AIIMS Madurai to open with 150 beds in Jan, says MP

AIIMS Madurai to open with 150 beds in Jan, says MP 

21.10.2026

Madurai: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Madurai will begin functioning with 150 beds from Jan 2027, AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP IS Inbadurai said on Tuesday following a meeting with institute director Dr Vir Singh Negi. Inbadurai, who was nominated to the institute’s governing body by the Union health ministry in Sept, said Negi briefed him on construction progress at Thoppur. 

“I am happy to learn that Madurai AIIMS will begin functioning with 150 beds in the first phase from January,” he said in a post on X, adding that construction had reached its final stages. The announcement follows Centre’s Sept 17 submission before Madras high court that fullfledged outpatient services would commence on Jan 1, 2027. However, that undertaking did not specify when inpatient services would begin. In its status report, the Centre said overall project completion would reach 59% by Sept-end, with 88% of Phase I and 35% of Phase II works completed. Five batches of MBBS students, previously accommodated at Ramanathapuram Government Medical College, were shifted to the Thoppur campus by Aug 31. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone in January 2019, but construction began only in May 2024. The project is largely financed through a Japanese development loan. Times News Network

Cardiologists conference held in city

Cardiologists conference held in city 

21.10.2026

Chennai: About 350 cardiologists from India and abroad attended an interventional cardiology conference organised by Promed Hospital in association with Chip-Cto over the weekend. 

The conference, inaugurated by school education minister A Rajmohan, had doctors from Japan, the US and Australia lead the faculty panel. Doctors in Canada, Saudi Arabia and the UK beamed live procedures into the hall. 

Sessions covered torn arteries, valve replacement and cardiac shock. Doctors practised with devices at a training village. “Complications in angioplasty are uncommon, but they will happen to every cardiologist. This will prepare them for that,” said Dr Arun Kalyanasundaram, the organising chairman. TNN

NMC withdraws medical education regulations: What colleges need to know

NMC withdraws medical education regulations: What colleges need to know

The NMC has withdrawn its 2023 medical education standards regulations with immediate effect, retaining mandatory Annual Disclosure Reports.

Existing approvals remain valid, while pending and fresh cases will follow the applicable legal framework.

NMC medical education rules: Commission scraps 2023 regulations, ADR filing remains mandatory

By:India Today Education Desk

New Delhi,Oct 18, 2026 15:30 IST

The National Medical Commission, NMC, has scrapped its 2023 regulations on maintaining standards in medical education, but medical colleges will still have to file Annual Disclosure Reports (ADRs) as required by law.

The decision was announced in a notification dated October 14 and published in the Gazette of India. The regulations, which came into force following their notification on September 19, 2023, and publication in the official gazette on September 21, 2023, have now been withdrawn with immediate effect.

Issued under Sections 10, 24, 25 and 57 of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, the notification also explains how existing approvals, legal obligations and pending regulatory matters will be handled following the withdrawal.

NMC WITHDRAWS 2023 RULES: WHAT DOES THE NOTIFICATION SAY?

The commission has not specified a separate reason for withdrawing the Maintenance of Standards of Medical Education Regulations, 2023.

However, the notification makes clear that the decision will not retrospectively cancel actions taken while the regulations were in force. Approvals, renewals, orders, decisions and directions issued under the earlier framework will continue to remain valid.

Similarly, rights and privileges already acquired, along with obligations and liabilities incurred before the withdrawal, will not automatically cease to exist. These provisions establish that the removal of the regulations does not, by itself, reverse earlier regulatory decisions or extinguish existing legal responsibilities.

Despite the withdrawal, medical colleges and other medical institutions must continue submitting Annual Disclosure Reports under the applicable legal framework.

"The requirement of furnishing the Annual Disclosure Report (ADR) shall continue to operate in accordance with Section 24(i) and 25(h) of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 and the regulations applicable from time to time," the notification stated.

ADRs form part of the statutory disclosure requirements applicable to medical institutions. The latest notification does not exempt colleges from these obligations. Institutions must therefore continue to follow the reporting requirements prescribed under the provisions currently in force.

For medical colleges, this means that the withdrawal of the 2023 regulations should not be interpreted as the end of their mandatory disclosure responsibilities.

HOW WILL PENDING NMC CASES AND APPLICATIONS BE HANDLED?

The notification also sets out how regulatory matters already underway will be treated.

Applications, appeals, inquiries, proceedings and other pending matters may continue to be dealt with under the withdrawn 2023 regulations, wherever applicable and in accordance with the conditions specified in the notification.

Matters arising after the date of withdrawal, meanwhile, will be governed by the NMC Act, 2019, and the statutory or regulatory provisions applicable at the time.

The distinction provides continuity for certain matters initiated under the earlier rules while establishing the legal framework for cases arising after their withdrawal.

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Medical institutions with pending applications or proceedings will need to refer to the notification and the relevant provisions to determine how their individual cases are affected.

WHAT MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS NEED TO KNOW

The withdrawal changes the regulatory framework under which medical education standards were governed, but it does not automatically invalidate earlier approvals or remove existing statutory obligations.

Medical colleges must continue filing Annual Disclosure Reports and comply with the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to them. The status of pending cases will depend on the transitional provisions set out in the NMC notification.

The National Medical Commission is the statutory authority responsible for regulating medical education and the medical profession in India. Its latest notification clarifies the consequences of withdrawing the 2023 regulations while preserving the treatment of specified earlier decisions and pending matters.

