SATURDAY 25 Viswanathan Anand becomes interim president of world body after Russian Arkady Dvorkovich steps aside following European Union sanctions JULY, 2026 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard WEST ASIA ANAND FIRST-EVER INDIAN TO OCCUPY FIDE TOP POST IRAN THREATENS TO HIT ISRAEL Iran has threatened to strike Israel, including Tel Aviv, again if Donald Trump expands the US strikes on Iran to include the capital Tehran PAGE 9 FIVE-TIME WORLD CHAMP’S ELECTION STANCE A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS DELHI  NEW DELHI KOLKATA  J8.00 MUMBAI  PAGES 12 PUNE The five-time world champion assumed the top post as per the FIDE charter. During the recent Chennai Grand Masters event, Anand had said he won’t be contesting the September elections. As it stands, the 56-year-old from Chennai hasn’t announced his candidacy, but the last date for nominations is on July 26. He is expected to take a final call within that date JULY 26 IS THE LAST DATE FOR FILING NOMINATION FOR FIDE ELECTIONS 10% US tariff on India over forced labour concerns P U S H P I TA D E Y @ New Delhi Student groups in different cities across India protest in solidarity with the CJP’s agitation on Friday despite inclement weather, caning in some places and Sonam Wangchuck ending his hunger strike | PTI Cabinet OKs draft bill on harsher punishment in paper leak cases Proposes up to 10 years in jail, up from five; amendment bill may be tabled on Monday M U K E S H R A N J A N @ New Delhi THE Union Cabinet on Friday approved a draft bill prescribing harsher punishment for examination paper leaks, hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in a midnight video message that the government would move to tighten the law. The bill will seek Parliament’s approval for amending the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 and proposes a minimum jail term of five years for those involved in paper leaks, up from the current three years. In cases of organised paper leaks, the punishment could extend up to 10 years in prison along with a fine of up to `10 crore, a sharp jump from the existing three to five years’ imprisonment and a minimum fine of `1 crore. The Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister at the Parliament House complex, decided that the amended law would target organised gangs and institutions profiting from examination fraud, while shielding ordinary candidates from its harsher provisions. Officials said the government also intends to set up fasttrack courts to ensure speedy trials of the offenders. The existing law already covers major recruitment and entrance examinations, including the UPSC, SSC, NEET, JEE and CUET. Announcing the move on Thursday night, Modi had said the Cabinet would take up a draft law providing for stricter punishment and quicker trials in paperleak cases. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Friday that the bill would be introduced “at the earliest,” adding that the prime minister had directed there be no delay in bringing legislation concerning students. “We are preparing to present the bill. After the Cabinet briefing, we will announce the timing... It would not be appropriate to obstruct such a measure,” Rijiju said, while accusing the Congress of trying to disrupt parliamentary proceedings. He warned that any attempt to stall debate on the bill would draw public anger. Sources indicated the bill is likely to be tabled in Parliament on Monday . The Cabinet’s decision comes against the backdrop of sustained protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination and growing demands for stronger safeguards against paper leaks. It also follows talks between Union ministers and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which has been leading the agitation. CJP leaders said the Centre had sought time until Saturday afternoon to respond to its demand for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while agreeing in principle to compensate families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide and to withdraw cases against protesting students. Late on Friday evening, PM Modi shared another video on Instagram thanking Gen Z for watching his earlier video and offering “insightful suggestions” to help the Centre tackle the paper leak issue. P3 & P7 DAY’S DEVELOPMENTS 1 CRPF has initiated an enquiry into allegations against the RAF personnel using excess force and pellet guns during July 20 march 2 SC said it will ensure end of ad-hocism in NEET and institutionalise the exam system, and sought govt’s response on online exam mode 3 SC to hear on Monday two pleas alleging police excesses on students during Sansad march on July 20 protesting the NEET paper leak 4 About 47 officials of the National Testing Agency have been sacked, with the Centre saying it will overhaul the testing body 5 Delhi Police has installed additional CCTV units in and around Jantar Mantar and erected more barricades for weekend surge of crowd 6 Delhi Police cancels all routine leaves of its personnel with immediate effect in view of the prevailing law and order situation STF formed to probe exam-related offences Delhi Police has constituted a special task force (STF), headed by