‘Two with criminal records selected for panel to choose VC’ HC ISSUES NOTICES

‘Two with criminal records selected for panel to choose VC’  HC ISSUES NOTICES 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 18.03.2025

 Bhopal : A division bench of MP high court issued notices to respondents in a petition charging that persons with criminal background have been selected in the committee formed to suggest a panel of names for the post of vice-chancellor, Indira Gandhi national tribal university. The court further said that appointment of vice chancellor will be subject to the final decision of the court on the petition. Ajay Mishra from Anuppur town in his petition said that a three-member committee has been constituted to suggest names for the post of vice-chancellor to Indira Gandhi national tribal university. The two names of the committee were recommended by the executive council of the university while the third name was chosen by the President of India. 

The two members recommended by the executive council have criminal cases pending against them, he said, praying the court that they be dropped from the committee. The union education ministry, vice-chancellor, registrar and three professors of Indira Gandhi national tribal university have been named as respondents in the case. The bench comprising chief justice S K Kait and Justice Vivek Jain, while asking respondents to give a reply to the petition within three weeks on an affidavit, said appointment of V-C of the tribal university will be subject to court decision on the petition.

HC orders TN to consider making woman prof RGGGH dean

HC orders TN to consider making woman prof RGGGH dean

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  18.03.2025

Chennai : Madras high court has criticised the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) for not considering the administrative experience of a petitioner to include her in the panel for appointment as dean to Rajiv Gandhi Govt General Hospital (RGGGH) in Chennai. Justice N Anand Venkatesh observed that the petitioner’s name was dropped ‘like a hot potato’, and the authorities are taking a hypertechnical stand that the petitioner holding the incharge position cannot be considered. 

“The authorities have virtually used the services of the petitioner as the HoD whenever it is favourable to them and are denying her position as the HOD when it comes to recognising her administrative experience. Such a stand taken by the authorities is quite un- fortunate and cannot be entertained,” the court said. 

The issue pertains to a plea moved by Dr Priya Pasupathy challenging a GO issued by the department dated Oct 1, 2024, as it does not include the petitioner’s name in the panel for the post of dean in RGGGMC, Chennai. The department clarified that the petitioner completed five years as a professor; however, she was not qualified as she does not possess 1-year mandatory administrative experience for the post. Opposing the stand, the petitioner submitted that she served as a director, Institute of Community Medicine, Madras Medical College (MMC) from May 1, 2020, to Aug 18, 2020. This apart, she also served as chief warden of the women’s hostel in the MMC, as a deputy warden of the ladies hostel at Kilpauk Medical College, and as the head of the department (HOD) of community medicine at the MMC. 

Recording the submissions, the court said if the stand of the authorities is taken to its logical conclusion, then the recognition and the renewal obtained from the NMC based on the signature subscribed by the petitioner as the HOD will become questionable. “It would mean that such recognition and renewal were obtained by portraying an unqualified person as the HOD before the NMC,” the court said. The court then allowed the plea and directed the department to include the name of the petitioner for the post of dean in the GMC by placing her in the appropriate position as per the seniority within four weeks.

‘Physiotherapists are docs, can seek Dr. title from ministry’

‘Physiotherapists are docs, can seek Dr. title from ministry’ 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 17.03.2025 .BHOPAL 

Bhopal :The Madhya Pradesh govt clarified its position on the recognition of physiotherapists as “doctors” in response to inquiries from Brajendra Pratap Singh, MLA of Panna. The Public Health and Medical Department, in a written response during the budget session of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, stated that physiotherapists are recognized as doctors by law according to the gazettes of both the Indian and Madhya Pradesh govts, according to Vidhan Sabha reply from MP health minister Rajendra Shukla. These gazettes define physiotherapy and the scope of a physiotherapist’s practice. 

“Physiotherapy is defined as a person who practices, provides treatment and advises on physical therapy by means of a comprehensive examination and appropriate investigation of individuals using physical modalities including exercise, mobility, manual therapy, electrical and thermal agents and other electro-therapeutic techniques for the prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, health promotion and recovery of movement or functional dysfunction, dysfunction, disorder, disability, trauma and disease and for the purpose of recovery and pain.” The gazette further states that a physiotherapist can operate independently or within a multi-disciplinary team and must hold a minimum of a graduate degree. 

The Madhya Pradesh Nursing Home Act 1973 mandates that any facility offering physiotherapy services must employ a physiotherapist with a bachelor’s degree. Madhya Pradesh clarifies the legal recognition and employment status of physiotherapists. 

