Don’t force me to disclose proof of graft: Vijay to DMK

Don’t force me to disclose proof of graft: Vijay to DMK 

20.08.2026

Chennai: Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday said he possessed files on alleged corruption in three govt departments and warned former DMK ministers and legislators not to force him to ‘open’ those files now. Vijay said he would make the findings public at an “appropriate time.” The exchange of words broke out in the assembly when DMK legislators protested remarks made by water resources department minister N Anand, who alleged widespread corruption in the housing scheme executed by the previous govt, including the allotment of houses to ineligible beneficiaries. 

Anand made these allegations while intervening during a speech by former minister I Periyasamy regarding the DMK’s flagship ‘Kalaignar Kanavu Illam Thittam’. Joining the debate, school education minister A Rajmohan said DMK MLAs go silent whenever evidence of corruption comes up. Rajmohan said he could not imagine the response from DMK leaders if the chief minister were to release the full reports of corruption. The opposition members strongly objected to the remarks and demanded immediate proof to back the allegations. Intervening in the debate, Vijay stepped in to directly address the opposition. 

“You are demanding proof. A week ago, Finance minister N Marie Wilson informed the assembly that detailed review reports on three departments were submitted to me. Those reports with detailed evidence are on my table. Do not force me to open them; I will disclose them at the right time,” he warned. Vijay added that he knew “when to talk and how to talk.” “It was because we spoke with love and affection that people voted us into the assembly,” he said and continued that he remained silent as it was only to help someone in the upcoming bypolls.

T.N. govt. to launch health insurance for the elderly

T.N. govt. to launch health insurance for the elderly

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI. 18.08.2026

Tamil Nadu will launch the ‘Chief Minister’s Elderly Health Insurance Scheme’, covering nearly 38 lakh senior citizens aged 70 and above. The scheme will provide free medical treatment, including cancer care packages, advanced cardiac surgeries, organ transplants, and high-end diagnostic services, at empanelled government and private hospitals, with no ceiling on income, Health Minister K.G. Arunraj announced in the Assembly on Monday.

The Minister made 115 announcements for the Health Department at a total estimated outlay of ₹2,997 crore. It covered areas including policy reforms, universal free health services, new posts creation, infrastructure projects, equipment and procurement, direct beneficiary programmes and digital health initiatives.

The 87-year-old Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939, will be replaced with a modern, comprehensive Act to address contemporary and future health challenges. Dr. Arunraj said a new provision would make unsupervised home births outside hospitals a punishable offence. Noting that Tamil Nadu was known as the country’s health capital, he said that ‘TN Medicity’, a world class integrated medical hub comprising clinical services, research, medical tourism, and AYUSH, would be established. The government will allocate ₹10 crore for the preparation of a Detailed Project Report in the first phase.

‘Nalam 360-Annual Free Health Check-up for All’ scheme will be rolled out. Under this, everyone aged 30 and above will receive 14 basic tests annually, free of cost, across 1,257 government health facilities in the State.

This will include blood pressure, ECG, haemoglobin, complete haemogram, random blood sugar, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol, serum bilirubin, urine albumin, and VIA screening. For the first time in the State, the Health Department will introduce Home Based Diagnostic Services — sample collection and testing services — in metropolitan areas on a public-private partnership model, he said. The department will come up with a ‘Positive Health Policy’ to promote holistic health and wellbeing at the community, family, and individual levels.

2,500 staff nurse posts

Addressing a long-standing demand, Dr. Arunraj said 2,500 permanent posts of staff nurses would be created. Existing contract nurses on consolidated pay will be absorbed into regular time-scale pay. A total of 1,695 nursing posts on consolidated pay will be created at a cost of ₹42.72 crore.

A total of 3,594 medical staff across 24 categories, including pharmacists, nursing assistants, village health nurses, and ophthalmic assistants, will be recruited through the Medical Services Recruitment Board. Additionally, the department will create 284 temporary super speciality posts across 25 specialities on time-scale pay to take advanced medical care to the district-level. These posts will be created to accommodate doctors who complete their post-graduation every year and are posted in government hospitals on bond conditions.

NEET toppers skew the curve in 2026, MBBS cut-off may go up by 40 marks Admissions Won’t Get Tougher, Say Experts

NEET toppers skew the curve in 2026, MBBS cut-off may go up by 40 marks Admissions Won’t Get Tougher, Say Experts

 

Pushpa.Narayan@timesofindia.com 11.08.2026

Chennai: The cut-offs for MBBS/BDS admissions to govt colleges in Tamil Nadu are likely to increase by up to 40 marks for the open category and between 21 and 41 marks for some reserved categories this year. This is because the number of top scorers in NEET 2026 is higher than that of the previous year. This may not mean that admissions will get tougher now, experts say, as the selection committee will allot seats based on the order of merit in the eligibility test and 69% rule of reservation. 

