Live stream to wall climbs: Bihar board exams open in chaos

Live stream to wall climbs: Bihar board exams open in chaos 

18.02.2026

Patna : Phones went live. Gates and walls were scaled. Rules were tested before the first bell. The Class X finals of Bihar School Examination Board opened under a cloud on Tuesday after a Facebook Live broadcast allegedly from inside an exam centre in Siwan district minutes before papers were to be handed out. Streamed from the handle of an official linked to Gorakh Prasad Private ITI, the footage showed students seated inside the hall at the exam centre in Daraunda block of Maharajganj subdivision. The clip spread quickly on social media, triggering questions over enforcement of a strict ban on mobile phones inside exam halls. The video was later deleted. 

TOI couldn’t independently verify its authenticity. Daraunda police station SHO Vikas Kumar said ITI principal Pankaj Kumar was arrested after a complaint. “His mobile has also been seized. The viral video was shot on his mobile by ITI director Prince Singh, who’s on the run,” he said. 

In Patna, a late student at Devipad Choudhary Shaheed Smarak Miller High School tried to scale a 10-foot boundary wall. Security stopped him. At Gardanibagh Girls Higher Secondary School, also in Patna, a girl climbed the gate bars to get inside. In Buxar district, a student scaled a boundary wall and entered. In Begusarai, three students climbed walls to gain access. At VM Inter College in Gopalganj, at least six girls allegedly entered by scaling the boundary wall.

Unmarried, widowed & divorced daughters of govt staff eligible for pension

Unmarried, widowed & divorced daughters of govt staff eligible for pension

 TIMES NEWS NETWORK 11.02.2026. BHOPAL 

Bhopal : In a major decision, the state cabinet headed by chief minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday approved a new rule in the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services (Pension) Rules whereby unmarried, widowed and divorced daughters of state govt employees were made eligible for family pension. Briefing the media after the cabinet meeting, minister for MSME Chaitanya Kashyap said, “Cabinet approved the provision made for divorced daughters of employees to now claim family pension.” 

So far, only the spouse, dependent parents and dependent children up to the age of 25 were eligible to draw family pension of the deceased govt employee. A state govt release further clarified, “Under Rule 44 of the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2026, unmarried, widowed and divorced daughters were included among the members eligible for family pension.”

Section of Anna University PhD scholars excluded from convocation

Section of Anna University PhD scholars excluded from convocation

Scholars who completed their viva after this date will be awarded degrees at a separate function later in February, the date of which is yet to be announced.

Binita Jaiswal

Updated on:

03 Feb 2026, 8:31 am

CHENNAI: A section of PhD scholars from Anna University who completed their viva-voce after June 2025 have expressed strong disappointment over the university’s decision to hold a separate degree-awarding function for them in February, instead of including them in the 46th annual convocation scheduled for February 4.

According to a circular issued by the university, only scholars who successfully defended their PhD viva-voce on or before June 30, 2025, will be permitted to receive their degrees in person at the main convocation ceremony. Scholars who completed their viva after this date will be awarded degrees at a separate function later in February, the date of which is yet to be announced.

The decision has left many scholars upset, as the February event will feature a chief guest or the governor, who is traditionally the chancellor of the university. “For many of us, convocation is the most memorable day of our academic life. We worked for years with the hope of receiving the degree on stage in a grand event in front of a chief guest. A separate, low-key function takes away the emotion and recognition associated with that moment,” said a PhD scholar who completed her viva in July 2025.

University officials, however, defended the move, citing logistical constraints. A senior varsity official said the last convocation was held in 2024 and the number of eligible scholars this year has risen sharply. “We can accommodate only about 750 candidates in a single convocation ceremony. Given the large backlog and venue limitations, it is not feasible to include everyone on the same day. Hence, a separate function is being planned to ensure all scholars receive their degrees in person,” the official said.

15 varsities in Tamil Nadu remain headless, figure may touch 20 by year-end

15 varsities in Tamil Nadu remain headless, figure may touch 20 by year-end

The latest addition to the growing list of universities without heads is the Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU), following the completion of V-C S Arumugam’s tenure earlier in January.

The tenure of Mother Teresa Women’s University V-C K Kala also came to an end, and the governor, who serves as the chancellor of 20 state universities, granted her a one-year extension using his powers. Photo | Facebook

Binita Jaiswal

Updated on:

03 Feb 2026, 8:10 am

CHENNAI: With 15 of the 22 state-run universities now remaining without vice-chancellors, the governance crisis in higher education in Tamil Nadu has worsened this month, owing to the prolonged tussle between Governor RN Ravi and the state government, and the matter related to powers of governors yet to be settled by courts.

The latest addition to the growing list of universities without heads is the Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU), following the completion of V-C S Arumugam’s tenure earlier in January. On the same day, the tenure of Mother Teresa Women’s University V-C K Kala also came to an end, and the governor, who serves as the chancellor of 20 state universities, granted her a one-year extension using his powers. However, the Acts and Statutes of TNOU does not allow similar extension of the V-C’s tenure.