(With inputs from PTI)

NEET PG Counselling 2026 Round 1: Complete Timeline and Key Dates

NEET PG Counselling 2026 Round 1: Complete Timeline and Key Dates

https://medadmit.in/updates/neet-pg-counselling-2026-round-1-registration-nri-quota-documents

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced that registration for NEET PG Round 1 counselling will open on October 12, 2026. This is a critical window for all MBBS graduates who have cleared the NEET-PG exam and are preparing to secure a postgraduate seat in MD, MS, PG Diploma, or DNB programmes across India. Alongside regular Indian candidates, the MCC has also detailed the specific eligibility criteria and document requirements for candidates applying under the NRI (Non-Resident Indian) quota. Understanding these requirements now will help you prepare your application smoothly and avoid delays during the counselling process.

NEET PG Round 1 registration opens October 12, 2026; NRI candidates must submit category-specific documents during registration, with a document verification process and correction window built into the timeline.

The MCC has released the full schedule for NEET PG Round 1 counselling, which will run from October 12 to November 2, 2026. Registration and fee payment will occur from October 12 to 21, while choice filling and locking will run concurrently from October 13 to 22. This overlap means you can begin selecting your preferred colleges and specialities even as the registration window remains open, giving you flexibility to refine your choices as you gather information.

The allotment process will take place on October 22 and 23, with results announced on October 24. Candidates who receive a seat allocation will then have until November 2 to report to their allotted college. This compressed timeline underscores the importance of having all documents ready before October 12, as delays in verification could cost you the opportunity to lock in your choices during the choice-filling window.Registration and fee payment: October 12–21, 2026

Choice filling and locking: October 13–22, 2026

Allotment process: October 22–23, 2026

Seat allotment result: October 24, 2026

Reporting to colleges: October 26 – November 2, 2026

Who Is Eligible for NRI Quota Admissions in NEET PG?

The NRI quota in NEET PG is open to candidates who meet specific residency and relationship criteria. If either of your parents is an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) and residing abroad, you qualify for NRI quota admission. Similarly, if a first-degree relative—defined as a real brother or sister, or a parent—is an NRI and residing abroad, you are eligible. This definition is important because it clarifies that only blood relations count; in-laws or extended family do not qualify.

Additionally, candidates who initially registered as Indian during the NEET-PG exam but now wish to apply under the NRI category are permitted to do so during counselling registration. This flexibility is valuable for candidates whose family circumstances may have changed or who did not initially realize they were eligible for the NRI quota. However, such category conversion requires submission of additional documentation and verification by the MCC's Document Verification Committee (DVC).

One or both parents are NRI and residing abroad

Real brother or sister is NRI and residing abroad

Candidates can convert from Indian to NRI category during counselling registration

NRI Category I: Standard NRI, Parent, Sibling, or Relative Applicants

Category I is the most common NRI quota pathway and applies to candidates whose parent, real brother, or real sister is an NRI. To apply under this category, you must submit a comprehensive set of documents that establish your educational history, medical qualifications, and the NRI status of your sponsor. The documents begin with your Date of Birth Certificate and extend through your 10th and 12th mark sheets, along with equivalence certificates from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) if your schooling was outside India.

Your MBBS examination mark sheets from all three professional years are mandatory. If you completed your MBBS outside India, you must also provide your FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) scorecard. Your NEET-PG scorecard issued by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) is essential, as is a valid passport. Critically, you must obtain an NRI Certificate from the competent authority—either the Indian Embassy or an Indian Consulate in the country where your sponsor resides. This certificate is the official proof of NRI status and cannot be substituted.

Finally, you must submit a notarised affidavit on Rs 100 stamp paper from your NRI sponsor (parent, brother, or sister) confirming their commitment to fund your entire course fees and living expenses during your postgraduate studies. 

This affidavit must be supported by bank account documentation—specifically, an NRE (Non-Resident External) or NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) Bank Account Passbook showing the sponsor's financial capacity. 

A revenue authority officer (Tehsildar, Patwari, or Government Officer in the Revenue Department) must also verify your relationship to the sponsor.

Date of Birth Certificate

10th and 12th mark sheets with AIU equivalence certificate (if applicable)

MBBS 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Professional Examination mark sheets

FMGE scorecard (if MBBS completed outside India)

NEET-PG scorecard from NBE

Valid passport

NRI Certificate from Embassy or Indian Consulate

Notarised affidavit (Rs 100 stamp paper) from NRI sponsor confirming financial support

NRE/NRO Bank Account Passbook of sponsor

Relationship verification by revenue authority officer

NRI Category II: OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) Applicants

Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) form a distinct category within the NRI quota. OCI status is granted to foreign nationals of Indian origin or their descendants who wish to maintain a connection with India. If you hold an OCI card, you can apply for NEET PG postgraduate seats under this category. The document requirements for OCI applicants are similar to Category I in most respects but differ in one critical way: instead of an NRI Certificate and a sponsorship affidavit, you must submit your valid OCI Card.

Like Category I applicants, you must provide your 

Date of Birth Certificate, 

10th and 12th mark sheets (with AIU equivalence certificates if applicable), 

MBBS examination mark sheets from all three years,

FMGE scorecard (if your MBBS was outside India), 

NEET-PG scorecard, and a valid passport. 

The OCI Card itself serves as proof of your eligibility and status, eliminating the need for an Embassy certificate or sponsorship documentation. This streamlined requirement reflects the fact that OCI status is already a recognized legal status granted by the Government of India.

Date of Birth Certificate

10th and 12th mark sheets with AIU equivalence certificate (if applicable)

MBBS 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Professional Examination mark sheets

FMGE scorecard (if MBBS completed outside India)

NEET-PG scorecard from NBE

Valid passport

Valid Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card

NRI Category III: Foreign National Applicants

Foreign nationals who have completed their MBBS in India or abroad and have qualified in NEET-PG can also apply for NRI quota seats. This category is designed for candidates who hold citizenship of a country other than India and do not hold OCI status. The document requirements are largely identical to those for OCI applicants, with one key difference: instead of an OCI Card, you must submit your citizenship certificate along with your foreign passport.

