Examination and its Transparency
Published On:
Current Situation
1. Allegations: Use of unfair means by several candidates
2. Evidence: FIR’s and confessions of paper leak in some places.
3. Government Action: Formation of a high-powered committee to suggest improvements
Examination Process
1. NTA is responsible for designing and conducting the NEET examination.
2. Format:
a. Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets
b. Specific question booklets
3. Security Measures:
a. Multiple sets of question papers
b. Jumbled questions in different series
c. Seating plans to separate candidates with the same paper set
Challenges
1. Paper Leaks:
a. Allegations of certain sets being sold.
b. Likely a scam due to unpredictable paper distribution.
2. Conspiracies:
a. Would require collusion of multiple stakeholders.
b. Highly improbable due to existing checks and balances.
3. Grace Marks:
a. Awarded as per Supreme Court's 2018 judgment.
b. Need for a comprehensive policy wrt grace marks
Proposed Solutions
1. Online Examinations:
a. Pros: Potentially more efficient
b. Cons:
1. Accessibility issues.
2. Data security concerns.
3.Student comfort with technology.
2. Hybrid Mode (current system):
a. OMR sheets for answering.
b. Computer processing of results.
c. Balances familiarity with efficiency.
Karanpura coalfield
1. Location: It is situated in Ramgarh district in Jharkhand.
2. Overall size:-In this regard 195 kilometer in size which is regarded as development in overall places and condition.
3. Mineral Wealth: The coalfield is rich in coal, carbonaceous shale, and sandstone, making it a crucial area for coal extraction.
4. Hydrocarbon :-It is related to magnified hydro energy with Carbon S to develop energy in all sectors.
5. Scientific Evidence: Palynomorph analysis, organic remains, and geochemical assessments have confirmed the potential for hydrocarbon formation.
6. Sirka vs Giddi: The eastern Sirka coalfield shows a stronger potential for hydrocarbon generation compared to the Giddi coalfield.
7. Future Exploration: The coalfield has promising conditions for coal bed methane and shale gas exploration, offering potential for energy production.
8. Understanding Shale Gas: Shale gas is found deeper underground (2,500-5,000 meters) compared to conventional oil and gas, which are found at shallower depths.
9. Extraction Techniques: Shale gas is extracted through hydraulic fracturing (fracking), requiring deep vertical and horizontal drilling to access low-permeability rock formations.
10. Energy Outlook: The South Karanpura coalfield could become a vital resource for future hydrocarbon production, particularly through advances in shale gas and methane extraction technologies.
Parliamentary Accountability
Importance of Parliamentary Accountability
1. Government Accountability: The government must be accountable to Parliament.
2. Current Dysfunction: When Parliament is dysfunctional, the government is not accountable to anyone.
Time Allocation
1. Current Time Distribution for Upcoming Parliament Session
a. Total Scheduled Time: 190 hours
b. Government Time: 135 hours (70%) for government business and other issues
c. Opposition Time: 31 hours (16%) for
Question Hour and Zero Hour
2. Proposed Time Reallocation
a. Additional Time for Opposition:
1. 4 hours per week in each House for urgent public matters
b. Revised Distribution:
1. Government: 117 hours
2. Opposition: 49 hours
Recent Concerns- Legislative & Otherwise
1. Farm Bills Controversy:
a. Introduced as ordinances
b. Bypassed parliamentary committees
c. Passed by voice vote, ignoring
Opposition demands
d. Eventually repealed
2. 17th Lok Sabha Statistic
a. Total Bills passed: 221
b. Bills rushed through (< 60 min discussion): 1/3 of total= 74 Bills
c. Bills scrutinized by committees: 1/6 of total= 36 Bills
3. Case Study: Criminal Justice System Overhaul
a. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (356 amendments)
b. Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita
c. Bharatiya Sakshya Bill
d. All discussed in just 13 sittings
e. Comparison: Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2006 (41 amendments) - 11 sittings
4. Parliamentary Security Breach Incident
a. 2023 Attack: 146 Opposition MPs suspended for demanding discussion
b. Contrast with 2001 Parliament Attack: Comprehensive discussion in both houses & Involvement of
Prime Minister and Home Minister
a. Lok Sabha Discussion: 2 members, 21 mins
b. Rajya Sabha Discussion: 6 members, 30 mins
Recommendations
1. Re-allotment of Time: Reallocate time in Parliament to ensure balanced discussion and accountability.
2. Upholding Democratic Principles: Address procedural adjustments as a fundamental necessity for representative democracy.