Interestingly, as higher education secretary P Shankar is the convenor of committees of several state universities — which are managing the administration in the absence of V-Cs — and is overburdened, law department secretary S George Alexander has been appointed as the convenor for the committee of TNOU.

Educationists warn that the situation could worsen dramatically by the end of the year, with up to 20 universities potentially becoming headless, if the ongoing deadlock over V-C appointments continues. For over two years now, TN’s state universities have been caught in a tussle between Lok Bhavan and the state government over the powers to constitute search committees and appoint V-Cs.

“The absence of V-Cs is not a symbolic issue, it affects every aspect of functioning of the universities,” said SP Thyagarajan, a former V-C. “From faculty recruitment and promotions to research approvals, fund utilisation and academic reforms, everything comes to a standstill when there is no empowered head,” he said, and suggested that the government should hold a meeting with retired V-Cs to find a solution.

Several officials within the varsities told TNIE that routine administrative work has slowed down significantly, as convenors’ committees are reluctant to take major policy decisions. “Convenor committee meeting happens only once in a quarter. Adding to our woes, in the last two years, the higher education department has seen seven secretaries. Every time a new secretary assumes office, he takes his own time to understand issues,” said a professor, Madras University.

Several universities have reportedly delayed faculty appointments, syllabus revisions, and infrastructure projects due to the lack of statutory authority. The leadership crisis is also affecting ranking of the state universities at national and international levels. According to data, nearly 50% of teaching posts across state universities remain vacant. “Allowing universities to function without heads for years is detrimental to students and erodes TN’s reputation as a leader in higher education,” said E Balagurusamy, former V-C of Anna University.

Mid-air mishap: Hot curry spills on passenger, costs airline ₹25k

Mid-air mishap: Hot curry spills on passenger, costs airline ₹25k 

CONSUMER IS KING 

Vindhya.Pabolu@timesofindia.com 02.02.2026

Bengaluru : What should have been a peaceful flight from Bangkok to home in Bengaluru turned into a messy and painful shocker for a passenger. Moments after takeoff and high up in the air, a flight attendant accidentally spilled hot non-vegetarian curry on him. With the passenger taking the legal route, the III additional Bengaluru Urban district consumer disputes redressal commission recently held the airline vicariously liable and ordered payment of compensation. 

The saga began on March 5, 2024, when Sree Nayak (name changed), a resident of Konanakunte Cross, flew from Bangkok to Bengaluru with his wife and daughter, paying Rs 12,404 for himself and Rs 24,808 for his family. Trouble struck about 15 minutes after take-off when a flight attendant opened the overhead bin above his seat, causing a hot food packet to fall on him, spilling curry and other items. Naya k claimed the incident left him shocked, traumatised, and at risk, while his clothes were soiled.

As a vegetarian, he alleged extreme discomfort, including skin irritation and a major headache from the smell, lasting eight hours until he reached home. Unable to change clothes or bathe imme diately, he also faced embarrassment as co-passengers allegedly laughed. The food packet was reportedly stored by some other passenger. He further stated his branded T-shirt, jeans, jacket, shoes, and innerwear were irreparably stained, while his backpack, smartwatch, and mobile phone were damaged. According to Nayak, the airline admitted negligence over phone and email, and offered him a Rs 5,000 travel voucher, which he deemed inadequate given the discomfort he had endured. Seeking a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for mental harassment and other losses, he filed a consumer complaint on July 5, 2025. 

IndiGo’s defence 

In its defence, IndiGo, represented by its manager, denied any deficiency in service, arguing that under consumer law, a deficiency arises only when there is a shortcoming or inadequacy in the quality, nature, or manner of service mandated by the law or contract. To support its stand, the airline cited a past in-flight incident in which a meal container accidentally slipped from an overhead bin shortly after take-off while cabin crew was on routine duty. The airline maintained the incident was unintentional and unforeseen. It said the crew responded promptly by apologising, relocating the passenger to a first-row seat, assisting in cleaning his clothes, and providing wet tissues. 

Referring to the present case, IndiGo said its customer experience team contacted the complainant on March 9, 2024, but he later sought compensation of Rs 5 lakh, which it termed illegal and exorbitant. Saying that as a goodwill gesture, it had repeatedly offered a Rs 5,000 travel voucher — which was declined — the airline urged the commission to dismiss the complaint. 

After examining the records and hearing both sides, the commission held that opening an overhead bin after take-off, resulting in a hot meal falling on a passenger, amounted to a clear lapse in service. It observed that airlines are at fault if loose or hot items are stored in a manner that endangers passengers. However, the commission noted that Nayak had failed to produce credible evidence to substantiate claims of medical expenses or irreparable damage to his clothes. The commission bench, comprising president Shivarama K and members Chandrashekar S Noola and Rekha Sayannavar, on Dec 12, 2025, ordered IndiGo to pay the complainant Rs 20,000 as compensation an d Rs 5,000 as litigation costs.

