New Rules for College Degrees: Students Can Choose How Long to Study!
Big changes are coming for students who want to go to college in India! The University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced new rules that give students more choices about their degrees.
Now, students can finish their undergraduate (UG) degrees in either a shorter time or a longer time. This means if you study a lot, you can complete your degree faster! There are two choices: the Accelerated Degree Program (ADP) lets you finish quickly, while the Extended Degree Program (EDP) allows more time if you want it. Students can select which program they prefer by the end of their first or second semester.
The new rules also say that no matter what you studied in high school, you can take any subject in college as long as you pass the entrance test. Students can apply twice a year for college: in July-August and January-February.
Here are some key points about the new rules:
– Students need to earn at least 50% of their credits in their major subject. The other half can be from skill courses or other subjects.
– A UG degree can take three to four years, and a PG degree can take one to two years.
– Colleges can allow a maximum of 10% of students to join the ADP, but there is no limit for EDP.
– The UGC wants to make education more flexible so that students can learn better and have more opportunities for different careers.
This is an exciting change, as it helps students develop skills in many areas and learn at their own pace!
Author: Biswajit Biswal
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UGC Introduces Flexible Degree Durations and Multidisciplinary Learning
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India’s Strategy for Balanced Trade with China: Minister Jaishankar’s Insights
India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, recently said that India should handle its business with China carefully. This is important because of the challenging political relationship between the two countries over the last four years. Jaishankar mentioned that while India can still do business with China, it should not rely too much on them for supplies.
He pointed out that there’s been some progress in easing tensions along the border, but much more needs to be discussed. “We don’t want to just be a market for another country and get flooded with their cheaper goods,” he stated, stressing the importance for small businesses in India, known as MSMEs, to stay competitive.
India must also remember that China is a major player in global manufacturing. However, Jaishankar warned against depending too much on a single country for supplies, which could hurt various sectors in India.
Additionally, Jaishankar talked about the ongoing issues in the political relationship with China. He noted that the situation has improved slightly and discussions on future cooperation are necessary. The military standoff that began in 2020 affected the ties between the two nations. After negotiations led to a deal on disengagement, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met to discuss ways to normalize relations.
Jaishankar also expressed that India is in a strong position to work closely with the new US administration under Donald Trump. He believes India can build an even better relationship, focusing on mutual interests.
He mentioned the challenges in India’s trade with Russia, stressing that India needs better access to Russian markets, especially for exports like pharmaceuticals and agricultural products. Although trade with Russia has increased significantly, India is pushing for its exports to be valued more fairly. -
Delhi Schools Resume In-Person Classes as Air Quality Improves
On Thursday, the Directorate of Education announced that all government and private schools in the capital city can return to regular classroom learning. This decision was made after the Supreme Court changed air quality rules to a less strict level, allowing for normal activities again.
The Supreme Court told the Commission for Air Quality Management that if the air quality index (AQI) goes above 350 or 400, they should quickly bring back tougher measures. The court will keep an eye on how these air quality rules are applied in the city.
The Directorate of Education’s notice stated that all types of schools—government, government-aided, and private—were previously told to switch to online classes starting from November 17. However, this order is no longer in effect. Now, all schools must conduct classes in-person immediately. School leaders must also inform students, teachers, and parents about this change.
On Thursday, the air quality in the capital improved, with an AQI recorded at 161, which is in the ‘moderate’ range. For context, an AQI from 0 to 50 is ‘good’, 51 to 100 is ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 is ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 is ‘poor’, 301 to 400 is ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 is ‘severe’.
Online classes were introduced on November 17 due to dangerously poor air quality, but high school students in Grades 10 and 12 were also moved online on November 18.
When air quality was rated at ‘severe plus’, some strict rules were set in place, like limiting diesel vehicles to those carrying important goods only. Other trucks and light commercial vehicles were prevented from entering the city unless they used cleaner fuel.
Similarly, offices in the Delhi NCR region were asked to run at half capacity, meaning half the employees worked in the office, while the others worked from home. Many businesses followed this advice.