Counselling for MBBS and BDS will begin on Aug 13. Offline counselling will be held for candidates under special category on the same day. The MBBS/BDS rank list for 2026 admissions was released on Monday by health minister K G Arunraj. There were 90 students with a score above 700 in 2024, 29 students in 2023, and five in 2022. The number of students above 500 marks in 2026 was more than 6,000 compared to less than 4,000 in 2025. Between 350 and 499, there were 15,800 students, fewer than 17,431 recorded in 2025. This year, TN has 9,999 MBBS seats. After surrendering seats to the Centre under all India quota, the seat matrix will open with 7,157 seats—4,473 state-quota seats in govt colleges and 2,684 govt quota seats in self-financing colleges. 

For the first time in five years, the state has 50 MBBS seats each in three existing medical colleges. At least 700 MBBS seats have been added to private colleges, taking the additional seat tally to 850. But this will not reflect in the seat matrix. Four institutions with 800 MBBS seats were removed from the state list and added to the Centre’s list as they were granted deemed university status. While the health minister said the new seats will ease competition, counsellors say the loss of seats will also mean higher fee, no quota for meritorious students, no reservation under 60% or for govt school students. 

This year too, the middle is crowded,” said student counsellor Manickavel Arumugam. Analysis shows more than 3,800 students are bunched between 500 and 599 marks. Open category seats in govt run medical colleges, which ended at 1,508 rank in 2025, and a cut-off score of 533, will now have a cut-off hovering above 570. The BC cut-off will hover around 535, compared to 506 last year, while BCM and MBC will be around 523 and 525 respectively. In the SC/SCA and ST, cut off will be around 465, 435 and 430. Scores of students in the 7.5% quota, where seats were reserved for govt school students, have improved in 2026. Top six students under this category had scores hovering between 585 and 599, compared to last year’s topper who had a score of 572 out of 720. 

For BDS, there are 1,383 seats: 213 in govt colleges and 1,170 govt quota seats in selffinancing colleges. “Seats have come down as one college has been derecognised and one has been sent to the central pool after it was granted deemed university status,” Arunraj said. Experts say it is difficult to predict the cut-offs for dental seats, as BDS is no longer the natural choice for students who don’t get into MBBS—many wait to retake NEET.

MGR Medical University told to disclose AIC members, faculty details of affiliated colleges

MGR Medical University told to disclose AIC members, faculty details of affiliated colleges

Sakshi G... Read more at: https://news.careers360.com/tamil-nadu-information-commission-orders-mgr-medical-university-to-publish-aic-members-faculty-details-of-affiliated-colleges

MGR Medical University told to disclose AIC members, faculty details of affiliated colleges Sakshi Gupta | August 8, 2026 | 04:07 PM IST | 2 mins read

The university must provide details sought under RTI by August 20 after Arappor Iyakkam sought information on AIC members and faculty at affiliated colleges

TN Information commission orders MGR medical university to publish AIC, faculty details (Image Credit: Official Website/tnmgrmu.ac.in) The Tamil Nadu Information Commission has instructed the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University to publish complete details of professors working in private medical colleges affiliated with the university, as well as the members of the Affiliation Inspection Committee (AIC), on its website.

The commission has also directed the university to furnish the information sought under the Right to Information (RTI) Act within four weeks of the order, by August 20, 2026. It warned that failure to comply with the order could invite action under the RTI Act.

The order follows an RTI application by Arappor Iyakkam seeking information about AIC members who conducted inspection of affiliated medical colleges during the academic years 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25. The application also sought information about faculty members working in affiliated colleges during the corresponding academic years. The university's records also refer to requests concerning affiliation committee members and faculty members for these periods.

RTI appeal seeks inspection committee details The AIC of the university conducts inspection visits to private medical colleges before affiliation is granted to assess the infrastructure, medical facilities, faculty, and compliance with the requirements of medical education.

The RTI application sought information about the members of the inspection committee, their qualifications and faculty members of affiliated medical colleges. The university's response and subsequent proceedings formed part of the RTI case before the Tamil Nadu Information Commission. The university's Public Information Officer and Registrar were also involved in the proceedings. The records show that the matter proceeded through the RTI appeal process.

After hearing the matter, the Commission instructed the university to furnish the information requested and take steps to make information about the AIC members and faculty members available on its website for public access.

Commission stresses transparency in affiliations RTI filler said greater transparency is needed in the affiliation inspection process. It said information about who inspected a particular college, the qualifications of the inspection committee members and the professors working in affiliated medical colleges should be available for public scrutiny.

The transparency in medical colleges affiliation inspections is particularly important amid investigations into allegations of irregularities in faculty appointments and inspections.

The order also records the progression of the RTI proceedings, including the stages of appeal and directions for compliance. The records show references to proceedings under section 19(1) and 19(3) of the RTI Act.

