Scalpel losing edge: Few medical grads opt for surgery

Scalpel losing edge: Few medical grads opt for surgery 

Anuja.Jaiswal@timesofindia.com 

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

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

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

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

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

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

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  22.11.2025

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

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

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

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

Docs warn against relying on AI tools for med advice

Docs warn against relying on AI tools for med advice 

Ajay.Tomar@timesofindia.com 10.11.2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Repeated delays in NEET PG counselling disrupt academic cycle, burdening resident docs

Repeated delays in NEET PG counselling disrupt academic cycle, burdening resident docs 

Experts warn that unless the schedule is streamlined and accountability is fixed, the ripple effects will continue to affect the postgraduate training cycle year after year

Sonal.Srivastava@timesofindia.com  27.10.2025  TIMES EDUCATION 

In 2025, the delay in NEET PG counselling and admissions has affected the academic cycle and is causing significant stress among PG aspirants and resident doctors due to uncertainty and increased workload. The NEET PG exam was held on August 3, 2025, and the results were declared on August 19, 2025. However, more than 60 days have passed since the exam, and admissions are still pending. 

In 2024, too, the NEET PG counselling was delayed, and the round 1 admissions were conducted in October. The PG counselling has been struggling with a steady schedule for the last five years; only in 2020 and 2023 did the counselling schedule start on time, giving PG students enough time to settle into their first-year routine. A delayed academic cycle creates a vicious loop and has a domino effect on the entire PG course. The authorities must ensure the academic cycle returns to track in 2026 to ensure a smooth admission process.

 “To regularise the academic cycle, some adjustments need to be made. This year, the seat metrics (seat data) were shared on October 15, and counselling registrations could begin only after the NMC shared the seat matrix. There’s only one way to make the process smoother: conduct inspections and release results on time,” says a Health Ministry official on condition of anonymity. Often, students are partly responsible for delays; they file petitions and delay the process further. If exams and metrics are completed on time, counselling will automatically begin on time.

 “NMC is facing staffing issues — it has 33 members, of whom just two are active. If exams and metrics are delayed, the entire timeline shifts. Ideally, exams should take place by March, and the counselling process should start by May or June. But when the initial flow breaks, the delay compounds. 

This year, the session should start around November, after the first round of counselling,” adds the official. The NEET PG course spans three years. In the first year, students must submit their thesis protocol; in the second year, they write the thesis; and in the third year, they take their final exam followed by the district residency programme.

 “If metrics come as late as October-November, everything shifts,” says the official. The PG course runs year-wise, and students must take one final exam after three years. “Postgraduates become eligible for taking superspeciality exams. Hence, when PG courses end late, super-speciality exams get delayed too. The delay starts from the very first year. The NMC conducts inspections regularly. Usually, they should start around September and ideally finish by March. It was delayed this year due to a lack of staff and court cases,” says the official. 

Resident doctors say that the NMC keeps updating the seat matrix long after the results have been announced and the counselling schedule released, and this lack of accountability and the inability to adhere to fixed timelines have become a pattern over the past three to four years. “Every year, counselling gets delayed and batches overlap; there’s no strict timeline for when postgraduate residency starts. There are two sets of students — those who’ve just finished their internship and are appearing for the PG exam for the first time, and those who’ve taken a drop of one or two years to secure their preferred branch. Those who’ve taken a drop spend heavily on rent and coaching fees, amounting to Rs 50,000 60,000 a month.

 It’s stressful for both the students and their parents,” says Dr Devaunshi Kaul, senior resident, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Safdarjung Hospital, and national president, FORDA. FAIMA executive, Dr Aman Kaushik, a NEET PG aspirant, says, “When the INI CET exam can be conducted on schedule, then it should not be untenable to conduct the NEET PG exam on schedule. AIIMS releases the schedule much in advance. It is important that NBEMS releases its exam schedule on time for the 2026-27 cycle.”

MBBS counselling impacted after MCC adds new seats midway

MBBS counselling impacted after MCC adds new seats midway

 Ayushi.Gupta1@timesofindia.com 27.10.2025

TIMES EDUCATION   BANGALURU

Addition of 11,000 MBBS seats and introduction of new medical colleges midway has impacted the ongoing NEET UG 2025-26 counselling process adding to the troubles of aspirants. While the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has allowed seat upgrade options till the third round since last year (2024-25), the introduction of seats midway has led to disruption in seat allotment. Candidates who secured seats in the first two rounds felt cheated after new seats were opened in top medical colleges, as they already paid fees and reported to their allotted colleges. Since new seats have been added in a few AIIMS and govt medical colleges, candidates who had to settle for lesser-known colleges are clearly frustrated. 

Since many candidates did not choose the upgrade option, they have now missed the chance to compete for the newly added seats. The untimely addition of seats has created unequal opportunities for several talented candidates. Delhi-based counselling expert, Ashish Sinha, says, “NMC delayed the process of inspections and granting approvals to medical colleges. 