All other documentation—

Date of Birth Certificate, 

10th and 12th mark sheets, 

MBBS examination mark sheets, 

FMGE scorecard if applicable, and NEET-PG scorecard—remains the same. 

The citizenship certificate serves as proof of your nationality and is typically issued by the government of your country of citizenship. This category ensures that international medical graduates who have qualified through NEET-PG have a clear pathway to postgraduate medical education in India.

Date of Birth Certificate

10th and 12th mark sheets with AIU equivalence certificate (if applicable)

MBBS 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Professional Examination mark sheets

FMGE scorecard (if MBBS completed outside India)

NEET-PG scorecard from NBE

Valid foreign passport

Citizenship certificate

NRI Category IV: Indian Candidates Converting to NRI Status During Counselling

Some candidates register for NEET-PG as Indian citizens but later discover they are eligible for the NRI quota—for example, if a parent recently obtained NRI status or if they were unaware of their eligibility at the time of exam registration. The MCC permits such candidates to convert their category from Indian to NRI during the counselling registration phase. This conversion requires submission of all standard educational and examination documents, plus proof of NRI status and sponsorship.

In addition to the documents required for Category I applicants, candidates converting from Indian to NRI must provide evidence of guardianship if they claim sponsorship by a legal guardian rather than a parent or sibling. 

This evidence might include school or college fee receipts showing payment by the claimed guardian, educational records reflecting the guardian's involvement, bank or payment records evidencing financial support, or other relevant documentation establishing that the person has genuinely cared for and supported the candidate for the required period. 

A notarised affidavit from the guardian is also mandatory, confirming their commitment to sponsor the entire course and living expenses, supported by NRE/NRO Bank Account documentation.

Date of Birth Certificate

10th and 12th mark sheets with AIU equivalence certificate (if applicable)

MBBS 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Professional Examination mark sheets

FMGE scorecard (if MBBS completed outside India)

NEET-PG scorecard from NBE

Valid passport

NRI Certificate from Embassy or Indian Consulate

Notarised affidavit from NRI sponsor or legal guardian (Rs 100 stamp paper)

NRE/NRO Bank Account Passbook of sponsor

Documentary evidence of guardianship (fee receipts, educational records, bank statements, etc.)

Relationship verification by revenue authority officer

Step-by-Step Process for NRI Document Submission and Category Verification

The MCC has established a structured 10-step process to ensure transparent and fair verification of NRI documents. The process begins when you select the NRI quota during registration on the MCC portal on October 12. If you initially registered as Indian during the NEET-PG exam but now wish to apply as NRI, you must still select the NRI option at this stage. Next, you will select your specific NRI subcategory (Category I, II, III, or IV) based on your eligibility.

You will then upload all supporting documents as scanned copies through the MCC portal during registration. The MCC's Document Verification Committee will scrutinise these documents online. If discrepancies or deficiencies are found—such as missing pages, unclear scans, or incomplete information—the committee will raise a document discrepancy query. You will be notified of any issues via SMS and email, and a correction window will be provided to resolve the query within a stipulated timeframe. During this window, you can edit, modify, or resubmit corrected documents online.

Once all documents are found to be in order, your category will be converted from Indian to NRI (if applicable), and you will become eligible to access the NRI category seat list and select NRI quota seats during choice filling. 

Importantly, if you are unable to produce required documents within the correction window during Round 1, you can still participate in Round 2 counselling, giving you a second opportunity to submit and verify your documents.

Step 1: Select NRI quota during registration on MCC portal

Step 2: Select your NRI subcategory (I, II, III, or IV)

Step 3: Upload all supporting documents as scanned copies

Step 4: MCC Document Verification Committee reviews documents online

Step 5: Committee raises discrepancy query if issues are found

Step 6: Candidate notified via SMS and email of discrepancies

Step 7: Correction window provided to resolve issues and resubmit documents

Step 8: Category converted to NRI once all documents are verified

Step 9: Candidate becomes eligible to access NRI seat list and select choices

Step 10: Candidates unable to complete verification in Round 1 can participate in Round 2

Practical Checklist: What NRI Candidates Must Do Before October 12

To ensure a smooth registration and verification process, begin preparing your documents immediately. Gather all original certificates and mark sheets, and arrange for certified scans or digital copies. If any of your educational documents are from outside India, obtain equivalence certificates from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) well in advance, as this process can take time. If your MBBS was completed outside India, ensure you have your FMGE scorecard. Verify that your passport is valid and will remain valid throughout your postgraduate course.

If you are applying under Category I, contact the Indian Embassy or Consulate in your sponsor's country of residence to obtain the NRI Certificate. This is a critical document and should not be delayed.

Prepare the notarised affidavit from your NRI sponsor on Rs 100 stamp paper, and gather the NRE/NRO Bank Account Passbook pages showing the sponsor's financial capacity. If you are converting from Indian to NRI status, collect all guardianship evidence (fee receipts, educational records, bank statements) and arrange for relationship verification by a revenue authority officer. Finally, ensure all documents are scanned clearly in PDF or JPG format, as poor-quality scans may be rejected during verification.Gather and certify all educational mark sheets and certificates

Obtain AIU equivalence certificates for education completed outside India

Secure FMGE scorecard if MBBS was outside India

Verify passport validity

Obtain NRI Certificate from Embassy/Consulate (Category I applicants)

Prepare notarised affidavit from NRI sponsor on Rs 100 stamp paper

Collect NRE/NRO Bank Account Passbook pages

Gather guardianship evidence if converting from Indian to NRI

Arrange relationship verification by revenue authority officer

Scan all documents clearly in PDF or JPG format

Why This Matters for Your NEET PG Admission Journey

The NRI quota represents a significant pathway for eligible candidates to secure postgraduate medical seats in India. For MBBS graduates with NRI family connections, this quota often offers competitive advantages in terms of seat availability and choice options. However, the document verification process is rigorous, and incomplete or incorrect submissions can delay your category conversion and limit your ability to select from the full range of available seats during choice filling.

