No promotion, no pay rise: TN’s super specialty seats go begging

No promotion, no pay rise: TN’s super specialty seats go begging 

31.07.2026

Chennai: Govt doctors in Tamil Nadu are shunning super specialty training because the additional qualification brings no assured promotion, salary increase or posting in whichever field they train in, doctors’ associations said, leaving the state with hundreds of unfilled seats in disciplines critical to public hospitals. 

Supreme Court this week directed Tamil Nadu to surrender 151 unfilled super specialty seats to the Directorate General of Health Services, triggering a political tug-of-war. While DMK accused the govt of failing to defend the seats, the ruling TVK said the order protects the state’s claim if cut-offs are lowered. But doctors’ bodies say the deeper question remains unanswered: why would a govt doctor spend years in advanced training if the job that follows does not change? 

Records show that 119 seats in 2024 and 145 seats in 2025 were surrendered to All India Quota during the previous regime. “We are an army of more than 20,000 doctors. If seats are vacant, it is because the govt has failed to expand specialist care in govt hospitals,” said Service Doctors and Post Graduate Association general secretary A Ramalingam. 

Doctors who complete a DM or MCh course say the state does not consistently reward that training through promotions, adequate pay rises or appointments in their specialty. Tamil Nadu Govt Doctors Association, welcoming SC judgment, said the govt must increase at least 350 super specialty seats if it wants to place doctors where they are needed. “We must have a wide range of specialists in all medical colleges. 

Without opportunities, it will be difficult to encourage govt doctors to study further,” said association state president A Srinivasan. Beyond pay and postings, mid-career doctors are also bound by service rules mandating them to remain in govt employment until retirement. Specialists in some branches say the workload is high, the risks are greater, and the incentives are too modest. 

TN Medical Officers Association said the loss of seats would eventually weaken public hospitals. “These posts and facilities are created by the state with taxpayers’ money. The quota exists because service doctors will serve in govt hospitals until superannuation,” said general secretary M Akilan.

SC verdict on super speciality seats ‘historic’, says Minister

SC verdict on super speciality seats ‘historic’, says Minister

He attributes the verdict to the timely filing of writ petition by T.N. government; a section of govt. doctors is sceptical, saying important seats will be filled in the All India second-round counselling

Health Minister K.G. Arunraj presenting the award for Professional Excellence in the field of Medicine to Thara Rangaswamy during the Tamil Nadu Medical Council Awards 2026 held in the city on Tuesday.

B. Jothi Ramalingam

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI. 29.07.2026

Tamil Nadu will surrender the unfilled super speciality medical seats for the second round of the All India Quota (AIQ) counselling. If the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) decides to reduce the percentile after the counselling, 50% of the vacant seats should be reverted to the State, Health Minister K.G. Arunraj said, quoting the Supreme Court (SC) verdict.

T.N. reserves 50% of its DM/MCh super speciality seats for in-service candidates. This year, 151 super speciality seats remained unfilled in the State. In its order, the apex court directed the State to revert the unfilled 151 superspeciality seats to the DGHS by Wednesday (July 29). The DGHS should complete the process of the second round of counselling expeditiously.

The court also directed that the counselling should be conducted on the same percentile, and if, after the second round of counselling, a decision is to be taken to reduce the percentile, then 50% of such seats should be reverted to T.N., and the remaining 50% seats should be filled through subsequent counselling by the DGHS as per the renewed percentile, the order said.

Dr. Arunraj called the verdict “historic”, attributing it to the timely writ petition filed by the State government and appropriate arguments in the apex court. Seats reserved for in-service candidates that fall vacant had to be surrendered to the AIQ.

In the past, no proper measures were taken, and no proper cases were filed in the court, creating a situation in which doctors of Tamil Nadu could not secure the seats, he said.

With Tuesday’s verdict, if seats remain vacant after the second round of counselling, DGHS cannot reduce the percentile and fill the vacant seats on its own. If they decide to reduce the cut-off, 50% of the unfilled seats should be reverted to the State pool, he told reporters during the sidelines of an event organised by the Tamil Nadu Medical Council (TNMC).

Doctors’ concern

However, a section of government doctors is sceptical, as all important seats such as Cardiology, Surgical Gastroenterology, Vascular Surgery and Nephrology will be filled in the All India second round counselling. If seats remain vacant and the percentile is reduced, service candidates may get seats such as in Cardiothoracic Surgery and Paediatric Surgery. In fact, some seats in these specialities have remained vacant for the past few years. “The number of service doctors appearing for NEET super speciality examination has dropped, and those opting for difficult super speciality branches have also reduced due to lack of promotional opportunities, reduced super speciality posts and absence of financial increments,” a senior doctor noted.

TNMC awards

At the TNMC awards function, the Minister presented awards to 20 doctors.

Addressing the gathering, he listed the various initiatives taken by the present government. This included reforms at the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation.

Noting that some persons held posts for 10 to 15 years, he said that no extensions were given, and deputations/special postings were withdrawn.

Noting that Tamil Nadu aims to grow into a $1.5 trillion economy, Health Secretary Darez Ahamed said that the health sector has to contribute significantly. He requested doctors to create new products, take up more research and create intellectual property in the State. TNMC’s Ad-hoc committee members A. Muruganathan, convenor, S. Sivaram Kannan, R. Prabhakaran and G. Srinivas, and registrar A. Senthil Vadivu were present.