By the time new seats were added, aspirants had already joined elsewhere and could not participate in further rounds, as they did not select the upgrade option during the first round of counselling. If seats were added well before the counselling, the cut-off would not look elevated. High ranking students would have thoughtfully opted for the seat in a prominent college, based on their NEET scores.” Candidates who chose upgrade option will have to face significant financial strain as most of them have paid the fee, which is not fully refundable. Several medical colleges, such as MGM Medical College, Panvel, Maharashtra, charge up to Rs 50,000 as are location fee if a candidate decides to transfer to another institution, adds Sinha. 

According to the new MCC rules, aspirants can opt out of locking their seats until round III, which is mandatory during the stray vacancy phase. Dr B Srinivas, member secretary, MCC, says, “The decision to allow upgrade option in the third round was made to accommodate delayed seat approvals by NMC and ensure fair opportunities for all candidates. We knew that seat allotments were getting delayed repeatedly, so we consciously introduced upgradation in the third round this year.” 

The move benefits students seeking government medical colleges after initially being allotted private colleges. “If a student got a private medical seat earlier but now prefers a government college, with the help of this option, they can move to the college of their choice. The vacated seat will automatically be allotted to another candidate, ensuring that all available seats are filled. This system is expected to create a dynamic flow of seat reallocation, giving more students the chance to secure better placements,” Dr Srinivas adds.

However, aspirants appearing for the state counselling face difficulty in switching from state colleges to the colleges offering All India Quota (AIQ) seats. “State counselling bodies impose strict regulations that prevent students from switching to MCC seats after Round II. In one case, during the 2025-26 counselling cycle, an aspirant who had secured admission in Karnataka paid Rs 44 lakh as annual fees, but he was unable to move to DY Patil Medical College, Pune, in Round III. New seats introduced in Round III under MCC significantly lowered the cut-off for DY Patil, Pune. Had all seats been released at once, the student would likely have secured admission there in Round II. Rules stipulate that if an aspirant surrenders a seat after Round II, the entire first-year fee is forfeited—locking them into their initial choice,” says Sinha.

India’s medical education sees historic surge as MBBS seats reach 1,37,600: State-wise distribution here

India’s medical education sees historic surge as MBBS seats reach 1,37,600: 

State-wise distribution here 

India's medical education is transforming with a historic increase in MBBS seats and new colleges. The National Medical Commission is spearheading this expansion to boost healthcare access and train more doctors. This move is set to significantly enhance medical education infrastructure across the nation. The country is on track to meet its ambitious targets for medical seat additions.

TOI Education

Oct 20, 2025, 9:58 IST

India’s medical education sees historic surge as MBBS seats reach 1,37,600 

India’s medical education sector is witnessing an unprecedented transformation, with a historic surge in MBBS seats and new medical colleges across the country. Spearheaded by the National Medical Commission (NMC), this expansion aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2024 pledge to create 75,000 new medical seats over the next five years, aiming to improve healthcare access and address the persistent shortage of trained doctors.

 According to PTI, NMC Chairperson Dr. Abhijat Sheth described this growth as a major regulatory milestone, noting that, for the first time, all appeals against MARB decisions were resolved without court intervention. In a parallel move to strengthen medical education, the NMC has partnered with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to integrate clinical research into the MBBS curriculum, boosting research infrastructure in medical colleges nationwide. India 

Latest developments In October 2025, the NMC approved 10,650 new MBBS seats and sanctioned 41 new medical colleges for the 2024–25 academic year. This raised the total number of institutions offering MBBS programs to 816 across India. Including seats under Institutes of National Importance such as AIIMS and JIPMER, India’s total MBBS seat count now stands at approximately 1,37,600. 

The approvals followed the commission receiving 170 proposals for expanding undergraduate capacity. Of these, 41 were from government colleges and 129 from private institutions. States such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana saw significant additions. 

Medical seat expansion trend over 2025 Data from the NMC and the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) indicate a steady increase in MBBS seats throughout 2025. Here is a month-by-month run down based on the MARB and NMC data: 

May 2025 The NMC began reviewing proposals for new undergraduate medical seats and institutions for the 2025–26 academic cycle. Preliminary evaluations indicated around 1,17,750 MBBS seats across 808 medical colleges, establishing the baseline for expansion. 

June and July 2025 During this period, multiple states, particularly Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, submitted proposals to the NMC and MARB for new colleges and capacity expansions. Review committees prioritised underserved regions, including northeastern and central Indian districts. 

August 2025 The NMC announced the first wave of inspections and renewals to finalise the seat matrix ahead of NEET-UG counselling 2025. Provisional letters of permission (LOPs) for college upgrades added approximately 1,800 to 2,000 seats nationally.

September 2025 

On September 24–26, 2025, the NMC published an updated seat matrix adding 7,075 new MBBS seats. This increased capacity from 1,17,750 to 1,24,825. The revision included both renewal approvals and newly sanctioned seats across government and private colleges, marking the start of the largest expansion phase since 2020. 

Early October 2025 Between October 10 and 13, 2025, the NMC released another seat matrix revision for NEET-UG 2025. This approved 9,075 new MBBS seats while phasing out around 456 seats due to pending lawsuits or non-compliance. The total number of MBBS seats reached 1,26,600 across 812 medical colleges. Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka received the largest increases. 

Mid-October 2025: Record expansion announced On October 19, 2025, the NMC formally approved 10,650 new MBBS seats and 41 new medical colleges, bringing the national total to 1,37,600 seats and 816 colleges, as reported by PTI. This approval represents the largest single-year seat expansion in Indian medical education history and advances the government’s target of adding 75,000 new medical seats over five years.