Arappor Iyakkam seeks prompt RTI action RTI filler called on the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University to immediately implement the Information Commission's order and publish college-wise details of the AIC members and professors working in affiliated private medical colleges on its website.

The organisation also called for appropriate action under the RTI Act if the university fails to comply with the commission's directions. The order and related proceedings also refer to provisions of the RTI Act, including sections 19 and 20.

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Govt. should explain surrender of 151 super speciality seats: Stalin

Govt. should explain surrender of 151 super speciality seats: Stalin

M.K. Stalin

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI. 30.07.2026

DMK president M.K. Stalin on Wednesday demanded that the TVK-led government explain why it had failed to retain 151 super speciality medical seats in the State, resulting in their transfer to the all-India quota.

“It is a vital issue for Tamil Nadu. We have lost 151 super speciality seats, which would have otherwise produced doctors to serve the State,” he said in a social media post.

Mr. Stalin also questioned why the government had not adopted a resolution in the Assembly, opposing the transfer of the super speciality seats to the all-India quota. “Why did the government fail to file an appeal against the Supreme Court’s order dated May 29, 2026,” he asked.

He further questioned why the advocates appointed by the State government had failed to appear in the case, and why there had been a delay in engaging a senior advocate. “Why has there been such a lackadaisical approach to this issue from the very beginning,” he asked.

Mr. Stalin also wondered why the State government had “surrendered” despite the case being in Tamil Nadu’s favour.

Minister responds

Responding to Mr. Stalin’s criticism, Health Minister K.G. Arunraj said that unlike in previous years, when unfilled super speciality seats were lost after being surrendered to the all-India quota, the TVK government had ensured that if the qualifying cut-off is reduced, 50% of the remaining vacant super speciality seats will be reverted to Tamil Nadu.

In a statement on X, the Minister said that previously, after the completion of the super speciality counselling, all unfilled seats reserved for service candidates were surrendered to the all-India quota. The Union government later reduced the minimum qualifying cut-off marks and filled those seats through the all-India merit list. As a result, government doctors from Tamil Nadu were severely affected, he said.

This year, though 151 seats remained vacant, the State government refused to surrender them immediately. It took a firm stand that these seats would be surrendered only if there is an assurance that the qualifying cut-off would not be reduced. Accordingly, the State pursued a legal battle and secured a “historic” judgment from the Supreme Court, he added.

M.G.R. medical varsity challenges UGC regulations on according ‘deemed university’ status to private colleges

M.G.R. medical varsity challenges UGC regulations on according ‘deemed university’ status to private colleges

The university said the UGC regulations should be interpreted only as a directory and not a mandatory provision.

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI. 30.07.2026

The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University has moved the Madras High Court, challenging the validity of the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations that permit the grant of deemed-to-be-university status to private medical colleges without the express consent of the State university.

The university has also challenged the grant of such status to the Pudukottai-based Karpaga Vinayaga Educational Trust on May 20, 2026.

Court orders notice

The First Division Bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan on Wednesday ordered notices to the Union Ministry of Education, the UGC, the Tamil Nadu government, and the private trust, seeking their response to the two writ petitions filed by the State medical university.

The petitioner university contended that the UGC regulations, which require a State university to respond within 60 days to an application filed by a medical college for being accorded the deemed university status, failing which it would be considered that there was no objection for the conferment of such status, should be interpreted only as a directory and not a mandatory provision.

The university said the UGC regulations should be interpreted only as a directory and not a mandatory provision.

Consumers express shock over exorbitant bi-monthly electricity bills this year

Consumers express shock over exorbitant bi-monthly electricity bills this year

They say the bi-monthly bill for June and July was particularly high; TNPDCL officials say the extended summer this year contributed to a rise in electricity consumption compared to last year

Major issue: Electricity officials say some assessors engage in table-recording malpractice, wherein they do not physically pay a visit to residential buildings to check the meters. FILE PHOTo

R. Srikanth

Chennai. 29.07.2026

Hundreds of consumers have raised complaints about getting exorbitant bi-monthly electricity bills this year compared to last year. Particularly, domestic consumers in the city claimed that they were shocked seeing the electricity charges for the bi-monthly usage of June and July.

The residents have been sending complaints online to local officials of the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) about the exorbitant bills.

S. Manish, a resident of Nungambakkam, pointed out in his complaint that he would normally get electricity bills ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹6,000, but in this cycle, he received a bill of ₹10,000.

Delayed assessment

Several consumers complained that the primary reason for the high electricity bills were due to delayed assessment of the meters. Normally, the assessors are permitted a cushion of five days from the regular assessment cycle to complete the job. But residents complained that the delays are longer.

Bajarullah Khan, a resident of Pattabhiram, claimed his electricity bill went up mainly because of the delayed assessment of the meters.

A senior TNPDCL official said that the city’s extended summer this year has driven up electricity consumption compared to last year.