Now that the situation has improved with the air quality, the restrictions have eased, but the use of coal and firewood, like in restaurants or open eateries, is still not allowed. -
Devendra Fadnavis Sworn in as Maharashtra CM: Promises Stability & Progress
Devendra Fadnavis Sworn in as Maharashtra Chief Minister, Promises Stability and Development
On Thursday, Devendra Fadnavis took the oath of office as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He promised to work together with his allies for a strong and stable government. Fadnavis acknowledged Eknath Shinde from the Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar from the NCP, who are now his two deputy chief ministers.
“We are all here to work for the people,” he said. He noted the importance of the ‘Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’, which aims to support women in the state. Fadnavis emphasized that the new government will keep the momentum of progress from the past two and a half years going strong.
Fadnavis announced that a special assembly session will be conducted from December 7 to 9, where they will elect a Speaker. He also mentioned that the cabinet will be expanded before the winter session.
In the recent elections, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance won a significant victory, securing 230 out of 288 assembly seats. After taking the oath, Fadnavis and his deputies went to the state secretariat to hold their first cabinet meeting.
Fadnavis revealed that the choice of departments for ministers is almost final, with only a few minor changes from the previous government.
One of his first actions in office was to approve Rs 5 lakh in aid for a patient needing a bone marrow transplant. This assistance came after the patient’s wife requested help.
Fadnavis highlighted that his government will work openly for the people’s benefit and will avoid any form of political revenge. He also called for a fresh start in political communication, inviting leaders from other parties, although they did not attend the swearing-in event. -
Google’s New AI Tools: Your Shield Against Online Scams and Threats
Google is working hard to make its AI (artificial intelligence) tools available in all its apps and services. Soon, they will help warn you if you visit a dangerous website or download a file that could contain a virus.
With so many cybercrimes happening, it’s becoming tricky for people to stay safe online. These new AI features are being tested and will likely be part of the next updates for Google Chrome.
How Google AI Will Help You Avoid Scams
Online scams are on the rise, and Google wants to use its power to help you stay safe. Their new AI feature will offer real-time protection against harmful websites and any files you download.
A recent attack called the wedding card scam shows just how important this is. Google has the ability to make a difference and help people like you avoid getting scammed.
Additionally, Google wants to help you understand which websites are safe. You’ll be able to easily access information about the trustworthiness of websites. They will provide details using support from services like Trust Pilot, Scam Advisor, and Google itself.
Google also has a feature called Play Protect in the Play Store. This ensures you are protected against harmful apps that you might accidentally download on your Android phone. They are also changing their approach to allow users to sideload apps, which is a special feature of open-source platforms.
Stay tuned for these exciting updates—it’s all about keeping you safe online! -
Israel Strikes Lebanon in Response to Hezbollah Attack: Tensions Escalate
On Monday, Israel launched air strikes in Lebanon after Hezbollah claimed to have attacked an Israeli position. This was the first such incident since a fragile ceasefire began last week to end ongoing fighting that has caused many deaths and forced people to leave their homes.
Both Israel and Hezbollah have been accused of breaking the ceasefire, which started on Wednesday to calm the violence that had affected people on both sides of the border. Israel believes Hezbollah violated the truce and has acted in response.
Hezbollah reported that it targeted an Israeli post near the contested area of Kfar Shouba. Israel’s military confirmed that Hezbollah fired projectiles at one of its positions at Har Dov, also known as the Shebaa Farms.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Hezbollah’s actions as a “serious violation” and promised a strong response. Defence Minister Israel Katz echoed this sentiment, stating that Israel’s military would take strong action. Soon after, Israel announced it was targeting places in Lebanon linked to Hezbollah.
In Lebanon, the speaker of parliament, Nabih Berri, accused Israel of breaking the ceasefire. He stated that Israel’s actions are a clear violation of the agreement.
In September, fighting escalated again when Israel shifted its focus from Gaza to Lebanon due to ongoing attacks from Hezbollah. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot urged all sides to respect the ceasefire during a conversation with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. Saar dismissed the accusations against Israel, saying they were acting only in response to Hezbollah’s violations.
According to the deal, Hezbollah must pull back its fighters from areas south of the Litani river, and both Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers should be present there as Israel withdraws over the next two months.
A committee made up of representatives from France, the UN, Israel, Lebanon, and the US is responsible for monitoring this agreement and addressing any violations. Berri criticized the committee for not acting on the more than 54 violations he claimed had occurred, and urged them to ensure Israel stops its actions in areas it occupies.