Understanding the specific requirements for your NRI category now—before registration opens—allows you to prepare methodically and avoid last-minute scrambling. The MCC's structured verification process, while thorough, includes a correction window, but relying on this window means you may miss the opportunity to lock in your preferred choices during the main choice-filling period. By submitting complete, accurate documents on the first attempt, you maximise your chances of swift verification and full participation in the counselling process.

NMC refuses to disclose information on action against private colleges over unpaid PG stipends

NMC refuses to disclose information on action against private colleges over unpaid PG stipends

In 2023, NMC said 2,110 students reported no stipend, 4,288 said they were paid less than students at govt medical colleges in their states, 1,228 said colleges took back money after paying them.

Sneha Richhariya

13 October, 2026 05:09 pm IST

New Delhi: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has refused to disclose action taken against private medical colleges accused of withholding or underpaying stipends to postgraduate (PG) medical students, citing an exemption under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.

In a reply dated 8 October 2026 to an RTI application filed by Kerala-based doctor K. V. Babu, the medical regulator declined to share details of action taken following its own 2023 survey, which found that thousands of postgraduate students at private medical colleges were either not receiving stipends, being paid less than their counterparts in government colleges, or being forced to return the money.

The refusal comes after the commission told the Supreme Court in August 2026 that all 564 medical colleges offering postgraduate courses had reported paying stipends to their students and resident doctors. The affidavit listed the amounts reported by individual colleges but did not reveal whether payments had been independently verified or whether complaints recorded in the earlier survey had been resolved.

In its 24 August 2023 advisory, the NMC’s Post Graduate Medical Education Board said 2,110 students reported receiving no stipend, 4,288 said they were paid less than students at government medical colleges in their respective states, and 1,228 said their colleges took back the money after paying them.

The regulator had then warned private medical colleges of strict action for non-compliance. However, the latest RTI reply does not clarify whether any institution was penalised for non-payment or underpayment.

“There is not even a single instance of NMC taking any action against those medical colleges, which are defaulters in paying stipend to PG doctors/interns. Still, they have no hesitation in filing entirely different data in the Supreme Court of India. It is time to take action against NMC officials, who are not submitting the exact data in the SC,” Dr Babu said.

Last week, a senior NMC official told ThePrint that the commission would take stricter action against institutions violating stipend rules, including financial penalties and possible consequences for accreditation.

The official also said the Undergraduate Medical Education Board had recently imposed monetary penalties on eight institutions for failing to submit stipend-related information. However, Dr Babu said these penalties were for not submitting records, not for failing to pay stipends.

Stipend rules and enforcement

Under Section 5.4 of the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023, postgraduate students pursuing degree, diploma and super-speciality courses at private colleges must receive stipends at par with students at state or central government medical institutions in the same state or Union Territory.

The issue also extends to undergraduate interns. The NMC’s Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) Regulations, 2021, require interns to be paid the stipend fixed by the appropriate authority applicable to their institution, university or state. Unlike the postgraduate regulations, they do not explicitly require parity with interns at government medical colleges in the same state.

Dr Babu said he had raised this discrepancy with the Union Health Ministry in June 2022. Following this, the ministry’s Medical Education Policy section asked the NMC in November 2025 to examine the issue and sent a reminder on 15 December 2025.

Later, in a response dated 18 February 2026, the NMC’s Undergraduate Medical Education Board said any amendment to the CRMI regulations would require consideration through the statutory process and consultation with authorities concerned.

In an RTI reply dated 17 July 2026, the commission then said the February letter had been sent in response to inputs sought by the ministry and that stakeholders would be consulted when the regulations were revised or amended.

Responding to ThePrint’s queries on whether a decision had been taken to initiate amendments to CRMI regulations, a senior NMC official said, “The fixation of stipend rates involves the respective state governments and competent authorities, and requires wider stakeholder consultation. The regulatory intent & stated position of the commission is very clear on this. No definitive timeline can be indicated at this stage, as the action lies at the level of respective states. The issue is a continuous discussion point with the states.”

Regarding actions taken against defaulter colleges, the official said, “NMC has consistently maintained that payment of the prescribed stipend to postgraduate medical students is mandatory and that the regulatory non-compliance is viewed seriously. Complaints regarding non-payment or irregular payment are examined, and appropriate action is initiated against defaulting institutions in accordance with the applicable regulations.”

On the denial of information in response to the RTI, the official said, “The response to a particular RTI application needs to be checked with the concerned CPIO (Central Public Information Officer) and the same has to conform to the provisions of the RTI Act.”

HC upholds striking down of G.O. cancelling retired govt. doctors’ enhanced pension

HC upholds striking down of G.O. cancelling retired govt. doctors’ enhanced pension

The Hindu Bureau

MADURAI 13.10.2026

A two-judge Bench of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has upheld a single judge’s order quashing a Government Order (G.O.) issued in 2025, which cancelled the enhanced pension and family pension granted to retired State government doctors/medical officers and their families.