39 govt MBBS NRI seats go for ₹25L to non-NRI students in Karnataka

39 govt MBBS NRI seats go for ₹25L to non-NRI students in Karnataka 

Sruthy Susan Ullas and Sandeep Moudgal 01.02.2026

TNN Bengaluru : A political and ethical storm has erupted in Karnataka over the state govt’s decision to open MBBS admissions in govt medical colleges under the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) quota — a move that critics allege has resulted in affordable govt seats being effectively sold at a premium. 

During NEET-2025 counselling, 57 MBBS seats were earmarked under the NRI category in govt medical colleges. However, only 18 eligible NRI candidates took up these seats. The remaining 39 were subsequently allotted to non NRI students at a steep fee of Rs 25 lakh per year. The decision has triggered criticism from political leaders and stakeholders in medical education, who argue meritorious students are being priced out of govt institutions. 

800 NEET PG aspirants shifted from India to NRI, Other Book, 

 MLA alleges fund diversion from varsity 

BJP MLA Y Bharath Shetty alleged funds were being diverted from RGUHS to start new medical colleges. “While Ramanagara college is run directly by RGUHS, why is money being diverted from the university for Kanakapura and Bagalkot medical colleges? Should the govt not be earmarking money for the specific purpose?” Shetty said, claiming Rs 500 crore was utilised for the new colleges. 

Officials cite similar models in other states . The policy was announced in September 2025, when the state govt declared that 15% of seats in govt medical colleges would be reserved for NRIs at higher fees — a practice until then limited to private medical colleges. While a regular govt MBBS seat costs Rs 64,350 annually, an NRI quota seat carries a price tag of Rs 25 lakh per year. By comparison, NRI seats in private medical colleges in Karnataka cost up to Rs 45 lakh annually. 

The govt’s stated objective behind the move was to make govt medical colleges financially selfreliant and reduce dependence on state grants. However, the timing of the policy proved crucial. By the time the NRI quota was introduced, the seat matrix for the first round of counselling had already been finalised. As a result, the quota was applied only to 252 additional seats created across 10 govt medical colleges, of which 57 fell under the NRI category. 

Data from the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) shows that only 18 eligible NRI candidates applied and were allotted seats. As per rules, the remaining 39 seats were then offered to other eligible applicants in the nonNRI category who were willing to pay NRI fees — a move that sparked the controversy. The issue was raised in the legislative assembly earlier this week by BJP MLA Y Bharath Shetty from Mangaluru North. “For the first time in India, Karnataka is selling govt medical seats for Rs 25 lakh per year,” Shetty alleged. “A seat, which was meant to be affordable for a meritorious Kannadiga student at Rs 1-1.5 lakh per year, is now being sold by the govt [at a much higher price],” he added. Govt officials, however, defended the policy, stating that similar models are followed in Gujarat and Rajasthan. 

“This proposal has existed since 2005. It is a way for colleges to generate funds to develop infrastructure, improve facilities, and ensure student welfare,” a govt official said. He argued that with the National Medical Commission (NMC) increasing the number of seats in govt colleges, general category students would not lose out.

OCI draft quota rules in medical edu notified

 OCI draft quota rules in medical edu notified

 TIMES NEWS NETWORK 24.01.2026

Bengaluru : The govt has notified draft rules specifying quotas for Overseas Citizens of India in medical education. As per the rules, OCIs born on or before March 4, 2021, or OCI card holders before the date, are not entitled to any reservation applicable to a citizen of India. OCI candidates born on or after March 5, 2021 or such card holders after that date, are eligible for admission only against any Non-Resident Indian (NRI) seat or supernumerary seat. 

The rule is in sync with Supreme Court orders and central govt rules. The state is now amending Karnataka Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Capitation Fee) Act, 1984 (Karnataka Act 37 of 1984), for admission to govt seats under professional educational institutions rules, 2006. It is also applicable to postgraduate medical and dental degree and diploma courses. 

Members of the public can send objections/suggestions until 15 days from the date of publication of the draft; it was published on Jan 21. “We followed Supreme Court and central govt rules all these years. However, students approached the court despite that. We requested the medical education department to amend the rules so that they are specified. Now, the department notified the rules,” said H Prasanna, executive director, Karnataka Examinations Authority. 

Karnataka usually gets around 100 students with OCI cards for engineering admissions and 20 for medical. CET is taken by over 3.1 lakh students and NEET by around 1.4 lakh students in the state. The students were considered for general merit quota; they were not eligible for reservations.

GU BCom hall ticket blunder causes chaos

 GU BCom hall ticket blunder causes chaos 22.01.2026

Ahmedabad : Chaos and confusion gripped Gujarat University (GU) students as serious discrepancies emerged in the hall tickets for the BCom Semester 1 exams, scheduled to begin on Friday. The administrative lapse forced thousands of students to return to colleges to exchange faulty hall tickets for revised versions just 48 hours before the exams. GU originally scheduled the exams for Jan 22, later pushing them back by a day to accommodate Foundation course exams. 

