Latest news with #DSCs
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Akshara Andhra program will be launched soon to achieve 100% literacy: Minister Nara Lokesh
VIJAYAWADA: HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh announced several landmark education initiatives and reforms, terming the ongoing Mega DSC for recruitment of 16,347 teachers a golden chapter in the State's history. He held a marathon 4-hour review meeting with senior officials from the departments of school, college and adult education at his residence in Undavalli on Friday. Lokesh congratulated officials for the smooth conduct of the first day of the Mega DSC when School Education Commissioner V Vijaya Rama Raju informed 88% attendance in the morning session of DSC, and 86% in the evening. 'From now on, DSCs will be conducted every year, and the Andhra Pradesh Model of Education will be fully realised in the next four years,' Lokesh said. He highlighted that 27,000 school assistants were transferred online, and over 4,000 promoted in a transparent and political interference-free process. Revealing a major new initiative, Lokesh said a special programme titled Akshara Andhra will be launched to achieve 100% literacy in the State. Shocked that 81 lakh people in the 15-59 age group are still illiterate, he said the adult education programme will be taken up in mission mode. 'In March, 3.95 lakh people were tested under the Ullas programme, and 90.12% passed. The State must rise from the bottom to become one of India's top three literate States within three years,' he asserted. Director of Intermediate Education Kritika Shukla raised concern that 109 of 247 sanctioned posts in the adult education department remain vacant. She recommended recruiting only motivated candidates from the school education system.
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Securing India's examination ecosystem: A digital blueprint for the future
The protection of digital content has become an important concern in every sector, ranging from education to finance. Due to frequent data breaches, impersonation attempts, and technical failures, organisations are under pressure to create robust systems that not only protect sensitive data but also guarantee transparency and reliability. One such challenge, especially in the education and public recruitment sectors, is protecting digital content in real time, along with fighting identity theft and impersonation. The key to addressing this issue lies in safeguarding digital content as it is created (i.e. data at rest) and how it is distributed (data exchanges), whether it is examination papers, appointment letters, examination results or scores. This is especially critical for large-scale operations, where even the smallest breach can have massive consequences. A prime example is the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), one of the world's largest public recruitment agencies. In 2024, SSC partnered with a digital transformation provider to implement a "tamper-proof" digital vault with the objective of creating digital infrastructure based on the Zero Trust Model. An infrastructure which secures questions (also referred to as a question bank vault), and generates a question paper in real time when needed. A model that shapes results into a leak-proof digital infrastructure of examination for two reasons, securing the question bank vault at the same time, making it of no interest to the dark world because the volumes are in the range of 50,000 to 100,000, which makes it of no interest. Secondly, a question paper does not even exist till the time required by the candidate. Hence, the doubt of leakage does not even arise for something which does not even exist. Until 2023, it worked with a monolithic system that was rigid, fragile at scale, and extremely hard to maintain or secure. The technology solutions provider helped re-architect it from the ground up using a microservices-based approach that allowed for the modularisation of critical functions like authentication, candidate data validation, and exam slot allocation. This shift not only improved resilience and scalability but also enabled real-time monitoring, faster enhancement rollout, and zero system-wide downtime. The goal was clear: build a future-proof platform that ensures identity integrity, operational transparency, and seamless governance at scale. The new system delivered question papers just 15 minutes before the examination, combining "just-in-time dispatch" with multi-layered encryption. Due to the brief window of exposure, the risk of interference was minimised. Digital Signature Certificates (DSCs) were used to secure the documents, thus ensuring only authorised users could access them. Additionally, an audit trail records each access point and action, ensuring total transparency and monitoring for unauthorised access. Also, an audit on blockchain was made to avoid tampering of the audit trail. Thus, the blueprint for secure examinations, as in the case of SSC, is rooted in precision engineering, identity verification, and "zero-leakage" systems that restore faith in public processes. Fighting Identity Theft and Impersonation: As digital services grow, identity theft and impersonation have become significant concerns. From online exams to financial transactions, verifying a user's identity is crucial for maintaining security. In response to the rising threat of exam fraud, a public recruitment agency implemented Aadhaar-based facial recognition technology. This system matched the original registration photo with a live selfie taken at the testing centre. If discrepancies were found, impersonation attempts were flagged and stopped immediately. The biometric verification process continued throughout the entire hiring process to ensure the individual who took the exam was the same person being considered for the job. These identity verification technologies are not just limited to recruitment and education. They are being adopted across industries like banking, insurance, and healthcare to maintain identity integrity and reduce fraud. The integration of biometric identity verification and AI-powered authentication systems ensures that sensitive data remains protected, fraud is minimised, and processes are simplified for everyone involved. Thus, authentication, access control, and accountability become the three pillars of a secure examination ecosystem, which tech companies are striving to achieve with these solutions. The integrity of examinations is not just a matter of logistics – it is a matter of national trust. As India digitises at scale, we must build platforms that are not only efficient but also incorruptible. Technology should serve as a silent enabler of fairness, transparency, and inclusion, especially where the future of millions is at stake. (Author Ravi Kumar is the Co-founder & CEO of Cubastion Consulting Pvt Ltd, a technology-solutions provider. Views are personal.)
