Regulatory grey area ?

Regulatory grey area ? 

BRD Medical college student remains in MBBS first year for 11 years

Written By : Divyani Paul Published On 31 Dec 2025 2:00 PM  

Uttar Pradesh: An unprecedented academic case has come to light at BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur, where an MBBS student has remained in the first year of his course for over eleven years now. Following this, the college has now come under scrutiny.

According to media reports, the student was admitted in 2014 under the Scheduled Caste (SC) quota. Even after 11 years, he has not been able to pass the first-year MBBS exams. However, according to college sources, the student only attempted the exams once. He failed all the papers and subsequently stopped appearing for the exams altogether.

Meanwhile, as per the latest report by Hindustan, action has begun in the case. On Monday, a meeting of the Academic Committee was held in the Principal’s office, chaired by the college Principal, Dr Ramkumar Jaiswal. The committee has eight members, six of whom are heads of departments. The hostel warden was also called to the meeting and asked to present the complete details of the matter. After this, the committee decided to summon the student’s father for discussions. The student’s father is a police sub-inspector. The student will also be spoken to. Any course of action will be decided only after hearing both sides.

Teachers present in the Academic Committee agreed that the student should be given an opportunity. However, this would require certain initiatives from the student as well. He will have to study, prepare seriously, and appear for examinations on time. The Academic Committee has also decided to provide counselling to the student. Additionally, it was resolved that if the student is willing to study, teachers will conduct extra classes for him and offer academic counselling, adds the Hindustan

Student's enrollment:

The student has been enrolled in the MBBS first year for the past 11 years. The student is a resident of Azamgarh, and his father is a police sub-inspector. He took admission in 2014 through the CPMT examination. Over the past 11 years, he has appeared for the MBBS first-year examination only once, in which he failed all papers. Since then, he has never appeared for the examination again. He continues to reside in one of the medical college hostels.

It has been reported that the hostel warden had complained three to four times to the former Principal, Dr Ganesh Kumar, but no action was taken. The warden has now lodged a complaint with the current Principal, Dr Ramkumar Jaiswal.

MCI and NMC Regulations:

At the time of the student’s admission, medical college admissions were governed by the rules of the erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI). Under the MCI rules, there was no restriction on the duration within which students had to complete their studies; they could take as many years as required. In 2023, the provisions of the National Medical Commission (NMC) came into force for medical colleges.

Whether the NMC rules apply to this student or not is a legal question. Under the current NMC regulations, MBBS students must pass the first-year examination within four attempts, and the entire course, including internship, must be completed within nine years.

Therefore, this case falls into a regulatory grey area, making disciplinary action difficult.

Gorakhpur Student Completed MBBS in 22 Years

This is not the first instance of an MBBS course being completed over many years at the medical college. Several students have taken 10 to 12 years to complete the 4.5-year course. It is said that a student admitted in 1980 completed the course in nearly 22 years. This is considered the longest duration taken by a student to complete MBBS at the college.

On this, speaking to India Today, Dr Ramkumar, the principal of BRD Medical College, said that the issue had recently come to his attention. He further added that the matter would be discussed in the academic committee and then referred to the National Medical Commission (NMC) for guidance on further action. However, this incident has raised serious questions about institutional oversight, academic accountability, and regulatory shortcomings in medical education governance.

Clinical research no longer optional, to be integrated into MBBS, PG medical curriculum: NMC Chief

Clinical research no longer optional, to be integrated into MBBS, PG medical curriculum: NMC Chief 

Written By : MD Bureau Published On 5 Jan 2026 12:45 PM  

New Delhi: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has decided to integrate clinical research as a core component of medical education, moving it out of the optional category and embedding it into the mainstream clinical curriculum, including assessment and training.

NMC Chairperson and NBEMS President Dr Abhijat Sheth said the decision has been approved in principle by the NMC Board.

A joint committee involving ICMR, IISc, IITs and medical experts will be formed to draft a framework for large-scale integration of clinical research across undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. The initiative is expected to enhance the quality of medical education and foster a stronger culture of clinical research within the medical fraternity.

Speaking to ANI, Dr Abhijat Sheth, Chairperson NMC and President NBEMS said, "Clinical research is an important subject and we realise that it should be integrated into the mainstream part of the clinical medicine rather than optional or side subjects."

Hence, the National Medical Commission has decided that clinical research will be an integral part of clinical medicine, where not only the curriculum, but also curriculum assessment and training will be a part of the medical curriculum, said.

"I am happy to say that recently, the National Medical Commission Board has approved this in principle.Now, we will form a committee with ICMR, with the Indian Institute of Science and Technology and IITs and the experts from the medical fraternity to frame the draft proposal on how we will go for the clinical research on a large scale that includes both, undergraduate as well as postgraduate medical education as well as what ICMR has suggested that they will be very happy to start new PhD courses for clinical research and same also has been expressed by Indian Institute of Science and Technology and few of the Indian Institute of Technologies across India which has already far advanced into innovations and discovery. 

This will be a big advantage in terms of enhancement of quality in the medical education as well as a big advantage to the nation to build up the culture of clinical research amongst the medical fraternity, which is the need of the hour," added Dr Sheth, quotes ANI.

MBBS student remains in first year for over a decade at Gorakhpur college

MBBS student remains in first year for over a decade at Gorakhpur college 

Grappling with regulatory hurdles, the BRD Medical College administration has now approached the National Medical Commission (NMC) seeking its guidance to resolve the issue. 

