NEWS TODAY 21.01.2026

 

Govt doctors in TN threaten strike over pay and promotions

Govt doctors in TN threaten strike over pay and promotions 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  21.01.2026

Chennai : Govt doctors in Tamil Nadu threatened to go on strike and boycott patient care if their demands for higher pay and time-bound promotions were not met. While different associations presented different recommendations on how it must be implemented, all associations insisted on better pay and a better working environment.

On Monday, associations met with health and finance officials to present their demands. The federation of govt doctors’ associations (FOGDA) said promotions and increments must be given in the 4th, 9th and 13th year of service, against the present system, where promotions come in 8, 15, 17 and 20 years of service. “We insisted that govt order number 354, issued in 2009 must be implemented,” said FOGDA convenor Dr A Ramalingam. 

Doctors argued that teachers joining arts and science, engineering or veterinary colleges earned far more than doctors working at govt medical colleges. “We offer patient care and teaching, but we are paid less,” he said. For instance, after 20 years of service, associate professors in other colleges earned at least ₹25,000 more every month compared with specialists in medical colleges, and professors earned at least ₹75,000 more every month, he said. Tamil Nadu govt doctors association asked for first promotion for a doctor when he or she got a postgraduate medical or diploma degree. “In the 5th and 10th year after this, they must get their second and third promotions. This means they would get the 4th pay grade by their 17th year of service. We asked for UGC scale payment with time-bound promotions,” said TNGDA president Dr K Senthil. 

The association also insisted the govt must allow doctors in all three directorates to take their eligible leave without hindrance. “Doctors are allowed to take off on public holidays and an additional 12 days as casual leave. If there is any emergency beyond this, they will have to lose their service seniority for leave,” he said. “Doctors swipe attendance even on days they are sick. This is inhuman and violates all labour  laws. At least 70% of the doctors who appear for transfer or promotion counselling are shifted to places that are more than 30km away from their families. We decided to agitate if the govt does not address this,” said Dr Senthil. 

FOGDA said they will go on a two-day token hunger strike in Chennai from Jan 28 in the first phase. “All govt doctors were instructed to continue their duties while wearing or holding protest badges, but if the state does not meet our demands, we will boycott patient care. We are left with no choice,” Dr Ramalingam said.

NEWS TODAY 19.01.2026

 

Power of Postgraduation: Stronger skills, greater edge in research and employability

Power of Postgraduation: Stronger skills, greater edge in research and employability 

A PG degree opens various avenues for students to explore 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 19.01.2026  TIMES EDUCATION 

Although students today are graduating with stronger practical exposure, they assess if opting for a master’s degree is a pathway to deeper expertise and enhanced professional credibility. 

Retaining Appeal 

Postgraduate engineering degrees continue to hold value at institutes offering strong specialisation and industry-oriented training. However, enrolment at MTech courses varies across institutions. UG degrees provide breadth, while MTech allows students to develop depth in a specific area. MTech courses fall into two categories: coursework-based degrees and researchoriented courses, sometimes offered as MS degrees. Coursework-based graduates typically take up specialised engineering roles such as machine learning engineers, data engineers. Those from research-based programmes often move into research engineer roles or pursue doctoral studies. Most students pursue MTech for better technical roles and higher pay, while a smaller proportion has a clear research orientation. Working professionals who are dissatisfied with their current roles also view MTech as a pathway to reskill. 

Dinesh Babu Jayagopi, HoD, Data Science and AI, IIIT-Bangalore 

Skills over Degrees 

MCom programme has seen a noticeable shift in employer expectations in recent years. This shift is no longer centred primarily on academic grades or formal qualifications, but increasingly on the skill sets and applied competencies that students bring to the workplace. At the UG level, there has been an enhancement in curriculum design, experiential learning, and skill integration. As a result, students today often graduate with stronger practical exposure and employabilityoriented skills. In the current employment landscape, UG students have access to a range of marketdriven avenues. There appears to be limited differentiation in placement outcomes or salary packages between UG and PG degree holders. While marginal differences may exist, they are not substantial as employers are prioritising demonstrable skills, adaptability, and workplace readiness over academic qualification. 

