TOP 10 INDIAN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS-2023 (Source: NIRF) RANK UNIVERSITY SCORE 86.69 1 1 IIT Madras 1 2 IISc, Bengaluru 83.09 1 3 IIT Delhi 82.16 1 4 IIT Bombay 81.28 1 5 77.23 IIT Kanpur 1 6 AIIMS, Delhi 72.14 1 7 71.82 IIT Kharagpur 1 8 IIT Roorkee 1 9 IIT Guwahati BENGALURU  TUESDAY  JUNE 06, 2023  `9.00  PAGES 22  LATE CITY EDITION NIRF RANKINGS 2023 OUT, IIT-M BEST INSTITUTION FOR 5TH YEAR RUNNING Seven IITs — Madras, Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Roorkee and Guwahati — figured among the top 10 in the overall rankings 1 10 JNU, Delhi 71.66 68.78 67.44 IISC, AIIMS, JNU AMONG TOP 10 INSTITUTIONS MIRANDA HOUSE RANKS AS BEST COLLEGE Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru (2 ), All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi (6th), and Jawaharlal Nehru University (10th) are among the top 10 non-IIT institutions in the overall ranking. The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) evaluates institutions on various parameters like teaching, resources, research, graduation outcomes, outreach and inclusivity etc | P2, P9 ■ While IIT-Madras retained the top spot in the overall rankings and in the engineering category, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) was adjudged the best university and Miranda House the best college in the country ■ For management studies, the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A) is the best as per the rankings while for medical, it is AIIMS, Delhi nd 8th edition OF THE RANKINGS WAS RELEASED BY UNION MOS FOR EDUCATION RAJKUMAR RANJAN SINGH CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOGGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI GRP books unnamed Rly officials, CRS starts probe HEMANT KUMAR ROUT @ Bhubaneswar Rajnath Singh with his US counterpart Lloyd Austin in New Delhi on Monday | EXPRESS India, US firm up roadmap on def industrial ties New framework ahead of Modi’s visit to US M AYA N K S I N G H @ New Delhi INDIA and the US on Monday concluded a roadmap for defence industrial cooperation that is expected to create access to cutting-edge technologies besides co-producing military platforms, at a meeting defence minister Rajnath Singh had with visiting US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin here. The US Department of Defence (DoD) said the roadmap “will fast-track technology cooperation and co-production in areas such as air combat and land mobility systems; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; munitions; and the undersea domain.” The initiative aims to change the paradigm for bilateral cooperation, including specific proposals that could provide India access to cutting-edge tech and support defence modernisation plans, the DoD said. Sources said the discussions included General Electric’s proposal to manufacture GE414 EXPRESS READ Nudity should not be tied to sex, says HC Kochi: Kerala HC on Monday observed that nudity should not be tied to sex and the mere sight of the naked upper body of a woman should not be deemed sexual or obscene by default. The court made the observation while discharging activist Rehana Fathima in a case registered for posting a video on social media | P5 After nine-day battle, Arikomban captured Theni: After a battle of nine days, rogue tusker ‘Arikomban’ was tranquilised by a team of forest officials and translocated to a deep forest area in Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve Monday late. On May 5, the pachyderm started roaming the forest of Kumuli. On May 27, it had entered Cumbum town | P5 jet engines in India, which is “in a mature state”. The Indian side asked the US to increase local sourcing for manufacture. The US was requested to establish MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facilities in India for equipment in use with the Indian armed forces. Sources added that capacity building, including maritime domain awareness and strategic infrastructure, were also discussed. The Ministry of Defence said, “Both sides will identify opportunities for co-development of new technologies and co-production of existing and new systems.” The regional security environment was also discussed, including the IndoPacific. Austin also held talks with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. His trip was meant to do the spadework before bigticket deals are announced later this month when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his of ficial state visit to Washington. THE Government Railway Police (GRP) has registered a case against unnamed railway officials for the horrific pile-up of trains on Friday that killed over 250 passengers. The FIR was booked under various sections, including 304-A (causing death by negligence), 337 (causODISHA ing hurt by act endanTRAIN gering life and personal TRAGEDY safety of others) and 338 Railway officials at the station manager’s room at Bahanaga Bazar railway station in Odisha’s Balasore district on Monday | PTI (causing grievous hurt) of IPC. Culpability of railway employees will be deter- press, who are learned to have The probe team also inspectmined during investigation, said that the signal was green ed the panel and signal room at said the FIR registered at Cut- as the train entered the loop the Bahanaga Bazar station betack. GRP sources said the line and that the speed of the fore interacting with the staprobe will be done by two DSP- train was within