PTI Last Updated : 05 January 2026, 15:20 IST Follow Us :

Gorakhpur: An unusual case has come to light at the BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur where an MBBS student of the 2014 batch has remained in the first year for more than a decade after failing to clear the first-year examination.

Grappling with regulatory hurdles, the college administration has now approached the National Medical Commission (NMC) seeking its guidance to resolve the issue.

According to college authorities, the student, who could not clear the first-year MBBS examination in 2015, has been residing in the UG hostel since 2014.

The student has neither filled the examination form nor appeared for any subsequent attempts in the last 11 years. He is also not engaged in regular academic activities, officials said.

Under existing medical education rules, a student who fails the first-year MBBS examination is not required to seek fresh admission and can reappear by simply filling the examination form. Due to this provision, the student's enrolment continues to remain technically valid, preventing the college from cancelling his admission.

Repeated counselling sessions by the college authorities failed to yield any result, following which the administration contacted the student's father.

However, despite three phone calls from the principal's office asking him to visit the college, the student's father has not turned up so far, the officials said, adding that the father has shown little concern for his son's academic future.

It has further complicated matters for the college as the student's active enrolment status makes it difficult to evict him from the hostel.

The officials said mess fees are collected along with the examination form, and since the student has not filled the form for years, he has not paid mess charges but continues to avail free boarding and lodging facility.

The college has now sought guidance from the NMC to resolve the issue.

"A final decision will be taken only after clear directions are received from the NMC," BRD Medical College Principal Dr Ramkumar Jaiswal said.

MBBS student stuck in first year for over a decade at a Gorakhpur medical college;

MBBS student stuck in first year for over a decade at a Gorakhpur medical college; 

NMC asked to step in A medical student in Gorakhpur has remained enrolled in the first year of MBBS for over a decade without clearing exams or appearing for them.

This regulatory loophole prevents the college from cancelling his admission or evicting him from the hostel, prompting a referral to the National Medical Commission for guidance.

Apeksha TanwarTOI Education

Jan 5, 2026, 10:11 IST

MBBS student stuck in first year for over a decade at a Gorakhpur medical college; NMC asked to step in 

At a government medical college in Gorakhpur, an undergraduate medical student has remained enrolled in the first year of the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) course for more than a decade, exposing a regulatory gap that the institution says it cannot resolve on its own. 

The student, admitted to the 2014 batch at Baba Raghav Das Medical College, failed to clear the first-year MBBS examination in 2015. Since then, he has neither filled the examination form nor appeared for any subsequent attempt over the past 11 years, according to college authorities quoted by PTI. 

Despite this prolonged academic absence, the student continues to hold a technically valid enrolment under existing medical education rules. The college has now approached the National Medical Commission (NMC), seeking guidance on how to proceed.

Enrolment without progression

Under current regulations governing medical education, a student who fails the first-year MBBS examination is not required to seek fresh admission. The student can reappear by filling the examination form whenever they choose. As a result, the enrolment does not automatically lapse. In this case, that provision has left the college with little room to act. Officials told PTI that because the student remains enrolled on paper, the institution cannot cancel his admission.

The student has been residing in the undergraduate hostel since 2014 and is not participating in regular academic activities, the officials said. 

Hostel stay and unpaid dues

The situation has been further complicated by the student’s continued stay in the hostel. According to college authorities, mess fees are collected along with the examination form. Since the student has not filled the form for several years, he has not paid mess charges but continues to avail boarding and lodging facilities. The college said the active enrolment status makes it difficult to evict him from the hostel, even though he is not attending classes or appearing for examinations. 

Counselling efforts and family response 

College authorities said they conducted repeated counselling sessions with the student, but these efforts did not lead to any change. The administration then contacted the student’s father. According to officials, the principal’s office made three phone calls requesting the father to visit the college. He has not done so, and has shown little concern for his son’s academic future, the officials added. 

Matter referred to the NMC

With no clear mechanism available under existing rules to resolve the situation, the college has formally sought guidance from the National Medical Commission. “A final decision will be taken only after clear directions are received from the NMC,” Principal Dr Ramkumar Jaiswal told PTI. The case underscores how regulatory provisions designed to offer flexibility to students can, in rare instances, leave institutions without a clear path to act when academic participation ceases altogether.

One-time relief for pre-2021 foreign med students:

One-time relief for pre-2021 foreign med students: 

NMC clears FMGE route, adds India internship Indian students who began medical studies abroad before November 18, 2021, will be subject to older screening test rules, allowing them to practice in India via the FMGE.

This exemption, however, mandates an additional year of internship in Indian hospitals for these students.

Anuja JaiswalTNN

Jan 3, 2026, 10:36 IST

NEW DELHI: In a major relief for Indian students who started their medical education abroad before 2021, the National Medical Commission has clarified that those admitted to or studying a BS (pre-medical) course in foreign medical institutes prior to November 18, 2021 will be governed by the older Screening Test Regulations, 2002, and not the stricter Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations (FMGL), 2021. 

This means such students can qualify to practise in India by clearing the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE)—the screening test followed before 2021—after completing their medical degree abroad. The route applies regardless of whether the BS course was pursued online or through physical classes, provided admission was taken before the 2021 regulations came into force. 

In its corrigendum dated December 30, 2025, the NMC, however, made it mandatory for these students to undergo one additional year of internship in India. The commission said the extra internship is necessary to ensure sufficient clinical exposure to Indian hospitals and alignment with national treatment and patient-care standards. The commission has underlined that this relaxation is a one-time exemption limited to this specific group of students.

