News Headlines

15 New Central Univs To Be Functional Soon

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced that at least 15 more central universities will be set up and become functional from next year. These will be in addition to the existing 20. The vice-chancellors of these 15 new central universities were appointed in February. They presented their plans before the government in a two-day conference recently. A roadmap has been prepared to make the 15 new central universities functional from the 2010-11 session. Of the 15 institutions, 12 are new central universities in as many states, while three state universities have been upgraded.
The new universities are in Jharkhand, Karnataka, Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Orissa, Kerala, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.

Source: www.hindustantimes.com

UPSC Results: Women Bag Top 3 Positions

Three women have made it to the top three positions in the civil services (main) examination 2008. Ms Shubhra Saxena, an IIT- Roorkee alumnus Ms Sharandeep Kaur Brar, a post-graduate from Punjab University, and Ms Kiran Kaushal bagged the top three positions respectively. The fourth position was taken by a male candidate, physically challenged Mr Varinder Kumar Sharma. As many as 11,849 candidates qualified for the main written examination held in October-November 2008. The successful candidates include 364 general (including 13 physically challenged candidates), 236 Other Backward Classes (including 7 physically challenged candidates), 130 Scheduled Castes (SC) and 61 Scheduled Tribes candidates.

Source: www.sify.com

IIM-C Launches An Exec Course In Delhi

The Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM-C) has launched a year-long executive course in international business in Delhi. The course curriculum is aimed at training students to work in international companies. The eligibility criterion for this programme is 50 percent marks in graduation and three-years work experience. There will be maximum use of technology to conduct the programme. At the end of the course, students will be issued a certificate from IIM-C. The last date for application to this course is May 15 and the course fee is Rs.206,000.

Source: www.hindustantimes.com


DU Introduces Common English Hons Entrance Test

Merely a year after scrapping the entrance exam for English (Honours), Delhi University is introducing a common test to check the literary aptitude of applicants. Based on the score of the proposed Common Aptitude Test for English (CATE) exam, nearly 15 colleges will admit students to this course this year. There will be no individual test conducted for this course by colleges and those colleges that do not agree to be a part of CATE will admit students on the basis of Class XII marks.

Source: www.headlinesindia.com

IGNOU Relaxes Eligibility Criteria For BCA & MCA

Indira Gandhi National Open University has made it easier for aspirants to pursue its BCA and MCA programmes. It has relaxed the eligibility criteria as Certificate in Computing (CIC) is no longer a pre-requisite for admission into these courses. As per the new criteria, those who have completed their intermediate with or without mathematics as a distinct subject or vocational course in computer techniques or applications, or its equivalent course without math are eligible to apply for BCA. For admission into MCA, graduates from any stream can apply. However, those who have not studied math as a core subject in their intermediate would have to pass the CS-60 paper, which is offered in MCA.

Source: www.hindu.com

SBI Cuts Education Loan Rates

State Bank of India (SBI) has reduced interest rates on education loans by up to 250 basis points. The offer is valid for a limited period during May-September 2009. Now, interest rates on education loans will be reduced to 11.5 per cent from 11.75 per cent for up to Rs 4 lakh. For the higher bracket of Rs 4 lakh-Rs 7.50 lakh educational loan, the interest has been slashed to 11.25 per cent from 13.25 per cent. For loans of Rs 7.5-lakh and above, the new interest rate is 1.25 per cent less taking it from 12.25 per cent to 11 per cent. Female students will get a further concession of 0.50 per cent in interest.

Source: www.business-standard.com, 29-04-09