Anson K J, assistant registrar, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore

 Institutional Failures 

PG education is steadily losing its attractiveness due to systemic academic and institutional failures. A major deterrent is PG CUET, which rewards rote memorisation rather than conceptual understanding. This problem is compounded by the NEP-UGCF structure, which has weakened disciplinary depth by crowding UG curricula with low-rigour VACs and SECs, leaving students disengaged from their core subjects. The decline of public varsities has further accelerated student disinterest. Poor-quality course design weakened teaching standards, and political interference has eroded academic autonomy. Independent thinking is sidelined in favour of academically shallow projects. Also, a mistaken belief persists that PG degrees offer limited job prospects with many students abandoning PG pathways or choosing overseas education . 

Rudrashish Chakraborty, associate prof, Eng Dept, KMC, DU 

Career Alignment 

An LLM holds value when it offers strong specialisation and clear career alignment. Law graduates are increasingly pursuing LLM programmes to deepen their expertise in specific areas, rather than treating the degree as a general qualification. Specialisations such as Corporate Law, Intellectual Property Rights, International Law, and Human Rights Law enhance employability by aligning graduates with specific practice areas in law firms, and global organisations. An LLM is mandatory for those aspiring to enter academia and provides tangible benefits to professionals working in the prosecution or judiciary, including eligibility for additional increments. With the introduction of mandatory practice requirements before appearing for lower judiciary exams, LLM has become a preferred choice for aspirants who wish to strengthen their legal foundation without losing extra time, as the duration of the programme is counted towards judicial eligibility. 

Vageshwari Deswal, professor, Faculty of Law, DU Application-oriented Roles 

In India, design education was first introduced at the PG level, and later expanded to the UG level. One of the key reasons students opt for a master’s in design is the industry’s perception about qualifications. Recruiters often prefer candidates who bring interdisciplinary exposure; they are considered more industry-ready and mature in applying technology or engineering knowledge to realworld problems. A master’s degree in design allows engineers to move from technical roles to application-oriented positions. Pursuing a master’s provide formal entry into designcentric roles and access to corporate design studios, industrial design firms, and technology companies. It also helps Fine Arts graduates in securing positions in global firms. While research aspirations exist, pursuing a master’s adds professional value. 

Sugandh Malhotra, professor, IDC School of Design, IIT Bombay

Gateway to Govt Jobs 

With PG degrees, students are better armed to pursue further studies such as PhD. Moreover, a master’s is required for all govt jobs and for writing the NET/JRF exams, which are essential for taking up academics. With diplomas in journalism, a student can only get into the industry and pursue journalism, but for higher studies, govt jobs, and getting into academics, a degree is required. For research too, a PG degree is needed for appearing in the PhD admission entrance exam or for taking JRF. Considering PG degree courses include a key component of internship with media organisations, it gives students practical experience of working in the industry. A PG degree opens more opportunities, not to mention better pay packages and promotions. Pragya Paliwal Gaur, vice-chancellor, IIMC

In 2023 too, -40 was good enough for NEET PG

In 2023 too, -40 was good enough for NEET PG 

Rema.Nagarajan@timesofindia.com 19.01.2026

There is much outrage in the medical community that the cut off for NEET PG 2025 has been reduced to zero percentile for the reserved category, which is equivalent to a score of -40. However, this is not the first time a score of -40 was good enough to qualify. The cut off was similarly reduced to zero percentile in 2023 for all categories and then too the equivalent score was -40. 

In 2023, when the medical counselling committee announced the reduction to zero percentile, it did not reveal that this was equivalent to a score of -40. TOI had analysed NEET scores and pointed out that zero percentile meant 14 candidates who scored zero marks, 13 with negative marks and the one getting the lowest mark of -40 out of 800 would also qualify. 

