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In a shocking incident, an 18-year-old student was shot dead inside the campus of a private school in Khushalnagar, Uttar Pradesh. The crime was committed on Tuesday afternoon inside the parking complex of Gyandeep Public School, Shivpur police station area.

The firing was brought to the attention of police by school administrator Ravi Singh, added DCP Varuna Zone Pramod Kumar. The victim Hemant Singh had also just appeared for his Class 12 board examination at the school. He had sustained critical injuries and during the process of getting them treated, died.

Initial investigations indicate that the firing could have been caused by a personal conflict. CCTV footage is said to reveal Hemant Singh, Ravi Singh, and two others walking towards the room where the firing occurred. All four people who were inside the closed room when the firing occurred have been arrested.

Police have taken possession of the suspected pistol used during the attack and collected other forensic evidence from the scene. The body of the victim has been taken for post-mortem.

DCP Pramod Kumar confirmed that three individuals, including the school manager, have been arrested in relation to the case. The investigation continues to determine the actual motive behind the attack and if there were any other individuals involved.

The incident has raised fear regarding the safety of students as well as the availability of guns on school campuses. The authorities have confirmed that appropriate action would be decided on the basis of the report of the investigation.

The old and recent Kashmir attacks are the best case studies for defence education and diplomacy to learn about intricate issues. Study of the intricate issue of Kashmir allows Indian students to know more about national and international human rights, political tensions, and peaceful protest in international relations.

Defence Education: Strategic Awareness

Study of the Kashmir issue can be useful for defence education in the following manner:

• Intelligence gathering and strategic reaction: Successful operations on the part of security agencies ensure that intelligence gathering and strategic reaction remain at the forefront of upholding national security.
• Counter-terrorism methods: The Kashmir conflict puts into sharp relief the need for successful counter-terrorism methods, i.e., intelligence exchange and coordination among security agencies.
• National security methods: Students are able to examine the role of national security methods in stability at the regional level and global politics.

Preparing for Diplomacy: Training for Peaceful Intentions

• Training for diplomacy can be on:
• Conflict resolution: PoK and IoK conflicts had always been an example of diplomacy success at conflict resolution and peaceful co-existence attained.
• International cooperation between nations: Through learning, the students can appreciate how international organizations and diplomatic missions have assisted to solve difficult matters of international nature.
• Cultural sensitivity: The Kashmir conflict reminds us the importance of cultural sensitivity and tolerance in diplomacy, especially where there is a high level of cultural and religious diversity.

The Kashmir conflict is a valuable learning experience for defence education and diplomacy students. The students can learn the skill of critical thinking, compassion, and evidence-based dialogue from this complex conflict and become skilled enough to approach more complex international conflicts and frame more inclusive and peace-oriented agendas.

Books to Refer on Defence Education and Diplomacy:

Defence Diplomacy

Indian Defence Diplomacy: A Handbook by Cmde Roby Thomas - A comprehensive guide to defence diplomacy, covering its origins, Indian experiences, and proposals to vitalize the discipline.

India's Defence Diplomacy in the 21st Century by Dr. Sanjay Kumar - Explores India's defence diplomacy in the modern era.

Foreign Policy and Geopolitics

The India Way by S. Jaishankar - Analyzes the challenges of becoming a leading power and spells out policy responses, placing India's foreign policy in historical context.

From Chanakya to Modi by Aparna Pande - Explores the deeper civilizational roots of Indian foreign policy and identifies the neural roots of India's engagement with the world.

Perilous Interventions by Hardeep Puri - Shows how recent instances of force in various regions have gone wrong, including India's misadventure in Sri Lanka.

The McMahon Line by J J Singh - Examines the British India's Tibet policy and its repercussions for contemporary times, providing recommendations for the future.

India's China Challenge by Ananth Krishnan - Tells the story of the complex political relationship between India and China, exploring economic dimensions and cultural connections

Harshita Goyal, the All India Rank 2 holder in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, has etched a path which is an ideal combination of academic excellence, empathy, and inner urge to serve society. A Chartered Accountant by profession and an MS University of Baroda graduate, Harshita's life is marked by discipline, devotion, and empathy. Her mission is certain—to engender lasting change at the grassroots level, and her life is a testament to her dedication to public service.

From Dreamer to Achiever

Although born in Haryana, Harshita lived her entire life in Gujarat, a state to which she owes gratitude with the construction of her professional and personal persona. After finishing her studies and earning a B.Com degree from the University of Baroda, Harshita wanted to be a change-maker. Observing the suffering that women, particularly those belonging to disadvantaged sections, had to go through, she decided to voice their concerns and become an instrument of empowerment. Her ambitions weren't about her own success, however, but about giving back—impacting policy and making her dad proud by adding substance to the world.