Despite the violence, the United States believes the ceasefire is still in place and is monitoring any potential violations. Recently, an Israeli strike reportedly killed one person in southern Lebanon, and an Israeli drone injured a Lebanese soldier in the east. The situation is tense as both sides continue to blame each other for the rising violence. -
Allegations Unravel: Asit Modi’s Controversial Behavior on Taarak Mehta
There have been serious accusations against Asit Kumarr Modi, the producer of the popular show “Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.” First, Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal, who used to play the character of Female Jethalal, accused him of sexual harassment. She claimed that Asit made unwanted advances toward her multiple times and even tried to stop her from leaving the set. Jennifer shared a scary story from March 2019 when they were in Singapore for a shoot. Asit complimented her in a way that made her uncomfortable, saying her lips were “worth kissing” and inviting her to his room. She said her colleagues had to step in to help her and keep him away.
Jennifer also mentioned that when she was pregnant, they fired her from the show despite her wanting to stay and suggesting new story ideas. Moreover, she faced issues with unpaid salaries where her pay was cut for half days even after informing them in advance.
Monika Bhadoriya, who played Bawri on the show from 2013 to 2019, also spoke out about Asit’s bad behavior on set, describing it as “gundagardi” or bullying. She said Asit calls himself “God” and made her sign a contract to silence her. She, along with other actors like Raj Anadkat and Gurucharan Singh, mentioned that they are still waiting for their unpaid salaries.
Shailesh Lodha, another former actor, quit the show nearly a year ago and is still fighting with Asit over unpaid money. Shailesh mentioned that he didn’t chase Asit for a role, as he was already a well-known poet before joining the show. Although Shailesh shared a poem that many thought was a jab at Asit, he prefers to keep quiet about the ongoing case. -
Farmers in Noida Demand Action Tells Delhi Is not Too Far : March Towards Parliament Looms
Farmers in Noida are protesting and have told the Central government to meet their needs within a week. If their demands are not met, they plan to march to Parliament. Sukhbir Khalifa, a leader of the farmers’ group Bhartiya Kisan Parishad (BKP), shared that they have temporarily moved their protest to Ambedkar Park on Noida Link Road.
The farmers want important issues addressed, including a law that guarantees Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for their crops. Earlier, farmers from Punjab tried to head to Delhi to discuss MSPs but faced police barriers and heavy traffic near the Delhi-Noida border. Police set up barriers and increased security to manage the situation.
The big protest called ‘Delhi Chalo,’ organized by BKP with other farmer groups, is asking for better support for farmers, like making MSPs a law, waiving farm loans, pension plans for farmers and workers, not raising electricity prices, dropping police cases against farmers, and seeking justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. They also want changes to a land law and compensation for families of farmers who died during past protests in 2020-2021.
In the meantime, another group of farmers from Punjab plans to march to Delhi on December 6.
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Discover Today’s Horoscope For Dec 3rd 2024: Love, Luck, and Life Insights for All Zodiac Signs
ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 20)
Today, if you’ve been learning something new, you might achieve your goals! You could get praised at work for your great work. If you’re at home, you’ll create a nice and peaceful space. A partner might inspire you to start a healthy habit. Remember, it’s good not to hold onto any bad feelings towards someone who didn’t mean to upset you.
Love Tip: Your relationship might get more romantic today.
Lucky Number: 3
Lucky Colour: PeachTAURUS (Apr 21-May 20)
You might feel rushed to finish your tasks today. Using your foresight and creativity will help keep your home peaceful. Family and friends will admire how detail-oriented you are. Things will get better at work, and it’s a perfect time to finalize a property deal. Maybe a fun vacation is in your future!
Love Tip: You might feel tempted to return someone’s romantic gesture.
Lucky Number: 7
Lucky Colour: Off WhiteGEMINI (May 21-Jun 21)
Be careful not to make quick decisions today. Financial stress might make you feel uneasy. It’s not a great day for asking for time off or a raise. Students could have some disagreements with teachers. A trip you’ve been looking forward to might get canceled.
Love Tip: A new romance could bring excitement!
Lucky Number: 5
Lucky Colour: GreenCANCER (Jun 22-Jul 22)
You may find yourself up against someone very skilled at work; try to acknowledge their talent. Don’t let financial worries stress you out. And if you have a big event coming up, it might make you anxious.