Despite knowing about this change, GU officials generated the first batch of hall tickets on Jan 20 with outdated dates and incorrect exam sequences. On realizing the error, the university regenerated the hall tickets on Jan 21, instructing colleges to urgently distribute the corrected versions. This left colleges struggling to recall students who had already collected the initial documents, leading to a frantic second round of distribution. TNN

Buffalo dies of dog bite in UP, villagers who had ‘raita’ made from its milk rush for vaccine

Buffalo dies of dog bite in UP, villagers who had ‘raita’ made from its milk rush for vaccine 

Krishna.Chaudhary@timesofindia.com 30.12.2025

Bareilly : More than 200 residents of Pipraul village in Uttar Pradesh’s Badaun district suddenly queued up in large groups at a local health centre for precautionary anti-rabies vaccines after widespread speculation that ‘raita’, a side dish made up of yogurt, served at a funeral feast was from a buffalo which had died due to rabies after being bitten by a ‘mad’ dog. The feast was held on Dec 23 in memory of late Oran Sahu, a resident of Pipraul — a village with a population of around 1,800 people, as per official records. 

Locals said villagers from nearby settlements also attended the ‘tehravi’ ceremony. One of them said that the buffalo belonged to Sahu’s cousin who used its milk to prepare the ‘raita’ dish. Three days later, the buffalo died, sparking panic in and around the village. “People are anxious because no one knows much about rabies, and there is more hearsay than facts spreading here... Nearly 250 residents have taken the anti-rabies vaccine already, and others are lining up to do the same. Most of them have left all their work to get this done first,” said Deepak Kumar, husband of village pradhan Renu Devi. He added villagers were particularly worried since the dog — believed to have bitten the cattle — could not be traced. Also, the buffalo was buried soon after its death without a postmortem, leaving health officials without a clue regarding the exact cause, Kumar said. 

A medical team has since been stationed in the village to monitor the situation and counsel residents. Health authorities said that they are vaccinating anyone seeking “precautionary protection”. Budaun’s chief medical officer, Dr Rameshwar Mishra, said, “In two days, 247 residents from Pipraul came to our facility for vaccinations en masse. On Monday alone, 110 people got the shots. 

Counselling is also underway, and villagers are being advised not to panic.” Experts, meanwhile, said that current evidence does not support the widespread belief that rabies can be transmitted through milk. Dr Abhijeet Pawde, principal scientist and in-charge of IVRI (Indian Veterinary Research Institute) Polyclinic, told TOI , “Studies so far do not conclusively show milk consumption as a mode of rabies transmission. No scientific literature confirms that rabies passes into milk in such cases. Transmission risk is higher via direct exposure to saliva or tissue.” Budaun’s chief medical officer said in two days, 247 residents from Pipraul came to the facility for vaccinations en masse. ‘On Monday alone, 110 people got the shots’

Dead or alive? Satna officials under probe for fraudulent claims

Dead or alive? Satna officials under probe for fraudulent claims

 Amarjeet.Singh1@timesofindia.com 06.11.2025

Bhopal : In a shocking case of corruption, officials in Satna's Rahikwara village allegedly showed living people as dead to claim funds meant for their last rites and ex-gratia payments under state govt's Sambal scheme -meant for the welfare of labourers in the state. After two such labourers turned up alive, officials have now ordered a detailed probe. The scam points to the collusion of panchayat officials who allegedly siphoned off lakhs of rupees meant for the families of poor labourers. 

According to the complaint, three cases have surfaced so far. In the first, Sajjan Chowdhary, 65, was shown dead on January 10, 2021, and a total of Rs 2.05 lakh — Rs 2 lakh as ex-gratia and Rs 5,000 as last rites assistance — was withdrawn in his name, though he is very much alive. In the second case, Ganpat Kushwaha, 64, was also falsely declared dead, and Rs 2.05 lakh was withdrawn on January 14, 2020. In the third instance, Ramcharan Chowdhary, who actually died on April 12, 2020, had his Rs 2.05 lakh benefit diverted to another person’s account instead of reaching his family. “I am a farmer and didn’t know I was declared dead. Pension and assistance were being credited -but to other accounts,” 65-year-old Sajjan Chowdhary told TOI , adding that officials visited his house on Wednesday to verify the claim. 

Nagaud Janpad panchayat member Ram Sewak Pal, who exposed the scam, said, “When a widow complained she hadn’t received aid, we checked and found payments already claimed. Then we found two living men shown dead — Sajjan and Ganpat.” District panchayat CEO Shailendra Singh said, “The matter has come to the knowledge of the district collector and a probe has been launched following his instructions. As of now, there are three cases as per the complaint. Teams were sent to the village to get all the details and probe it from all aspects. Appropriate action would be taken as per the findings.”

Record high: K’taka sees 120% surge in NIOS enrolment

Record high: K’taka sees 120% surge in NIOS enrolment

 SruthySusan.Ullas@timesofindia.com 02.11.2025

Bengaluru : The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) has recorded an unprecedented surge in enrolments for class 10 and 12 exams in Karnataka, with numbers increasing by 120% compared to last year. For the April 2025-26 session, 10,100 students have registered compared to 4,715 during 2024- 25. Historically, student participation has been lower, with 4,477 candidates in 2023-24 and 4,369 in 2022-23. 