permissible tion manager, two station surank officers. limits. Their statements indi- perintendents and other The Railways began its own cated a fault in the interlocking railway staff, who were present probe on Monday with a team system. at the time of the accident. led by Commissioner of RailBoth the loco pilots suffered “We have started the inquiry . way Safety (CRS) of the south serious injuries and are under- We visited the spot and inspecteastern circle, Shailesh Kumar going treatment at AIIMS, Bhu- ed many things. The probe will Pathak, visiting the accident baneswar. Though their condi- take time. It will be premature site. They also met the loco pi- tion is stable, the assistant loco to say anything now,” Pathak lot and assistant loco pilot of pilot is scheduled to undergo a told reporters at the accident the ill-fated Coromandel Ex- surgery . site. `13K Cr / YEAR NEEDED Tenants eligible for Gruha Jyoti EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Bengaluru THOSE living in rented houses are also eligible for ‘Gruha Jyoti’ guarantee of giving up to 200 units of electricity free of cost for every household per month. As per the guidelines issued on Monday if a , consumer has more than one power connection in his name, only one will be eligible for this guarantee. However, speaking to TNIE after holding deliberations with officials, Energy Minister KJ George clarified that the RR (Revenue Register) number, which is a unique identification number given to each electricity connection with a separate meter, will be considered. “So regardless of the landlord or tenants, they are eligible for the scheme provided they have a unique RR number,” he said. He said around Rs 13,000 crore per annum is needed to implement the scheme. Customers who want to avail the benefit should apply through ‘Seva Sindhu’ portal. The average consumption for 12 months in the financial year 2022-2023 combined with 10% higher consumption not exceeding 200 units is the condition to avail the benefit. Customers who cross 200 units will have to pay the full electricity bill. The guarantee will come into force in August against the bill raised for consumption of electricity for July. Zero bill will be given to such customers if it is less than the eligible units or amount. The existing beneficiaries of Bhagya Jyoti, Kutira Jyoti Yojana and Amrita Jyoti Yojana will be brought under ‘Griha Jyoti’. The scheme is applicable only for domestic electricity connections. The other conditions are: Bill entry for total electricity consumption while taking meter reading every month. Deducting the eligible amount of the household electricity user from the bill and giving the net bill to the customer for payment. P4 ‘Note on Hosadurga flaw could’ve averted tragedy’ EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Chitradurga AN alert loco pilot of Sampark Kranti Express averted a Balasore-like train tragedy on February 8 between Birur and Chikjajur section of Mysuru Division of South Western Railway . The pilot brought this matter to the notice of Principal Chief Operations Manager (PCOM) of SWR Hari Shankar Verma, who wrote to the General Manager of SWR on February 9, highlighting the grave flaw in the railway safety system. The letter stated that Sampark Kranti Express was signalled to proceed, but the point was wrongly set towards the Down Line on which a goods train was approaching. The loco pilot of Sampark Kranti Express, who knew that CHIEF Minister Siddaramaiah will present his 14th state budget on July 7, which is a record by a finance minister from Karnataka. Siddaramaiah, who was in the city to take part in the district officials’ meeting, told reporters that the budget session will begin with the governor’s address on July 3. The 14th budget will be the most challenging one as Siddaramaiah has to mobilise funds for the implementation of five guarantees promised by his government. On the size of the budget, Siddaramaiah said that it is being discussed. The vote-on-account budget, which is in force, was presented by the BJP gover nment. It was a Rs 3,90,788-crore election budget. “But we are going to present a fresh budget,” he added. Several rounds of meetings with top officials and all stake- BEATS HEGDE On February 16, 2018, Siddaramaiah presented his 13th state budget and equalled the record of the late chief minister Ramakrishna Hegde. With the July 7 budget, Siddaramaiah will create a new record. However, he is far behind former governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala, who has presented 18 budgets in his home state of Gujarat. E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Bengaluru WOMEN who wish to take free bus rides must get Shakti Smart Cards by submitting applications through Seva Sindu portal. The government has given three months’ time to complete the process of issuing Shakti cards which will be verified before allowing them to avail the benefit. Transgenders will also be allowed to travel free of cost. The government order passed on Wednesday stated that till smart cards are issued, women may produce any identity cards issued by state and union governments with local addresses to travel free of cost within the state. Shakti scheme will not be applicable on Vajra, Vayu Vajra, Airavata, Airavat Club Class, Airavat Gold Class, Ambari, Ambari Dream Class, Ambari Utsav, Fly bus and EV Power Plus buses. The cost incurred by transport corporations