Toppers' Tips: What Worked for Harshita

Sharing her approach, Harshita highlighted the strength of persistence and personalized learning. She drew on well-gridded studying routines and goal-oriented practice in readiness for her learning self. Her biggest learning was self-confidence—it was her motivator whenever she was uncertain. She also highlighted the potential of social media, pointing out how she consumed study-oriented Instagram profiles and even learned from entertainment content when utilized appropriately.

Early Introduction to Social Work and Policy

Harshita received early exposure to social work as well as public policy even before joining the civil services. Working with the Gujarat Youth Parliament as well as serving an internship in the Ministry of Law and Justice provided her a clear idea regarding the legal as well as the administrative workings of India. These early experiences inspired her to pursue work at an even bigger scale.

Parallelly, Harshita's social awareness manifested itself in the form of voluntary work at the Believe Foundation, an NGO that offers aid to cancer and thalassemia patients. Her experience exposed her to the harsher aspects of public health and man's vulnerability, making her more focused on changing lives through policy and welfare.

The Creative Soul Behind the Civil Servant

Aside from scholarship and service, Harshita seeks refuge in her artworks. Acrylic painting, her artistic tool, is where she finds an emotional balance and reflects on things. Creativity is not a hobby to her—instead, it is a leadership attribute that promotes empathy, understanding, and creative thinking in leadership. Harshita believes that leaders need to be emotionally intelligent, and creativity is one of the ways of achieving it.

A Voice for Women, An Icon for Many

Women empowerment is a matter close to Harshita's heart. She has experienced firsthand the reality of the suffering endured by women of all classes during her journey, and she is committed to making sure that every woman in the country has access to quality education, healthcare, and opportunities. She dreams of a system where women are not only safeguarded but also respected for their role in the country's future.

Harshita Goyal's story—from the child girl with dreams to the second top scorer in one of India's most challenging exams—is a source of hope and inspiration. Her story teaches each and every young woman that no dream is too grand and no obstacle is too grand. With sheer willpower, determination, and kindness, Harshita has demonstrated what it takes to rise to the top—and to take others to the top with her.

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati announced today the four-year Bachelor of Science (BS) Program in Biomedical Science and Engineering. The program will be provided by the Jyoti and Bhupat Mehta School of Health Sciences and Technology (JBMSHST) at IIT Guwahati.

The joint learning process with All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Guwahati and the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Guwahati is one of the key highlights, according to a statement made by IIT-Guwahati.

IIT Guwahati director Prof Devendra Jalihal said, "This interdisciplinary programme unites engineering, medical sciences, and pharmacology on one platform, bridging the demand for professionals with inter-disciplinary capabilities to solve challenges of the future.". Since issues of the future will not conform to conventional silos, the program is such that it tries to fill the gaps. Financed by the Mehta Family Foundation and assessed by top scientists from IIT Guwahati, AIIMS Guwahati and NIPER Guwahati, this is going to be a first-of-its-kind initiative. We are optimistic that this program will develop the future generation of biomedical engineers, equipping them to innovate and lead in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.

Application for the program will open from April 25- May 25, 2025. Interested applicants are invited to check the official website and apply.

Prof Ashok Puranik, Director, AIIMS Guwahati, stated, "This multi-institutional effort is a historic endeavor that will redefine the future of education and healthcare in India. Through this endeavour, we seek to align engineering, biotechnology, and medicine. With advances in genomics, Artificial Intelligence, 3D printing, and nanotechnology, it enables the future biomedical innovators.". By integrating the strengths of AIIMS Guwahati, IIT Guwahati, and NIPER Guwahati, we are building an ecosystem that will propel the future of healthcare and medical technology in India.

The program will provide a solid academic background with extensive coursework covering pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical areas. Students will receive hands-on skill development through specialized engineering modules aimed at filling the gap between technology and healthcare.

One of the most important features of the program is its clinical immersion option, under which students are able to work in close proximity with world-class surgeons and health care professionals, thus gaining much-needed hands-on experience. Further, the curriculum includes cross-institutional learning through partnerships with AIIMS Guwahati and NIPER Guwahati, so that students get exposed to a diverse set of perspectives and methodologies in the arena of biomedical science and engineering.

Highlighting the importance of the program and its distinctive interdisciplinary nature, Rahul Mehta, CEO, the Mehta Family Foundation, stated, "This program is a considered step in the right direction at the crossroads of healthcare and engineering, two fields that will define India's future. What makes it really special is the partnership between IIT Guwahati, AIIMS Guwahati, and NIPER Guwahati, uniting doctors, scientists, and engineers under one academic vision.". For the students interested in mathematics and biology both, this program will help them innovate in fields like medical devices, drug discovery, etc.

Eligibility criteria

The programme is available to candidates who appeared for Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2024 or 2025 with Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and Biology, and have obtained at least 75% aggregate marks in the above three science subjects. Additionally, candidates who are IISER Aptitude Test 2025 qualifiers are also eligible to apply.