Non-medical staff at Ranipet GH stitches wounds of patient, inquiry ordered

Non-medical staff at Ranipet GH stitches wounds of patient, inquiry ordered

Local sources alleged that despite the presence of a doctor and a nurse at the hospital, the wound was stitched by the sanitation worker.

A video grab of a multipurpose health worker stitching the wound at Kalavai government hospital

Nimisha S Pradeep

05 Jan 2026, 7:33 am

RANIPET: A multipurpose health worker (MPHW) at Kalavai Government Hospital allegedly stitched up a patient’s wounds on Saturday night, raising concern regarding patients’ safety in government hospitals. It was done allegedly at the instance of a doctor, who had her hands full at the time.

The incident came to light after a video clip started circulating on social media. In the clip, a female health worker, Kalaiselvi, is seen stitching up a patient’s hand wounds. The patient, Pandian, a native of Kalavaiputhur, had met with a minor accident while travelling on his bike and had gone to the GH for treatment.

Local sources alleged that despite the presence of a doctor and a nurse at the hospital, the wound was stitched by the sanitation worker. An MPHW is usually tasked with several activities, including shifting the patients, helping during admission or discharge, cleaning the wards and toilets, carrying files and assisting nurses and doctors during emergencies.

A health department official in Ranipet told TNIE that a complaint has reached the department and an inquiry has been scheduled for Monday. Disciplinary action would be taken against the staff involved. “At the time of the incident, another emergency accident case had also come. So the doctor and the nurse had to attend to it. Hence the doctor directed the hospital worker to stitch the wounds.”

The official added that hospital workers also learn a lot while assisting medical staff. “However, it was not right on the part of the doctor to direct the work to the hospital worker as they are trained to only assist doctors and nurses and not for performing stitches. An X-ray was taken after the procedure by the doctor to confirm the patient was fine,” the official said, adding that the Kalavai GH was a hospital with minimal resources.

NBEMS to train doctors in AI, ML

 NBEMS to train doctors in AI, ML 

Sonal.Srivastava@timesofindia.com 05.01.2026

The National Board of Examinations (NBEMS) has recently announced introduction of online programme in Artificial Intelligence in Medical Education for postgraduate doctors and faculty, to facilitate precision medicine in Indian medical systems, enable datadriven decision-making during public health emergencies, improve hospital management, ensure uniform quality of training, and prepare doctors for a digital future. 

Furthermore, the NBEMS will soon launch a two-year fellowship for doctors to train in AI and ML in IITs. NBEMS is primarily an exam-conducting authority and does not traditionally run academic programmes. Moreover, doctors consulting large language models (LLMs) for diagnosis could create a trust deficit between patients and physicians. Against this backdrop, it is essential to examine why AI, including LLMs, is being integrated into healthcare systems and how its role is being defined.

“India produces nearly 75,000 postgraduate doctors every year, yet the country continues to face a specialist deficit estimated at 10-15 lakh. With over 17,000 hospitals spread across vastly different geographies and capacities, ensuring uniform quality of training has become challenging. AI, ML, and digital health technologies can help bridge gaps in healthcare delivery. Integrating AI in medical education is driven by two converging realities. First, healthcare delivery is becoming increasingly data-intensive—from imaging and pathology to genomics and hospital management. 

Second, human cognition alone can no longer process the sheer volume of clinical data being generated daily,” says Dr Minu Bajpai, vice president, NBEMS. Reducing Human Error A global survey by Elsevier across 111 countries, covering over 3,000 physicians, found that 83% of doctors without technological literacy risk being left behind. “AI will not replace doctors, but doctors trained in the latest technology will replace those who are not. AI will reinforce and standardise clinical diagnosis. For example, digitised biopsy slides can be analysed through AI software, enabling accurate reporting even in districts without specialist pathologists. X-rays, CT scans and MRIs can be increasingly interpreted with AI assistance, reducing reporting delays and  human error,” says Dr Bajpai.

AI processes genetic data, disease history, comorbidities, and lifestyle factors to suggest personalised treatment, particularly for chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer. “Patients need different treatment pathways, and that precision is not possible without data analytics,” he adds. The NBEMS has developed modules to train doctors in AI and ML at IITs and will soon launch a fellowship that will enable doctors to learn algorithm development at premier engineering institutions.

NMC clears 171 additional PG seats for ’25-26 academic yr Don’t Wait For Formal Nod To Include Them, Counselling Authorities Told

NMC clears 171 additional PG seats for ’25-26 academic yr Don’t Wait For Formal Nod To Include Them, Counselling Authorities Told 

Anuja.Jaiswal@timesofindia.com  02.01.2026

New Delhi : Medical aspirants seeking PG admissions will get a wider choice this year after National Medical Commission (NMC) approved 171 extra PG seats across medical colleges and directed counselling authorities to include them without waiting for formal nod. 

As per a public notice, the 171 extra seats span key specialties, including general medicine, general surgery, anaesthesiology, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, radiology, dermatology, emergency medicine, psychiatry, orthopaedics, respiratory medicine and pathology. Colleges across multiple states, including UP, Maharashtra, TN, Gujarat, Odisha, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, WB, Chhattisgarh and Haryana, have received extraseats under appeal process. 

In a notice issued on Dec 31, 2025, NMC’s Medical Assessment and Rating Board said PG seats granted by the First Appeal Committee for the 2025–26 academic year will be treated as valid for counselling. The additional seats were approved after medical colleges challenged earlier MARB decisions under provisions of NMC Act, 2019. These appeals were examined by the First Appeal Committee in meetings held on Dec 22 and 23, following which extra seats were sanctioned. 