New peak demand

The city breached the peak power demand by crossing 5,000 mega watt (MW) on June 10.

As per the data available with the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC), the average peak demand in the city climbed to 4,500 MW, up from previous year’s average of 4,000 MW.

The official added that the peak demand, at times, almost reached 4,900 MW for sustained periods.

Local electricity officials cited shortage of assessors as the cause for delayed meter reading.

An official said that some assessors are engaged in table-recording malpractice, where-in they fail to pay a visit physically for assessing the electricity meters.

Consumer activist T. Sadagopan wants self-assessment of meters to be reintroduced until the assessors shortage problem is addressed.

PCI announces special provisions for B.Pharm students admitted up to AY 2025-26

PCI announces special provisions for B.Pharm students admitted up to AY 2025-26

Gireesh Babu, New Delhi

Saturday, July 25, 2026, 08:00 Hrs [IST]

The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has announced special provisions for the students who have been admitted to the B.Pharm programme up to the academic year 2025-26, in order to tide over any difficulties in completing the course following implementation of the revised B.Pharm syllabus.

The provision is intended to solely help students meet the minimum attendance requirements and complete the programme under the regulations applicable to their admission, said the Council.

The Council, in the backdrop of implementation of the revised B. Pharm syllabus (2026) as per NEP 2020 prescribed by the PCI for students admitted from the academic year 2026 2027 onwards, "all students admitted to the B. Pharm programme up to the academic year 2025-2026 shall continue to be governed by the syllabus and regulations under which they were originally admitted".

To enable these students to complete the programme under B. Pharm syllabus (2016-2017), they shall be permitted to progress to the next higher semester and attend classes, irrespective of any backlog courses.

"Students may continue their studies from the semester immediately following the last semester attended by them, while carrying forward their backlog courses and may continue in this manner up to the eighth semester," it added.

As no new admissions will be made from 2026-2027 onwards under the B. Pharm syllabus (2016-2017), students with a shortage of attendance in any semester shall be given an opportunity to make up the required attendance through special classes, additional instructional hours conducted beyond regular class hours, during study leave periods or through other arrangements approved by the institution.

"This provision is intended solely to help students meet the minimum attendance requirements and complete the programme under the regulations applicable to their admission," said the Council.

"It is the responsibility of the university/institution to ensure that, students admitted as per B. Pharm syllabus (2016-2017) complete the programme as required,' it added.

As reported earlier, the Council has recently notified the B.Pharm 2026, syllabus in the Gazette of India and directed the Universities and colleges approved by the Council under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, to strictly implement the syllabus from the academic session 2026-27.

The PCI launched the B.Pharm syllabus with a Choice Based Credit System (CBCS), emphasising on practical learning, research orientation, digital and artificial intelligence (AI) integration, proposed for implementation from the academic year 2026–27, on April 17, 2026.

The curriculum has been developed in alignment with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, to strengthen pharmacy education and with a vision to prepare graduates to meet the evolving needs of healthcare and the pharmaceutical sector.

The new syllabus aims at graduate attributes, the key competencies and professional qualities expected from every pharmacy graduate, as the pharmaceutical knowledge proficiency, scientific and analytical thinking, ethical and professional integrity, patient centred orientation, industry and practice readiness, digital and technological awareness, effective communication skills, among others.

The key highlights of the syllabus apart from the digital and AI technologies include research projects in the seventh and eighth semesters, internships in the fourth and sixth semesters, interdisciplinary learning, elective courses to ensure flexibility for the students, strong industry and clinical exposure, outcome-based education, focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and start-ups, among others.

The syllabus introduces emerging areas, including artificial intelligence (AI) and latest digital technologies, enabling students to understand their applications in fields such as drug discovery, pharmaceutical manufacturing, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacy practice, while remaining firmly grounded in the core pharmaceutical sciences, says the Council.

The course of study for B. Pharm shall extend over a period of eight semesters (four academic years) and six semesters (three academic years) for lateral entry students, it added.

MBBS/BDS application portal to reopen

MBBS/BDS application portal to reopen 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 26.07.2026

Chennai : The Tamil Nadu Selection Committee will reopen the online application window for MBBS and BDS admissions for candidates who have not yet submitted their applications for the 2026-27 academic session. The portal — tnmedicalselection.org — would remain open from 10 am on July 26 to 3 pm on July 27, a notification said. 

The committee decided to reopen the portal as a one-time measure after representations from students. It said no editing would be allowed for applications submitted earlier. The scrutiny of applications received before the extension was in process, and modifications or edits to these applications would delay the ongoing scrutiny phase, it said. “Candidates who have submitted their applications with minor errors need not panic. Minor clerical or typographical errors will be taken into consideration and verified appropriately during the document verification and scrutiny stages,” it said.