State-wise expansion highlights 

The October 2025 NMC report highlights the following state-wise increases: Uttar Pradesh: Over 1,100 seats across 5 colleges 

Maharashtra: Over 950 seats across 4 colleges 

Tamil Nadu: Over 850 seats across 3 colleges 

Gujarat: Over 800 seats 

Rajasthan: Over 700 seats 

Karnataka: Over 650 seats

Madhya Pradesh: Over 600 seats 

Most of the new colleges and seat expansions are being established in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. This strategy improves geographical access to medical education and reduces regional disparities. 

The road ahead 

The NMC has indicated that further proposals for 2025–26 seat expansions are under review, with the application window opening in early November. If the current pace continues, India is likely to achieve its goal of adding 75,000 new medical seats well before 2029. This expansion represents a transformative moment for India’s medical education landscape, benefiting NEET aspirants and addressing the country’s long-term healthcare needs. 

With inputs from PTI.

MBBS, BDS admissions halted due to tech glitch, seat uncertainty

MBBS, BDS admissions halted due to tech glitch, seat uncertainty 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 17.10.2025

Chennai : MBBS/BDS admissions for 2025 have been halted amid a technical glitch on the website and seat uncertainty though medical colleges opened on Sept 22 for all freshmen. On Thursday, the process was stalled after Medical Counselling Committee's official portal went down when students attempted to log in and lock their college choices. The committee, which admits students to central institutions, deemed universities and All India quota seats in state-run medical colleges, gave candidates until midnight to make choices. 

This technical glitch comes even as National Medical Commission (NMC), the regulatory authority, continues to approve additional seats for existing medical colleges and grant recognition to new colleges for the 2025 academic year. “This is the third round of counselling, and the seat matrix still does not reflect all sanctioned seats,” said student counsellor S Shanmugam. 

“Some seats were added on Wednesday. If they are not added to the seat matrix, they will be available only for students in the stray round. How is this process justified?” he said. Officials at the central counselling committee said arevised schedule will be released once the final seat matrix is received from NMC. 

Meanwhile, the state selection committee stated that the counselling process for admission to govt quota seats in state-run medical colleges, self-financing medical colleges, and state private universities will commence only after the MCC completes its third round. “That way, students will be able to make informed decisions,” said a senior official. Medical college faculty say students joining late tend to miss at least two months of college. 

“By the time the last batch of students join college, they would have missed at least two months of classes. How will they catch up on portions?” said a senior anatomy professor of a govt medical college. “Faculty don’t have the time to conduct special classes, and it’s tough for new students to cope with these portions,” he said.

Cabinet adds 10,000 new MBBS, PG seats; faculty shortage could restrict seat expansion

Cabinet adds 10,000 new MBBS, PG seats; faculty shortage could restrict seat expansion

 Unless the paucity is addressed, increasing seats would risk diluting training quality of new doctors 

Sonal.Srivastava@timesofindia.com 06.10.2025

The Union Cabinet approved phase-III medical expansion in September 2025, greenlighting the addition of over 10,000 new MBBS and PG seats to boost India’s healthcare capacity. As the government pushes ahead with expanding MBBS and postgraduate medical seats across the country, experts warn that a chronic shortage of faculty and inadequate infrastructure may dilute the quality of medical education. 

A 2023 NITI Aayog report pegged the faculty shortfall at nearly 30%. According to data presented in the Rajya Sabha, approximately 40% of faculty positions in various AIIMS remained unfilled in 2025. Premier institutions, such as AIIMS New Delhi, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, Patna, Raipur, and Rishikesh, have a faculty shortage of 23%-38% across various levels. 

A senior official from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare acknowledges that the shortage of faculty remains a pressing concern. “The government has put in place stop-gap measures to address the issue as medical seats continue to expand,” he adds. “In a few streams, especially in the preand para-clinical areas, medical colleges are unable to find suitable faculty as fewer students opt for them compared to clinical subjects,” says the official. To increase the faculty number, the government has allowed MSc and PhD candidates to teach preand para-clinical subjects. “This is only for the initial years; eventually, reliance will increase on AI and e-books that will assist the faculty,” says the official.

Broadening the faculty pool through MSc and PhD candidates is necessary; however, preference will be given to candidates with MBBS/MD degrees. Once there is sufficient faculty and the system stabilises, these pressures will gradually subside, he adds.

Doubling MBBS seats without increasing the number of teachers and developing infrastructure will not help sustain the quality of education, says Dr Sajal Bansal, chief advisor, FAIMA, Maharashtra. “The student-teacher ratio is impacted negatively because of faculty shortage. Earlier, one teacher taught 20-25 students; now, a teacher is expected to handle a higher number of students,” he adds. To understand student experiences, FAIMA has launched a nationwide survey of medical students, covering issues such as faculty availability, clinical exposure, libraries, and infrastructure. 