The commission clarified that the list uploaded on the NMC website would itself serve as the valid document for counselling, ensuring that eligible PG seats are not lost due to administrative delays. Formal LoPs for the newly sanctioned seats, it said, will be issued shortly.

Faculty crunch sends salaries soaring in Bengaluru’s medical colleges

Faculty crunch sends salaries soaring in Bengaluru’s medical colleges

Sruthy Susan Ullas

Dec 21, 2025, 

Faculty crunch sends salaries soaring in Bengaluru’s medical colleges 

Bengaluru: Medical colleges in the city are rolling out hefty pay packages and incentives for teaching staff to address a severe shortage of faculty for pre-clinical and para-clinical subjects. Salaries for these positions are nearly double those offered for similar positions in clinical departments. With yet another NEET-PG counselling under way, colleges are also encouraging students to pursue pre- and para-clinical programmes for their specialisation. 

"The highest-paid faculty positions are for specialists in anatomy, which is facing the most acute shortage of teachers. The shortage is predominantly in junior positions. With the National Medical Commission (NMC) allowing senior faculty to substitute for juniors, professors and other seniors are being hired at substantially higher salaries," said D Prem Kumar, principal and dean, East Point College of Medical Sciences. 

Clinical faculty members normally earn around Rs 2 lakh per month, while pre- and para-clinical faculty receive Rs 3-4 lakh. "In clinical specialities, additional responsibilities such as patient care and procedural exposure can be assigned. However, in pre- and para-clinical programmes, a higher salary remains the only viable option," he added. 

Kalpaja DA, chairperson, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, said retention strategies for pre- and para-clinical faculty include job stability and academic benefits. "The common incentives include pay above regulatory norms and housing or location-based allowances, faster promotions and leadership roles, predictable working hours with no emergency duties, research funding, and conference support," Kalpaja added. 

The poaching challenge Oxford Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre has flagged similar issues. "We try to retain them with attractive salaries as poaching between colleges, sometimes even from other states, is a big challenge. 

While the faculty for clinical programmes are paid around Rs 2 lakh, salary for pre- and para-clinical faculty is around Rs 3.5 lakh," said SNVL Narasimha Raju, chairman of Oxford Educational Institutions. MVJ Medical College and Research Hospital, another Bengaluru-based medical college, confirmed it was paying at least 30% higher salary than that for clinical programmes. 

"As the Centre wants to increase the number of MBBS seats to 75,000 in five years, NMC has liberalised the opening of medical colleges. With more colleges, we need to have pre-clinical subjects like anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry in the first year, followed by para-clinical subjects such as pharmacology, community medicine, microbiology, and forensic medicine in the second year. In the last few years, demand has gone up, while supply is still low," said MJ Mohan, chairman, MVJ College.

Passenger collapses after seizure mid-air on Delhi–Chennai flight, doctors save his life

Passenger collapses after seizure mid-air on Delhi–Chennai flight, doctors save his life

His companions told doctors he had epilepsy and had skipped his regular medication. He lay motionless for several minutes with frothing at the mouth before gradually regaining consciousness.

The passenger being treated by the doctors after suffering a seizure.Photo | S Lalitha

S Lalitha

Updated on:

19 Dec 2025, 4:18 pm

NEW DELHI: An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Chennai witnessed tense moments early Friday after a passenger in his forties suffered a seizure mid-air, collapsed in his seat. Two doctors on board provided emergency treatment for nearly 20 minutes and managed to revive him before landing.

The incident occurred around 6 am on Flight 6E 6838, which had taken off from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at around 4:30 am, nearly two hours behind schedule due to fog. The passenger, identified as Arjun, was travelling to Chennai en route to his hometown Madurai along with two colleagues, who were deported from Malaysia to Delhi after a month in jail there for illegal overstay.

Arjun suddenly began screaming loudly, startling those asleep around him, and attempted to grab the attention of a co-passenger before collapsing. Cabin crew immediately sought medical assistance, following which two doctors rushed to help.

The doctors moved him into the aisle, placed him on his side to ease breathing and prevent choking, and administered first aid. His companions told the doctors that he suffered from epilepsy and had missed his regular medication that day. He remained motionless for several minutes, with frothing at the mouth, before gradually regaining consciousness, after he stabilised, Arjun was helped back to his seat.

One of the doctors later told the TNIE, "The patient had ignored the medication he was supposed to take to keep epilepsy under check. He has recovered now but we have advised all tests to be performed on him after landing including brain scans."

As soon as the flight landed, ambulance and paramedical staff were waiting. However, it was strange that all the passengers were allowed to deboard and then the medical staff reached the passenger. As per protocol, the priority needs to be given to the ailing passenger to assist him immediately until the right medical treatment is rendered.

New SOP for oncologists in TN to treat ovarian, cervical, uterine cancer

New SOP for oncologists in TN to treat ovarian, cervical, uterine cancer 

The new SOP requires official government mandates, structured training programmes, resource allocation and continuous monitoring, according to the doctors.

They are now responsible for training other surgical oncologists in Tamil Nadu and also plan to raise awareness about the need for the SOP among other physicians involved in cancer treatment.(Representative image) 

R Kirubakaran Updated on: 10 Dec 2025, 8:34 am

COIMBATORE: Under the National Health Mission (NHM), a group of surgical oncologists from eight medical college hospitals across the state underwent a year-long training programme and developed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that aligns with global standards for treating ovarian, cervical and uterine cancer.

They are now responsible for training other surgical oncologists in Tamil Nadu and also plan to raise awareness about the need for the SOP among other physicians involved in cancer treatment.

The new SOP requires official government mandates, structured training programmes, resource allocation and continuous monitoring, according to the doctors.