Faulty meters, billing errors caused spike in power bills: TNPDCL

 

Faulty meters, billing errors caused spike in power bills: TNPDCL

An internal communication issued by the director (finance) to all chief engineers states that field verification by revenue and accounts supervisors “has not been carried out properly”.

Image used for representational purposes only.(File Photo)

S Guruvanmikanathan

Updated on:

20 Jul 2026, 7:41 am

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) has admitted that lapses by its own officials – from chief engineers down to revenue supervisors – allowed faulty meter readings and billing errors to go unchecked, and has now warned of disciplinary action against those responsible.

The warning, part of the utility’s ongoing revenue reforms, is aimed at improving revenue collection, ensuring accurate billing and enhancing consumer satisfaction. The move comes amid a rise in complaints from domestic consumers over unusually high electricity bills.

An internal communication – accessed by TNIE – issued by the director (finance) to all chief engineers, states that field verification by revenue and accounts supervisors “has not been carried out properly”, and inspections by electricity distribution circle officials “have not been conducted effectively”.

The result was a spate of complaints from domestic consumers hit with unusually high bills which could be traced to defective meters, wrong readings and billing anomalies that a basic inspection should have caught, the circular said.

The communication also points out that defective meters were routinely missed at the first stage, with the job of fixing them dumped entirely on section offices. This, the communication said, had led to negligence in several cases. TNPDCL said this had directly dented consumer confidence and exposed how poorly its own billing and inspection procedures were being enforced on the ground.

The utility has now proposed timely inspections, quick action on consumer complaints, and accurate readings. To enforce this, TNPDCL has ordered, following the directions of director (finance), periodic inspections and mass verification drives in every section to catch defective meters and clear grievances without delay. Superintending engineers have been told to fix individual responsibility within circles and zonal offices to ensure accountability is maintained. Officials have also been asked to closely monitor billing operations and take corrective measures immediately wherever irregularities are noticed.

RGUHS to honour college founder amid legal dispute

RGUHS to honour college founder amid legal dispute 

Times News Network  BENGALURU 13.06.2026

Bengaluru : Ironically, RGUHS will award honorary doctorate to AC Shanmugam, founder chancellor of Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital, an institute with which the varsity is having a legal tussle. 

In 2019, the Centre and UGC approved an application to change the college from under the ambit of RGUHS and transfer it to Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, a deemed university in Chennai. 

RGUHS and the state govt opposed the move. They argued it will result in a massive loss of medical seats for Karnataka students and that UGC bypassed mandatory procedures by not consulting the state. 

The case is yet to conclude. The college is currently a constituent college of Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute. 

RGUHS said the name came from the governor’s office and they cannot do anything about it. RGUHS VC Bhagavan BC said, “It was a decision taken by the committee constituted by governor. There are three members, of which former VC Sacchidanand was the university’s nominee. We have no role in this beyond nominating a person to the panel.” 

Sharan Prakash Patil, medical education minister, wasn’t too happy about the choice. “This has come to my notice. We have gone to court against the college and they have got a stay. The legal fight is still on. But govt has no say in the selection process of honorary doctorates. All we can do is to initiate processes so that such things don’t happen in future.” 

Rajarajeshwari medical college official said the college has no issues with RGUHS. Apart from Shanmugam, the other awardees are Nailady Sridhar Shetty, former Dental Council of India president, and Harshangi Veerbhadrappa, paediatrician

Ebola: All int’l arrivals to fill declaration form in India

Ebola: All int’l arrivals to fill declaration form in India 

TRAVELADVISORY 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 08.06.2026

New Delhi : All international arrivals in India, both passengers and airline crew members, will now have to fill a self declaration form in the wake of the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa. Passengers who had direct contact with a person suspected/confirmed to have Ebola infection must immediately report to the airport health officer/health desk before immigration clearance. “Are you India-bound? In light of the reported outbreaks of Ebola Disease, all travellers and airline crew coming into India are to follow guidelines strictly. 

Your cooperation is essential in helping safeguard public health and ensuring safe travel for all,” the Bureau of Immigration stated in an Ebola travel advisory on X. “All travellers arriving in India are to fill their self-declaration form completely and accurately. Passengers who had direct contact with a person suspected/confirmed to have Ebola infection must immediately report to the airport health officer/health desk before immigration clearance,” the guidelines stated. 

Passengers are required to tell the airline or medical staff if they have experienced symptoms like “fever, vomiting, fatigue, diarrhoea, headache, unexplained bleeding, muscle pain, sore throat post travel. Monitor your health for 21 days after arrival. If symptoms develop, seek medical care instantly and share your travel history,” the bureau stated. This travel advisory expands the scope of the protocol issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation for airlines flying passengers to India who have visited Ebola hot zones in Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. They were required to fill self declaration forms and undergo thermal screening.