Over 1,700 responses have been received so far. The shortage is particularly acute in non-clinical subjects such as Anatomy, Pharmacology, and Microbiology, where PG seats often remain vacant. “Most students prefer clinical branches because they want patient exposure, and non-clinical departments suffer because opportunities are limited — labs are under equipped, research exposure is poor, and job prospects are uncertain,” says Dr Bansal. Hospitals with more than 220 beds are also being converted into medical colleges to expand capacity. “These measures may bring some temporary relief, but they will not fully solve the shortage,” says Dr Sanjay Teotia, senior consultant, Balrampur Hospital, UP. 

Unless the shortage is addressed, the rapid expansion of medical seats risks diluting the training of new doctors. “Infrastructure and faculty must grow in tandem with seat expansion. Otherwise, the system will produce doctors with limited clinical exposure and inadequate guidance, which will ultimately affect patient care,” says Dr Teotia. SSC introduces reforms to make exams secure and transparent The SSC has rolled out a series of reforms to make its examinations more transparent, secure, and convenient for candidates. Candidates appearing in SSC exams can view their own question papers, responses, and the correct answers. However, restrictions apply during ongoing multishift exams to ensure that papers from later sessions are not compromised. To further assist aspirants, the Commission has also decided to publish selected past question papers as official sample sets at regular intervals. SSC has halved the fee for challenging questions, from Rs 100 to Rs 50 per question, reducing the financial burden on aspirants who wish to contest an answer. 

Another significant measure is the introduction of equi-percentile normalisation. This method compares candidates based on their percentile score rather than raw marks. It removes any 

advantage or disadvantage that may arise from variation in difficulty levels across different exam shifts. Ensuring exam security and fairness has also been a major focus. Aadhaarbased authentication has been introduced to prevent impersonation and to stop candidates from attempting the same exam multiple times.

NEET cut-offs for MBBS, BDS drop after 2nd round of counselling

NEET cut-offs for MBBS, BDS drop after 2nd round of counselling

SEAT MATRIX 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 03.10.2025

Chennai : At the end of second round of counselling for MBBS/BDS admissions, cutoffs in NEET-UG 2025 came down by two to four marks in govt medical colleges compared to first round, and up to 10 marks in govt quota seats in self-financing colleges. While the last mark for a student to get into a medical college (state private university) was 354, the cut-off scores in BDS dropped by up to 100-222 marks in round 2 of counselling.

At the end of round 2, cutoffs dropped in almost all categories, although there was no major difference in ranks. For instance, the OC (open category) cut-off for govt colleges plummeted from 650 in 2024 to 534 in 2025. In 2024, NEET cutoff for a student to get into any college in any category at the end of round 2 was 403 marks. In BDS, the cut-off was 245.

The drop in cut-offs doesn’t indicate an easing of admissions, experts say. “There is only a marginal difference in the ranks of students, though we see big differences in scores,” said student counsellor Manickavel Arumugam. “Students, including many repeat candidates, found the NEET 2025 tougher. Overall performance dropped across India. There was no perfect score, and the top score was 686,” he said.

Students who were allotted seats must join colleges of their choice before deadline, or they will have to take part in the round 3 of counselling for colleges of their choice. 

The National Medical Commission allowed St Peter’s Medical College Hospital to take 100 more students by increasing total seats to 250, while Vivekananda Medical College Hospital and Research Institute will add 50 seats. These seats, along with 50 more in BDS, will be added to seat matrix once the state medical university grants affiliation, said selection committee officials.

Another KGMU doctor resigns, set to join private hosp

Another KGMU doctor resigns, set to join private hosp 

BRAIN DRAIN

Mohsin  Usmani TNN 02.10.2025

Lucknow : With neurologist Prof PK Sharma submitting his resignation on Wednesday, King George’s Medical University lost another senior faculty member. Sharma will serve a threemonth notice period before joining a private medical institute in Alambagh. Prof Sharma cited personal reasons for his exit but said his years at KGMU gave him “immense recognition.” His resignation follows that of Prof Kshitij Srivastava from neurosurgery and Prof Adarsh Tripathi from the psychiatry department. The series of exits widened recently when four doctors — Dr Manu Agarwal (psychiatry), Dr Tanvi Bhargava (anaesthesia), Dr Ashok Kumar Gupta (plastic surgery) and Dr Karan Kaushik (cardiac anaesthesia) — resigned together.

They deposited three months’ salary in lieu of notice, which allowed immediate release. Dr Bhargava joined SGPGIMS, Dr Gupta moved to RMLIMS while Dr Kaushik and Dr Agarwal accepted a private hospital post. In the past month, KGMU also saw the departure of Prof Ajay Verma (respiratory medicine), who joined RMLIMS as head of department, Prof Srivastava, who shifted to a private hospital in Alambagh, and Prof Tripathi, who is serving notice. Senior faculty members have attributed the resignations to mismanagement and administrative lapses. Another factor is the pay gap. 

Salaries for govt medical teachers range between Rs 1.25 lakh at the assistant professor level and about Rs 3 lakh for professors. Private hospitals are offering salaries upwards of Rs 10 lakh a month, along with incentives. Faculty have also raised uniform pay across departments, which places super-specialists, despite longer training and heavier clinical load, on the same scale as non-clinical faculty. Meanwhile, the KGMU Teachers’ Association has sought govt intervention and demanded a policy should be framed for doctors trained in govt institutions.