New programme provides advanced topics

The curriculum of the program is multidisciplinary and forward-looking, covering a broad array of topics such as Mechanics, Electrical and Electronic Systems, Mathematical modelling, Design and Prototyping, and Bioinformatics. Besides this, students will also learn about advanced topics such as:

• Biomedical devices
• Pharmacology
• Informatics and AI in medicine
• Bioinstrumentation
• Sensors and wearable devices

Professionally, program graduates will be able to seek employment in a broad spectrum of fields such as bioinstrumentation, biomedical devices, pharmacology and therapeutics, bioinformatics, and artificial intelligence, and research and development in health technology.

The All India Students Federation (AISF) has protested strongly against two top corporate colleges in the state for claiming credit for the performance of a top JEE Main ranker in their ads. The colleges have been said to be using the same student, one of the top 10 rankers, as their own, in what the AISF refers to as a willful attempt at misleading students and parents.

"Two corporate colleges are showcasing one of the top 10 rankers' results as their achievement. Why is the National Testing Agency (NTA) not taking action against them?" asked K Manikanta Reddy, AISF representative. He stressed that such marketing practices are unethical and mislead future students at the crucial admission time.

The results of JEE Main Session-2, which were announced on Friday evening, had three state students achieving a perfect 100 NTA score. But, as per existing norms, no educational institution is allowed to make use of the individual ranks of students for the purpose of publicity.

AISF also accused these colleges of already initiating their admission procedure, providing scholarships and discounts to entice future students and parents, despite the academic calendar not being officially begun. "Authorities should step in and make sure all the colleges abide by the board-released academic calendar," Reddy stated.

Student unions contend that such early admissions and glitzy advertisements put undue pressure on parents, particularly rural parents, who might not be aware of the regulations. AISF has appealed to the National Testing Agency and education authorities to take stringent action against offenders and implement guidelines uniformly in all institutions to ensure fairness and transparency during the admission season.

Sai Spoorthi PU College management terminated principal Chandrashekara Biradara and second division clerk Satish Pawar for reportedly refusing to allow Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) candidate Suchivrata Kulkarni to sit the test on Thursday for wearing a sacred thread. The duo's termination was ordered by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) and the Karnataka state higher education department after an interim report filed by Bidar Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Sharma.

The principal and the second division clerk were held to be negligent for failure to follow KEA rules under which non-metallic sacred threads could be worn during the KCET examination. The report further stated that the staff of PU college had made insulting comments.

But Kulkarni appeared for the physics and chemistry exams on April 16 at the same centre wearing the sacred thread, revealing the inconsistency in 'rule enforcement'. The report of the deputy commissioner suggested disciplinary action against the pair and remedial action for the student.

But the government is yet to decide on providing a second chance to the student. An education department official stated, "The student would be assigned a ranking in engineering courses in spite of the absence from mathematics exam, subject to discussions with Higher Education Minister Dr M C Sudhakar. Again, the matter will be referred to the chief minister by the minister before he decides on re-examination so that there would be fairness for everyone and justice to the student."

At the same time, home guards Raghu D and Kalavati were suspended in Shivamogga over the sacred thread controversy. In its interim report filed before KEA by Deputy Commissioner Gurudatta Hegade, it was seen that the home guards asked a student who had come to take the morning session of the exam on April 16 to remove the sacred thread. The student herself removed the thread and went to take the test. But the report debunked allegations that the home guard compelled the removal of the sacred thread and refused entry to the student.

The report also added that two other students subsequently approached the exam hall with the sacred thread. At that point, the principal of Sri Adichunchanagiri Composite English Medium High School called the deputy director of pre-university for clarification and, after receiving it, allowed the students to take the examination without removing the thread.

The afternoon session (Chemistry) of April 16, as well as the exam conducted on April 17, went on at the same examination centre without interruption.

The report of the DC states, "Preliminary findings indicate that while the CET guidelines did not specify any instruction for the removal of religious symbols or clothing, the Home Guards who were on duty at the center had requested students to remove their Janiwara at the beginning of the examination. This was because of a lack of awareness on their part.". Consequently, a letter was written to the Commandant of Home Guards, requesting disciplinary action against the careless staff. Moreover, a departmental inquiry has been launched against them.

In the meantime, the Shivamogga police have also registered a case against CET officials whose names were not mentioned in this case on the basis of the complaint submitted by Nataraj Bhagavath, who is a CET aspirant. He had complained that the examination center officials had cut the sacred threads that the students wore. The authorities allegedly threatened to exclude students from entering the examination hall if they wore the sacred thread. The complainant has accused examination centre authorities of cutting the sacred threads worn by students and throwing them into the dustbin. The authorities allegedly threatened to exclude students from entering the examination hall if they wore the sacred thread. The Shivamogga police are investigating the incident.

Opposition BJP has called the row over sacred thread disrespect to religious feelings. Supporters of the Akhila Karnataka Brahmin Mahasabha and other pro-Hindu outfits organized a protest rally at Bidar on Saturday.