The government has removed NTA Director General Subodh Singh from his position following allegations of irregularities in NEET and NET exams. Pradeep Singh Kharola, the Chairman and Managing Director of ITPO, has been given temporary charge of the testing agency. This decision comes amidst demands for the cancellation of UGC-NET and allegations of paper leak in NEET-UG. Stay updated on business news, stock market updates, and personal finance coverage with Zee Business on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
Pradeep Singh Kharola Takes Over as NTA Director General Amidst Allegations of Exam Irregularities
The government of India has removed Subodh Singh from his position as Director General of the National Testing Agency (NTA) following allegations of irregularities in the conduct of NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) and NET (National Eligibility Test) exams. Pradeep Singh Kharola, Chairman and Managing Director of India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), has been appointed to temporarily head the testing agency.
Background
The irregularities in the NEET and NET exams came to light after several students and parents raised concerns about the conduct of the tests. Allegations included:
These allegations led to widespread protests and demands for the cancellation of the exams.
Government's Response
In response to the allegations, the government constituted a committee to investigate the matter. The committee found evidence of irregularities and recommended action against those responsible. Subsequently, the government removed Subodh Singh from his position as NTA Director General.
Appointment of Pradeep Singh Kharola
Pradeep Singh Kharola is a seasoned bureaucrat with over 30 years of experience in various government departments. He has held several important positions, including Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Chief Secretary of Gujarat.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
The appointment of Pradeep Singh Kharola as NTA Director General is expected to bring stability and credibility to the testing agency. The government's swift response to the allegations of irregularities is a sign of its commitment to ensuring fair and transparent exams.
The recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections saw the BJP face a surprising outcome in Uttar Pradesh, with the party winning only 33 seats out of the total 80. This saw a decline in their previously-held dominance in the state, with the Samajwadi Party winning 37 seats. In light of this, Prime Minister Modi is said to be visting the state to address the party's cadre and strategize for their future success.
Champai Soren, chief minister of Jharkhand, has resigned after being unanimously elected to the position by leaders of the JMM-led alliance. His replacement, Hemant Soren, who was previously arrested on money-laundering charges, has staked claim to form the government. If sworn in, Hemant Soren will be the 13th chief minister of Jharkhand, after being granted bail in his case on June 28. This change in leadership has caused controversy and political infighting, with the BJP accusing the JMM of being a family-dominated party that only uses people for its own benefit.
Sky News, a UK broadcaster, has been forced to halt coverage of the country's upcoming election due to media regulations. As part of the Ofcom code, broadcasters are not allowed to report on anything that could potentially sway voter opinions during designated time periods. This includes coverage on campaigns and election issues. The restriction has sparked debates on media censorship and fairness during election season.
Five individuals have been arrested and two FIRs have been filed after workers from the BJP and Congress clashed outside the Congress party's headquarters in Ahmedabad. The clash was a result of a protest against alleged anti-Hindu remarks made by Rahul Gandhi. The FIRs have been filed based on complaints from both parties, with the accused facing charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. CCTV footage revealed the involvement of the arrested individuals in the violence that resulted in injuries to several police personnel.
After being released from prison, Hemant Soren, who was arrested in a land scam case, is likely to be reinstated as Chief Minister of Jharkhand. Sources have confirmed that the INDIA alliance has agreed on the replacement and Champai Soren is expected to resign from the position tonight. This will be the third time that Hemant Soren takes oath as Chief Minister of Jharkhand.
In a recent interview on Citizen TV's JKLive show, Defence CS Aden Duale accuses certain opposition leaders and politicians of being behind the popular and controversial "Ruto Must Go" slogan. He names Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremia Kioni, and lawyer Miguna Miguna as the creators of the slogan, claiming that they are trying to push for the removal of President William Ruto from office prematurely. Duale also reveals that the government has compiled a list of individuals and groups responsible for the violence during the protests and that they will be arraigned in court within two weeks.
Since its formation, the state of Jharkhand has seen a revolving door of Chief Ministers, with none completing a full term except for BJP's Raghubar Das. From Babulal Marandi's short-lived tenure to the recent legal troubles of Hemant Soren, the state's political landscape has been prone to constant upheaval. Now, as Hemant Soren takes oath as Chief Minister for the third time, it marks a new chapter in Jharkhand's turbulent history of Chief Ministers.
The Indian Army has clarified that the family of Agniveer Ajay Kumar, who lost his life in the line of duty, has indeed been compensated. This comes after Rahul Gandhi's claim that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lied about the family receiving Rs. 1 crore, which was refuted by the Army and Rajnath Singh's office. The clarification also sheds light on the Agnipath scheme, which aims to bring down the age profile of the armed forces.
Champai Soren has resigned as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand and has left for the Raj Bhavan after sending his resignation to the state Governor. This decision was taken after a meeting at Champai Soren's residence where it was unanimously decided to elect former CM Hemant Soren as the next chief minister. If sworn in, Hemant Soren will be the third-time chief minister of Jharkhand and the 13th chief minister overall.
As the United States prepares to mark the 278th anniversary of its independence, all federal offices will be closed on Thursday. This day has been an important federal holiday since 1776, when colonies in the US gained independence from British rule. The closure of offices and businesses is a way to commemorate the holiday and participate in the celebrations, which include parades, fireworks, and speeches.