The state govt confirmed physiotherapists are legally recognized as doctors under the National Commission for Allied and Health Care Professions Act-2021. This recognition grants them authority to practice, diagnose, and treat independently. The Madhya Pradesh Allied and Health Care Professions Rules 2024, enacted under the 2021 Act, are in effect. 

The state govt stated, “Clear instructions regarding permission to physiotherapists to use the title Dr. with their name can be obtained from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, and action can be taken accordingly.” Regarding employment, the Madhya Pradesh Paramedical Council has 3,028 registered physiotherapists: 286 with master’s degrees and 2,742 with bachelor’s degrees. As of March 13, 2025, no regular physiotherapist positions are approved in Primary Health Centers or Community Health Centers under the 2024 state-approved standard. Data on registered physiotherapist clinics are currently being compiled. The National Health Mission has approved 107 contractual physiotherapist positions, 94 of which are filled, leaving 13 vacancies.

AI ethical monitoring system a must to curb academic dishonesty

AI ethical monitoring system a must to curb academic dishonesty

Ayushi.Gupta1@timesofindia.com 17.03.2025

With the Supreme Court highlighting technology integration, lower courts will use technically inclined lawyers as their number rises. AI is gradually transforming the legal education system but there is still a wide technical divide that needs to be bridged. The lack of formal integration of AI into legal education in Indian colleges is the biggest challenge that needs to be addressed. Vageshwari Deswal, professor, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, says, “Colleges can enhance students’ understanding of complex legal theories, case laws, and statutes using AI tools. These technologies provide swift access to vast data, making legal research simpler. Simulated classrooms, techenabled virtual client counselling sessions, and mock sessions with AI chatbots can better equip students for real courtroom experiences. Students must learn that AI cannot contextualise data nor replace human reasoning or judgment.” 

“The integration of AI is a work in progress that demands adapting to the technology while preserving the core principles of legal education,” says V Shyam Kishore, dean, Alliance School of Law, Alliance University, Bengaluru. Before incorporating AI into the curriculum, it is crucial to educate students, faculty, and administrators about AI’s benefits, and limitations. “Understanding and using AI tools will become a fundamental skill in future, just like how legal professionals today are expected to know how to use MS Office, legal research databases, and citation tools,” he adds. The legal sector is rapidly adopting AI-driven tools, with several software applications already available for legal research, litigation support, and compliance monitoring. Kishore says, “Many of these tools are already being used by legal firms and institutions to streamline processes, improve research, and enhance efficiency. 

However, most of these AI-powered solutions are designed for global markets and must be tailored to India’s unique legal framework.” Currently, there is no national regulatory framework governing the use of AI in law schools, as the BCI is yet to update its policies to reflect the growing role of AI. Kishore says, “The establishment of AI governance mechanisms in law schools is required to regulate AI’s ethical and pedagogical use. AI ethics committees should be formed to monitor AI-assisted legal research and prevent academic dishonesty. These committees should align with ethical AI guidelines, such as those from NITI Aayog, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, and international standards like OECD and UNESCO.”

Traditional medical education to soon incorporate AI electives

Traditional medical education to soon incorporate AI electives

AI tools can make ayurveda knowledge and services more widely accessible, reaching global audiences 

Ayushi.Gupta1@timesofindia.com 17.03.2025

The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) is set to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) curricula to revolutionise the Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM). To equip students with both foundational knowledge of ISM and the skills to incorporate modern technological advancements, the ministry is working on formulating a benchmark framework to offer AI as one of the elective subjects. 

To implement the plan, the ministry has been evaluating the sector’s readiness for AI, creating a standardised framework for AI system integration, and developing AI educational tools. Creating a benchmark A framework is needed to integrate AI into traditional medicines to make it scientifically validated, efficient, and globally recognised. The ministry has collaborated with global focus groups to develop benchmarks for AI usage in traditional medicines. Talking to Education Times, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, says, “The Centre of Excellence (CoE) component of the Ayurswasthya Yojana, a project sanctioned to IIT Jodhpur, aims to combine functional genomics, electronics, digital health, and AI to realise evidence based ayurvedic solutions. 

The CoE will provide technological solutions for understanding and applying ayurveda’s principles and practices—P5 medicine: Personalised, Preventive, Predictive, Participatory, and Promotive—as well as integrative medicine, including environmental response and disease development.” Integrating AI in ayurveda can enhance diagnostic accuracy, personalised treatment planning, research efforts, and healthcare delivery, says Pooja Sabharwal, assistant professor, Govt of NCT of Delhi. “Training students in traditional medicine to provide AIenabled public health services alongside their core curriculum can empower them to deliver more comprehensive and effective care, contribute to improved health outcomes, and adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape. 