During the Covid-affected year of 2021-22, as many as 5,566 students appeared for the exams. NIOS, which offers education up to the PU level through open and distance learning, conducts examinations twice a year—April and Oct. The last date for April exam applications was in Sept. According to NIOS officials, the sharp rise in enrollments this year is largely due to strategic collaborations with govt departments through several memorandums of understanding (MoUs). 

Swaminathan V, regional director of Bengaluru, said, “We have signed three MoUs with the Karnataka govt. One is with the department of minority welfare. Under this, over 5,172 students from madrasas have registered for the exams.” Jeelani H Mokashi, director of the department of minority welfare, added, “This is a 1.5-year programme conducted in over 100 madrasas across the state, providing training in English, Kannada, science, and maths alongside religious education. These students will now appear for the Class 10 exams in April.” Another MoU, with the rural development panchayati raj department, aims to leverage revamped gram panchayat libraries to support NIOS learners. “Students can choose six subjects in Kannada medium at the secondary level. Library staff will be trained to guide learners and provide hard copies of NIOS study materials,” said Swaminathan. Additionally, NIOS has partnered with Samagra Shikshana Karnataka to facilitate enrollment of out-ofschool children. 

The programme ensures that selected students receive structured education, including practical classes, examinations, and personnel contact programmes (PCP) conducted by qualified teachers at designated study centres. These initiatives reflect NIOS’s efforts to expand access to education for diverse student groups, particularly marginalized communities and those outside the formal schooling system. With the support of govt departments and targeted outreach programmes, NIOS is making distance learning a viable and inclusive option for students statewide. 02/11/2025, 08:12 Times of India ePaper bangalore - Read Toda

How to dodge an exam: Two students fake principal’s death

How to dodge an exam: Two students fake principal’s death 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 17.10.2025

Indore : What do you do when you are not prepared for an exam? Two students at a science college in Indore, MP, spread the word that their principal had passed away. It took a series of calls—made to “condole” her “death”—for the hapless principal to wake up to the situation and take steps. 

Two BCA students of Govt Holkar Science College were booked on Thursday for spreading the false message about principal Anamika Jain. The FIR was registered on Wednesday following a written complaint by Jain. A case was registered under Section 336 (4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for forgery, intending that the document forged shall harm the reputation of any party, police said. 

“The thirdsemester students circulated the fake notice on the college letterhead claiming the college would remain closed on Oct 15 and 16 following the demise of the principal,” Bhanwarkuan police station incharge Rajkumar Yadav said. The letter was circulated on WhatsApp on Oct 14. The entire campus was abuzz with the misinformation. Jain said, “The students have been suspended for 60 days. 

Further action will depend on the outcome of the police investigation and court proceedings. As soon as the matter came to our notice, the administration clarified through the official website and class groups. The students admitted they had circulated the notice to delay the online test conducted every three months

All benefits as per statutes for Calicut varsity V-C: Arlekar

All benefits as per statutes for Calicut varsity V-C: Arlekar

The Hindu Bureau

Kozhikode 12.10.2025

The office of Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who is also the Chancellor of State universities, has issued an order clarifying that P. Raveendran, Vice-Chancellor (V-C), University of Calicut, “shall have all the authorities, powers, duties, and responsibilities, conferred on V-Cs, in terms of the acts and statutes of the university.”

This comes in the wake of the explanations sought by the Kerala State Audit department related to the appointment of certain staff in his office and official bungalow and the use of his official quarters in his capacity as Professor, Department of Chemistry. Mr. Raveendran, originally a Professor in the department, was given full charge of the V-C in July 2024 by the then Governor Arif Mohammed Khan. He was not selected to the post by a search-cum-selection committee as mandated by the University Grants Commission. The Audit department’s actions followed a complaint raised by P.P. Sumod, Left Democratic Front MLA, who is a Syndicate member of the university.

Mr. Sumod pointed out in his complaint that Mr. Raveendran, who has been holding the additional responsibilities as V-C, was not entitled to use the official bungalow. He was also not supposed to appoint staff in the office. Mr. Sumod also alleged that Mr. Raveendran was not discharging his duties in the Department of Chemistry.

The Chancellor’s office, however, clarified in the order issued on October 8 that he should not be treated as an “officer in charge” or “in any manner inferior to the regularly appointed V-Cs”. He shall not be obliged to perform his normal duties attached to his original post during the tenure of his appointment, and he has the discretion to decide on the issue. He shall be eligible for a furnished accommodation as admissible to the V-C, notwithstanding the staff accommodation available to him. Mr. Raveendran is also entitled to other benefits such as an official vehicle with a driver, medical allowances, and leave travel allowance, the order said.

The order shall have retrospective effect from the date of notification of his appointment. However, the order also said that he shall not have any claim for continuance or permanency in the post.

NEET cut-offs for MBBS, BDS drop after 2nd round of counselling

NEET cut-offs for MBBS, BDS drop after 2nd round of counselling

SEAT MATRIX 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 03.10.2025

Chennai : At the end of second round of counselling for MBBS/BDS admissions, cutoffs in NEET-UG 2025 came down by two to four marks in govt medical colleges compared to first round, and up to 10 marks in govt quota seats in self-financing colleges. While the last mark for a student to get into a medical college (state private university) was 354, the cut-off scores in BDS dropped by up to 100-222 marks in round 2 of counselling.