The initial group of surgical oncologists from the eight medical colleges will become master trainers and conduct phased Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes for senior oncologists and gynaecologists from other districts and institutions across the state. This approach ensures consistency in training and fosters local expertise within each facility. The training will cover surgical aspects, and related areas such as radiation oncology, pathology and diagnostic services.

Eight cancer surgeons, including three from Chennai and one each from Kancheepuram, Thanjavur, Thirunelveli, Coimbatore and Madurai, had attended a two-week training session at the Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute in Hyderabad at the end of 2024 and at the Government Arignar Anna Memorial Cancer Hospital in Kancheepuram in February 2025, where they were trained by Japanese healthcare professionals, as the project is supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), according to sources.

“Following the training in skill enhancement for gynaecological cancer surgery, the participants developed an SOP that was released last month. This SOP provides detailed protocols for surgeons, anesthetists, OT nurses, and ICU nurses on treating patients with these three cancer types – from admission to discharge. The SOP aims to reduce cancer-related mortalities and morbidities,” said Dr N Selvaraj, associate professor of surgical oncology at Coimbatore Medical College Hospital.

Dr N Selvaraj, one of the coordinators of the team, stated that this is the first effort to standardise cancer treatment.

SC orders all-India audit of pvt & deemed universities Focus On Structural Opacity & Examining Role Of Regulatory Bodies

SC orders all-India audit of pvt & deemed universities Focus On Structural Opacity & Examining Role Of Regulatory Bodies

 

Manash.Gohain@timesofindia.com New Delhi : 28.11.2025

Supreme Court has ordered an unprecedented nationwide audit of all private and deemed universities, transforming a student grievance into a deep scrutiny of India’s sprawling higher education sector. In a sweeping directive, apex court has asked Centre, all states and UTs, and University Grants Commission (UGC) to submit personally sworn affidavits disclosing how these institutions were set up, who governs them, what regulatory approvals they hold, and whether they truly function on a notfor-profit basis. 

The move comes in response to a petition filed by a student of Amity University, Ayesha Jain, who alleged the institution harassed and barred her from attending classes after she legally changed her name. What began as a single case of administrative apathy has now turned into a judicial inquisition into the governance and financial practices of the entire private university ecosystem. 

Supreme Court’s focus is clear — expose the structural opacity and examine whether regulatory bodies like UGC have adequately performed their role. Past interventions show this isn’t unfamiliar terrain. In 2005, the court struck down Chhattisgarh Private Universities Act that had allowed over 100 shell institutions to operate without basic academic infrastructure. 

In 2009, a central review found 44 deemed universities unfit for their status due to poor academic and governance standards. In 2017, a Supreme Court verdict invalidated engineering degrees awarded via unapproved distance mode by deemed universities and barred them from conducting such courses without clear regulatory approval. This current review cuts deeper. It questions how private universities acquire land, appoint leadership, handle finances, and whether they have credible grievance redressal mechanisms.

 The demand for personal accountability — from chief secretaries to the UGC chairperson — signals judicial impatience with the status quo. A UGC official, on condition of anonymity, acknowledged: “There have been longstanding compliance gaps. This is a chance to restore public trust.” The official added that in the current case, the commission “in fact recommended the university to consider the name change request”. 

Private universities, many of which operate under different state and central laws, are rattled. “This is a sweeping brush,” said a vice chancellor of a reputed state private university. “We support transparency, but we also fear being tarred with the same brush as a few errant institutions.” Observers see timing in the court’s action. Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill, intended to overhaul regulation and merge UGC, AICTE, and others under one roof, is expected in the upcoming Parliament session.

 “An issue concerning a private university legislated by state law is now expanded to rope in all private deemed universities governed by separate regulations under a central law. In a similar exercise, in 2017 in the case of Orissa Lift case, an issue concerning four deemed universities affected all in an irreversible manner. With HECI round the corner, it is hoped that the present issue finds a policy solution through HECI Bill,” said an academic policy expert.

Scalpel losing edge: Few medical grads opt for surgery

Scalpel losing edge: Few medical grads opt for surgery 

Anuja.Jaiswal@timesofindia.com 

New Delhi : India’s top-performing medical graduates have made their preference clear in this year’s NEET-PG counselling — career stability is trumping the operating table. In the first round of NEET-PG 2025, medicine and radiology dominated choices among high-rankers while general surgery saw one of its steepest drops in recent years, reflecting growing concerns over stress, long training pathways and mounting medico-legal pressures. 

Among the first 1,500 candidates, 632 (42%) chose MD General Medicine and 447 (30%) opted for MD Radiodiagnosis. Only 99 students (6.6%) selected MS General Surgery, indicating a widening shift away from high-risk procedural fields. A strong preference for Delhi also emerged, with six of the top 10 candidates choosing Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. 

Dr Neeraj Nischal from the department of medicine at AIIMS said, “MD Medicine is the gateway to almost all superspecialities, so it has always been in high demand. Students feel diagnostics offers a more controlled work life, though that may not always be true.” The fall in interest for surgery, senior clinicians say, is rooted in deeper anxieties. “Surgical branches are very demanding — you need passion. Otherwise, burnout is inevitable,” Dr Nischal said. 

Surgeons themselves acknowledge that the field has steadily lost appeal. “It takes much longer to settle down because general surgery is only the first step — you usually need to super-specialise in neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, urology or paediatric surgery,” said Dr Piyush Ranjan from AIIMS surgery department.