Tatkal booking goes haywire despite Railways app reforms

Tatkal booking goes haywire despite Railways app reforms

From July 2025, Tatkal tickets booked through the IRCTC website and mobile app were made available only to users authenticated with the Aadhaar number.

train

 

Tinisha Rachel Samuel

Updated on:

04 Jun 2026, 6:12 pm

KOLLAM: Nearly a year after the Indian Railways announced key modifications to the Tatkal booking service, passengers continue to face various issues and are unable to get confirmed tickets.

From July 2025, Tatkal tickets booked through the IRCTC website and mobile app were made available only to users authenticated with the Aadhaar number.

Tatkal tickets booked at computerised passenger reservation system (PRS) counters and through authorised agents also require OTP authentication sent to the mobile number provided by the user at the time of booking.

To prevent bulk bookings during the crucial opening period, authorised ticketing agents are not permitted to book Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window. According to the Indian Railways, around 14 lakh passengers book train tickets through online platforms daily, and for Tatkal, around four lakh users log in between 10 am and 11 am.

"There is an issue between demand and supply, which is the reason why the ticket issue persists," a senior Railways official said.

When TNIE tried booking a Tatkal ticket from Kollam Junction to MGR Chennai Central on train no 12624 through the RailOne app, the facility was not functional during the 11 am time slot. On the other hand, a private app showed TQWL 17 for third AC berths within three minutes of the booking period, at 11.03 am, even as the new rules suggest that private apps can only begin bookings after 11.30 am.

Several users on the social media platform X have raised allegations regarding issues with booking Tatkal tickets.

"I have been trying to book a single Tatkal ticket for the past four days. First, the mobile app kept crashing, then the website too. The system conveniently collapses during the first few crucial minutes when genuine users try to book tickets. Then, magically, after five minutes, the website and app start working perfectly normally, but by then all tickets would be sold out," lamented a user on X.

"One issue we have experienced in recent days is that if you search directly for Premium Tatkal tickets, most of the time there won't be any error, and there is a higher chance of getting a confirmed ticket. But with normal Tatkal, things are different. Many are asking whether this is being done intentionally to push passengers towards higher-cost tickets. Many also allege that normal Tatkal tickets are mainly booked by agents," alleged Ansuman Satapathy, a rail enthusiast. Premium Tatkal at times costs three times the rate of normal tickets.

Several rail users have also alleged that some railway staff at ticket counters help travel agents with bookings. A source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that such allegations are often raised.

"In several cases, server glitches occur on the RailOne app while booking Tatkal tickets. The app keeps loading for nearly five minutes even after payment is completed. By then, tickets would have been sold out. Most Tatkal bookings are made during emergencies, and refunds also take time," said Vishakh Kochiyil, a travel agent from Malappuram.

Chennai Airport advises passengers to use coloured ribbons on luggage; here is why

Chennai Airport advises passengers to use coloured ribbons on luggage; here is why 

With most modern suitcases appearing similar in size, shape, and colour, travellers often struggle to identify their bags from others, particularly after long flights.

Airports Authority of India (AAI) has advised passengers to identify their suitcases by tying coloured ribbons

Online Desk Updated on: 04 Jun 2026, 1:26 pm

CHENNAI: In a move aimed at reducing baggage-related confusion at airports, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has advised passengers to identify their suitcases by tying coloured ribbons to them before travel.

The advisory comes amid frequent incidents at airports, including Chennai, where passengers mistakenly collect the wrong luggage from baggage conveyor belts.

With most modern suitcases appearing similar in size, shape, and colour, travellers often struggle to identify their bags from others, particularly after long flights.

Although airlines attach baggage tags to every checked-in suitcase and provide passengers with matching tag details on their boarding passes, many travellers fail to verify the tag numbers while collecting their luggage.

Airport officials attribute this to travel fatigue, the desire to leave the terminal quickly, and the small print on baggage tags.

Such mistakes can cause significant disturbances and occasionally lead to disputes between passengers when luggage is wrongly taken from the carousel.

To address the issue, AAI has recommended that passengers tie ribbons or other easily recognisable markers in different colours to their suitcases.

Officials say the simple measure will help travellers quickly identify their bags on conveyor belts and reduce the chances of accidental mix-ups.

“Coloured ribbons can serve as an immediate visual identifier, enabling passengers to spot their luggage easily and avoid confusion,” airport officials said.

Why are passengers seeking better crowd management at baggage claim areas ? Meanwhile, passengers at Chennai Airport have also called for better crowd management around baggage claim areas.

Travellers point out that at many international airports, passengers typically wait at a designated distance from the conveyor belt and approach only when their luggage arrives. This practice helps people gain easier access to their baggage.

However, at most Indian airports, including Chennai, passengers often gather close to the conveyor belts with their trolleys.

This creates congestion, obstructing other passengers from retrieving their luggage and causing delays. In some cases, travellers are forced to wait longer for their bags to complete another round on the carousel because they are unable to reach them through the crowd.