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
SC sub-categorisation row: Haryana, not Telangana, made first move
NEW DELHI: Haryana, last Nov, became the first state to notify 'sub-categorisation of SCs', contrary to the claims of Telangana that it kickstarted the process in the country by unveiling the policy on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti. The Supreme Court in Aug 2024 green-lighted division of Dalits into sub-groups with the objective of ensuring equitable distribution of reservation benefits among various sub-castes. The landmark judgement overturned the apex court's EV Chinnaiah judgment which in 2004 ruled that states cannot tamper with the SC list which was the domain of the President under Article 341 of the Constitution. The BJP govt in Haryana got off the blocks immediately, rushing into the state elections by announcing in Aug 2024 that it will effect sub-categorisation. On coming back to power, the Nayab Saini govt issued a notification in Nov 2024 dividing Dalits into two blocs — 'Deprived SCs' and 'Other SCs'. Haryana's social justice and empowerment minister Krishan Bedi told TOI that the state cabinet passed the proposal on sub-division of Dalits on Oct 18, 2024, while a notification was later issued on Nov 13. 'We have already made appointments in Kurukshetra University based on sub-categorisation, while new advertisements announcing the vacancies have also been published,' he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cost Of Amusement Park Equipment From Mexico Might Surprise You - See Tips Amusement Park Equipment | search ads Click Here Undo Sub-categorisation, which apportions reservation quantum among sub-groups according to their population, has historically been a controversial issue. While the 'dominant' groups oppose the move because it would shrink their share of the quota pie, the 'backward SCs' argue that it will advance their cause by removing an unfair competition with their socio-politically empowered brethren. Their grievance is that in an open competition for common quota, the 'forward SCs' are more competitive and corner the benefits. However, there is a key difference in the approach the two states have adopted in activating the policy. Telangana set up a Commission and the assembly passed a bill which divides the SCs into three sub-groups, while Haryana has taken the decision based on a cabinet approval and divided SCs into two groups. Also, the Haryana policy has been challenged in the Punjab and Haryana high court by a Mahasabha opposed to sub-categorisation, alleging in its petition that the state has no quantifiable data to classify the lists or to apportion 50% quota to DSCs and OSCs each. It has alleged that the exercise carried out by Haryana Commission for SCs was a mere eyewash, with no basis given for grouping of SCs as DSCs and OSCs.
Express Tribune
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
CM orders oversight for maintenance
In a significant move to ensure transparency, accountability, and quality in the use of development funds, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has ordered the formulation of a regulatory framework for the effective oversight of maintenance and repair (M&R) projects. The Chief Minister's Secretariat, through an official letter, has formally communicated this directive to the Chief Secretary, instructing the formulation of a robust mechanism to regulate the allocation and utilization of funds earmarked for the upkeep of roads, government buildings, irrigation canals, water supply schemes, and power transformers. According to the letter, the absence of a structured regulatory framework has led to inefficiencies, unnecessary expenditure of public funds, delays, and substandard work in M&R projects. To address these concerns, a comprehensive and integrated system for better management and accountability is required. It has further been communicated that the proposed regulatory framework should comprise District Supervisory Committees across all districts, headed by the respective Deputy Commissioners, and having membership of district heads of relevant departments, representatives from civil society, and officials from the Planning Department. Their primary responsibilities will include identifying and prioritizing M&R projects based on regional needs, public interest, and cost-effectiveness. Once projects are identified, they will be submitted to the relevant departments for final approval through departmental scrutiny committees. These committees will then formally communicate the approval to the District Supervisory Committees. The District Supervisory Committees will also be responsible for the effective monitoring of M&R projects, ensuring quality standards are met. To enhance transparency, an annual report detailing all M&R projectsincluding costs, pre and post photographic evidence, GPS coordinates, and other specifics will be submitted by the DSCs. Additionally, in case of emergencies, these committees will submit special reports to relevant authorities for immediate response and decision-making. Urgent maintenance work, including snow clearance from link roads, will be carried out based on their recommendations. Periodic meetings will also be held to review ongoing projects, with recommendations for improvements as needed. All the concerned quarters have been directed in the letter to immediately implement these directives of the CM in letter and spirit at all levels of governance. It may be mentioned here that last week, K-P became the first province in Pakistan to introduce a Bridge Design Code. This initiative aims to set minimum standards for the construction, repair, and design of bridges, aligning them with internationally recognized engineering principles. The CM has approved the implementation of this code across the province, ensuring that future bridge construction adheres to these newly established standards.