NEET PG 2026 tightens anti-leak measures

NEET PG 2026 tightens anti-leak measures 

Candidates will undergo multistage authentication during registration

 Divyansh.Kumar@timesofindia.com 27.07.2026

Education times 

To insulate the upcoming NEET PG 2026 entrance exam from the malpractice that derailed NEET UG, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) is deploying a multilayered digital security framework.

 The exam scheduled on August 30 will have mandatory Aadhaarbased authentication at multiple stages, alongside technology-enabled analytical monitoring introduced this year, to flag suspicious answering patterns. The measures come less than three months after the NEET UG 2026 paper leak triggered the cancellation of exam, followed by a retest. 

While NEET PG has long been conducted as a ComputerBased Test (CBT), officials say a post-crisis review led to additional safeguards aimed at preventing impersonation, organised cheating and unauthorised access to examination content. “After concerns raised in other examinations, NBEMS undertook a comprehensive review of the exam processes in consultation with the stakeholders concerned, including the technology partner and security agencies to identify areas where safeguards could be further strengthened. 

The review resulted in additional preventive measures and refinement of existing protocols,” a senior NMC official tells on the condition of anonymity. Aadhaar authentication is introduced to control the impersonation loophole that has plagued entrance exams. “The objective is to ensure that the genuine registered candidate appears for the examination, thereby preventing impersonation and protecting the interests of honest candidates. Checks would apply at several stages: application submission, entry into the exam hall and even after bio-breaks, as efforts to prevent organised cheating,” the official added. Beyond biometrics, the architecture of CBT mode exam itself serves as a deterrent to networkdriven leaks. “Unlike paper-based exams, there is no mass printing, transportation, storage or physical distribution of question booklets to thousands of examination centres. 

Digital delivery through secured systems considerably limits exposure of examination content,” adds the official. System-driven question randomisation also helps control cheating inside exam halls, under which each candidate receives questions in a different sequence. “This ensures that neighbouring candidates are extremely unlikely to view questions in the same order. Randomisation changes only the presentation of questions and not the assessment standard, and all candidates are evaluated against the same paper despite differing sequences on candidate consoles,” he says. NBEMS has also deployed technology-enabled analytical processes to detect unusual answering patterns. 

However, no adverse action is taken on automated flags alone. “Any flagged instance is subjected to detailed review process using multiple sources of evidence before any conclusion is reached,” adds the official. After assessment, the testing body has identified high-risk centres or regions, where it has deployed enhanced monitoring, and closer coordination with test delivery partners and law enforcement agencies. Changed Pattern Medical aspirants preparing for the single-shift exam will also contend with a revised pattern. NEET PG 2026 will have 180 questions instead of 200, within the same threehour, 30-minute duration, split into five sections of 36 questions each with a strict 42-minute time-lock per section, and candidates cannot return to a completed section once its window closes. Maximum marks drop from 800 to 720, though the fourmark award and one-mark penalty per question remain unchanged. 

“The NEET PG exam now includes more problem-oriented and clinically oriented questions, which are lengthy at times and require more time,” says the official. 

 Times of India ePaper ahmedabad - Read Today’s English News Paper 

NDC scraps provisional registration rule to save dental students from suffering internship delays

NDC scraps provisional registration rule to save dental students from suffering internship delays 

Divyansh.Kumar@timesofindia.com 27.07.2026

Around 25,000 Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) graduates will not have to wait for the administrative approvals as the National Dental Commission (NDC) aims to smoothen their transition from college to dental hospitals. The NDC abolished the mandatory requirement of acquiring provisional registration from State Dental Councils (SDCs) before commencing their mandatory internship. 

This will reduce paperwork, lower financial burden, and accelerate the entry of young dentists into the healthcare workforce. In the earlier process, introduced by the erstwhile Dental Council of India (DCI) in November 2021, the students had to submit multiple documents, frequent council offices, and wait for approval before starting their clinical training. 

The SDCs will now immediately issue permanent registration directly after successful completion of the internship, removing an entire layer of regulatory compliance. Dr Sarjeev Singh Yadav, principal, Government Dental College and Hospital, Hyderabad, says, “The reform removes an unnecessary administrative bottleneck, ensuring timely commencement of compulsory internship. It reduces administrative workload for both institutions and regulatory authorities. This is a landmark student-centric reform embodying the vision of Ease of Doing Business and Minimum Government, Maximum Governance by simplifying regulatory processes without compromising quality.” 

Timely internship completion will now enable smoother eligibility for postgraduate admissions, employment and career progression, he says.

 Seamless Transition

For students, however, the biggest gain is time. Dr MD Manzur Ahmed, national president, All India Dental Students & Dental Surgeons Association (AIDSA), says the reform eliminates one  of the biggest administrative hurdles that delayed graduates despite having completed all academic requirements. “Before November 2021, students began their compulsory rotatory internship immediately after passing their final BDS exam. However, once provisional registration became mandatory, many were forced to wait for administrative approvals before starting clinical training,” he says. “Depending on the SDC, this reform could save several weeks to a few months. More importantly, it eliminates uncertainty. 

