UGC has barred three Rajasthan universities from enrolling PhD students for five years due to violations of academic norms and UGC regulations. The universities failed to follow entrance exam protocols, form RACs properly, and uphold thesis evaluation standards. UGC chairperson M Jagadesh Kumar emphasizes strict adherence to PhD regulations to maintain Indian higher education's integrity. Thirty other universities are currently under review.
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The US government considers new travel restrictions for citizens from up to 43 countries to enhance security. These include full visa suspensions for 10 countries and partial restrictions for others. Immigration lawyers are advising H-1B workers, F-1 students, and Green Card holders to avoid travel due to stricter visa renewal regulations.
Market players are concerned as the sensex and nifty fell by around 2.5% last week due to continuous foreign fund selling, rupee weakness, and the US-initiated tariff war. Additionally, weak quarterly corporate results contributed to the declines. Analysts suggest that without stability in US trade relations, markets will remain cautious.
In 2025, Isro will have a significant year with several key missions, including the launch of NVS-02 navigation satellite, the unmanned Gaganyaan mission featuring Vyommitra, and the Indo-US NISAR satellite, among others. The space agency looks to bolster its commercial satellite launch revenue, enhancing its global space economy stature.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced a Rs5 crore cash prize for 18-year-old Indian Grand Master D Gukesh, who became the youngest-ever world chess champion after defeating Ding Liren. Gukesh secured victory in the 14th game, achieving the required 7.5 points. He is the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to win the global title.
Israel launched intense airstrikes in Syria's Tartus region, targeting military sites and reportedly devastating air defense and missile storage facilities. This marks the heaviest bombardment in the area since 2012. Israel claims the strikes are preemptive measures to thwart security threats, while Syria's de facto leader criticizes them as unprovoked aggression.
Jadavpur University's interim vice-chancellor and pro-VC were freed after a 24-hour confinement by protesting engineering students accused of fudging marks. The students demanded to be declared as 'passed' without review. The exam board considered disciplinary action but offered remedial classes and external review instead. The university stressed that criminal offenses wouldn't be tolerated yet provided a chance for correction.
US President-elect Donald Trump humorously suggested Wayne Gretzky run for Canadian Prime Minister, dubbing him "Governor of Canada." Despite Gretzky's refusal and a backlash over his association with Trump, the tongue-in-cheek proposal reignited Trump's mockery of Canada and criticism of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's policies.
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Police in Rewari, Haryana paraded Rohit alias Kalia, an extortion accused, in a skirt after arresting him. Kalia, who demanded Rs 10 lakh from a local businessman, was walked through a crowded market with his head shaved. This is the second such incident in the district.
The Delhi High Court ruled that marrying a person of another faith does not result in an automatic conversion to their religion. The court's decision came during a family dispute over ancestral properties, where a Hindu woman was deemed entitled to her share despite marrying a Muslim man, as no substantive evidence of her conversion was provided.