A Division Bench of Justices C.V. Karthikeyan and R. Sakthivel said the G.O. had been issued only under Rule 56 of the Tamil Nadu Pension Rules, 1978. But, there should be a corresponding amendment to the Rules providing for deprivation of pension even after the pension had been sanctioned. “Though it could be stated that the government is waiving recovery, still reduction of pension is deprivation, and there can never be such deprivation except under the authority of law. There is no indication that Article 162 of the Constitution had been applied while passing the G.O.,” the court said.

The judges said the doctors had discharged their noble duty while in service. There was no complaint about lack of dedication during their period of service. They had retired in October, 2009. As on date, the youngest of them would be 76 years of age (taking 60 as the age of superannuation).

“They are thus a diminishing class. More than 50 of them had died. The family pension would only be 50% of the pension payable to a retired public servant. The financial commitment decreases on death,” they said.

Degradation of services

The judges held there cannot be a reduction of pension just to satiate the pleasure of Executive Officers deciding these issues. The plight of retired pensioners should be seen. “It is not a question of mere reduction of pension, but the hurt caused owing to degradation of the services rendered by them. Their services rendered to hundreds and thousands of patients should be recognised and should not be just washed away by citing other financial commitment by the government,” the judges said. They added, the government as a welfare State has a duty to recognise the loyal services rendered by a public servant. Deprivation of sanctioned pension could be resorted to only in the manner known to law.

“When the law does not authorise such deprivation, the government can never take away a part of the pension under the umbrella of a G.O, which has no statutory value. Though it is claimed to have been passed under Rule 56 of the Tamil Nadu Pension Rules there are no corresponding amendments to the Rules. There is no claim that Article 162 of the Constitution had been applied by the government,” the court said and dismissed the appeals filed by the State.

Why MBBS seats under ‘freedom fighter’quota, 79 years after independence?

Why MBBS seats under ‘freedom fighter’quota, 79 years after independence? With Fake Certificates, An Adoption Claim & One Beneficiary Born In 2008, The Question Is No Longer JustWho Qualifies But How Long The Quota Can Continue | Vyapam Whistleblower Seeks A Six-Year Audit 

P.Naveen@timesofindia.com 10.10.2026 TOI BHOPAL

Bhopal: Seventy-nine years after Independence, Madhya Pradesh’s 3% freedom fighter quota for medical admissions is under scrutiny. Seven certificates were reportedly found fake during the 2025 MBBS/BDS counselling, and the admissions were cancelled. The admission rules provide for eligible sons, daughters, grandsons and granddaughters of recognised freedom fighters, subject to prescribed documentation. The freedom fighter must be registered in the Collectorate concerned, and the prescribed certificate has to be issued by the competent authority. The provisions available do not expressly extend the benefit to great-grandchildren or later generations. Yet one beneficiary’s date of birth is listed as 2008, 61 years after Independence. Age alone does not establish ineligibility or wrongdoing, but the case has brought the verification process under the scanner. 

Of the seven certificates found fake among candidates admitted in the first round of counselling, six were for MBBS and one for BDS. The category had 66 seats, of which 36 were allotted and 22 candidates took admission. Authorities also sought verification of other certificates after a suspicious document surfaced. The issue has also reached the criminal justice system. Shivpuri police registered an FIR on Dec 31, 2025, after a freedom fighter certificate submitted during the first round of NEETUG 2025-26 counselling came under scrutiny. 

The aspirant had sought admission under the category at Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Medical College, Shivpuri. The college sought verification from the Collector, Chhatarpur, and the FIR alleges that the certificate was fake. The case has been registered under sections 318(4), 338, 336(3) and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. In another instance, a student has secured an MBBS seat by claiming his father had been ‘adopted’ by a freedom fighter. The certificate was reportedly verified by Gwalior authorities. However, the available provisions do not expressly clarify whether a candidate  can claim the benefit through an adopted parent or whether a biological relationship is required. 

The question is whether a legally valid adoption makes the candidate a grandson of the freedom fighter for the purposes of the quota. The courts have repeatedly stressed the need for documentary proof of both the freedom fighter’s status and the claimant’s relationship. In Krati vs State of Madhya Pradesh, MP high court had rejected a claim based on a grandfather after finding that the material produced did not establish the required Freedom Fighter status and that the prescribed Madhya Pradesh certification was not available. In Kushal Saxena vs State of Madhya Pradesh, the court had rejected a claim based on a grandfather registered as a freedom fighter in Uttar Pradesh, even though the candidate himself was a resident of MP. 

The cases show that residence, a claimed family relationship or a certificate from another authority cannot by themselves establish entitlement to the MP quota. The original freedom fighter record and the prescribed chain of relationship have to satisfy the applicable rules. 

Whistleblower seeks six-year audit: Vyapam whistleblower Dr Anand Rai has sought details of certificates and admissions for the past six years, saying the entire system needs to be examined. “How is this possible? Many more would come saying their fathers were adopted by freedom fighters. It’s a scam which needs investigation,” Rai said. He said govt should conduct a comprehensive audit instead of examining cases individually. He has sought district-wise information on freedom fighter certificates and medical admissions, including the candidates who used the certificates, the relationship claimed with the original freedom fighter, certificates rejected during verification, certificates later cancelled and cases referred to police. The data, he said, should be matched with original Collectorate registers, freedom fighter records and pension records. Such a comparison would establish whether the family relationship claimed at the time of admission existed in the original govt records or was added or established later. 