Students can now move seamlessly from graduation to internship, obtain permanent registration on time, become eligible for postgraduate admissions sooner, and enter the dental workforce without unnecessary administrative delays,” Dr Ahmed adds. Delays in internship commencement automatically postpone internship completion, which in turn affects eligibility for permanent registration, postgraduate admissions, government recruitment and private employment. “Their career progression gets delayed not because they lack competence, but because of avoidable administrative procedures,” he says. 

Financial Stress

Provisional registration contributed little to patient safety or academic supervision and had largely become a bureaucratic exercise. Dr Divakar Moodautiya, assistant lecturer, Maharana Pratap College of Dentistry, Gwalior, says, “Provisional registration was purely paper pushing that burdened students. It made no tangible contribution to responsible clinical care or patient safety on the ground.” The process also imposed an unnecessary financial burden on graduates. “Beyond the procedural chaos, graduates faced a compounding financial strain, paying twice for both temporary and permanent registration fees, alongside out-of-pocket expenses for legal documentation, affidavits, and mandatory travel to state council headquarters for physical verification,” says Dr Moodautiya.

Medical PG student dies by suicide

Medical PG student dies by suicide 

26.07.2026

Hyderabad: A 29-year-old postgraduate medical student died after allegedly jumping from the terrace of her family’s five-storeyed apartment in Nagaram under Keesara police station limits on Friday. 

Her family told police that she may have taken the extreme step due to academic stress and said they had no suspicion against anyone. The deceased was identified as Vadlakonda Dikshitha, a postgraduate student of ophthalmology at a medical college in Karnataka. 

According to police, Dikshitha had recently returned home and was staying with her family at Nagaram. In a complaint lodged with Keesara police, her father, V Anandam, a farmer, stated that Dikshitha had been pursuing her medical postgraduate course at a college and hospital in Agalkot, Karnataka, for the past six months. TNN

NMC ends routine faculty eligibility clearances, puts onus on colleges

NMC ends routine faculty eligibility clearances, puts onus on colleges

Anuja.Jaiswal@timesofindia.com 

New Delhi : 19.07.2026

Medical colleges across the country will now decide faculty appointments and promotions on their own, with National Medical Commission (NMC) ending routine eligibility clearances. Only exceptional cases involving regulatory ambiguity will be taken up by regulator for a non-refundable fee of Rs 25,000 plus GST. 

The decision comes after the regulator observed that a large number of requests from faculty members, medical colleges, universities and NBEMS-accredited hospitals were being referred to it despite the Medical Institutions (Qualifications of Faculty) Regulations, 2025, clearly laying down the qualifications, teaching experience, research publication and training requirements for teaching posts. 

Officials said the responsibility for deciding whether a candidate is eligible for. promotion or designation rests with the appointing authority, medical institution or university concerned. Accordingly, Post Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) will no longer entertain cases where eligibility can be decided directly under the regulations. 

Only cases involving genuine ambiguity, difficulty in interpreting regulations, equivalence of qualifications or transitional provisions will be considered by PGMEB. Such references must be routed through the dean, director, principal or registrar of the institution with supporting documents.

Individuals may approach NMC directly only if their institution fails to forward a genuine case within 60 days, after fulfilling the prescribed conditions and paying the stipulated fee.

 “Many candidates approached the NMC even in straightforward cases because an NMC eligibility certificate was rarely questioned,” MARB president Prof M K Ramesh told TOI. NMC has also introduced a review mechanism for applicants dissatisfied with an institution’s decision.

NMC adds 950 MBBS seats to state roster Clears Decks For 9,911 More Seats In India

NMC adds 950 MBBS seats to state roster Clears Decks For 9,911 More Seats In India

 TIMES NEWS NETWORK 16.07.2026

Chennai : Medical colleges across Tamil Nadu together expanded MBBS seats by 950 this year, with 13 existing institutions raising their intake. A new private college, APS Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, was added to the roster with 150 seats, according to a seat matrix released by the National Medical Commission. 

The additions bring the state’s capacity to 13,999 seats across 78 medical colleges for the academic year 2026-27, up from 13,049 seats at 77 colleges. 

Across India, NMC has cleared the decks for 9,911 additional seats — including 2,111 seats in govt colleges. The list does not include central govt institutions such as AIIMS. Namakkal, Thiruvallur and Tirupur govt colleges each expanded their intake from 100 to 150 seats, adding 150 seats in the public sector, taking the seat tally in 37 govt colleges to 5,349. Among private institutions, NMC has permitted an increase of 800 seats, including the newcomer. 

Of these, 150 are added to three deemed universities. The remaining 650 will be added to the state matrix, for which the state selection committee will conduct admissions. The additions come as a consolation for a state that has lost 800 MBBS seats from its own counselling matrix after some self-financing colleges and private universities were granted deemed university status. Seats from at least four institutions are expected to be removed from the state list and included instead in the Central pool overseen by Medical Counselling Committee. 

Admission to deemed universities, conducted by the MCM, follows merit in NEET but has no reservations. The annual tuition fee is at about ₹20 lakh. In Tamil Nadu, selffinancing colleges and private universities offer up to 60% seats for govt quota, for which the selection committee follows 69% rule of reservation, and sets aside 7.5% seats for govt school students. 