Hidden costs increase PG medical course fee past ₹16 lakh cap at universities in TN UPTO ₹75 LA YEAR

Hidden costs increase PG medical course fee past ₹16 lakh cap at universities in TN UPTO ₹75 LA YEAR 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  22.11.2025

Chennai : Deemed universities across Tamil Nadu have increased tuition fees for postgraduate medical courses, with some setting it at ₹75 lakh a year, taking the threeyear fee tally for highdemand clinical courses to ₹2.2 crore. Health department officials said attempts to cap the fee according to Madras high court’s direction failed, as matters are pending in court. While deemed universities display the total fee on their admission brochures, self-financing medical colleges and state private medical universities conceal it. 

The fee-fixation committee capped the 2025 tuition fee for clinical and non-clinical courses at ₹16 lakh towards tuition fees at selffinancing colleges. But candidates say they are asked to pay up to ₹35 lakh, citing rising costs of hospital operations, hostel maintenance, mess, and transport costs. “We won’t know the cost until we go to the colleges with allotment letters,” said a doctor waiting for admissions to a postgraduate course. Directorate of medical education officials say this happened in undergraduate education in 2025. At least 50 undergraduate medical students, who were allotted seats in self-financing medical colleges and state private universities in 2025, have written to the state selection committee complaining that colleges are demanding higher fees, officials said. “There is no syntax. I was asked to pay ₹8 lakh more by the committee for management quota in one college during my son’s admission. My friend was asked to pay ₹10 lakh in another college,” said Shankar R. They paid the fees not just because they could afford it, but also because they did not want to forfeit deposits in the third round.

 While in the first two rounds of counselling, students are allowed a “free exit” where they are not punished for not taking the seat allotted to them, students must forfeit the security deposit of ₹1.3 lakh. If they download admit cards, they lose the first-year tuition fee of ₹16 lakh. Despite this, candidates withdrew from the third round. “One candidate was confident of taking the seat. He downloaded the admit card after paying ₹15 lakh. When they went to the college, they were asked to pay ₹8 lakh more. Nowhere was this fee mentioned. 

They have no budget,” said student counsellor Manickavel Arumugam. “Sometimes it seems like the deemed university method is better as there is no hidden fee. Parents opt for it if they can afford it,” he said. The family, he said, has filed a complaint with the selection committee for violation of fee committee norms. Directorate of medical education officials said they will forward complaints to the fee committee headed by Justice R Pongaiappan. On Thursday, the judge told TOI that according to the GO, his term has ended. “The complaints will be dealt with by my successor,” he said. Parents are upset. “By the time they appoint a new committee, this admission season would have ended,” said Saravanakumar K, a parent.

Govt doctors protest redeployment, demand more appointments in TN

Govt doctors protest redeployment, demand more appointments in TN 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 12.11.2025

Chennai : Govt doctors across the state on Tuesday held a protest, wearing black badges, raising slogans, and distributing pamphlets asking health department to appoint more doctors instead of redeploying them and forcing post-graduate medical students to work. “The govt has not created posts for newly opened hospitals in several places,” said govt doctors’ association president Dr K Senthil. “No doctors, nurses, or staff were appointed to run these hospitals. Doctors are forced to do double duty and this drastically affects patient care,” he said. While this has been happening for nearly two years, the trigger for Tuesday’s protest was a Nov 4 circular from the director of medical education Dr Suganthy Rajakumari asking deans of medical colleges to direct junior residents to attend transfer counselling. “Officials said a proposal was sent to remove the post of junior residents for service doctors. Post-graduate medical students will work as junior residents and qualified PG doctors will be moved to posts in newer hospitals. How can students take the place of doctors,” asked service and post graduate doctors association general secretary Dr A Ramalingam. Dr Suganthy Rajakumari said the govt was looking at relocating doctors from some medical colleges. “We are looking at increasing 500 PG seats in govt colleges. Staff from some hospitals are being relocated and posted as assistant professors so we fulfil basic requirements of the National Medical Commission,” she said. Deans have been asked to ensure staff strength in all hospitals meets norms prescribed by NMC. “If that is the case, bed strength should be 250, not 750 or 1,000,” said Dr Ramalingam. “Bed strength and outpatient flow have been increasing at all hospitals. The govt must increase strength, not decrease. Doctors treat patients, not beds or buildings,” he said. Doctors’ associations said there are about 12,000 doctors in govt medical colleges as against a requirement of 24,000. In addition to teaching and treating patients, doctors are forced to work in health camps, attend VIP convoy duty, sit for a medical board, and do court duties, said democratic govt doctors association president Dr P Balakrishnan.

Docs warn against relying on AI tools for med advice

Docs warn against relying on AI tools for med advice 

Ajay.Tomar@timesofindia.com 10.11.2025

Hyderabad : Doctors in Hyderabad have cautioned people against relying solely on artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT for medical advice. They emphasised that patients, especially those with chronic or serious health conditions, must always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to medication, diet, or treatment plans. 

The warning comes after at least two alarming incidents were recently reported in the city. In the first case, a 30-year old woman who had undergone a kidney transplant under the Jeevandan programme at the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) lost her transplanted kidney after discontinuing her prescribed antibiotics based on ChatGPT’s suggestion.

 “The woman, who had been on dialysis for seven years before the transplant, reportedly stopped all her medication after ChatGPT told her that since her creatinine levels were normal, she no longer needed the drugs,” said Dr Sree Bhushan Raju, senior nephrologist, NIMS. 

Within weeks, her condition deteriorated, and her creatinine levels spiked again. She eventually required surgery and had to be put back on dialysis before being discharged recently. “We are seeing a worrying trend where even educated patients are relying on AI-generated advice instead of consulting doctors,” said Dr Mohd Taif, another senior nephrologist. 

