over 16 years, started the business of taking over and running degree programmes in 2023, and is expected to touch 28 colleges in the country for the academic year 2025-26. The courses it handles consist of BCA or BSc in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Machine Learning, BCom in FinTech with Artificial Intelligence, and BBA in eCommerce with Digital Marketing.

"We act as knowledge partners, providing end-to-end solutions for colleges. What makes our programmes different from the conventional curriculum is that students will learn hands-on," said Karthik Raja, CEO of Face Prep. In the model Face Prep offers, it forms the curriculum, which is vetted by the college, sets the criteria for admission, and helps in recruiting and training faculty for the programme.

The CEO of another company providing similar services in healthcare courses said: "These are specifically for new-age programmes that universities are not best poised to either invest in developing curriculum for, training faculty, or setting up skill labs. So, they appoint a service provider. We're a training partner that produces industry-aligned modules and provides placement support and internships. For that scope of work, universities appoint us. The exams, assessment, and award of degrees are done by the colleges."

"For skill-based education, UGC (University Grants Commission) specifically allows universities to appoint a training-cum-placement partner. We help them in curriculum development by bringing industry-side modules, bringing experts from the industry, and setting up skill labs at our own cost," he added.

‘Undervalued profession'

The fact that universities are forced to take the help of service providers is mainly on account of lack of expert faculty, said Rajesh Kumar, CEO and co-founder of Kalvium, which runs computer science engineering programmes in 17 universities, with 13 more in the pipeline for the next academic year.

"The reliance of universities on service providers emerges from the fact that teaching and learning as a profession is extremely undervalued, and the quality of teachers has dipped. This is particularly true in cases like engineering because of the job potential it holds. Hence, there is this move towards partnering with third parties to offer programmes. While PG programmes by service providers have been in practice for some time, UG is just picking up pace now," he said.

"While UGC doesn't permit outsourcing programmes, these service providers act as skill providers, which is permitted by law. This is the space that is being explored by the companies," explained another company CEO working in the domain.

One of the reasons these premier institutions partner with us is the kind of curriculum we've been able to design, which is fairly evolved and advanced compared to what the traditional university system is able to offer

— Rajesh Kumar | CEO & co-founder, Kalvium