How Karur medical college hospital rose to the occasion during stampede

How Karur medical college hospital rose to the occasion during stampede

The Hindu Bureau

Karur  30.09.2025tn

In the aftermath of the stampede at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and actor Vijay’s rally, which killed 41 people, Karur Government Medical College Hospital turned into the nerve centre of an unprecedented emergency response.

Inside the hospital, doctors, nurses and staff worked on a war footing. Nearly 85 doctors reported within hours of the incident, and about 90% of the hospital staff turned up without being summoned, officials said.

“Our own team was enough to manage, yet doctors from Madurai and Tiruchi also rushed in to lend support,” a senior official noted.

Government and private ambulances also worked in tandem. “That night was a nightmare. I made three trips within a few hours. Despite the chaos, the public cooperated with us and cleared the way,” recalled R. Velayutham, a private ambulance driver.

The mortuary became the busiest section of the hospital. Nearly 20 postgraduate students from nearby medical colleges, including Salem, Tiruchi and Namakkal, were drafted in with police clearance to carry out post-mortems. Working through the night, they completed examinations of the 39 bodies by Sunday afternoon.

The pressure was not just medical. “Handling non-medical persons who accompanied the patients was a challenge. Emotions were high, and crowd control inside the premises was difficult,” a senior medical officer said.

“But with the help of the police and our staff, we managed,” he added.

Laboratory technicians, attendants and support staff worked alongside the doctors and the nurses to keep the operations running.

The hospital, the officials said, had not faced such a test in years after COVID, but rose to the occasion, with teamwork being the key.

Despite low FMGE passing rate, Indian students continue to pick Russia for MBBS

Despite low FMGE passing rate, Indian students continue to pick Russia for MBBS

Several Russian medical colleges have partnered with Indian education providers to give coaching to FMGs for licensure examination

Divyansh.Kumar@timesofindia.com 29.09.2025 

TIMES EDUCATION

Despite low success rates in the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) and war-related tension, thousands of Indian students head to Russian medical colleges every year. Affordability and admissions to candidates with low NEET scores are the primary reasons for Indian aspirants going abroad. The number of Indian students visiting Russia has increased from 8,000 in 2021 to nearly 32,000 in 2024. 

At a recent pre-departure gathering, nearly 300 medical aspirants bound for Russia hailed the practical supports, low tuition and hostel fee, which led most students to opt for Russia. “I am planning to study MBBS in Russia because it is cheaper than other countries and private MBBS in India,” said 21-year-old Bhavani Pooja from Gangavati, Karnataka, who will complete her six year course in Rs 25 to Rs 30 lakh, which is a fraction of what she would have spent pursuing MBBS at a private college in India.

Most students, including Bhavani, are not aware of the licensure exam that Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) need to clear after they return to India. The average FMGE pass percentage for Russian medical varsities was 18.13% in 2023, which rose to 29.54% across more than 50 listed Russian institutions in 2024. 

In contrast, Tanushree Rathore, 19, from Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, who will attend Orenburg State Medical University, was fully informed. “There are so many reasons to study in Russia, including the high-quality education provided by the university I am going to,” she said, estimating the total fee of approximately Rs 36 lakh and an additional Rs 2.6 lakh per year for food and other expenses.

Tanushree was least concerned about the ongoing war as her college in Orenburg is far from the conflict zone. Overseas Mentorship Dr Priyansh Jain, MD, General Medicine and a faculty member for NEET PG and FMGE, Rus Education, emphasises that the success in the exam hinges on early and sustained effort. “Identifying the demand to pass FMGE after course completion, several medical colleges in Russia proactively decided to offer FMGE coaching to help the students right from the first semester.” The data on FMGE pass percentages is skewed, says Dr Jain. “The 18% to 20% FMGE pass rate is not realistic data. Many repeaters have been attempting the exam for five to 10 years. They take the exam for the sake of it, without proper preparation. In all, 8,000 to 10,000 new students attempting for the first or second time manage to pass the exam,” he adds. Medical faculty in India can collaborate with foreign institutions to give guest lectures and remote mentoring to support students while they are abroad. “Even a one-hour weekly online case discussion or guest lecture from Indian faculty can keep students aligned with the Indian curriculum. 

Remote mentorship and virtual practical training sessions may reduce the shock of FMGE preparation when they return home,” adds Dr Jain. Officials, however, point to structural mismatches. A senior official at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), who wishes to remain anonymous, says that average FMGE pass rates have improved from single digits to nearly 19%20% recently, but the situation remains worrisome. “The students often are not well prepared for the FMGE as they mostly opt for online coaching. At times, they lack basic knowledge. After returning, students realise the enormity of FMGE and find it difficult to pass,” he says, noting that the mode of teaching and clinical exposure contribute to the difficulty. The official adds that the National Board of Examination for Medical Sciences (NBEMS) publishes countrywise annual FMGE pass percentages on its website; hence, students must make an informed decision.

While the quality of theoretical education in Russia is generally acknowledged, clinicians and regulators agree that the main curriculum mismatch lies in practical training. Lt-Gen (Retd) Dr Bipin Puri, director, Medical Services (North Zone), Apollo Group of Hospitals and former director-general, Armed Forces Medical Services, says, “The biggest gap is that these children who are trained outside do not get much clinical exposure as they largely get classroom-based learning. These students, when they return, still require extensive coaching and training to understand the nuances of the Indian medical system. Medicine is learned when you interact with a patient, treat them, and understand their condition.”