Love Tip: Celebrations and romance could be in your near future.
Lucky Number: 11
Lucky Colour: PinkLEO (Jul 23-Aug 23)
Some of you might get past a health issue. Make sure to think about your finances carefully! A great business deal could make you money. Family time will be enjoyable. If you travel far, you should have a nice journey!
Love Tip: New couples will experience love and harmony.
Lucky Number: 1
Lucky Colour: Light YellowVIRGO (Aug 24-Sep 23)
You might feel pressure from someone; try to figure out what’s bothering you. If you’re worried about your health, don’t let it stress you too much. Keep the flames of passion burning; new activities can help.
Love Tip: A chance for new love might be coming your way.
Lucky Number: 8
Lucky Colour: BlueLIBRA (Sep 24-Oct 23)
You might not get the day off you want, so handle it calmly. Unplanned visitors could disturb your relaxation at home. Paying back loans could be tough, but you’ll manage. Try not to stress too much!
Love Tip: Newlyweds could find their bond growing stronger.
Lucky Number: 17
Lucky Colour: SaffronSCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Your positive energy will bring happiness to your home. Helping someone financially might boost how others see you. But watch out for overindulging today!
Love Tip: Plan a special dinner to keep the romance alive.
Lucky Number: 6
Lucky Colour: OrangeSAGITTARIUS (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Your drive to succeed will get you working late. A friend will help lift your spirits. Investments are beginning to pay off, and your hard work will be noticed at your job.
Love Tip: Expect romance if you’re on the lookout for it!
Lucky Number: 9
Lucky Colour: SilverCAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 21)
Good things in your job are coming. Your smart investments will pay off. Family will support you, but there are limits. A little getaway can help refresh your mind.
Love Tip: Your special someone will create delightful moments for you today.
Lucky Number: 3
Lucky Colour: MaroonAQUARIUS (Jan 22-Feb 19)
You might get a fantastic offer for a property deal. Good news could uplift your mood today! You’ll get great advice from a boss or someone experienced at work.
Love Tip: Romance may blossom for young folks.
Lucky Number: 4
Lucky Colour: GoldenPISCES (Feb 20-Mar 20)
Make sure to check your project’s finances carefully. You’ll find both personal and professional sides satisfying today. Helping others will bring you joy.
Love Tip: A disagreement with your partner could turn into a bigger fight.
Lucky Number: 11
Lucky Colour: Cream -
India Prepares for Adelaide Test: Rohit Returns and Strong Bowling Attack
India is heading into the Adelaide Test with a big boost of confidence after beating Australia in Perth to kick off the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 with an impressive win. The return of captain Rohit Sharma is a great news but also a puzzle for the team management, as they will need to adjust the batting order to fit him back in.
Even though the batting order will likely change, Cheteshwar Pujara believes the bowling lineup should stay the same. If it means leaving out star bowlers Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, then that’s okay with him.
In the first match of the series, India took a surprising decision not to play either Ashwin or Jadeja, despite their combined 855 Test wickets, and instead gave the only spinning role to Washington Sundar. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj led the pace attack while newcomers Harshit Rana and Nitish Reddy provided solid support.
Bumrah, who stepped up as captain while Rohit was out, took eight wickets in the match. Siraj grabbed five wickets, and Rana impressed by taking four wickets in his debut. Reddy bowled just seven overs but also took one wicket. Sundar had a quiet start, bowling only two overs in the first innings but picked up two wickets in the second innings after bowling 15 overs.
Pujara strongly believes that India should keep the same bowling group for the next Test starting on December 6. He praised the bowlers for their efforts, saying, “This bowling attack has worked well for us. Bumrah looked excellent, and Siraj performed really well, supported by Harshit, who did great for his first match.”
Pujara appreciated Rana for staying calm and focused, despite the extra bounce on the pitches in Australia. He emphasized the need for bowlers to hit the right spots. Pujara also thinks they should stick with Sundar because he adds strength to the batting lineup. He mentioned that if India loses wickets, Washington can help lower down the order as a batter.
“I think Washington didn’t start too well with his bowling but eventually got a couple of wickets by changing his pace. The reason for picking him in the squad was his batting ability. If we lose a few early wickets, he can step up,” said Pujara