Similar patterns Doctors said similar patterns are being noticed among the elderly as well, with many seeking advice on medicines or dosage changes from ChatGPT despite being advised otherwise by their doctors. “This over-reliance on AI is becoming a dangerous habit,” said Dr Taif. In another incident, a 62year-old diabetic man from the city suffered sudden weight loss and dangerously low sodium levels after following a diet plan suggested by ChatGPT. 

The AI tool had advised him to completely reduce salt intake, which proved harmful given his pre-existing condition. “These incidents show that while AI can provide general information, it lacks the clinical judgment and contextual understanding that a trained doctor brings,” said Dr K Rakesh, a senior govt nephrologist. 

In Aug this year, a 60-year-old man from New York was reportedly hospitalised after following a ChatGPTgenerated diet plan that advised him to replace all table salt (sodium chloride) with sodium bromide, a toxic substance. “People are starting to believe that ChatGPT is superior to doctors, but no AI can match the intellect, intuition, and experience of a medical professional,” said Dr Raju.

Doc’s post against clerical staff exposes deep-rooted corruption in health dept

Doc’s post against clerical staff exposes deep-rooted corruption in health dept

 Pushpa.Narayan@timesofindia.com 09.11.2025

Chennai : A social media post by urologist Dr Jaison Philip accusing clerical staff in the state health department of corruption went viral on Saturday. This prompted associations of govt doctors, who rallied behind him, to say corruption and maladministration have affected not only their salaries and promotions but also patient care in govt hospitals across the state. 

Dr Philip, who works at Madras Medical College, posted an image of his payslip, saying he was receiving a gross salary of ₹1.6 lakh instead of at least ₹2.5 lakh because of ‘clerical corruption’. “As a rule, I never give bribes, so I suffer,” he wrote. Later, he added that “topmost powerful bureaucrats met/rang me and talked kindly. They said they will ensure anomalies will be corrected and justice done.” This, however, is not Dr Philip’s first such allegation. In Sept, he said that clerical staff at Government Royapettah Hospital — a clerk and an office superintendent — demanded bribes of ₹1,000 and ₹2,000, respectively, to forward his service register after his transfer to Madras Medical College. 

He claimed he faced such harassment from clerks in the health department for nearly three decades. Following his post, health minister Ma Subramanian promised action, and some staff were transferred. On Saturday, several associations of govt doctors said corruption and maladministration in the department affected beyond delayed salaries. 

They cited instances of long-pending settlements for doctors who died in service and delays in processing pensions for those retiring. While the family of a doctor who died in 2014 is still awaiting settlement, another doctor who retired in Feb 2024 is waiting for the admin department to forward his papers for the rollout of a monthly pension. Service doctors and postgraduates association blamed the heads of institutions for failing to ensure the timely disbursement of payments to faculty and postgraduate doctors. “There are no regular grievance meetings to resolve issues in a time-bound manner. Deans themselves complain of pending salaries when we raise such matters,” said the association’s state organizing secretary Dr A Ramalingam.

Docs design stent that costs less and may work better Engages, Retracts Clots From Blocked Brain Arteries Enabling Better Recovery

Docs design stent that costs less and may work better Engages, Retracts Clots From Blocked Brain Arteries Enabling Better Recovery 

Nandini.Sengupta@timesofindia.com 05.11.2025

Stroke stents are a critical medical solution, but they are also a pricey alternative. Now, JIPMER Puducherry has completed clinicals trials of mechanical thrombectomy or clot removal using a locally made device stent retriever. “We call it Supernova. It is expected to cost one-third of well-known international products,” says Dr Sunil Narayan, professor & head, department of neurology at JIPMER.

 The stent, he adds, first engages and then retracts clots from within blocked brain arteries enabling better recovery of patients. “The first generation of catheters were aspiration catheters, the second generation were stents and now the third generation are a combination of the two.” Designed and patented by Indian-origin engineers and interventional radiologists in the US (centrally directed by an Indian-origin professor from the University of Miami) and manufactured by Gravity in the USA and Irills Gurutva in Hyderabad, the Supernova is a “revascularization device”. “It is a self-expanding, laser cut stent retriever composed of nitinol, a nickel and titanium alloy that is super elastic which makes it ideal for medical devices. 

The Supernova stent has small implantable components that increase visibility under scans,” says Dr Narayan. Apart from clinical trials at JIPMER Puducherry, the Supernova device has been used to treat stroke patients in Pakistan and Thailand as part of clinical trials. It will be manufactured in India from next month. The trial results were submitted to the drug controller general of India (DCGI) in Aug 2024 and have received approval for sales. The trial results were also presented at the World Stroke Congress in Barcelona last week. “The

aim is to manufacture in India and make it available at low cost to lower income countries where the stroke burden is even higher,” says Dr Narayan. “The country’s contribution to more affordable treatment of stroke patients is well-established because of the Tenecteplase thrombolysis drug, a biosimilar made in India which is as efficient and a bit safer (than international options). It became the standard of stroke therapy first in Indian govt institutes and now in private hospitals,” says Dr Nararan. The drug is also being exported to several foreign countries

2-min scan at govt hosp for ₹500 helps detect heart disease

2-min scan at govt hosp for ₹500 helps detect heart disease

 Ramyasre.N@timesofindia.com 05.11.2025

Chennai : If you're under 40, have pre-existing health conditions and feel a slight discomfort around your heart, doctors now recommend a quick two-minute CT scan. The non-invasive diagnostic test that uses CT imaging to detect and measure calcium deposits in the heart vessels. This can help evaluate the risk of coronary artery disease and heart attacks. 