NEET aspirants breathe easy as Court restores 600 withheld MBBS seats

NEET aspirants breathe easy as Court restores 600 withheld MBBS seats

 Ayushi.Gupta1@timesofindia.com 29.09.2025

In a relief to aspirants seeking admission to medical colleges, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has released over 600 seats out of the 1,056 MBBS seats, which were previously withheld due to alleged corruption cases flagged by the CBI in July. The seats have been reinstated after various state High Courts granted interim relief to the institutions concerned. For now, the number of withheld seats is 456, the fate of which will be decided by the NMC when colleges comply with the Minimum Standard Requirements (MSR) 2023 norms.

According to the seat matrix released in September 2025, the NMC had withheld 150 to 200 MBBS seats from several institutions, including Swaminarayan Institute of Medical Sciences & Research (SIMSR) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Delhi. These actions were based on pending court cases and investigations initiated by the CBI. Dr Abhijat Sheth, chairman, NMC, says, “As per the data collected till September 24, there are only 456 withheld seats. This has been done after approval from the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and the MoHFW.” 

The renewal of MBBS seats in four out of six institutions flagged by the CBI regarding corruption was sooner than expected. Dr B Srinivas, deputy director general, Medical Education, MoHFW says, “The NMC has complied with the instructions issued by the respective state High Courts. As the corruption charges against several medical colleges are still under judicial review and have not been proven, the courts have granted interim relief for the current academic year. 

This relief has allowed the colleges to proceed with MBBS admissions for approximately 600 seats, ensuring minimal disruption for aspirants while the legal process continues.” Besides the restoration of withheld seats, the NMC has announced an increase of 7,375 new MBBS seats for the academic year 2025-26. With this expansion, the total number of MBBS seats available nationwide has increased to 1,23,244, up from 1,17,750 in the 2024-25 academic year. The final seat matrix is expected to reflect only 456 withheld seats, a significant reduction from the initial figure

Paediatric diarrhoea study shows docs prescribing antibiotics unnecessarily

Paediatric diarrhoea study shows docs prescribing antibiotics unnecessarily

Jahnavi@timesofindia.com 27.09.2025

Bengaluru : A new study on prescription of antibiotics has revealed something surprising: The biggest reason doctors prescribe unnecessary antibiotics for children with diarrhoea isn’t because they don’t know better, it is because they think parents expect “strong medicines”. The study, titled ‘Investigating the know-do gap in antibiotics prescribing: Experimental evidence from India,’ published in Science Advances, analysed 2,282 private healthcare providers across 253 towns in Karnataka and Bihar (50% from each state) treating paediatric diarrhoea. When doctors were presented with cases of viral diarrhoea in kids (where antibiotics aren’t needed), a staggering 70% still prescribed them. Researchers identified three factors behind this — doctors’ assumptions that parents demand antibiotics; financial incentives from selling medicines; requent shortages of oral rehydration salts (ORS) — the recommended treatment for diarrhoea. Doctors were worried that not prescribing “strong medicines” (usually assumed to be antibiotics) would drive patients to other doctors. The experiment showed caretakers preferred providers who gave more medicines overall, with ORS combined with zinc. “Diarrhoea remains a leading cause of preventable child and infant deaths, yet lifesaving treatment with ORS is under-prescribed, with utilisation rates below 20%. WHO guidelines clearly state ORS should be prescribed for all cases of diarrhoea due to its critical role in preventing fatal dehydration,” said Arnab Mukherjee, professor of public policy and chairperson of PGPPM at IIMB and one of the study’s authors.

Kalol college regains 150 MBBS seats after conditional approval

Kalol college regains 150 MBBS seats after conditional approval 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 27.09.2025

Ahmedabad : The Swaminarayan Medical College in Kalol, which recently faced cancellation of its admissions, has been granted conditional approval for 150 MBBS seats. The move comes after the National Medical Commission (NMC) earlier declared seats at several medical colleges across the country, including the Kalol college, as “zero”, citing serious deficiencies. The college management had challenged NMC’s decision in court. After hearing the matter, the court directed reconsideration of the case, paving the way for temporary relief. 

Acting on the directions, authorities have now restored 150 MBBS seats to the institute, but only on strict conditions. According to officials, the NMC inspection flagged multiple shortcomings in infrastructure, faculty strength and clinical facilities at the Kalol-based institute. The conditional approval requires the management to rectify all deficiencies within the next three months. Failure to comply with the stipulated timeline could once again put the college’s recognition at risk. This decision has provided relief to hundreds of aspiring medical students, as the sudden withdrawal of recognition left their future uncertain. With approval restored, the admission process at Swaminarayan Medical College can proceed for the new academic session.

367 MBBS seats vacant after 2nd round added to management quota

367 MBBS seats vacant after 2nd round added to management quota 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 26.09.2025

Chennai : At least 367 MBBS seats in self-financing colleges and state private universities that were vacant after two rounds of counselling by state selection panel, will be added to management quota seats in the third round of counselling. 