will be reimbursed based on zero ticket/Shakti Smart Card data. The reimbursement will be made on the basis of actual distance travelled by women passengers. Meanwhile, BMTC sources said conductors will check the local ID and then issue ‘zero ticket’ by entering the destination. “This way we want to track the total number of tickets issued, women travelled and the cost incurred,” sources said. INQUIRY ON Hoskote med student ends life, doc booked holders have been held. Some more meetings will be held. The cabinet’s approval will be obtained shortly for holding the budget session from July 3, Siddaramaiah said. He said with the monsoon expected to set in anytime, steps have been taken to ensure that farmers face no shortage of fertilizers, seeds, pesticides and insecticides. Deputy commissioners and chief executive officers of zilla panchayats have been instructed to take up relief works in the event of heavy rains and floods without any delay . With the monsoon expected to set in anytime, steps have been taken to ensure that farmers face no shortage of fertilizers, seeds, pesticides and insecticides Siddaramaiah, chief minister E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Kolar Chief Minister Siddaramaiah arrives in Davanagere on Monday to attend a meeting at zilla panchayat office Airfares surge 10X over weekend, Scindia urges airlines to self-regulate A R S H A D K H A N @ New Delhi Airfares have surged sharply over the weekend, especially on routes that were earlier serviced by Go First. In some cases, the fare is now 10 times higher than what it what just days ago. On Monday, the cost of an economy class ticket on a nonstop Delhi-Mumbai flight for Tuesday ranged between `16,000 and `30,000. On the Del- hi-Chennai route, the prices ranged between `17,000 and `32,000. To address the situation, Union aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia held a meeting with the Airlines Advisory Group and urged all airlines to self-re gulate their ticket prices. “The airlines must self-monitor airfares on certain select routes that have seen considerable surge pricing of late, par- ticularly those that were earlier being serviced by Go First. A mechanism for ensuring reasonable pricing within the high RBDs (Reservation Booking Designator) may be devised by airlines. This shall be monitored by the DGCA,” Scindia said after the meeting with the Airlines Advisory Group. Go First stopped flying on May 3, which led to a re- duction of capacity at a time when the peak domestic air travel period is around the corner. IndiGo and the Air India group have been accused of using the demand-supply mismatch to raise ticket fares. CONTINUED ON: P5 Women can show any govt ID till they get Shakti cards A RECORD! SIDDU TO PRESENT HIS 14TH BUDGET ON JULY 7 G SUBHASH CHANDRA @ Davanagere he had been given a wrong signal, stopped the train immediately near Hosadurga. This action helped in averting a major tragedy . While observing that the point was set to the Down Main Line (wrong line), Verma stated that the train was supposed to pass through the Up Main Line as per PLCT. The direction shown was wrong and the alert loco pilot stopped his train before entering the wrong line (Down Line). Had the train proceeded, there would have been a head-on collision with the goods train approaching Hosadurga Road Station in the down direction. If serious attention was given to this note, the train accident at Balasore could have been averted and hundreds of lives could have been saved. Mark Martin, founder and CEO of Martin Consulting, said that it is very important for the gover nment to set checks and balances to protect consumers’ interests, especially from price cartelisation by airlines. “A fresh body should be enacted to monitor ticket The airlines must self-monitor airfares on certain select routes that have seen considerable surge pricing of late Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union aviation minister prices on an ongoing basis. India is one of the world’s largest aviation markets and therefore it is mandatory that common travelers should not suffer on account of duopolies (referring to IndiGo and Tata Group airlines),” Mar tin told this newspaper. Meanwhile, Scindia urged airlines to provide free cargo services to the families of those who died in the Odisha rail accident. DARSHINI (26), a postgraduate pediatrics student of MVJ Medical College near Hoskote in Bengaluru rural district, committed suicide by jumping into a quarry lake near Kendatti in Kolar taluk on Sunday . On a complaint by Darshini’s brother Prajval, Kolar rural police have registered a case under Section 306 of IPC against Dr Mahesh, a senior doctor at the college, for allegedly harassing her. However, the college authorities denied any harassment by the management or the senior doctor. BR Ravikanthe Gowda, Inspector-General of Police, Central Range, told The New Indian Express that a detailed inquiry will be conducted to ascertain the reasons for Darshini taking the extreme step. Darshini, who hailed from Ballari, completed her MBBS at Koppal College of Medical Sciences and secured a free seat for MD, Paediatrics, at MVJ College. According to the college authorities, she was a bright student and was friendly with all and there was no reason for her to end her life. The medical superintendent of the college said she never made any harassment complaint with the higher authorities. P3