The annual tuition fee varies from ₹4.35 lakh to ₹5.40 lakh for govt quota seats, and ₹15 lakh to ₹16.20 lakh for managementquota seats. The net effect may not be a squeeze, said a senior official. “150 seats in govt colleges and 650 from private colleges will be added in the state basket,” he added. Health minister K G Arunraj said the state is going ahead with negotiations and moving courts against the grant of deemed university status to some universities. “But the state will ensure new seats are added to the seat matrix,” he said.

NMC flipflops, puts onus on minister for patient appeals

NMC flipflops, puts onus on minister for patient appeals

 5 Months Ago, Panel Had Said Will Hear Pleas 

Rema.Nagarajan@timesofindia.com 12.06.2026

National Medical Commission (NMC) continues its flipflop over whether patients and their families should be allowed to file appeals before it. The commission decided in Sept 2024 that its ethics board would entertain all appeals, including those filed by nonmedicos, and confirmed this decision in Dec 2025. Five months later, in May, the commission’s ethics section claimed any interpretation of NMC Act’s provisions ought to be done by health ministry. “NMC had agreed that all appeals received by EMRB will be entertained. Further, as regards action not being taken by State Medical Councils on complaints filed by non-medicos even after issuance of reminders by the boards, it was decided to send acommunication by EMRB to State Medical Councils to complete the process in a timebound manner. 

In case of failure by the concerned SMC to act upon, EMRB may take over the complaint/matter from the SMC and dispose the same. This is noted by EMRB, and board will proceed further accordingly,” state minutes of the 16th meeting of NMC held on Sept 3, 2024, which were confirmed in the 17th meeting on Dec 16, 2025. However, NMC chairperson Dr Abhijat Sheth, when asked why NMC, as an autonomous body, was seeking health ministry’s interpretation for what was decided in the NMC meeting, claimed wider stakeholder consultation and examination of statutory/regulatory provisions was going on. He added “NMC has not framed a SOP in this regard yet”. When the ministry was asked to intervene on behalf of patients to allow appeals before NMC, the ministry stated the commission was the apex statutory body constituted under NMC Act, 2019, for regulating medical education and profession in the country. “All matters relating to framing, amendment, and implementation of medical education regulations fall within the domain of NMC,” stated the ministry response. 

“There would be issues if unrestricted appeals are allowed and the members/experts are also deliberating regarding the need for a filtering mechanism. Meanwhile, patients and complainants are not left without remedies. They can also avail other legal remedies under applicable civil, criminal or consumer laws,” said Sheth. 

Since Sept 2020, when NMC was constituted, it has received 273 patient appeals against decisions of SMCs that have all been rejected. That’s barely 55 complaints a year or roughly one a week on average which, the chairperson claims, needs a filtering mechanism. NMC initially insisted that only doctors had the right to appeal before it. However, clause 8.8 of the ethics regulation of 2002, which is still in force, clearly allows patients and their families to appeal before NMC. The incorporation of this clause in the regulation was the result of a Supreme Court order.

NMC proposes to reinstate 10-year rule in MBBS without diluting rigour

NMC proposes to reinstate 10-year rule in MBBS without diluting rigour

The proposed relaxation is likely to benefit students facing academic losses, and health concerns, offering them more flexibility 

Rajlakshmi.Ghosh@timesofindia.com 08.06.2026 EDUCATION TIMES 

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has proposed a key amendment to the Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023, which could give MBBS students an additional year to complete their undergraduate medical education, taking the total duration to 10 years. The draft notification, titled ‘Graduate Medical Education (Amendment) Regulations, 2026’, has been placed in the public domain for feedback and objections. 

Under the existing regulations, students are required to complete the MBBS programme within nine years from the date of admission. The proposed amendment seeks to extend this limit to 10 years, including the compulsory rotating medical internship, offering students greater flexibility to manage academic, personal, or unforeseen challenges during the programme. 

Speaking to Education Times , NMC officials say, “The proposed amendment seeks to provide limited additional flexibility to students for completion of the MBBS programme in exceptional circumstances, while fully preserving the academic standards and competency requirements prescribed under the Graduate Medical Education Regulations (GMER) 2023. The amendment does not reduce, dilute or waive any academic requirement. Students will continue to be required to successfully complete all professional examinations, mandatory competencies and the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship before being awarded the MBBS degree. 

The proposal merely extends the maximum permissible period for completion of the course from nine years to 10 years.” Medical education being a long-duration programme, students may occasionally face genuine academic, personal, health-related or other unforeseen circumstances that interrupt the normal progression of their studies. “The proposed amendment is intended to address such situations in a humane and pragmatic manner without compromising educational standards,” the officials add. 

A former NMC official on condition of anonymity, points out that the proposed amendment will be beneficial for students from rural Rajasthan, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, who have entered medical education through NEET but struggle to follow lessons in English. “The additional year can be a critical buffer, reducing the risk of students dropping out early due to language barriers,” he adds. 

Cap on Attempts 

Under the proposed changes, no student will be allowed more than four attempts to clear the first professional MBBS examination, a provision that remains unchanged. However, students would be allowed to continue the undergraduate medical course for up to 10 years from the date of admission, including the internship period. 

