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News18
31-07-2025
- Health
- News18
Mother-Daughter Duo From Tamil Nadu Cracks NEET UG
The mother secured a seat at the government medical college near her home district, while the daughter awaits her counselling session for admission. In a remarkable coincidence and through sheer determination, a 49-year-old physiotherapist and her daughter from Tamil Nadu both cleared the NEET exam. The mother secured a seat at the government medical college near her home district, while the daughter awaits her counselling session for admission, reported PTI. Amuthavalli Manivannan found the syllabus extremely challenging and very different from her school days. However, inspired by her daughter's preparation for the national screening test, she began her own preparation. She scored 147 marks out of 720 in NEET. Meanwhile, Samyuktha, who scored 450 marks, is awaiting a seat through the general category and is also eligible under the SC quota. 'My ambition was rekindled after I saw my daughter prepare for NEET. She was my greatest inspiration. I borrowed her books and prepared for the exam," a jubilant Amuthavalli said. M Samyuktha, a CBSE student, attended coaching classes, and the books she used also helped her mother. 'I found it easy to memorise when I recount what I have studied to someone. My father, being a lawyer by profession, was not interested in medicine. And since she hailed from a medical background, my mother was receptive," she said. On July 30, when counselling for TN medical admission began, Amuthavalli, accompanied by her daughter, attended the counselling under the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD) category and chose to join the government medical college in Virudhunagar, near her native Tenkasi. Amuthavalli mentioned that she tried to join the MBBS course after finishing school about thirty years ago but couldn't, and had to pursue physiotherapy instead. Speaking to reporters, Samyuktha said, 'I don't want to study in the same college with my mother. I wish to compete in the general quota and study elsewhere, maybe outside the state." 'My husband was very supportive. He encouraged us to study for NEET," Amuthavalli added. The selection committee under the Directorate of Medical Education and Research conducted offline counselling on July 30 for 7.5 per cent reservation for government school students, special categories, PwD, children of ex-servicemen, and eminent sports persons. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
United News of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
SC grants anticipatory bail to ex-IAS officer Puja Khedkar in fake certificate case
New Delhi, May 21 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, who is facing serious allegations of submitting forged OBC and PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) certificates to clear the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination. A Bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma allowed the criminal appeal filed by Khedkar challenging the Delhi High Court's earlier denial of anticipatory bail. 'In view of the nature of offences and facts and circumstances of the case, this is a fit case where the High Court ought to have granted the relief of anticipatory bail,' the Bench observed. The Court made permanent the interim protection from arrest that had been granted to Khedkar in January. The final order reads, 'In the event of arrest, the appellant shall be released on bail upon furnishing cash surety of Rs 25,000 along with two live sureties. She shall extend full cooperation in the investigation, shall not misuse her liberty, and shall not influence witnesses or tamper with evidence. Liberty is reserved to the respondent to seek cancellation of bail in case of any violation.' The Court rejected the argument of the State Counsel, who contended that Khedkar, while appearing before the investigating agency, was not fully cooperating. It was also argued that the accusations were grave in nature, involving exceeding permissible UPSC attempts by using fake certificates, and therefore she should not be granted anticipatory bail. Appearing for Khedkar, Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra countered these submissions and maintained that she was entitled to protection under law. The case against Khedkar stems from an FIR filed by UPSC, which alleged that she forged documents to claim reservation under OBC and PwBD categories, and thereby appeared for the examination beyond the permissible number of attempts. Earlier, on March 18, the Supreme Court had extended Khedkar's interim protection and denied the Delhi Police's request for custodial interrogation, despite the police's claim that they were probing a 'larger scam' involving forged documents in the civil services examination. In December 2024, the Delhi High Court had dismissed Khedkar's anticipatory bail plea, holding that she was not prima facie eligible for benefits meant for disadvantaged sections and had manipulated the system through forgery and misrepresentation. The High Court had also expressed concern that releasing her could adversely affect the ongoing investigation. Khedkar joined the Pune Collectorate as an IAS probationer in June 2024. Following public controversy and the FIR, UPSC issued a show-cause notice for cancellation of her selection and barred her from future exams. A public statement issued by the UPSC further revealed that Khedkar changed her name, her parents' names, photograph, signature, email ID, mobile number, and residential address to fraudulently obtain additional attempts at the CSE and to fake her social and physical status. While granting relief, the Supreme Court has made it clear that the bail conditions must be strictly followed, and any breach will allow authorities to seek cancellation.