At the end of round 2, cutoffs dropped in almost all categories, although there was no major difference in ranks. For instance, the OC (open category) cut-off for govt colleges plummeted from 650 in 2024 to 534 in 2025. In 2024, NEET cutoff for a student to get into any college in any category at the end of round 2 was 403 marks. In BDS, the cut-off was 245.

The drop in cut-offs doesn’t indicate an easing of admissions, experts say. “There is only a marginal difference in the ranks of students, though we see big differences in scores,” said student counsellor Manickavel Arumugam. “Students, including many repeat candidates, found the NEET 2025 tougher. Overall performance dropped across India. There was no perfect score, and the top score was 686,” he said.

Students who were allotted seats must join colleges of their choice before deadline, or they will have to take part in the round 3 of counselling for colleges of their choice. 

The National Medical Commission allowed St Peter’s Medical College Hospital to take 100 more students by increasing total seats to 250, while Vivekananda Medical College Hospital and Research Institute will add 50 seats. These seats, along with 50 more in BDS, will be added to seat matrix once the state medical university grants affiliation, said selection committee officials.

Another KGMU doctor resigns, set to join private hosp

Another KGMU doctor resigns, set to join private hosp 

BRAIN DRAIN

Mohsin  Usmani TNN 02.10.2025

Lucknow : With neurologist Prof PK Sharma submitting his resignation on Wednesday, King George’s Medical University lost another senior faculty member. Sharma will serve a threemonth notice period before joining a private medical institute in Alambagh. Prof Sharma cited personal reasons for his exit but said his years at KGMU gave him “immense recognition.” His resignation follows that of Prof Kshitij Srivastava from neurosurgery and Prof Adarsh Tripathi from the psychiatry department. The series of exits widened recently when four doctors — Dr Manu Agarwal (psychiatry), Dr Tanvi Bhargava (anaesthesia), Dr Ashok Kumar Gupta (plastic surgery) and Dr Karan Kaushik (cardiac anaesthesia) — resigned together.

They deposited three months’ salary in lieu of notice, which allowed immediate release. Dr Bhargava joined SGPGIMS, Dr Gupta moved to RMLIMS while Dr Kaushik and Dr Agarwal accepted a private hospital post. In the past month, KGMU also saw the departure of Prof Ajay Verma (respiratory medicine), who joined RMLIMS as head of department, Prof Srivastava, who shifted to a private hospital in Alambagh, and Prof Tripathi, who is serving notice. Senior faculty members have attributed the resignations to mismanagement and administrative lapses. Another factor is the pay gap. 

Salaries for govt medical teachers range between Rs 1.25 lakh at the assistant professor level and about Rs 3 lakh for professors. Private hospitals are offering salaries upwards of Rs 10 lakh a month, along with incentives. Faculty have also raised uniform pay across departments, which places super-specialists, despite longer training and heavier clinical load, on the same scale as non-clinical faculty. Meanwhile, the KGMU Teachers’ Association has sought govt intervention and demanded a policy should be framed for doctors trained in govt institutions.

Govt considers autonomy for BJMC, two medical colleges

Govt considers autonomy for BJMC, two medical colleges

Institutions Can Plan Courses And Update Their Curricula

Sarfaraz.Ahmed@timesofindia.com 2.10.2025

Nagpur : In a push towards academic autonomy in the medical sector, the state govt is considering granting deemed university status to three of its oldest medical colleges, namely JJ Hospital’s Grant Medical College in Mumbai, BJ Medical College in Pune, and Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Nagpur. This would be the first time govt-run medical colleges in the state are accorded autonomy, a privilege largely enjoyed by private medical institutions. The most notable autonomous medical college in the public sector is AIIMS New Delhi, though it is supported financially by the union govt.

The proposal, submitted by the three colleges to the Department of Medical Education and Research (DMER), has been placed before the state govt, and a decision could be taken by the year-end. When contacted, DMER Director Dr Ajay Chandanwale said the proposal is in its nascent stages. Autonomy would empower these institutes to design their own courses, update curricula, and strengthen research facilities. At present, govt medical colleges in Maharashtra fall under the purview of DMER, while the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik, conducts examinations and awards degrees.

With autonomy, these colleges would gain independence from both bodies, opening the door to quicker decision-making and academic innovation. Explaining the significance, GMCH Nagpur Dean Dr Raj Gajbhiye said, “Autonomy would enable us to run our own courses, hold examinations, and take decisions at the institute level. One of the biggest advantages would be financial freedom, as we would be able to access and utilise our own funds instead of waiting for approvals from DMER.” Officials believe autonomy will not only accelerate institutional development but also benefit students and patients. There could be more postgraduate seats, specialised research centres, and upgraded infrastructure. “The idea is for the state govt to initially support the three colleges financially and then let them come up with proposals or services to boost their revenues,” said a highly placed govt official. Meanwhile, GMCH Nagpur will soon offer heart and liver transplants at its super specialty hospital.