Passengers urge airport authorities to introduce counter measures that encourage people to stand back from the conveyor belt until their luggage arrives. They believe such a system would improve passenger flow, reduce crowding, and make baggage collection more efficient and easier.

Airport officials maintain that a combination of better baggage identification practices and improved discipline around baggage carousels could significantly enhance the overall passenger experience at Chennai Airport and other airports across the country.

FMGs awaiting up to 2 years for internship, some take delivery jobs to survive:

FMGs awaiting up to 2 years for internship, some take delivery jobs to survive: 

Medicos urge NMC, Health Minister's intervention 

Written By : Adity SahaPublished On 4 June 2026 2:30 PM | Updated On 4 June 2026 2:30 PM

Chennai: Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) in Tamil Nadu are allegedly waiting for up to two years to secure a Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) seat.

The situation is reportedly so difficult that some FMGs have taken up food delivery jobs while waiting for internship opportunities, according to a message shared by the All FMGs Association (AFA), which has urged authorities to take immediate action.

Under the National Medical Commission regulations, FMGs are required to complete their foreign medical degree, clear the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination, complete the mandatory internship/CRMI in India and obtain permanent registration to practice in India.

Without completing the mandatory internship, FMGs cannot obtain permanent medical registration and are therefore unable to legally practice medicine in India. As a result, delays in internship allotment can leave qualified FMGs waiting for months or even years before they can start their careers.

Also read- NMC extends FMG internship in non-teaching hospitals till May 2028: All FMGs Association

Raising concerns over the issue, the All FMGs Association (AFA) has urged Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and the National Medical Commission (NMC) to address long-pending issues related to internship allotment, registration and stipend payments.

In a post on X, the association shared a message allegedly received from an FMG in Tamil Nadu, who described the condition of the graduates there and requested action.

On this, AFA said, "This is the message we received from FMGs in Tamil Nadu, and honestly, it shattered my heart. This is the reality of FMGs in India… even after clearing one of the toughest exams in the country, FMGE. On one side, NMC officials proudly meet foreign delegates, sign MoUs, and promote MBBS abroad to “strengthen bilateral relations.” But on the other side, the same NMC is unable to ensure that State Medical Councils follow its own rules."

Many FMGs facing similar issues across the country have alleged that, despite clear NMC instructions, several State Medical Councils are refusing to allot them internship seats on time.

Medical Dialogues, a week ago, reported that around 104 medical graduates, despite clearing the screening test, i.e., the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE), have been waiting for an internship program for the past two years, which is mandatory for FMGs to obtain their medical registration to practice. Frustrated by the delay, they have appealed to the West Bengal Chief Minister, seeking urgent intervention to ensure allocation of internship seats and implementation of the full National Medical Commission (NMC)-approved internship seat matrix in the state.

Calling the situation unfair, AFA said that many FMGs continue to struggle even after clearing the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), one of the mandatory requirements for practising medicine in India.

Highlighting the challenges faced by FMGs, AFA claimed that several states are not allotting internship seats despite vacancies being available. It also alleged that in some states, graduates are forced to wait for nearly two years to begin their internships.

Further, the association stated that many FMGs who have already completed their internships are still awaiting permanent registration. It also alleged that certain states are requiring graduates to undergo additional years of internship, despite NMC advisories and public notices on the matter.

And in most states, the association said that FMGs are working without a stipend, surviving on hope alone.

Tagging the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Medical Commission in its post, AFA said that these issues have been going on since the COVID-19 pandemic and require urgent attention.

"How long will FMGs keep suffering like this? We are not asking for privilege. We are not asking for shortcuts. We are only asking for basic fairness. Don’t punish FMGs for choosing MBBS abroad. We only want to serve our country, support our parents, and build a dignified life," the association added.

Commenting on this, Dr Samar Kumar, Vice President, AIMSA FMSW & AFA, told Medical Dialogues, "Every month, only two to three FMGs are being allotted internships, while many others have been waiting for 1.5 to 2 years. The major concern is that the Tamil Nadu Medical Council (TNMC) has sufficient internship seats available but is not utilizing non-teaching hospitals for FMG internships. Despite the National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines and notifications permitting non-teaching hospitals to conduct internships, TNMC continues to allot FMGs primarily to private medical colleges. This has created several problems."

He said, "Many private medical colleges charge FMGs for internship training, which is against NMC guidelines. Furthermore, most of these institutions do not provide stipends to FMG interns. As a result, many FMGs in Tamil Nadu are facing significant financial and mental stress. Some are even compelled to work as delivery personnel for companies such as Zomato and Swiggy to support themselves and their families while waiting for internship opportunities. We have repeatedly sought clarification and intervention from the Tamil Nadu Medical Council and the Health Ministry of Tamil Nadu. However, no adequate response or effective action has been taken so far."

The association has urged the Tamil Nadu Medical Council to utilize non-teaching hospitals for FMG internships and ensure the timely allotment of internships to all eligible FMGs.

