UPSC

The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) has taken step in promoting research integrity by introducing negative scores for higher education institutions with retracted papers and their citations. This new policy, effective from 2025, aims to discourage unethical research practices and enhance the quality of academic output across India. Introduction of Negative Scoring in NIRF Rankings: For the first time, NIRF will deduct points from institutions that have research papers retracted in the last three calendar years. The penalties will apply both to the number of retractions and citations stemming from these papers. The negative scoring will be mild initially but will become stricter in subsequent years, signalling a zero-tolerance stance towards research misconduct. About Retractions and Their Significance: Retractions occur when published papers are withdrawn due to errors or unethical practices like data fabrication, image manipulation, or undisclosed use of...

India is observing AI Appreciation Day on July 16 to celebrate its dynamic advancements in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across multiple sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, governance, and industry. This observance reflects India’s commitment to leveraging AI not just for technological progress but for inclusive development, economic resilience, and social transformation. Background: India’s journey with AI dates back to the 1960s, rooted in early computer science research. A pivotal milestone was the Knowledge-Based Computer Systems (KBCS) project launched in 1986. In the 1990s, institutions like C-DAC played a critical role in supercomputing and AI applications. By the early 2000s, private IT giants such as TCS, Infosys, and Wipro began investing heavily in AI R&D. The Digital India mission (2015) and NITI Aayog’s National AI Strategy (2018) provided strong policy frameworks that accelerated AI adoption across the country. Significance: AI Ap...

More than 200 climate campaign groups have issued a joint call for reforms to the way United Nations (UN) climate talks are conducted, saying that the negotiations have “reached breaking point”. Consensus not voting: Unlike with many other UN conventions, decisions at the annual   conference of the parties (COPs) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) require consensus. While that is not clearly defined, it is interpreted to mean at least the vast majority of governments. End fossil fuel influence: The statement also calls for measures to “end undue influence” on COP delegates from fossil fuel companies and other big emitters of planet-warming gases. Research from the Kick Big Polluters Out campaign estimated that 1,800 fossil fuel lobbyists attended COP29 last year, mainly as part of trade associations but also   as members of government delegations. COP host integrity: The joint call points out that “climate talks have been hosted i...