The audit could also show whether the adoption-based claim and the 2008 case are isolated instances or whether wider weaknesses exist in the verification system. Govt review: MP’s Director of Medical Education Dr Aruna Kumar said govt was considering the category. “The govt is thinking over the freedom fighters category. A  decision will be taken once the current admission season is over,” she said. Asked how these certificates are verified, she said, “We don’t do that; it’s up to the deans to verify it.” Why the age pattern calls for a probe: The numbers alone do not prove wrongdoing, but they raise questions that only a probe can answer, says Dr Anand Rai. A person who took part in the freedom movement by 1947 was most likely born between the 1900s and the 1920s. Their children would typically have been born between the 1930s and the 1960s, and their grandchildren between the 1960s and the 1990s. 

A candidate sitting NEET in 2025 is usually 17 to 25 years old, born roughly between 2000 and 2008. On this count, most such candidates would be great-grandchildren, a generation the rules do not expressly cover. A grandchild born around 2008 would require a freedom fighter born in the 1920s, whose child was born in the 1960s or later, and whose own child arrived in the mid-2000s. That chain is possible, but stretched. It cannot be settled by looking at a certificate alone. Only the original Collectorate registers, freedom fighter records, pension files and family documents can show whether each link in the chain existed in the govt’s own records or was added later. 

“That is why a probe is needed. It would establish whether the 2008 case is a rare exception, since late fatherhood, large age gaps and adoptions can all produce long generational gaps, or whether claims that look improbable on a generational count have been passing verification year after year. If the probe finds the chains hold, the system is cleared. If it finds gaps, the question of which eligible candidates lost seats follows,” asks Dr Rai.

NMC bars hosps from using AI for promos Move Aimed To Protect Patients From Misleading Claims

NMC bars hosps from using AI for promos Move Aimed To Protect Patients From Misleading Claims 

Anuja.Jaiswal@timesofindia.com 08.10.2026

New Delhi: Doctors and hospitals cannot use AI to create patient testimonials, clinical outcomes or promotional content, nor can they pay to manipulate rankings like those on search engines and apps, under new ethical advertising guidelines issued by National Medical Commission (NMC) on Tuesday. 

The guidelines, effective immediately, come in the backdrop of a Supreme Court petition seeking tighter regulation of corporate hospital advertising. They aim to curb commercialisation of medical practice and protect patients from misleading claims, while bringing AI-generated content, influencer marketing and search-engine manipulation under the medical ethics framework. 

NMC has specifically barred registered medical practitioners (RMPs) and hospitals from using AI-generated or AI-assisted content to advertise their services, solicit patients or disseminate misleading or unverifiable information about diagnoses, treatments or outcomes. 

AI cannot be used to create synthetic patient testimonials, voices, clinical outcomes or fake endorsements, or misrepresent the nature or quality of medical services. In another significant provision, doctors cannot pay for or manipulate search rankings, visibility or algorithms to create a misleading impression of their professional standing. They also cannot make unverified claims such as “best”, “number one”, “most trusted”, “guaranteed cures” or “100% success”. The guidelines also target the growing use of influencers and digital marketing agencies in healthcare. Doctors cannot engage influencers, advertising agencies or online platforms in arrangements involving payment linked to procuring or referring patients. Discounts and inducements are also restricted. Doctors and hospitals cannot offer limited-period discounts, coupons, gift packages or referral benefits if these are likely to encourage unnecessary consultations, diagnostic investigations or treatment. 

However, NMC allows doctors to use social media for factual, non-promotional health education, disease information and public-health communication, provided they do not promote their practice or commercial interests. Hospitals can similarly share objective, verifiable details about their location, departments, facilities, services, accreditation, charges and contact information. Patient testimonials, before-and-after images and treatment-success claims that could create unrealistic expectations or mislead are also prohibited. NMC has prescribed graded penalties, from a warning and mandatory ethics training for a first violation to censure and monetary penalty for a second, suspension for three to six months for a third, and six to 12 months for serious violations. Repeated violations can lead to removal from the medical register for one to three years

Service postgraduates get temporary postings without counselling

Service postgraduates get temporary postings without counselling

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI  08.10.2026

Nearly 800-odd service postgraduates (PG), who completed MD/MS, have been given temporary postings in Tamil Nadu without counselling or following seniority.

Government doctors said this was a departure from the practice followed in the past few years, when vacancy lists were notified and counselling was held for posting service PGs. However, health officials said the temporary postings were made only for salary purposes. On October 5, the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) and Research issued orders temporarily assigning service PGs to posts in government medical college hospitals/affiliated institutions under the DME, and to institutions under the Directorates of Medical and Rural Health Services (DMS) and Public Health (DPH) and Preventive Medicine.

However, the posts and institutions were not specified for those assigned to DMS and DPH institutions.

The communication said transfer counselling for service PGs would be scheduled later and prior information would be given. The move has, however, caused concern among a section of doctors.

“Usually, vacancies in DME and DMS institutions are notified in advance when service PGs near course completion. Transparent counselling is held and postings are based on Civil Medical List (CML) seniority. This year, all of a sudden, the DME issued temporary postings without notifying vacancies or counselling. CML seniority has also not been followed, with juniors posted in DME institutions while seniors have been posted in DMS institutions,” a doctor said.

Doctors said the temporary postings and delay in transfer counselling could affect salary disbursement as it usually takes four to five months for doctors to receive their first month salary at the initial place of posting.

Some doctors recalled a similar situation in 2019, when temporary postings were issued for service PGs without a regular counselling process. They said it took nearly three years to obtain posts on the basis of CML seniority.

The Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association (SDPGA) has objected to the move.

Its president, P. Saminathan, said even temporary postings should be made through counselling while maintaining CML seniority.

“This is not about 10 or 15 doctors but a massive number of 800-odd service PGs. CML seniority has not been maintained”, he said.

Junior doctors have been posted to DME institutions, while doctors who are senior as per CML have been posted to DMS and DPH institutions. This will lead to complications in promotion counselling for associate professors in the future,” he said.