Additionally, 100 seats—50 each from Vivekananda Medical College and St Peters Medical College—awaiting affiliation from state medical university will also be added to the seat matrix, officials said. 

In round 2 results of MBBS/BDS counselling released by state selection panel on Wednesday, NRI seats in several self-financing medical colleges were not allotted as candidates did not opt for seats. This year, the fixation of fees panel, struck down the NRI lapsed seats category, which was created to fill in non-NRI candidates alongside management quota in self-financing medical/dental colleges and state private universities. The selection committee will hence transfer vacant NRI seats to the common pool in management category, allowing students to take these seats at a 30% lower cost. The panel fixed MBBS fees for 2025 in self-financing colleges at ₹15 lakh a year, and fee for NRIs was ₹27 lakh. Until 2024, self-financing colleges were allowed to collect ₹24.5 lakh as NRI fees. Colleges set aside 15% of the seats for NRI category. If these seats were not filled, they were converted into NRI lapse seats, which had ₹21.50 lakh as annual tuition fee. The six seats under the minority quota will be converted only after the institute agrees to convert them into management quota seats, officials added.

Centre okays 10,000 more Med Ed seats, to cost ₹15k cr over 4 yrs

Centre okays 10,000 more Med Ed seats, to cost ₹15k cr over 4 yrs 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  25.09.2025

New Delhi : India’s medical education system is set for its biggest expansion yet, with the cabinet on Wednesday approving the creation of 5,000 new postgraduate seats and 5,023 MBBS seats in govt institutions. It also cleared the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research’s (DSIR) Capacity Building and Human Resource Development scheme with an outlay of Rs 2,277 crore to strengthen India’s R&D pipeline. The cabinet's approval for the DSIR scheme will add vigour to India's R&D ecosystem, with a focus on a culture of innovation as well as excellence, PM Narendra Modi said. He said approval of Phase-III of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme will add significant PG and UG medical seats

“This will improve our healthcare system and enhance medical education infrastructure. It will ensure that every part of India has availability of skilled doctors,” the PM said. The medical education decision will fund the upgradation of state and central medical colleges, standalone PG institutes and govt hospitals, with an enhanced cost ceiling of Rs 1.5 crore per seat. Together, the two initiatives represent a combined push to expand the country’s pool of doctors and scientists. The medical seat expansion scheme carries a financial implication of Rs 15,034 crore over 2025- 29, of which the Centre will bear Rs 10,303 crore and states Rs 4,731 crore. Officials said expansion will ensure a steady pipeline of specialists, introduce new disciplines, & make better use of existing infrastructure. With 808 medical colleges and 1.23 lakh MBBS seats — the largest in the world — India has added over 69,000 MBBS and 43,000 PG seats in the past decade. Yet, gaps remain, particularly in underserved rural and tribal regions. The new approval aims to bridge these gaps while also generating large-scale employment.

Medical colleges lose seats under NMC’s revised matrix

Medical colleges lose seats under NMC’s revised matrix 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 16.09.2025

Ahmedabad : As the second round of medical admissions in Gujarat is under way, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has announced the final seat matrix for medical colleges. In a major development, all 150 seats of the much-discussed Swaminarayan Institute of Medical Science at Kalol have been cancelled, meaning that the college will not admit any students this year. 

Overall, the state has seen an equal number of seat additions and deductions. While 250 seats were added this year, the same number were deducted due to deficiencies and irregularities in some colleges. So, the total number of seats remains unchanged at 6,950 across 40 colleges. Among the new approvals, Atkot Medical College was granted 150 seats, Parul Medical College’s seats rose from 150 to 200 and a new college in Bapunagar area was allowed 50 seats. In addition to Kalol, colleges in Bharuch and Amreli each lost 50 seats, bringing the total reduction to 250. 

Sources said that due to lower NEET cut-off this year, many students who previously would not have qualified have become eligible. With better options under the all-India quota, many students opted for it, leaving over 1,700 seats vacant in Gujarat after the first round of admissions. The NMC also released nationwide data on approved, increased, and reduced seats. Admission panels will proceed with further rounds based on the revised seat matrix.

Only 2% students allotted seats in govt medical colleges retained

Only 2% students allotted seats in govt medical colleges retained

Pushpa.Narayan@timesofindia.com 09.09.2025

Chennai : Only 14% of students who were allotted MBBS seats by Central Medical Counselling Committee joined govt colleges allotted to them, and only 2% retained their seats, an analysis of the seat matrix released by the committee shows. Of the 835 seats in 38 govt run colleges in TN, including AIIMS Madurai, Central committee allotted students to 824 seats through online counselling. The seats are allotted based on merit in NEET-2025, the rule of reservation, and students’ choices. Students were asked to join colleges by Aug 22. 

The data on vacancies for Round 2 counselling released by the committee shows that 707 candidates used the ‘free exit’ option, either to select a better college from the options provided by respective state counselling committees, or to look for better choices in the subsequent rounds. Among the 114 students who joined the colleges allocated to them, 95 students chose an ‘upgrade’. These seats, considered virtual vacancies, will be allocated to students if the candidate is admitted to another college of their choice, or will be retained by the same candidate. 