In 2025, there are 126 candidates who have scored zero or less. Zero percentile means the lowest score or that none of the candidates got less. In 2023 and in 2025, one candidate got the lowest score of -40. Interestingly, in July 2022, in response to a petition filed by three students seeking lower cut off, govt had stated in court that “minimum qualifying percentile for admission is required to be maintained to ensure minimum standard of education and general standards for admission to professional courses”. Taking govt’s argument into consideration, the court dismissed the petition and ruled against lowering the standards of medical education as it “involves in its ambit the matter of life and death”. 

In 2023, govt officials were quoted in news reports justifying lowering the cut off to zero as aone-time measure to fill vacant PG seats. However, this has become a regular feature with cut offs being lowered to abysmal levels every year. About 2 lakh to 2.3 lakh students appear for NEET PG for over 70,000 seats. However, the seats in private colleges remain vacant as the fees for clinical subjects in many of them runs into crores, which most candidates cannot afford. 

Lowering the cut off increases the pool of ‘qualified’ candidates and improves the chance of finding candidates with deep pockets who can afford the fees even if they have rock bottom scores. “To lower NEET PG qualifying marks to abysmal level is driven solely by commercial considerations. This decision ‘reserves’ post-graduate medical seats to the rich and mighty in commercial fiefdoms called private medical colleges. This is shameful and must be condemned as unadulterated corruption,” tweeted former principal health secretary of Andhra Pradesh Dr P V Ramesh.

Vande Bharat Sleeper ticket cancellation to be costly affair Indian Railways has introduced stricter cancellation charges for its new Vande Bharat Sleeper trains.

Jan 19, 2026, 2:19 IST

Vande Bharat Sleeper ticket cancellation to be costly affair Indian Railways has introduced stricter cancellation charges for its new Vande Bharat Sleeper trains.

Passengers face a 25% deduction for cancellations made anytime after booking, escalating to 50% if cancelled between 72 and eight hours before departure. No refunds are offered for cancellations within eight hours of departure, a change from previous norms.

Dipak K DashTNN

While a 25% deduction will apply if a ticket is cancelled anytime after purchasing, a 50% charge will be levied if cancellation is done between 72 hours and 8 hours before scheduled departure NEW DELHI: Cancelling confirmed tickets of newly launched Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will be costlier for passengers, according to new norms notified by the Railways. While a 25% deduction will apply if a ticket booked in this premium train is cancelled anytime after purchasing, a 50% charge will be levied if cancellation is done between 72 hours and eight hours before the train's scheduled departure. There will be no refund, if a ticket is cancelled less than eight hours before scheduled departure, the norms state. This provision has been introduced considering that the Railways has started preparing the reservation chart eight hours before a train's departure against the earlier norm of four hours.

India Reveals First Vande Bharat Sleeper Offering Faster Overnight Travel On Kolkata-Guwahati Line

The new cancellation rules for Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are significantly different and stricter as compared to other trains, including the operational Vande Bharat chair-car trains. Officials said the norms reduce the time for cancelling tickets and change refund amounts for Vande Bharat Sleeper trains as passengers will be issued only confirmed tickets in these services. There will be no provision for reservation against cancellation tickets, they said. 

Rules for other trains state that passengers are levied a flat cancellation rate of Rs 240 for first AC, Rs 200 for Tier-2 AC, Rs 180 for Tier-3 AC, Rs 120 for Sleeper and Rs 60 for Second Class, if they cancel tickets anytime before 48 hours prior to a train's scheduled departure. If anyone cancels a ticket between 48 hours and up to 12 hours before scheduled departure, a 25% cancellation charge is levied, and there is a 50% deduction for tickets cancelled between 12 hours and up to four hours before departure. There is no refund for confirmed tickets in case they are not cancelled or ticket deposit receipt (TDR) not filed online up to four hours before scheduled departure, the rules state.

 Regarding Vande Bharat Sleeper trains fares, the Railway Board has said the minimum chargeable distance will be 400km and there will be quota only for women, persons with disabilities, senior citizens and those with duty pass. No other reservation will be applicable.