a deputy commissioner of police of the Crime Branch to investigate offences related to public examinations. The police said the STF will also ensure smooth coordination with prosecution agencies. Govt softens on two demands, may not yield on Pradhan CRPF adds 10 companies to capital, CISF cancels leaves R A J E S H K U M A R T H A K U R A N D A N U P V E R M A @ New Delhi EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE AT their second round of talks on Friday, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) told the government that its three demands — exit of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, `1 crore compensation for NEET-UG victims, and no legal action against protesters — were non-negotiable. Union ministers J P Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh, the interlocutors who spoke to the CJP delegation at Vithalbhai Patel House, said they had heard the demands and will get back on Saturday “They had three . main demands and five reform suggestions for exams. We told them we will meet again tomorrow afternoon and share the government’s perspective,” Nadda said. The deliberations, described as cordial by the ministers, reportedly saw the government agree to two demands — adequate compensation for the families of those who allegedly died by suicide following the paper leak, and the withJ P Nadda after a meeting with a drawal of cases against CJP delegation, at Vithalbhai Patel the protesting youth. House in New Delhi on Friday | PTI However, indications are that the government will not ask Pradhan to quit. Instead, it intends to shift the focus towards sweeping reforms of the examination system through legislation and administrative measures. “The priority is to restore confidence of the students by introducing measures to prevent future exam paper leaks, strengthen safeguards within the exam process and ensure those responsible for the leaks are brought to justice,” several wellplaced sources said. The Centre has already taken a slew of steps, including a top bureaucratic reshuffle and sacked many NTA officials as part of a wider overhaul. It’s the NTA that runs national competitive exams like NEET. In the event of a Cabinet reshuffle, Pradhan’s portfolio could change, the sources said. But no such exercise appears to be on the horizon in the short run. THE Centre has ordered the airlifting of 10 more companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) from Chhattisgarh to Delhi to strengthen security amid the ongoing student protests, officials said on Friday The latest move follows . the deployment of 20 CRPF companies from West Bengal to Delhi earlier this week. Officials said a security review meeting held on Thursday directed all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) units scheduled to be deployed in Delhi ahead of Independence Day to report early . Around 150 CAPF companies, each comprising about 100 personnel, are expected to be deployed over the next few days. About 100 companies are already assisting Delhi Police in maintaining law and order. Besides the additional CRPF deployment, three units of the Rapid Action Force and personnel from other CAPFs, including the Border Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Sashastra Seema Bal, have also been deployed. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has curtailed leave for personnel deployed for Delhi Metro security allow, ing only emergency leave to ensure maximum manpower at metro stations. The CISF has around 13,000 personnel providing security at about 250 Delhi Metro stations across three states in the National Capital Region. @ New Delhi mum statutory period of 150 days before expiring on HOURS after the 10% tempo- Thursday . rary tariffs imposed under While India has qualified Section 122 of the Trade Act for the lower tariff bracket, of 1974 expired, the US on which gives it a relative adThursday retained the tar- vantage over several competiffs on merchandise imports ing nations, export bodies from India under Section and industry experts cau301, citing concerns over the tioned against overlooking country’s enforcement of re- the broader implications of strictions on forced labour. the US action. US Trade Representative According to economic Jamieson Greer said the new think tank GTRI, it could levy will kick in on Friday . raise the cost of Indian prodFo l l ow i n g t h e ucts in US markets. conclusion of its “The tariff lacks a Section 301 investicredible factual bagation linked to sis and appears deforced labour, the signed to preserve US has imposed tarthe Trump adminiffs on imports from istration’s tariff 60 economies that it wall rather than adsaid had failed to dress an unproven adequately prohibit The fact that India forced-labour probhas been placed in or enforce restric- 10% tariff category lem in India,” said tions on goods proGTRI founder Ajay while competing duced using forced Srivastava. nations face a labour. Manoj Mishra, higher tariff, shows Of these, 17 coun- US’s recognition of partner and tax tries—including In- India’s measures to controversy mandia, Canada, the check forced labour agement leader at UK, Bangladesh, Grant Thor nton SC Ralhan, FIEO and Pakistan—will