All states surrender 15% of seats in state-run colleges for admission under the allIndia quota. The Central committee allots students to allIndia quota seats and all seats in Central institutions and deemed universities. Across India, 7,140 seats are vacant, data shows. Experts say Round 1 of medical counselling has become redundant as state allows students who opt for the seat to exit freely. “The students are given the seat only if they opt for it. I understand if they want to upgrade. If they decide to quit, they should not be allowed to participate in the process any further,” said student counsellor Manickavel Arumugam. Meanwhile, in deemed universities across the country, all 9,244 seats were allotted, and 6,314 joined the college. Among these, 3,202 candidates (35%) retained the seats.

“Deemed university fee is higher but students who don’t have high scores and therefore have poor chances of admission in govt or self-financing colleges apply for them. In these colleges, cut-offs increase in Round 2,” said S Shanmugaprasad, a NEET coach. In the second round of counselling, 2,930 seats from Round 1 and 623 newly added seats will be vacant. In TN, three deemed universities — Sri Lalithambigai Medical College, Bharath Medical College, and Vels Medical College — have been given 50 additional seats each. Vacancies in state medical colleges are yet to be released by the state counselling committee. Officials said they are waiting for Centre to release the list of new colleges and additional seats granted to existing colleges in TN to prepare the seat matrix for Round 2 of counselling.

Fake NRI admissions racket in medical education: The new red lines on who is and who isn’t a guardian

Fake NRI admissions racket in medical education: The new red lines on who is and who isn’t a guardian 

A massive fake NRI-quota admissions scam exposed by the Enforcement Directorate has revealed how fabricated guardians, forged certificates, and counterfeit notary stamps were used to secure nearly 18,000 medical seats in West Bengal and Odisha. In response, authorities have enforced stricter rules—tightening guardianship definitions, disallowing extended family sponsorship, mandating embassy-issued certificates, and limiting validity to one year to prevent misuse.

TOI Education

Aug 26, 2025, 15:41 IST

Medical education 

The fake NRI-quota admissions racket laid bare by enforcement agencies recently has revealed how “sponsors” and “guardians” were manufactured to buy medical seats, turning loopholes into a thriving shadow market. According to a TNN report, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), aided by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Indian missions abroad, has uncovered that nearly 18,000 MBBS and PG seats in private medical colleges across West Bengal and Odisha were secured through forged NRI certificates, counterfeit US notary stamps, and fabricated family trees—with agents and college promoters colluding to generate huge illicit proceeds. 

Here is a look at the tightened NRI admissions guidelines—who qualifies as a bona fide sponsor or guardian, who doesn’t, and why these distinctions now matter more than ever. Who can sponsor under the NRI quota To begin with, an applicant must be an Indian national holding a valid Indian passport and must have completed more than 182 days of stay in their country of residence to obtain an NRI certificate. Only then do the following categories qualify for NRI-quota educational benefits: NRIs themselves. Children of NRIs. Wards of NRIs—but only if the ward is a minor under the NRI’s bona fide guardianship. Evidence of guardianship must be produced before the Indian Mission/Post; merely “looking after” a student does not make someone a guardian. An affidavit to this effect must be filed with the Mission/Post.

This is the fulcrum of the system: The only third-party sponsor allowed is an NRI who is the legal, bona fide guardian of a minor. Anything looser will fail scrutiny. 

Who is not a guardian (no matter how close the family) 

The guidelines shut the door on precisely those family relationships that agents had exploited to secure MBBS and PG admissions for aspirants. The following are explicitly excluded as “bona fide guardians” for NRI-quota admissions—even if they are NRIs and reside abroad: Real brother or sister of the student (first-degree relatives other than parents). Uncle and aunt on the father’s side. Maternal uncle and maternal aunt on the mother’s side. Grandparents on either side. First-degree maternal or paternal cousins. Translation: Extended family sponsorship is out. If an agent is pitching “your Dubai-based uncle can sponsor,” that is non-compliant by definition. The one-year clock on certificates 

Another guardrail that kills document recycling: Every NRI Certificate issued by an Indian Mission/Post is valid for one year only, and renewal needs proof of continued stay abroad, subject to other conditions being met. This applies to the parent/candidate whose NRI status is being used. For Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)/Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cases, Missions may issue similar certificates for educational benefits, explicitly noting OCI status; passport number and “period of stay” may be omitted because they are irrelevant to OCIs/PIOs. Paperwork that will be checked—physically The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has spelled out what must be on the table for NRI-seat choice and what happens next: NEET scorecard. Self-attested declaration that the candidate is NRI/OCI/PIO or a child of NRI parents (format provided). OCI/PIO card, if applicable. Embassy-issued NRI Certificate of the parent or candidate. Crucially, original documents of all candidates will be checked at the allotted college at the time of reporting.

The declaration warns that if any information is false or frivolous, the seat will be cancelled and the candidate will face punitive/legal action. Why these red lines matter The ED’s casework shows the exact weak points exploited by the agent–college nexus: Rented sponsors, photocopied family trees, affidavits notarized without the supposed NRI even being in India, and the same sponsor pack recycled across candidates. The new rules answer each tactic: Tight definition of guardianship, family-relationship exclusions, embassy-fronted certification, and one-year validity to stop document laundering.