This is in alignment with the NMC’s Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) regulations, 2021. “A cap of four attempts in the first professional exam is unjustified, more so if students are in their first year and are still new to the system. If all MBBS students are given one year’s additional time, then why restrict them at a crucial stage?

 Further, the proposal will give private players an opportunity to blackmail students if they have faltered on fee payment. The cap could be used as a tool to instil fear among them with threats of imminent failure if they do not pay up,” the source adds. 

The proposed relaxation which seeks to bring back the 10-year rule, is likely to benefit students facing academic losses, health concerns, personal emergencies, or other unforeseen circumstances, offering them more flexibility to complete their medical education without losing eligibility

7 medical colleges not paying stipend to MBBS interns, residents- NMC tells Supreme Court, penalty proceedings initiated

7 medical colleges not paying stipend to MBBS interns, residents- NMC tells Supreme Court, penalty proceedings initiated

Written By : Barsha Misra

Published On 5 June 2026 3:46 PM | Updated On 5 June 2026 3:46 PM

New Delhi: The issue of non-payment of stipend to medical students exists only in 7 out of 756 medical colleges, the National Medical Commission (NMC) recently informed the Supreme Court.

Filing a chart, NMC has submitted the details regarding the status of payment of stipend made to interns/junior residents/senior residents by the respective medical colleges.

According to the Apex Medical Commission, there is no dispute with regard to payment of stipend by 573 colleges, and 176 medical colleges have been established in the recent past; as such, the question of payment of stipend would not arise in those 176 medical colleges.

The Commission has also assured that it has already taken steps by issuing show cause notices for the levying of a penalty to those seven medical colleges, which are not paying stipend.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the Supreme Court had taken note of an allegation that MBBS interns in 70 percent of the medical colleges in the country were not paid a stipend. Accordingly, after the Supreme Court's directions, NMC had given a deadline to the medical colleges to submit the details of the stipend paid to their UG Interns, Post-Graduate Residents, and Senior Residents of PGs in Super Speciality for the financial year 2023-2024 by 23rd April 2024.

The medical colleges were directed to submit the details of their name and address, the amount of stipend paid by the State Government, and the month-wise details of the stipend paid to the MBBS interns, 1st/2nd/3rd-year Post-Graduate Residents, and 1st/2nd/3rd-year Senior Residents or PGs in Super Specialty for the academic year 2023-2024.

Back in November, 2024, NMC slapped show-cause notices on 198 institutes for not complying with the Commission's directives to upload the details of the stipend paid to the interns and resident doctors.

Last year, the Supreme Court slammed NMC for failing to take any action against the erring institute. Expressing its hope and trust that the "NMC would wake up from its slumber" and take appropriate steps as indicated in its notice dated 11.07.2025 by the next date of hearing, the Court had also directed the Commission to file an affidavit enclosing the list of medical colleges which have furnished the stipend details.

Recently. NMC's counsel submitted before the Supreme Court bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and P B Varale the details regarding the status of payment of stipend made to interns/junior residents/senior residents by the respective medical colleges

"It is stated therein that out of 756 medical colleges of under graduates there is no dispute with regard to payment of stipend by 573 colleges and 176 medical colleges have been established in the recent past and as such the question of payment of stipend would not arise in those 176 medical colleges. He would also submit that 7 medical colleges have not being paying stipend for which the NMC has already taken steps by issuing show cause notices for levying of penalty and on receipt of reply further steps would be taken by them. He would also add that one medical college has remained closed and there are no interns in the said college. He further elaborates his submission by contending that 562 colleges are running post graduate courses and they are paying the stipend to the interns and only two medical colleges do not have any interns and as such question of payment of stipend by these two (2) colleges would not arise. His submission is placed on record," the Apex Court bench noted.

The top court bench appointed advocate Charu Mathur as a nodal counsel and directed the advocates appearing for the parties to furnish synopsis, charts and pleadings to her.

"Ms. Charu Mathur, learned counsel, is appointed as a nodal counsel and the learned advocates appearing for the parties are requested to furnish synopsis, charts and pleadings to her and a convenience compilation shall be prepared and be furnished to the Court for issuing further directions in these matters wherever necessary, by the next date of hearing," ordered the Apex Court, while listing the matter for further hearing on August 24, 2026.

SC relief to Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, admissions allowed for 150 MBBS, 49 PG seats

SC relief to Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, admissions allowed for 150 MBBS, 49 PG seats

03.06.2026

Written By : Barsha MisraPublished On 2 June 2026 4:39 PM | Updated On 2 June 2026 4:39 PM

Supreme Court of India

 New Delhi: Granting major relief, the Supreme Court recently allowed the Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (HIMSR) to proceed with admissions to 150 MBBS seats and 49 postgraduate medical seats for the academic year 2026-2027.

The medical admissions at the medical institute had earlier faced uncertainty due to a dispute over affiliation consent. While considering the matter, the Apex Court bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan held that the consent of affiliation shall be deemed to have been granted by Jamia Hamdard Deemed to be University, subject to the outcome of the ongoing legal battle between two branches of the Hamdard family.

"Consequently, in continuation of our earlier order dated 11.02.2026, we observe that the Consent of Affiliation is deemed to have been granted by the first respondent-University in favour of the third petitioner-institution subject to the result of this Special Leave Petition for the academic year 2026-2027. This is particularly in respect of 150 seats of MBBS and 49 seats post-graduate seats for the very same academic year, namely, 2026-2027," the bench observed.

