Deciphering Ancient Scripts

Italian philologist Fabio Tamburini, in 2023, identified several subproblems crucial for deciphering a script. These steps include:

• Determining if a set of symbols represents a writing system.
• Developing procedures to segment symbols into single signs.
• Reducing signs to a minimal set, identifying all allographs (e.g., printed 'a' vs. cursive 'a').
• Assigning specific values to each symbol, phonetic or otherwise.
• Matching these values to a specific language.

Challenges with the Indus Script

Deciphering the Indus script has been particularly challenging due to several reasons:

• No Multilingual Inscriptions: Unlike the famous Rosetta Stone, which helped decipher Egyptian hieroglyphics, there are no known multilingual inscriptions for the Indus script. The Indus Valley had trade links with Mesopotamia but no comparable inscriptions have been found.
• Language Not Known: As per Andrew Robinson, undeciphered scripts fall into three categories. The Indus script is the most complex type: an unknown script writing an unknown language, leaving scholars with minimal reference points.
• Lack of Material Evidence: While about 3,500 seals have been found, each with only a few characters, they provide insufficient material for comprehensive analysis. Furthermore, much about the Indus Valley Civilisation remains unknown and underexplored compared to contemporaneous civilizations like Mesopotamia and Egypt.

The scarcity of material and information about the Indus Valley necessitates further archaeological exploration to aid philologists, epigraphists, and linguists in understanding its writing system.

Indo-US Nuclear Deal

The Indo-US nuclear deal encounters significant legal barriers on both the American and Indian sides, affecting the potential for nuclear collaboration. This agreement has the potential to impact the global nuclear industry and geopolitical dynamics, particularly in the context of emerging technologies and competition from China.

Key Legal Barriers

• American Side:
  The 10CFR810 authorization (Part 810 of Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations of the US Atomic Energy Act of 1954) is a major hurdle. While it allows US nuclear vendors to export equipment to countries like India under strict safeguards, it prohibits manufacturing nuclear equipment or performing nuclear design work in India. This limitation impedes New Delhi's desire to engage in manufacturing and co-producing nuclear components for atomic power projects.
• Indian Side:
  The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, channels operator liability to equipment suppliers. This has caused reluctance among foreign entities such as GE-Hitachi, Westinghouse, and Orano to invest in India's nuclear sector, fearing future liabilities.

The China Angle

• US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's trip included efforts to strengthen the innovation alliance under the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET). A breakthrough could facilitate joint manufacturing of nuclear components for projects in India using American reactors.
• India aims to position itself as a hub for manufacturing nuclear reactors, particularly small modular reactors (SMRs) with capacities between 30MWe and 300MWe. These are seen as cost-effective and scalable solutions.
• China is also advancing plans to become a leader in the SMR arena, using these reactors as diplomatic tools in the Global South, akin to its strategy in the electric vehicle sector.

Technological and Strategic Implications

• India's civil nuclear program primarily employs pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) but faces challenges as light water reactors (LWRs) dominate globally. The US, Russia, and France lead LWR technology.
• A collaborative approach between India and the US could counterbalance China's lead in nuclear technology, as India faces technological constraints and the US contends with high labor costs and protectionist sentiments.

Overhaul of Appointment Process in Higher Education

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued new regulations to revise the appointment process for Vice-Chancellors in universities. This gives Governors, who often serve as Chancellors, more power in appointing Vice-Chancellors. The position is also now open to industry experts and public sector veterans, moving away from the tradition of selecting only academicians.

Key Changes and Implications

• Governor's Role: The regulations potentially give Chancellors greater control over Vice-Chancellor appointments, possibly affecting states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Kerala, where disputes exist between the government and the Governor over academic appointments. 
• Search-cum-Selection Committee: The Search-cum-Selection Committee will now be constituted by the Chancellor/Visitor, comprising three experts. Previously, it was not specified who would form the committee. 
• Eligibility for Vice-Chancellors:
  • Industry experts and individuals from public policy, public administration, or public sector undertakings can now be considered for Vice-Chancellor positions.
• Removal of Academic Performance Indicators (API):
  • The API system, which quantified academic performance, is replaced by an evaluation of "notable contributions" in nine categories, including teaching in Indian languages and research in Indian Knowledge Systems.
• Expanded Candidate Requirements: Candidates need a minimum of ten years of experience, either as a professor or in senior roles in industry or public sectors, with significant academic or scholarly contributions. 
• Removal of Contract Teacher Cap: The cap on contract teacher appointments has been lifted to provide more flexibility due to faculty shortages in many state universities. 

Additional Details

• Cross-Disciplinary Flexibility:
  • Teachers can be appointed in subjects where they hold a PhD, even if their undergraduate or postgraduate degrees are in different fields, promoting a multidisciplinary approach as per NEP 2020.

Conclusion

The draft regulations are designed to broaden the pool of candidates for leadership roles in higher education, ensure a clear selection process, and encourage a multidisciplinary ecosystem within universities. The changes align with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to foster innovation and collaboration between academia, industry, and society.

Introduction of Modern Criminal Systems

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced advancements in criminal laws and technology to apprehend fugitives abroad.

Launch of Bharatpol Portal

• Bharatpol aims to assist in tackling transnational crimes.
• It is a step towards using modern systems to capture criminals who have committed crimes in India and fled internationally.
• The introduction of ‘Trial in Absentia’ will facilitate legal proceedings against such fugitives.