With AI algorithms, students can identify patterns and correlations in complex datasets, such as ayurvedic diagnostic criteria, symptoms, and treatment outcomes. Analysing these patterns through AI allows it to assist ayurvedic practitioners in diagnosing diseases more accurately and predicting the efficacy of various treatment modalities,” she adds. Moreover, AI can enhance various aspects of education and healthcare, particularly in the context of ayurveda and traditional medicine. 

“AI can automate administrative tasks, assist in curriculum development, and provide real-time feedback to educators, allowing them to focus more on mentorship and teaching. AI-driven platforms can also make ayurveda knowledge and services more widely accessible, reaching global audiences,” adds Kotecha. In 2017, the ministry launched AYUSH Grid, an initiative to integrate technology with traditional medicine systems like ayurveda, yoga, unani, siddha, and homeopathy. Through the Grid, students are trained in modern technologies to improve healthcare services such as accessibility, quality, and efficiency. Kotecha says, “Students are already using the AYUSH Learning Management System (e-LMS) under AYUSH Grid, where AI-driven analytics are being developed.” 

Strengthening research Incorporating AI into research methodology courses will enable students to conduct data-driven research in ayurveda, says Vaidya Rabinarayan Acharya, director general, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS). He says, “The regulatory body of AYUSH education, the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM), is taking steps to strengthen the research system. The implementation of AI-integrated education at universities and colleges can take several forms. For example, developing a curriculum with dedicated courses on data science, AI, and machine learning, tailored to ayurvedic studies, including their application in traditional medicine research and practice.”

PG NEET: NRI application rejection doubles at 324

PG NEET: NRI application rejection doubles at 324 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  17.03.2025 BANGALURU

Bengaluru : Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) rejected 324 applications for NRI (nonresident Indian) quota in PG NEET admissions this time, more than twice the number it did last year. As the PG NEET admissions for 2024-25 come to a close, a closer look at the data shows that KEA received 1,090 applications for NRI seats. This was 91 more than last year. While 766 of these were approved, 324 were rejected. At the same time last year, 850 were approved and 149 rejected. The bigger rejection rate is because of the stringent scrutiny KEA adhered to after a scam in allotting NRI seats was reported from Tamil Nadu. 

It may be recalled that in TN, a verification by the selection committee at the Directorate of Medical Education found that at least 44 doctors faked their certificates in their applications. Candidates applying under NRI sponsorship must have a real blood relation to the financial supporter. “As per the SC rulings, it should be up to first-degree relation. But many of the applications had only distant relations with the sponsor, resulting in their rejection. We also wrote to various embassies asking about the genuineness of the certificates, but we are yet to receive any reply from them,” said H Prasanna, KEA executive director.

“Many candidates approached us and asked us to consider their applications under general category,” he said. The number of seats allotted to NRI quota has also fallen drastically this year. Only 87 seats were allotted, while 344 vacant seats were converted to management. Last year, 394 seats were allotted for NRIs, and only 254 were converted to management. “We are unable to understand why only fewer students took up NRI seats this year. Students try through various states and the All India quota. They might have got better seats elsewhere,” he said.

Banned cough syrups seized, two held

Banned cough syrups seized, two held 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  17.03.2025

Vadodara : The Vadodara special operations group (SOG) arrested two individuals who illegally stocked banned cough syrups containing codeine, an opiate (used to treat pain), which is abused, particularly among young people. 

SOG officials arrested Vipul Rajput (23) a resident of Ratilal Park Society in Wag- hodiya, runs a medical store named Oakland Pharmacy near Gayatri temple in Waghodiya and Keyur Rajput (33), a resident of the Wadi area, runs a medical store named Ma Medical Store. 

Police officials said they received a tip-off that the banned syrup was stocked at Vipul’s house in Waghodiya. After the SOG team conducted a raid at the house along with a team of FSL and Vadodara food and drug inspector, the duo confessed to being involved in the illegal racket of selling the banned syrup. Later, the accused also revealed that they used to stock the cough syrup along with other medicines at a rented godown near Gayatri temple. When the SOG team raided the premises, they seized 4,785 bottles of 100 ml bottles of codeine phosphate and triprolidine HCL syrup, Anrex cough syrup worth Rs 10.97 lakh, along with 1,59,120 capsules of NRX dicyclomine hydrochloride, tramadol hydrochloride, and acetaminophen capsules, SEMDEX-plus capsules worth Rs 15.57 lakh.

 The total seizure is worth Rs 26.54 lakh, including cash, mobile phones, and vehicles. The duo was arrested and booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act