"We again observe that the aforesaid order is passed having regard to the peculiar facts of this case where there is an arbitral dispute between two branches of the family and arbitral proceedings are subject to adjudication in this Special Leave Petition," it added.

Background:

The plea before the top court bench was filed seeking directions for the issuance of enrolment numbers to 49 PG students, restoration of access to the NMC portal, and the grant of consent of affiliation for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported on the ongoing conflict between HIMSR and Jamia Hamdard University. Allegedly, HIMSR was facing challenges due to the ongoing legal and administrative dispute between the founding family members, which led to the withdrawal of affiliation to HIMSR by Jamia Hamdard.

The dispute followed a family settlement dividing control over institutes operating under the Hamdard umbrella. Earlier, citing objections under the UGC Act and UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2023, Jamia Hamdard had withdrawn consent of affiliation to HIMSR.

Last year, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), while releasing the tentative list of medical colleges and the MBBS seat matrix for NEET 2025 counselling, allotted zero seats to HIMSR.

Earlier this year, the issue concerning the PG medical admissions to the institute reached the Supreme Court, which had granted relief to the institute by allowing the addition of 49 postgraduate medical seats at the institute for the NEET PG counselling for the academic year 2025-2026.

The apex court bench of Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan had issued specific directions in this regard to the National Medical Commission, which had earlier withdrawn the 49 MD seats at the institute based on purported letters of Jamia Hamdard (Deemed University).

Following this, on February 11, 2026, after the admission of 49 PG students through the counselling process, the Court deemed consent of affiliation to have been granted in favour of the institute, subject to the outcome of the case.

Last week, during the hearing of the matter, the counsel for the petitioners, Senior Advocate Dhruv Mehta, submitted that unless access to the NMC portal was restored and affiliation-related issues were resolved, HIMSR would be unable to fill up its 150 MBBS seats for the 2026-2027 academic year.

On the other hand, the counsel for Jamia Hamdard, Senior Advocate P. Chidambaram, submitted that the university would not stand in the way of orders being passed in the interest of students. However, the counsel raised concerns over compliance with Regulations 26, 31 and 34 the UGC, observations made by an Expert Committee and also the issues highlighted in a CAG report.

He submitted that any lapse on the part of the college may jeopardize not only the interest of the petitioner-college but also of the respondent-University. Therefore, he submitted that certain directions may be issued to the petitioners in the context of those compliances.

Taking note of the submissions, the Apex Court bench issued directions for the issuance of enrolment numbers to 49 PG students, restoration of access to the NMC portal and acceptance of the institute's disclosure reports. It also directed the University to issue Consent of Affiliation to HIMSR in respect of 150 UG seats and 49 PG seats for the academic year 2026-2027, and mentioned that in the alternative, deemed Consent of Affiliation be granted to Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in respect of 150 UG Seats and 49 PG seats for the academic year 2026-2027

"The pendency of this Special Leave Petition would not come in the way of the High Court adjudicating the Writ Petition(s) pending before it. The Writ Petition(s) shall be disposed of as expeditiously as possible," the top court bench clarified.

To view the order, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/2026/06/02/jamia-hamdard-351445.pdf

AI may assist doctors make medicine smarter

AI may assist doctors make medicine smarter 

TIMES EDUCATION 01.06.2026

Automation improves decision-making, but human precision has an edge during treatment, writes Anubhav Mishra 

From crowded OPDs to overworked doctors, India’s healthcare system is under pressure. With Artificial Intelligence (AI) entering the system, and many fearing job losses, the bigger story is how it can support doctors and improve patient care. AI is often discussed as a threat to jobs. Across industries, people worry that machines will replace humans. But healthcare tells a different story, especially in India, where the real challenge is not too many workers, but too few. 

India’s healthcare system faces a serious workforce gap. Hospitals are expanding, patient loads are rising, but trained professionals are not keeping pace. Even premier institutions struggle with shortages. Recent reports indicate that many public hospitals have significant vacancies in doctor and specialist positions, affecting service delivery. Globally, the situation is similar. 

According to McKinsey & Company, the world could face a shortage of nearly 10 million healthcare workers by 2030. This makes it clear: healthcare needs more support, not fewer people. This is where AI comes in. AI refers to systems that can analyse data, identify patterns, and assist in decision-making. In healthcare, this includes reading X-rays, predicting disease risks, managing patient records, and even suggesting treatment pathways. It does not replace human judgement, but it enhances it. 

Increasing Usage 

In India, AI adoption in healthcare is already growing rapidly. More than 40% of clinicians are now using AI tools in some form, a sharp increase in recent years. This shows that AI is not a distant concept; it is already part of everyday medical practice. The benefits are significant. First, AI can improve diagnosis and early detection. Advanced AI systems can analyse medical images with high accuracy, helping detect diseases such as cancer and lung conditions faster. In India, AI tools trained on large datasets have achieved over 95% accuracy in identifying multiple diseases from scans, reducing reporting time and improving outcomes. AI can make healthcare more efficient. Doctors in India often spend a large part of their time on administrative tasks such as documentation, scheduling, and record-keeping. AI can automate these processes, freeing up valuable time. 