The department of radiology at the TN Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital launched the facility recently. The scan is priced at ₹500, while its equivalent in private hospitals costs at least three times more. A calcium score below 100 is normal, 100-400 indicates mild risk, and above 400 signals severe disease needing immediate care. “The calcium scan is a preliminary test and can be followed by ECG, ECHO, or coronary angiogram for detailed diagnosis,” said Dr J Chezhian, head of radiology. 

The test, previously done on a need basis, was made a standalone service for two reasons, says head of cardiology Dr Mary Majella: “It helps patients who can’t undergo treadmill tests due to disability or hypertension. Also, we’ve seen a sharp rise in heart disease after COVID.” A five-year study from 2018 to 2023 by the hospital’s cardiology department found 10,842 cases of serious coronary disease, including 2,457 patients aged between 18 and 45. “Before COVID, around 300 young patients were reported each year. In 2021, it rose to 480, and in 2022, to 564,” said Dr Majella. Patients are already visiting from outside TN. “In Tirupati, I was quoted ₹7,000 for the same test. Here, including travel, I spent less than ₹2,000,” said one patient

Who can teach in India’s medical colleges? NMC’s new rules redraw the faculty line

Who can teach in India’s medical colleges? NMC’s new rules redraw the faculty line 

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued detailed clarifications on the Medical Institutions (Qualifications of Faculty) Regulations, 2025, effective June 30. The FAQs outline eligibility norms for Senior Consultants, Professors, Associate Professors, and Assistant Professors, addressing experience criteria, transitional provisions, and equivalence across specialties to ensure uniform, transparent, and merit-based faculty recruitment nationwide.

TOI Education

Nov 1, 2025, 14:03 IST

Who can teach in India’s medical colleges? NMC’s new rules redraw the faculty line 

The National Medical Commission (NMC) on Friday released detailed clarifications responding to stakeholder queries over the recently notified Medical Institutions (Qualifications of Faculty) Regulations, 2025, which came into force on 30 June 2025. In an official communication, the Post Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) under the NMC stated that several stakeholders had sought clarity on provisions related to eligibility, experience, and recognition of faculty designations during the transition phase. 

The Commission has now released a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), providing point-by-point explanations to ensure uniform interpretation and compliance. Applicability and transitional provisions The regulations are effective from the date of their publication, June 30, 2025. During the transition period, the NMC will recognise continuous, full-time experience of three years in specific institutions and departments dedicated to new specialties. Eligible experience will include: Full-time work in departments of NMC-recognised medical colleges or teaching medical institutions with dedicated infrastructure for the new specialty.

Tenure at nationally recognised institutions such as AIIMS, PGIMER Chandigarh, NIMHANS Bengaluru, JIPMER Puducherry, and Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute, Thiruvananthapuram. Experience in NBEMS-accredited institutes and other reputed national or international institutions approved by the NMC based on specific assessment. 

Criteria for Senior Consultant, Professor, and Associate Professor 

As per the new framework, a senior consultant will be defined as a specialist working in an NBEMS-accredited department of a government institute who meets the board’s prescribed qualifications and experience to function as a postgraduate teacher. Such candidates must also provide an official experience certificate from their institution when seeking appointment as Professor in any medical college. 

To qualify as a Professor, an individual must have at least three years of postgraduate teaching experience after becoming eligible as a Senior Consultant and PG teacher in the same specialty. Similarly, those with cumulative 10 years of post-PG experience in government hospitals with a capacity of at least 220 beds will be eligible for the post of Associate Professor, provided they complete the mandatory courses in medical education and biomedical research within two years of appointment. 

Assistant Professor eligibility Under Note 3(c) of Table E, any registered medical practitioner with a recognised postgraduate qualification and two years of cumulative experience in a government hospital with a minimum of 220 beds will be eligible to become an Assistant Professor, even without a prior one-year Senior Residency in a medical college. 

Additionally, diploma holders appointed as Senior Residents before June 8, 2017, can be considered for the Assistant Professor post after completing four years of experience in an NMC-recognised teaching institution. Practitioners with diploma qualifications and six years of post-diploma experience in recognised teaching medical institutions will also qualify for the role. Special provisions for emergency medicine 

In a notable provision, the NMC clarified that faculty members from General Surgery, Anaesthesia, Respiratory Medicine, Orthopaedics, and General Medicine may directly be appointed as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor in Emergency Medicine based on their cumulative teaching experience in their respective specialties. Their prior experience will also count towards promotion to administrative posts. Super Specialty faculty equivalence 

As per the footnote of Table F, any faculty member possessing a super specialty qualification and serving in a recognised medical institution under a broad specialty department will be eligible for an equivalent position in the concerned super specialty department. Those engaged in teaching within departments that act as feeder specialities will also be considered for such appointments. Ensuring Uniform Implementation The NMC has urged all medical colleges, government hospitals, and teaching institutions to “take action accordingly” and adhere strictly to the clarified framework. 

The Commission stated that the intent of these regulations is to ensure transparency, uniformity, and merit-based faculty recruitment across India’s expanding network of medical education institutions. Officials familiar with the matter said the move comes amid a broader push to align Indian medical education standards with global best practices while ensuring career progression opportunities for qualified practitioners from government setups and NBEMS-accredited institutions. With the clarifications now in place, the NMC expects smoother implementation of the 2025 faculty qualification norms, a move widely seen as pivotal in strengthening India’s medical education and healthcare delivery ecosystem.