Jharkhand Governor clears Bill having provision of life term for cheating in exams (GS Paper 2, Governance)
Why in news?
- Jharkhand Governor recently approved the Jharkhand Competitive Examination (Measure for Control and Prevention of Unfair Means in Recruitment) Bill, 2023, which mandates a strict provision of life imprisonment and fine up to ₹10 crore, in case of cheating in competitive examinations.
Salient features:
- According to the provision, if a person is caught for the first time, there will be a fine of ₹5 lakh and one year imprisonment, if not paid, it will lead to an additional punishment of nine months’ imprisonment.
- If caught for a second time, he/she will be fined ₹10 lakh and given three years of imprisonment.
- If this is not paid, it will lead to an additional sentence of 30 months. If found guilty, an examinee will not be allowed to sit in any competitive exam for 10 years.
- According to the Bill, if a printing press, the management system that conducts an examination, the person engaged in transport, or coaching institutes play the role of conspirator then the punishment can range from 10 years to life imprisonment.
- There is also a provision to impose a fine ranging from ₹2 crore to ₹10 crore.
- Failure to pay the penalty will result in an additional three years of prison sentence.
FIR not allowed
- Clause 11 (2) of the Bill prohibits filing FIR by candidates, and print, electronic and social media representatives who raise questions regarding question papers and answer sheets related to the examination.
India set to launch X-ray Polarimeter Satellite, says ISRO
(GS Paper 3, Science and Technology)
Why in news?
- The Indian Space Research Organisation has announced a plan to launch its first X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) to investigate the polarisation of intense X-ray sources.
Details:
- This research, supplementing traditional time and frequency domain studies, introduced a novel dimension to X-ray astronomy, generating anticipation and excitement within the scientific community.
- The satellite will be launched by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
Key Highlights:
- The XPoSat is designed for observation from a low earth orbit (non-sun synchronous orbit of 650-km altitude, low inclination of approximately six degrees) and will carry two scientific payloads.
- With these two payloads, the mission is capable of simultaneous studies of temporal, spectral, and polarisation features of the bright X-ray sources.
- The mission objectives include the measurement of X-ray polarisation in the energy band of 8-30 keV emanating from X-ray sources and long-term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic X-ray sources in the energy band of 0.8-15 keV.
- The mission life is expected to be approximately five years.
Payloads:
- The primary payload, POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays), is designed to measure polarimetry parameters, specifically the degree and angle of polarisation, in the medium X-ray energy range of 8-30 keV photons originating from astronomical sources.
- The payload was developed by the Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru, with support from ISRO centres.
- The secondary payload is the XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) payload, which will provide spectroscopic information within the energy range of 0.8-15 keV.
- The payload was developed by the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre, ISRO.
Centre agrees to examine demands for Ladakh safeguards
(GS Paper 2, Polity and Constitution)
Why in news?
- The Union Home Ministry has agreed to examine the demand of civil society groups in Ladakh to provide “constitutional safeguards” for the Union Territory.
Committee constituted:
- The key detail is mentioned in an order issued by the Ministry to reconstitute a high-powered committee for Ladakh.
- The 22-member panel, chaired by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, will have representatives from both Kargil and Leh divisions.
- The panel is expected to hold its first meeting in Delhi on December 4.
Terms of reference:
The terms of reference of the committee are to discuss measures
- to protect the region’s unique culture and language taking into consideration its geographical location and strategic importance; to ensure protection of land and employment for people of Ladakh;
- to discuss measures for inclusive development and employment generation in the region,
- to discuss measures related to the empowerment of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill District Councils of Leh and Kargil; and
- to examine constitutional safeguards that could be provided to ensure the measures and protection detailed above.
Background:
- Ladakh has erupted in protests several times since it was carved out of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.
- Civil society organisations have been demanding Ladakh’s inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and granting tribal status to the Union Territory.