In fact, hospitals are already experimenting with AI tools that can save doctors two to three hours per day by handling routine tasks. AI can expand access to healthcare, especially in rural India. Many villages lack access to specialists, and patients often travel long distances for basic care. AI-powered tools, combined with telemedicine, can help bridge this gap by enabling faster diagnosis and remote consultations. Studies suggest that AI can significantly improve healthcare access and reduce delays in underserved areas. The economic impact is also noteworthy. 

AI in healthcare could contribute up to $30 billion to India’s GDP by 2025, highlighting its growing importance in the sector. However, the key question remains: will AI replace healthcare jobs? The answer is no, but it will change them. AI is best suited for tasks that involve data, repetition, and pattern recognition. This means roles such as medical transcription, diagnostics support, and administrative processing will evolve significantly. However, healthcare is not just about data; it is about people. Jobs that require empathy, trust, and human interaction are much harder to replace. Nurses, caregivers, and frontline health workers play a critical role in patient care that machines cannot replicate. A machine cannot comfort a patient, understand their emotional distress, or build trust with the families. Even for doctors, AI acts as an assistant, not a replacement. It provides insights, reduces workload, and improves decision-making, but the final judgement remains human. Reducing Burnout 

In fact, AI may help reduce burnout among healthcare professionals by allowing them to focus more on patients rather than the rigorous paperwork. However, challenges do remain. India still faces gaps in digital infrastructure, data quality, and AI training. Without proper investment and regulation, the full benefits of AI may not be realised. The future of healthcare jobs in India is not about humans versus machines. It is about humans working with machines. AI will not solve the workforce crisis on its own. It can be a powerful part of the solution. By improving efficiency, expanding access, and supporting doctors, AI can help India deliver better healthcare to more people. 

The real opportunity lies in preparing the workforce for this technological shift. Doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals who learn to work with AI will be better equipped for the future. Because in healthcare, technology may assist, but humanity will always lead. (The author is professor, Marketing, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow) 

Data-Driven Model AI can shift India’s healthcare system from reactive to proactive care. Instead of treating diseases after they occur, AI can help predict risks and enable preventive care. According to a KPMG–FICCI report, AI is driving Indian healthcare towards a more data-driven, preventive model.

NMC proposes 10-year time limit to complete MBBS course

NMC proposes 10-year time limit to complete MBBS course 

Draft Amendment Retains Four-Attempt Restriction In First Year

Anuja.Jaiswal@timesofindia.com 31.05.2026

New Delhi : Medical students could soon get an additional year to complete their MBBS course, with National Medical Commission (NMC) proposing to extend the maximum duration to finish undergraduate medical education from nine years to ten years. 

In a draft amendment to Graduate Medical Education Regulations 2023, the commission has proposed that no student will be allowed to continue the undergraduate medical course beyond ten years of joining the MBBS programme, including the compulsory rotatory medical internship. 

The existing regulation limits the duration to nine years from the date of admission. The proposal leaves unchanged another key provision of the regulations that bars students from making more than four attempts to clear the First Professional MBBS examination. 

The amendment is expected to benefit students whose education is delayed due to academic setbacks, health issues, family circumstances or other unforeseen reasons. The draft notification, published in Gazette of India, has been placed in the public domain for comments and suggestions. 

National Medical Commission has invited feedback from medical colleges, students, faculty members and other stakeholders. The commission said objections and suggestions received within 30 days will be considered before the amendment is finalised. 

The change comes nearly three years after the introduction of the competency-based Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023, which had capped the duration of undergraduate medical education at nine years.

Medical education experts say the proposal reflects the recognition that a small section of students may require additional time to complete training because of interruptions during the course. They noted that while the amendment provides greater flexibility, it does not dilute academic standards since the four-attempt ceiling in the First Professional MBBS examination remains intact.

AIIMS Gorakhpur allows 5 attempts for MBBS exams

AIIMS Gorakhpur allows 5 attempts for MBBS exams

Written By : Barsha MisraPublished On 11 May 2026 6:05 PM | Updated On 11 May 2026 9:46 PM

Gorakhpur: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Gorakhpur has decided to grant five attempts to MBBS students to pass the exam, instead of four. The institute has implemented this arrangement from the current academic session.

The decision to grant an additional opportunity to the MBBS students was taken by the Standing Committee of the institute on compassionate grounds at a meeting held a few days ago.

Under the current regulations, MBBS students who fail to clear the exam are given four opportunities to clear the exam. If a student fails to clear the exam within the granted attempts, they are prevented from continuing their studies.

As per the latest media report by Jagran, considering the students' future, the AIIMS administration has decided to adopt a humanitarian approach and decided to provide an additional opportunity to the students. The Daily has reported that the students can avail this additional attempt to clear the exam based on a mercy petition.

Commenting on the matter, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Major General (Retd.) Dr. Vibha Dutta told the Daily that according to the AIIMS regulations, previously, unsuccessful students used to get only four chances. However, keeping the students' future in mind, a decision has been taken to grant an additional opportunity on compassionate grounds.

However, Dr. Dutta clarified that if the MBBS students fail even after the fifth atempt, they will not be given any further opportunities.