Bharat, said India president face a 10% tariff, is relatively better while the remainplaced than several ing 43 economies will be sub- Asian manufacturing hubs. ject to a higher levy of According to Mishra, the 12.5%. tariff differential could imGoods loaded before July prove the relative competi24 and entering the US by tiveness of Indian exports, July 28 will be exempt under particularly in sectors such a transition provision. as textiles and apparel, footThe earlier 10% tariff un- wear, furniture, engineering der Section 122, announced goods, electronics and elecon February 20 and imple- trical equipment, and toys, mented on February 24, re- where these countries commained in force for the maxi- pete directly . COURT VIDEOS NOT FOR SOCIAL MEDIA The Supreme Court has banned uploading of recordings of court proceedings without approval from the appropriate authorities in SC or HC | P7 EXPRESS READ Lahaul-Spiti landslide buries taxi, 13 killed Thirteen people, including a sixmonth-old infant, were killed on Friday after a taxi carrying them from Kullu to the Pangi Valley was buried under landslide debris in difficult terrain of the Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. An injured person was later rescued. P8 Ajnala clash accused nabbed at Nepal border A wanted accused in the 2023 Ajnala police station clash and Waris Punjab De activist Vikramjit Singh, along with Punjab-origin American citizen Manveer Dhillon, were arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police while allegedly trying to enter India illegally from Nepal. P8 India rejects Pak media claim of causing floods India on Friday rejected the Pakistani media’s claim that it deliberately caused flooding in Pakistan and attributed the recent rise in water levels in the Chenab River to heavy monsoon rainfall over Jammu and adjoining catchment areas. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the rise in flows in the Chenab a result of intense monsoon rainfall. P7 Bitchat app used during internet curbs banned OpenAI can use copyrighted content to train ChatGPT: HC INTERIM ORDER R A K E S H K U M A R @ New Delhi THE government has directed Microsoft-owned GitHub to remove Bitchat, a Bluetoothbased messaging application, citing concerns that it could be misused by anti-national elements, terrorists, organised crime groups and cybercriminals to evade lawful surveillance. According to a notice issued by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), the cybercrime arm of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the application enables decentralised peer-to-peer communication over Bluetooth mesh networks without relying on mobile networks, Wi-Fi or centralised servers. I4C noted that Bitchat is among several applications capable of establishing decentralised peerto-peer messaging. It noted that the architecture of the application “significantly impedes lawful interception, attribution and investigation”. The notice added that the absence of a centralised service provider limits the ability of law enforcement agencies to obtain subscriber information. U D AYA N K I S H O R E @ New Delhi THE Delhi High Court on Friday refused to restrain artificial intelligence platform ChatGPT from using published news material, saying it does not amount to copyright infringement. In an interim order, Justice A m i t B a n s a l r u l e d t h at OpenAI’s use of retrieved copyrighted works to train its large language models (LLMs) falls under “fair dealing” provision of the Copyright Act. The court was hearing a petition filed by news agency Asian News International (ANI) in Copyright laws vs technological innovation The HC observed that copyright law and technological innovation enjoy a dynamic relationship. When technologies evolve, they enable new forms of creative expression and disrupt settled copyright arrangements. “Some of these technologies are player pianos, radio broadcasting, cable TV, photocopying, digital downloading and streaming, and, more recently, AI,” it said 2024 against Open AI Inc and Open AI OpCo LLC, raising issues of infringement of its copyrighted material for LLM training by OpenAI. Justice Amit Bansal said that prima facie, the outputs generated by ChatGPT using retriev- al-augmented generation (RAG) technique did not amount to infringement under Section 51 of the Copyright Act, since the outputs generated were not substantially similar to ANI’s ‘original literary works’. “Further, ANI has failed to satisfy this court that any memorization and regurgitation of ANI’s original literary works has happened through the responses generated by ChatGPT,” the judge said, while refusing to restrain ChatGPT from using the content pub- lished by ANI. The bench said that irreparable injury would be caused not only to OpenAI but to public interest also if any interim injunction was granted in favour of ANI at this stage. According to ANI, merely because its news content is publicly available, OpenAI does not get a right to exploit it or create copies of it to store. On its part, OpenAI argued that there cannot be a monopoly on facts and that if any news platform does not want its website accessed by OpenAI, then it can get itself included in the blocklist.