A senior health official, however, said that the temporary postings were issued only for salary purposes. DME officials said the arrangement was temporary, for a month or two, until regular counselling is conducted after transfer counselling of assistant professors.

Pressure to perform weighs on medical students, 77% of those surveyed stressed

Pressure to perform weighs on medical students, 77% of those surveyed stressed 

Anuja.Jaiswal@timesofindia.com 07.10.2026

New Delhi: The pressure to perform, fear of poor marks and the worry about not being able to answer teachers weigh heavily on the minds of medical students, 77% of whom have shown moderate to high stress in a New Delhi study. The study comes amid growing regulatory focus on student well-being. 

In Aug, the National Medical Commission (NMC) directed medical colleges to comply with Supreme Court directions on reporting student suicides and unnatural deaths and maintain updated institutional records. Published in the Indian Heart Journal, the study assessed 406 MBBS students across all four years at a govt medical college in New Delhi. 

Of them, 54.43% reported moderate stress and 22.66% high stress. The research involved teams from GB Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Maulana Azad Medical College and IIIT-Delhi. “What was revealing was that more than three-fourths of the students had moderate-to-high stress. Asking a student whether they are stressed is not enough. We need to systematically assess stress and build strategies into medical education to help students deal with it,” said Dr Mohit Gupta, lead author of the study. 

He added that a more inclusive, practical and balanced curriculum, with scope for recreation, could help reduce academic stress. The pressure to do well was the biggest source of stress. Students also reported worrying about not being able to answer teachers’ questions, poor marks and the vast coursework. Many said they felt their efforts were not recognised or that they were not good enough. The findings also echo recommendations of NMC’s national task force on mental health and well-being of medical students, which called for accessible counselling, crisis intervention, mental-health services and greater institutional support. 

“We need to make our students intellectually strong, but we also need to make them emotionally stable. Our education system cannot focus only on academic achievement. We also need to create an environment where students can seek help, manage stress and remain emotionally resilient,” Gupta said. 

Second-year students had the highest proportion of high stress, at 30.11%, though researchers said this could reflect differences between batches. Overall, heart-rate variability (HRV) did not differ significantly between students with mild, moderate and high stress. Final-year students had 29.1% lower RMSSD, an HRV measure, than second-year students after adjustment, but the pattern was inconsistent across years and does not show progressive changes in cardiac autonomic function. 

The researchers said regular monitoring of student stress and structured institutional support are needed, particularly around academic and teaching-learning pressures. They also called for longer-term studies to understand how stress and cardiac autonomic measures change during medical education. The study was conducted between May and Nov 2025 among students aged 18-25 years. As a single-centre, cross-sectional study, it cannot establish causation or represent all medical students in India.

EXCLUSIVE: NMC not in favour of ‘one nation, one stipend’ for medical interns, but states can fix amount

EXCLUSIVE: NMC not in favour of ‘one nation, one stipend’ for medical interns, but states can fix amount

Proposal pending with NMC seeks to examine stipend parity, non-payment for UG MBBS interns across govt and private medical colleges.

Sneha Richhariya

05 October, 2026 08:30 am IST

Intern doctors hold placards during a protest to demand an increase in their monthly internship stipend, at GMC Srinagar on 8 September, 2026 | ANI

New Delhi: There cannot be a fixed pan India stipend amount for medical interns, but states can explore fixing a stipend amount, made uniformly applicable to all medical colleges in that state, a senior National Medical Commission (NMC) official told ThePrint, adding that the state policy will be subject to interpretation of the statutes and various judgments passed by the courts from time to time.

The proposal, pending with the NMC since December 2025, seeks to examine stipend parity and non-payment of stipends for undergraduate MBBS interns across government and private medical colleges.

Separately, resident doctors’ bodies and medical care activists have demanded a uniform minimum stipend across states and institutions under the broader “One Nation, One Stipend” campaign.

On the demand for nationwide stipend parity, the NMC official said, “One stipend cannot be given across the country. That is difficult because smaller states, whose financial allocations are lower, cannot give such a big stipend. The stipend amount has to be decided by the respective states only and it is exclusively within their regulatory domain.”

The NMC recognises the disparity in stipend payments to medical interns, the official said, adding, “The broader principle should be that no intern should be left without stipend, including foreign medical graduates (FMGs) undergoing compulsory internships in India.”

The comments come after the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare wrote to the NMC on 6 November 2025 and sent a reminder in December, asking it to examine the issue of stipend parity and reported non-payment of stipends to some FMGs. Concerns were also raised over large differences in payments between government and private medical colleges.

At present, the NMC’s Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) Regulations, 2021 say medical interns should be paid a stipend “as fixed by the appropriate authority applicable to the institution/University or State”.

Simply put, this means the NMC rules do not set one fixed amount for every medical intern. The amount can be decided by the state or the authority applicable to the medical college. However, the NMC official said the commission has issued clear-cut instructions that there cannot be any disparity in the stipend paid by an institution to an FMG and an Indian medical graduate (IMG).

The issue took on another layer of complication after the NMC’s Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023 included a provision saying junior residents (JRs) should receive a stipend on par with junior residents in a state government or central government medical institution in the state or Union Territory where their college is located. This meant that a junior resident in a private medical college would be entitled to the same stipend as a junior resident in a state-run medical college in the same state or Union Territory.

In February 2026, the NMC’s Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) said any change to the 2021 regulations would require a statutory process and consultation with the concerned authorities. The issue has remained unresolved even as medical interns in several states have protested over low and varied stipends.