As per the existing rules prescribed by the National Medical Commission (NMC), MBBS students are given a total of four attempts to clear their first professional examination.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that setting a limit regarding the number of attempts to clear the MBBS examination, NMC had clarified in GMER 2023, "Provided under no circumstances the student shall be allowed more than four (04) attempts for first year (First Professional MBBS) and no student shall be allowed to continue undergraduate medical course after nine (09) years from the date of admission into the course, mentioned the Regulations."

Back in 2023, the Apex Medical Commission granted one extra attempt to the MBBS batches of 2019 and 2020 to qualify for their first professional exam. NMC took this decision because these batches were affected by COVID.

Recently, the Department-related Parliamentary Committee on Health and Family Welfare in its 172nd report pointed out that permitting students only four attempts to clear the MBBS first professional examination can be overly stringent for many students adjusting to the demanding nature of medical education. Therefore, the panel suggested increasing the permissible limit to six attempts.

However, the panel has opined that the students must complete the entire MBBS course within a maximum period of ten years from the date of admission.

Top 5 toughest medical exams in the world

Top 5 toughest medical exams in the world

etimes.in | May 14, 2026, 08.49 AM IST

Almost everyone wants to be a doctor while growing up. The allure is, of course, undeniable: the opportunity to save lives; the respect that comes with the white coat. From the outside, it is indeed a glamorous job. But those who finally make it to medical school and get to wear that white coat and a stethoscope are the ones who have gone through some of the most brutal examinations ever designed—exams that require years of preparation and can be demanding in every possible way. From the USMLE in the United States to the UK’s GAMSAT, these competitive medical examinations are designed to filter out only the best.When people talk about the toughest medical entrance exams globally, India’s NEET UG always finds a place on the list. The pressure around it is even more grueling than the syllabus and difficulty level. In 2026 alone, NEET UG saw a 96.92% turnout, with over 22 lakh candidates competing for approximately 1.3 lakh MBBS seats across the nation. This alone highlights the high stakes in medical education. Let’s take a look at the top five toughest medical exams in the world and what makes them so challenging.

USMLE

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is often considered one of the toughest competitive exams in the world. This test is known for its notorious difficulty. USMLE is a three-step licensure exam for doctors who want to practise medicine in the United States. The first test focuses on comprehensive medical knowledge of basic sciences and is particularly feared by medical students, with only about 85% passing on their first attempt. The second evaluates the ability to apply medical knowledge, and skills. The third step assesses whether candidates can apply medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science essential for the unsupervised practice of medicine. These three-step exams are taken over a period of several years, with the lowest pass rates in the first step.

MCAT

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is the gateway exam for prospective medical students in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the Caribbean islands. MCAT has earned quite a reputation for its difficulty. Administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges, this exam assesses scientific reasoning, critical thinking, and psychological concepts. The seven hours of a gruelling exam is tough to crack, with an average pass rate of about 65–70%. This competitive exam demands months of intensive preparation, costing thousands of dollars. American medical schools trust MCAT scores explicitly.

GAMSAT

The Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) is a distinctive exam that stands apart as one of the world's most unusual and psychologically demanding medical entrance tests. This test is the gateway for graduate entry into medical schools in Australia, Ireland, and the UK. Students entering dentistry, pharmacy, and veterinary programmes are also required to take this test. This exam is notoriously long—roughly 5.5 to 6 hours. Scientific knowledge, emotional intelligence, and ethical reasoning, among others are assessed in this exam. Pass rates are often between 40–50%. For Australian and British medical schools, GAMSAT's integrity is beyond question.

MRCP

The Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) in the UK is one of the notoriously difficult exams. This is a postgraduate medical qualification for doctors who want to specialise in internal medicine in the UK. This British qualification is a set of three postgraduate exams—MRCP Part 1, MRCP Part 2, and MRCP PACES. Cracking MRCP is nothing short of excellence. Pass rates are normally around 50% because of its difficulty. It is a test of medical excellence that even brilliant doctors attempt multiple times before passing.

PLAB

The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) examination in the UK is another high-stakes licensing examination for international medical graduates seeking registration. PLAB has a two-part format testing both knowledge and clinical skills. Practical competency is an important part of this test, with pass rates for non-UK-trained doctors typically 40–50%.

Disclaimer: This article is based on reports, publicly available data, and information sourced from the internet. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, exam formats, pass rates, and requirements may change over time. Readers are advised to verify details from the official websites of the respective examination authorities for the most up-to-date information.

NMC sets May 30 deadline for MBBS renewal process

NMC sets May 30 deadline for MBBS renewal process

Anuja.Jaiswal@timesofindia.com 15.05.2026

New Delhi : National Medical Commission has directed all medical colleges across the country to submit detailed annual disclosure reports by May 30 for renewal of MBBS seats for the 2026- 27 academic session, warning that no extension will be granted beyond the deadline. 

In a notice issued by the Under-Graduate Medical Education Board, the NMC said all existing medical colleges with approval to run MBBS courses must upload mandatory institutional data on the commission’s portal under the Maintenance of Standards of Medical Education Regulations, 2023. The disclosure process forms a key part of the annual renewal mechanism through which colleges receive permission to continue admitting undergraduate medical students.

The NMC has also made it mandatory for colleges to pay an online processing fee of ₹3.54 lakh, including GST, through the designated portal while applying for renewal of MBBS seats.