9 years is enough punishment! Supreme Court tells university to consider apology of doctor penalised for wearing digital watch in exam

9 years is enough punishment! Supreme Court tells university to consider apology of doctor penalised for wearing digital watch in exam 

Written By : Barsha Misra

Published On 17 Jan 2026 1:27 PM 

Supreme Court of India

New Delhi: After considering the appeal of a young doctor's father, the Supreme Court has allowed the medico to tender an unconditional apology to the medical college for wearing a digital watch in an exam.

Further, the top court bench has also requested the university to consider his representation with "utmost sympathy" and an endeavour to save the young professional's career.

While considering the plea by the father, the Apex Court observed that the son's nine-year professional exile was "a more than sufficient punishment having regard to the nature of the misdemeanours", and also noted that any further blockage of his career would be "too harsh and disproportionate".

"At the end of the day, there is a father standing in court with folded hands, trying to save the academic career of his son, in whose MBBS degree, it appears that the University has made some adverse remarks based upon the history of adopting unfair means. The sheer frustration caused due to the inability of his son to pursue higher studies, is seemingly prompting the first petitioner, seemingly has brought negativity and is instigating the first petitioner to file complaints here and there. While we do not find any merit in those complaints, within the scope of interference under Article 137 of the Constitution, and consequently, we see no ground to interfere with the imprinted order passed by the Bar Council of India..." ordered the Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.

The matter goes back to February 2017, when at Chennai-based Sri Ramachandra Medical College, the petitioner's son was found wearing a digital wristwatch during an examination. Under the University's strict "unfair means" policy, the student's exam was cancelled. Despite clearing the papers later, the shadow of the incident continued to follow the student. This resulted in the family getting engaged in a relentless legal crusade, losing in the High Court and the Supreme Court, dismissing their Review and Curative petitions.

As per the latest media report by Verdictum, the student's father appeared in person, alleging a conspiracy involving "polluted counsels" and "fabricated documents". He also argued that the Bar Council of India failed to investigate his claims of fraud by legal representatives who allegedly withdrew the petitions without consent.

After considering the matter, the Court observed,

"We are conscious of the fact that Ramchandra Medical College and Research Institute, Purur, Chennai, has not been called or heard at this stage. It is so only to avoid them to be burdened with litigation expenses, especially when we are not passing an order of irreversible adverse impact on the functioning of the college. So, all that we observe is that Petition No. 2, for that matter, even his father, Dr. ***, Petition No. 1, to tender an unconditional apology to the university along with an application for expunsion of the adverse marks said to have been recorded in the marksheet of MBBS degree. We request the medical college to consider such a representation with utmost sympathy and with an endeavour to save the professional career of a young doctor. The amendments in favour of the petitioners, it shall be highly appreciated if a favourable order is passed at the earliest and preferably within one month from the date of submission of the representation." While refusing to reopen the merits of the original 2017 disqualification or the dismissed curative petition, the Court pivoted toward a humanitarian solution. The Court observed that the sheer duration of the struggle- a nine-year block on a medical career- had become a punishment far exceeding the gravity of the original offence.

The Court did not entertain further litigation against legal professionals or the university and directed the petitioners to offer an unconditional apology to the institution. Also, the Court requested the University to act with "utmost sympathy" to expunge the adverse remarks, prioritising the future of young professionals over the technicalities of past misconduct.

"However, it seems to us that the first petitioner, as well as his son, have suffered enough on account of the misdemeanours committed by Petitioner No. 2 while he was appearing in the examination held on 23rd February 2017. The multiple rounds of unsuccessful litigation, coupled with the fact that Petition No. 2 has not been able to seek admission to higher specialised courses for almost nine years, is a more than sufficient punishment having regard to the nature of the misdemeanours attributed to him, his son, attributed to the second petitioner. If his professional career as a doctor is permanently blocked, which is bound to happen if there are adverse marks in his degree issued by the medical college, such a punishment will become too harsh and disproportionate to the proven misconduct," ordered the Court. With this observation, the Court disposed of the matter.