Dean Dr Gajbhiye said the facility now has modular operation theatres where kidney transplants have already started. “Preparations for heart and liver procedures are in the final stages,” he added. Heart and liver transplants cost over Rs 15–22 lakh in the private sector. “But they are now covered under the revised scheme,” said Dr Gajbhiye.

HC: Don’t share info with anyone, except for probe

HC: Don’t share info with anyone, except for probe 

Justice Govindaraj noted that while Section 29 restricts divulging of Aadhaar information, Section 33 allows it on a high court order, as is the case here. 

“What is required to be ascertained here is whether the said Aadhaar card was used by the son of the petitioner or someone else, and the location of the said usage,” he said. 

The court directed UIDAI to provide police with location details where the card was used and instructed cops not to share them with anyone except as required for probe. HC to UIDAI: Share Aadhaar location data to trace missing man

Bengaluru : Karnataka HC has directed UIDAI to share Aadhaar location details to help trace a man who has been reported missing from Hubballi since Dec 2019. Allowing a petition filed by Hubballi resident Krishnamurthy, whose elder son, Vijay Krishnamurthy Sangeet, is missing since Dec 19, 2019, Justice Suraj Govindaraj ruled that the authorities requiring the use or authentication of an Aadhaar card during a probe must approach the high court under Section 33 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016. Vijay, an adult, remains untraceable despite attempts by the police to locate him. Krishnamurthy came to know on June 20, 2023, that his son’s Aadhaar card had been used for the purpose of authentication. Police and the petitioner then sought Vijay’s Aadhaar authentication history from UIDAI. With the Central agency refusing to share the details, the petitioner moved Karnataka high court for redressal.

CM cannot have any role in VC appointments’: Kerala Governor moves Supreme Court

CM cannot have any role in VC appointments’: Kerala Governor moves Supreme Court

 Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar has moved the Supreme Court seeking to exclude Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan from the process of appointing vice-chancellors to APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and Kerala Digital University.

 Published on:

 04 Sep 2025, 11:44 am 

Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar, in his capacity as Chancellor of state universities, has approached the Supreme Court seeking modification of its August 18 order that allowed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to be part of the process of appointing vice-chancellors (VCs) to APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) and Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology (DUK).

According to The Hindu, the rules governing these universities do not envisage any role for the Chief Minister in VC appointments. “The Chief Minister being the executive head of the state is connected with the number of government colleges, managed by the government and affiliated to the university. Therefore, as per UGC regulations he cannot have any role whatsoever in the appointment of Vice Chancellors,” his application stated.

The plea sought modification of the Supreme Court’s August 18 order, which had appointed former Supreme Court judge Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia as chairperson of the search-cum-selection committees. The order, passed by a Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan, also directed that “recommendations made by the search-cum-selection committee, duly endorsed by the learned chairperson, shall be put up before the chief minister (and not the minister-in-charge of a department) for necessary consideration.”

The court had further said, “In case the Chief Minister, state of Kerala, has reasons to believe that any shortlisted person is unsuitable for appointment as vice-chancellor, the remarks to this effect along with the supporting material and the original record of the recommendation made by the search-cum-selection committee, shall be put up before the learned chancellor within two weeks. The Chief Minister shall be entitled to recommend the shortlisted names in order of preference for appointment as vice-chancellors.”

The Governor, however, said that introducing such a role for the Chief Minister disregards UGC Regulations, which highlight the “independence and autonomy of the universities by excluding any role of the state government.” “Both the University Acts do not provide any role for the minister or the Chief Minister in the matter of selection and appointment of the vice-chancellors,” the plea stressed.

He also sought a judicial direction to implead the UGC in the case, arguing that there is a mandatory requirement to include a nominee of the UGC chairperson in search committees. The Governor submitted, “As per UGC Regulations the Chancellor is having the prerogative to select the Vice Chancellor from the list submitted by the search Committee.” The list, he maintained, should not be a ranked list but a panel of three to five suitable names, leaving the final choice to the Chancellor.

The plea reminded the apex court that in 2023, while dealing with VC appointments at KTU, the Court had “very categorically held that UGC Regulations 2018 shall prevail for appointment of vice chancellors.” It warned that the August 18 order, by introducing a new mechanism involving the Chief Minister, would amount to “a complete disregard to the orders of the coordinate bench of this Hon’ble Court.”

The UGC itself, in a separate application, requested to be made a party to the proceedings. It noted that though the Kerala High Court judgment, against which the current appeal was filed, had quoted extensively from the UGC Act and Supreme Court decisions, the UGC had not been impleaded. “When the UGC regulation is in question, it is mandatory that the UGC should be a party to the deliberations as to whether the UGC Regulations will apply or not,” the Commission said.

The Governor’s move comes against the backdrop of years of tussle between Raj Bhavan and the state government over VC appointments, particularly after the Supreme Court in 2022 quashed the appointment of Rajasree as KTU VC for violating UGC norms. Interim appointments since then have triggered disputes between the Chancellor and the state government, with the Kerala High Court terming some of the Governor’s unilateral actions “illegal.”

