Mumbai: The rapidly evolving world of cybercrime is posing new challenges, with cybercriminals increasingly using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to deceive the public, said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday. In response, the CM emphasised the urgent need for technological solutions to combat these cyber threats. He highlighted that the government is committed to offering full support for student startups in the AI field, recognising the importance of innovation in securing the digital future.

The remarks were made during the prize distribution ceremony for the ‘Cyber Hack-2025’ competition, which took place at the campus of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj University. Among the distinguished attendees were Police Commissioner Ravindra Kumar Singhal, Deputy Police Commissioner Nisar Tamboli, and cybersecurity expert Amit Dubey.

The Chief Minister noted that cyber frauds are on the rise across the country, and there is an increasing need to focus on cybercrime prevention. Maharashtra has developed a dedicated cyber platform, which has also been praised by the central government. Recently, a report highlighted Maharashtra’s status as a hub for startups, further underscoring its role in the growth of technological innovation.

‘Cyber Hack’ was a distinctive initiative by Nagpur city police aimed at finding solutions to the emerging challenges of cybercrime and cybersecurity. The competition, launched on January 6, spanned five themes and aimed to tackle key issues in the realm of cyber technology. The first round of the competition was conducted online, with 600 teams from across the country participating. These teams presented their solutions to various cyber-related problems. After an intensive selection process, 20 teams were shortlisted for the final (offline) round, which took place at the Indian Institute of Management Nagpur on January 7 and 8.

The winners of the competition were recognised at the ceremony, with Ramdev Baba College claiming the first prize, Infosys Corporate securing second place, and Raisoni College finishing third.

Mumbai: In a significant relief for a 17-year-old student, the Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education to accept his offline application for the upcoming Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations, despite the deadline for online submissions having passed.

The petitioner, Aditya Brijesh Agarwal, had approached the court through his father, Brijesh Priyasharan Agarwal, after being unable to submit his application before the December 31, 2024 deadline. He sought to appear as a private candidate under Regulation 89 of the Maharashtra Secondary & Higher Secondary Education Board Regulations, 1977, which permits students who have not cleared Class 11 (FYJC) to directly register for the HSC exams.

Agarwal had cleared his Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exam in 2023 and secured admission at KPB Hinduja College. However, due to medical and personal difficulties, he was unable to pass FYJC. He later sought to register as a private candidate but faced administrative hurdles. He was informed by his college that three private registration seats were likely to be available, but delays and lack of coordination among the authorities prevented him from completing the process in time.

Despite repeated representations, including formal letters and emails, his grievance remained unresolved, leaving him without an admit card for the HSC exams scheduled to begin on February 11, 2025. Arguing before the court, his advocate, Prerak Chaudhary, contended that the arbitrary refusal to process his application violated his fundamental right to education under Article 21 of the Constitution. He also cited violations of natural justice and equality under Article 14.

State Board’s advocate Kiran Gandhi opposed the plea stating that the application process was conducted “online” and the deadline had already passed. However, considering the petitioner’s circumstances, a bench of Justices AS Chandurkar and Milind Sathaye directed the board to accept his “offline” application, subject to eligibility and payment of late fees.

The court also allowed him to submit his application through any recognized college that had not exhausted its sanctioned quota for private candidates. It emphasized that this relief was granted in the “peculiar facts” of the case and would not set a precedent.

The petition also sought the establishment of a transparent grievance redressal mechanism to prevent similar issues in the future. However, the court did not issue any directive on this aspect.

New Delhi, Feb 6: The much-anticipated eighth edition of ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ (PPC) is set to return in an expanded format, featuring an array of distinguished experts and guests, alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Aimed at fostering a stress-free and holistic approach to education, the interactive session will be broadcast at 11 a.m. on February 10, promising engaging discussions on exam-related challenges, mental health, career choices, and the effective use of technology.

This year, the programme will feature an impressive line-up of personalities, including spiritual leader Sadhguru, Bollywood actors Deepika Padukone, Vikrant Massey, and Bhumi Pednekar, as well as sports icons Mary Kom, Avani Lekhara, and Suhas Yathiraj.

Other notable guests include nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, entrepreneur Radhika Gupta, and digital influencer Technical Guruji, among others.

Together, they will provide students with insights on handling exam stress, maintaining focus, and achieving academic success.

PPC 2025 will consist of eight episodes, making it the most extensive edition yet. The event kicked off with an online multiple-choice question (MCQ) competition, held from December 14, 2024, to January 14, 2025.

Open to students from classes 6 to 12, along with teachers and parents, the competition allowed participants to submit questions, some of which will be answered directly by the Prime Minister. Selected winners will have the rare opportunity to interact with him.

Sadhguru will shed light on reducing exam stress through meditation and inner peace, while Radhika Gupta and Technical Guruji will discuss the responsible use of technology and Artificial Intelligence as study aids.

Mary Kom, Avani Lekhara, and Suhas Yathiraj will highlight the importance of integrating sports into daily life to manage academic pressure.

Superstar Deepika Padukone will address mental health issues, breaking stigmas, and building resilience, while actors Vikrant Massey and Bhumi Pednekar will highlight the significance of creative learning.

Nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, along with Sonali Sabharwal and Revant Himatsingka of FoodPharmer fame, will highlight the role of proper nutrition in enhancing cognitive function and overall well-being.

The event will also showcase toppers from various competitive exams who will share their personal journeys and strategies for academic excellence.

With a focus on tackling exam stress and career-related concerns, the discussions aim to inspire students to approach education with confidence rather than anxiety.

As part of the build-up to the main event, the Prime Minister recently interacted with 30-40 students at Sundar Nursery in Delhi.

The grand event on February 10 will take place at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, where 2,500 selected students will participate in person. These students will receive exclusive PPC kits from the Ministry of Education designed to enhance their learning experience.

Additionally, the top 10 ‘Legendary Exam Warriors’ will be granted an exclusive visit to the Prime Minister’s residence, offering them a unique and inspiring opportunity.

Since its beginning in 2018, PPC has been a main highlight of the Prime Minister’s vision for a stress-free education system. Inspired by his book ‘Exam Warriors’, the initiative encourages students to approach exams with a positive mindset.

Over the years, PPC has evolved, incorporating new technologies and interactive elements to remain relevant and impactful.

The eighth edition has already set a new benchmark, recording an all-time high participation of 3.6 crore registrations, including 3.3 crore students, 2.7 lakh teachers, and 5.5 lakh parents.

With its enriched format and a stellar panel of experts, PPC 2025 is set to be a transformative experience for students nationwide.