In Jammu and Kashmir, for instance, MBBS and BDS interns began an indefinite protest on 31 August, seeking that their stipend be hiked to Rs 30,000 from Rs 12,300. In Madhya Pradesh, medical interns demanded an increase from Rs 14,337 to Rs 30,000. The state subsequently raised the stipend to Rs 21,500.

Uttar Pradesh doubled the monthly stipend for MBBS and BDS interns in government medical colleges from Rs 12,000 to Rs 25,000, while Bihar increased it from Rs 20,000 to Rs 27,000. Uttarakhand also raised its stipend to Rs 25,000.

Apart from states paying different amounts, some interns have also complained of non-payment or much lower amounts than the applicable state rate.

NMC data for 2025 showed that 60 of 555 medical colleges had not paid stipends, while several others reported payments of less than Rs 5,000 a month.

The Supreme Court has also been examining the issue of unpaid stipends. In an October 2025 order, the court questioned the NMC over delays in taking action against colleges that had not complied with its directions on stipend information, observing that the regulator appeared to be “dragging its feet”.

The issue has also come up in cases involving FMGs, or doctors who obtained their medical degrees outside India and have to complete a compulsory internship in India to obtain registration to practise. In February 2026, the Supreme Court directed authorities to pay pending stipends to a group of FMGs who had completed their internships at Aligarh Muslim University, holding that similarly placed FMGs could not be treated differently from those who had received stipends.

The senior NMC official told ThePrint that only recently a monetary penalty was imposed on eight institutions by the Under-Graduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) for failing to furnish stipend-related information. The Commission would be taking strict action against institutes that do not follow the applicable stipend rules, the official said.

Adding, “We are going to be more vigilant and more strict. We will be taking disciplinary action against institutes that violate the stipend rules, because there is a clear-cut direction from the Hon’ble Supreme Court. The penalty will not only be financial. If an institute does not comply, its accreditation may also be affected.”

(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)

https://theprint.in/health/exclusive-nmc-not-in-favour-of-one-nation-one-stipend-for-medical-interns-but-states-can-fix-amount/3061763/

MBBS Overseas: Indian students eyeing medicine in Georgia need to check licensing rules carefully

 MBBS Overseas: Indian students eyeing medicine in Georgia need to check licensing rules carefully

TNNPublished: Sep 29, 2026, 17:59 IST Updated: Sep 30, 2026, 14:08 IST

Indian students planning to study medicine in Georgia need to look beyond the advertised six-year course and check whether they will be legally eligible to practise medicine in Georgia after graduation, a requirement that could determine whether they can eventually register as doctors in India.

Under Clause 4(b) of the National Medical Commission (NMC)’s Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021, a foreign medical graduate must possess licence to practise medicine in the country where the medical degree was obtained, at par with the licence granted to citizens of that country.

Georgia currently has around 21 medical universities where Indian students are pursuing medicine, with an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 Indian students enrolling each year.

"If we look at the six-year medical education cycle, that means roughly 30,000 to 40,000 student enrolments across successive batches. A large part of this cohort has enrolled after the November 2021 FMGL Regulations came into force. If there is uncertainty around the licensing, internship or registration pathway, the medical education and future careers of tens of thousands of Indian students could potentially be affected by non-compliance with the FMGL Regulations, 2021," said an educational consultant.

Documents from the Embassy of India in Yerevan, which also covers Georgia, indicate a distinction between completing the six-year medical programme and obtaining an independent licence to practise medicine. A revised embassy advisory dated September 29, 2022, said graduates of the six-year MD programme could work as ‘junior doctors’ in a supervised, non-independent role. For independent practice, they would need to clear the relevant certification examination and complete residency/postgraduate training.

An April 2024 RTI response from the embassy said postgraduate education in a specialised field is mandatory for obtaining a licence to practise in Armenia and Georgia, with the duration ranging from one to four years. A June 2024 embassy communication further said Georgia grants a licence at par with citizens only after successful completion of a postgraduate programme and knowledge of the Georgian language.

This makes it important for prospective students to distinguish between a medical degree and a licence permitting independent practice.

After the six-year MD, a graduate may have junior-doctor status, while independent practice requires additional examinations and postgraduate training. Depending on the specialisation, the overall pathway could therefore extend substantially beyond the advertised six-year degree.

NMC’s Undergraduate Medical Education Board had, in an August 8, 2023, public notice, advised students to independently verify the duration of the course, medium of instruction, syllabus, clinical training and internship requirements before enrolling in a foreign medical institution.

It also warned that discrepancies could affect eligibility for registration in India.

"Regulation 4(b) requires a medical graduate to have a legal licence to practise medicine independently. Therefore if Georgia requires a graduate to complete postgraduate training or certification before independent practice, then simply becoming a “Junior Doctor” after the 6-year medical degree would not be sufficient to meet the requirement of regulation 4(b)," he added.

A Georgian Embassy notice issued in India in August 2024 described MD graduates as junior doctors authorised to perform their duties under a certified specialist. It claimed that they were fully equivalent to MBBS graduates for that purpose. However, the question under FMGL 4(b) is whether that status amounts to the level of practice and licensing required under the regulation.

The NMC’s response to a CPGRAMS grievance dated September 24, 2026, provides a further indication of the regulatory concern.

It said junior-doctor status would satisfy Clause 4(b) only if it legally permits practice at the required level. If independent practice in Georgia is possible only after postgraduate certification, junior doctor status alone would not satisfy the requirement. The response also said the determination depends on Georgian law and licensing requirements.

Students who joined foreign medical programmes before and after November 18, 2021 may also fall under different regulatory frameworks. Those joining after the FMGL Regulations came into force will be among the cohorts whose eligibility under the newer rules will become increasingly relevant when they seek registration in India.