Photocopying docs in this MP village? Pay ₹2,000 per page

Photocopying docs in this MP village? Pay ₹2,000 per page 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 31.08.2025

Bhopal : What could be the cost of photocopying one page -Rs 5 ? And, cost of a single brick – Rs 5 ? If you were in Shahdol, a backward tribal district in MP, you might have to shell out Rs 2,000 for every page to get photocopied and pay Rs 50 for every brick you buy. 

While a village panchayat in Shahdol district has claimed to be have paid Rs 4,000 as photocopy charges for two pages, another panchayat paid Rs 1,25,000 for just 2,500 bricks. In Madhya Pradesh, funds for village panchayats come from both the Centre and state govt. These allocations move from the state treasury to district panchayats, then to “janpad panchayats” (headquarter of a clutch of villages), and finally reach gram panchayats. 

Apart from this, gram panchayats receive money under the Centre-sponsored schemes like MGNREGA and PMAY, along with small revenues from local taxes and fees, said sources, adding that after all, it is all taxpayers’ money. When photocopy bills, incurred by the Kudri gram panchayat in Shahdol district – copies of which are with TOI – surfaced on social media, the amount spent sparked an outrage.

The bills were signed by the sarpanch and panchayat secretary.A probe by Shivani Jain, CEO of Jaisinghnagar janpad panchayat – under which Kudri gram panchayat falls, however, concluded that the bills look “inflated” as a result of negligence in filling up the amount and number of pages photocopied. “While the actual number of pages photocopied was 2,000 – at the rate of Rs 2 per page – the person filling the form wrote two pages at the rate of Rs 2,000 per page,” the report said.

 “It is a case of negligence on the secretary’s part — he should have checked the bills before uploading. I will be recommending action against him in my report,” Jain told TOI. Similarly, in Bhatia village panchayat under Budhar janpad panchayat, a bill went viral showing Rs 1.25 lakh approved for procuring 2,500 bricks, a rate 10 times higher than the market price. The cost of each brick varies from Rs 5 to Rs 15 depending on the quality. The controversy deepened as images of the documents circulated online. But the probe ordered by the district collector and conducted by SDM Amrita Garg pointed to an error in documentation. “It is a case of clerical error. If the bill is studied carefullt, the rate is mentioned as Rs 5 per piece and quantity as 2,500, whereas the total is shown as Rs 1.25 lakh. 

Actually, instead of 25,000 bricks, 2,500 got written. The bricks were purchased for construction of an anganwadi, and physical verification with engineers confirmed 25,000 bricks at Rs 5 each. “Cash book entries also reflect the same. Thus, it was a clerical error that went viral,” Garg told TOI . These cases follow a series of irregularities that repeatedly put Shahdol in the limelight. In May, bills worth nearly Rs 85,000 for dry fruits, milk and snacks were passed for a choupal under the Jal Ganga Samvardhan Mission in Bhadwahi village. The event, attended by about two dozen people including senior officials, showed purchases of six kg cashew, three kg each of raisins and almonds, nine kg of fruit and 30 kg of snacks for a meeting that lasted barely an hour. 

Earlier, a school whitewashing exercise was billed as employing 168 labourers and 68 masons despite using only four litres of paint. In another case, 20 litres of paint was shown to require 275 workers and 150 masons.

Karnataka's RGUHS asks colleges to play Naada Geethe, National Anthem at all events

Karnataka's RGUHS asks colleges to play Naada Geethe, National Anthem at all events

 Playing of the Naada Geethe and National Anthem during public events is part of the protocol prescribed by the state government. RGUHS officials admitted that some of the colleges had not been following the protocol, prompting them to issue the circular.

DHNS Last Updated : 26 August 2025, 03:30 IST Follow Us :

RGUHS has issued a circular mandating that each event commence with the playing of the Naada Geethe and conclude with the rendition of the National Anthem. Bengaluru: In a circular issued each of its affiliate colleges, the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) has directed the institutions to compulsorily sing or play the ‘Naada Geethe’ at the commencement of any event, and ensure it concludes with the rendition or playing of the National Anthem.

Playing of the Naada Geethe and National Anthem during public events is part of the protocol prescribed by the state government. RGUHS officials admitted that some of the colleges had not been following the protocol, prompting them to issue the circular. The varsity also aims to instil values of patriotism among both students and staff by having the songs played at public events.

RGUHS Vice-Chancellor Dr B C Bhagawan, while conceding that the varsity boasted a diverse student body representing various states across the country, said that it was important for them to become acquainted with the culture of Karnataka. Furthermore, the VC has instructed affiliate colleges to put a stop to the tradition of honouring either him or other varsity officials with bouquets, shawls, garlands and other paraphernalia, and instead present them with medical books. “We need to have medical books in the libraries of several medical colleges. Books gifted to officials can, in turn, be donated to the government medical colleges. My advise to other guests would be to donate books received as gifts to medical college libraries,” Dr Bhagawan said.

 “The Vice-Chancellor will not accept traditional gifts, instead he may be presented with a set of textbooks. These books will be gifted to deserving students from economically weaker sections studying in government colleges,” read the circular.