Along with this, the association also requested NMC to kindly issue appropriate directions to TNMC to address this issue and ensure compliance with NMC guidelines.

Germany waives transit visa for Indians

Germany waives transit visa for Indians 

03.06.2026

New Delhi : Indians will no longer need a transit visa when travelling to another country with a layover at a German airport, the country’s embassy said here on Tuesday. 

The decision will come into effect on June 3. “The lifting of the airport transit visa for Indian citizens was announced in the Federal Law Gazette on June 2, and takes effect on June 3,” the German embassy said in a statement. “It underlines the federal govt’s commitment to deepening German-Indian relations, facilitating the movement of people, and further strengthening economic ties,” it said. 

This comes as a result of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to India in Jan, the embassy said. In April, the ministry of external affairs said the visa-free transit for Indians transiting through France had been operationalised by the French govt. PTI

Father & son who missed Chicago flight win ₹1.4L compensation

Father & son who missed Chicago flight win ₹1.4L compensation 

DIVERSION DRAMA - COUNSUMER AS KING

 Vindhya.Pabolu@timesofindia.com   14.05.2026

Bengaluru : What began as a routine trip to Chicago soon spiralled into an overnight nightmare for two Jayanagar residents, eventually leading to a legal battle. The episode dates back to Jan 4, 2024, when 68-year-old Satish Nagarajan Iyengar and his 38- year-old son, Rupesh, booked Air India round-trip tickets between Bengaluru and Chicago for Rs 2.9 lakh. 

Their onward journey was scheduled for Jan 18, with the return flight planned for Jan 22. On Jan 18, the duo checked in at Bengaluru airport and received two boarding passes each, while their baggage was tagged directly to Chica- go. Their flight departed Bengaluru at 9.10pm and was slated to arrive in Delhi at 11.55pm, where they were to board a connecting flight to Chicago at 2.35am. 

The flight was normal until it entered Delhi airspace, when the captain announced a diversion to Jaipur, citing low visibility. However, the duo contended that Delhi’s CAT IIIB-compliant runways were operational and the aircraft was equipped for landing in low visibility, alleging the diversion occurred due to pilots lacking CAT IIIB certification. 

The aircraft landed in Jaipur, where passengers waited for more than an hour while a CAT IIIB-certified crew was flown in. The flight then reached Delhi at 1.52am, leaving less than 45 minutes for the connection. Despite assurances that they would make the connection, they were met with placards and escorted through a priority channel. However, they were made to wait more than 30 minutes, their baggage was returned and the Chicago leg was cancelled, citing late arrival of AI 808. 

Air India’s Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC) later confirmed seats were available but said boarding had closed. For Satish, a senior citizen, the situation turned distressing. No food, water, seating or hotel accommodation was provided, nor any timeline for resolution. 

After a sleepless night at the airport, they booked a hotel at their own expense. The next morning, Air India issued tickets to Bengaluru and said reimbursement would be provided. On Jan 21, they filed a refund request. On Feb 5, Air India confirmed a full refund within 7-14 days. However, by March 5, only Rs 2.4 lakh was credited, leaving Rs 55,328 pending. Despite acknowledgement and follow-ups, payment was not made. The issue was escalated to the ministry of civil aviation on July 26, but they received no response. 

The duo filed a consumer complaint on July 17, 2025. In its defence, Air India cited operational and safety requirements for the diversion, stating low visibility procedures were mandatory. It argued boarding had closed by the time they arrived at the gate, making acceptance impossible. It also said an alternative routing via London was offered but declined, contending that passengers who opted for a refund could not later claim additional damages. On refunds, Air India stated that out of the total fare of Rs 1.5 lakh per ticket, in addition Rs 11,145 had been refunded for one ticket, while Rs 27,664 and Rs 16,519, respectively, remained under process or pending approval. 

The airline maintained that the delay in crediting the balance amounts was due to routine reconciliation and settlement procedures and not due to any mala fide intent. The commission observed that the flight diversion was not due to weather alone but stemmed from the crew’s lack of CAT IIIB certification, an internal lapse that could not be treated as force majeure to escape liability. 

It held that DGCA exemption clauses could not justify leaving a senior citizen stranded overnight without food, water, rest or accommodation. The partial refund of Rs 2,43,774 was treated as acknowledgement of liability, making the withholding of Rs 55,328 indefensible. It also upheld Rs 33,186 as legitimate damages and concluded that Air India’s actions constituted a clear deficiency in service. 

The bench, comprising president Ramachandra MS and members Nandini H Kumbhar and Savitha Airani, on April 29 ordered Air India to refund Rs 55,328 and pay Rs 33,186 for damages incurred at an interest at 6%. It directed the airline to pay Rs 20,000 as compensation for deficiency in service, Rs 25,000 for pain and suffering, and Rs 10,000 in litigationcosts.