Allied Healthcare (GAHC)

The Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS) has cancelled the final-year MBBS General Surgery Paper-I examination held on April 15 after identifying discrepancies in the question paper. The decision comes following concerns that several questions were set outside the prescribed syllabus due to changes introduced under the National Medical Commission (NMC) regulations.

According to the university’s official notification, the confusion arose from the transition between old and revised curricula. Under the updated NMC framework, certain topics that were earlier part of General Surgery Paper-I have now been moved to Paper-II. However, the April 15 examination reportedly included questions based on the earlier syllabus structure, leading to the inclusion of out-of-syllabus content.

The issue triggered multiple representations from students, who raised concerns about fairness and evaluation. Taking these objections into account, KNRUHS decided to cancel the examination to ensure that no student is disadvantaged due to errors in question setting.

The university has now rescheduled the examination for April 27. It stated that the decision was taken keeping in mind the importance of final-year MBBS assessments, which play a crucial role in a student’s academic progression and future medical career.

KNRUHS also emphasised its commitment to maintaining transparency and fairness in the examination process, particularly during a period of curriculum transition. The incident highlights the challenges faced by institutions in aligning assessments with evolving regulatory frameworks.

For students, the rescheduled exam provides a fair opportunity to appear for a properly structured paper that reflects the current syllabus.

The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) has announced a uniform curriculum for 17 allied health courses, which will become mandatory across institutions from the 2026–27 academic session. The move is aimed at bringing consistency and quality to allied healthcare education nationwide.

According to the Commission, the newly introduced framework is designed to standardise training, improve clinical competency, and ensure uniform learning outcomes for students pursuing allied health programmes. The courses covered under this mandate span multiple disciplines, including Occupational Therapy, Respiratory Technology, Medical Physics, and Nuclear Medicine Technology, among others.

NCAHP officials stated that the initiative is part of a broader effort to streamline the sector under the provisions of the NCAHP Act, 2021, which seeks to regulate and professionalise allied and healthcare education in India. The Commission is also expected to notify minimum standards and infrastructure requirements for institutions offering these programmes in the near future.

Chairperson Dr. Yagna Unmesh Shukla emphasised that the updated curriculum will strengthen the overall healthcare workforce by focusing on skill-based learning and practical exposure, making graduates more industry-ready.

The implementation will require coordination with states and institutions, with some regions already initiating steps to align their academic frameworks with the new guidelines.

With this mandate, the NCAHP aims to create a more structured, accountable, and globally aligned allied healthcare education system, addressing long-standing gaps in training standards and employability in the sector.

The admission process for nursing courses in Uttar Pradesh for the 2026–27 academic session has officially commenced, offering a major opportunity for students aspiring to build careers in healthcare. Conducted under the aegis of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University, the process covers key programmes including B.Sc. Nursing, Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing and M.Sc. Nursing.

According to officials, the entire admission cycle will be based on the Common Nursing Entrance Test, with preparations already completed. The application process began on March 28 and will remain open until May 20, with submissions accepted strictly through online mode. Authorities have advanced the schedule this year to ensure the timely completion of admissions and avoid last-minute delays.

Candidates will also be given a correction window from May 13 to May 20 to rectify any errors in their submitted forms. Admit cards are scheduled to be released on May 30, while the entrance examination will be conducted on June 6 in offline mode. Results are expected to be declared in the second week of June, followed by the counselling process. The entire admission cycle, including seat allotment, is likely to conclude by July 15.

To be eligible for B.Sc. Nursing candidates must have completed their Class 12 education in the science stream with a minimum of 45% aggregate marks, along with English as a compulsory subject. The entrance exam will be conducted in both Hindi and English, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of students.

The examination will be held across 20 designated centres in major cities, including Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Kanpur, Ghaziabad, and Gorakhpur, among others. Officials have stated that necessary arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth and fair examination process across all locations.

In terms of seat availability, the state offers substantial opportunities for nursing aspirants. Approximately 1,370 seats are available for B.Sc. Nursing in government colleges, while private institutions account for around 10,240 seats. For postgraduate courses, nearly 270 M.Sc. Nursing seats are available in government colleges and about 1,100 in private institutions. Additionally, there is a possibility of an increase of around 150 seats in B.Sc. Nursing programmes this year.

The move reflects Uttar Pradesh’s continued efforts to strengthen its healthcare education infrastructure and meet the growing demand for trained nursing professionals. Students are advised to complete their applications well before the deadline and regularly check official updates to stay informed about the admission process.

In a major policy shift, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has announced that only MBBS degrees pursued in the English medium abroad will be recognised in India. The decision directly impacts thousands of Indian students studying medicine in countries like Russia, China, and parts of Central Asia, where courses are often taught in local languages.

According to the new directive, any medical degree obtained in a non-English medium will not qualify for recognition in India. This means such graduates may not be eligible to practice medicine or pursue further licensing pathways back home. The move is aimed at standardising medical education quality and ensuring that students receive training aligned with Indian clinical and academic requirements.

The impact is expected to be significant. Every year, a large number of Indian students opt for foreign medical education due to limited seats and high costs in private colleges in India. A major portion of these students enrol in programmes conducted in local languages, often after spending a preparatory year learning the language. Under the new rule, this pathway now risks becoming invalid.

The NMC has also stepped up scrutiny of foreign institutions. As part of its ongoing review, several universities—particularly in Uzbekistan—have already been flagged, with some placed under a cautionary or “blacklisted” category. Students have been advised to verify the status of institutions before taking admission.

Cost remains a key factor driving students abroad. While an MBBS degree in India’s private colleges can exceed ₹1 crore, similar programmes in countries like Russia or China are often available for ₹20–25 lakh. However, the new regulation may force students to reconsider these options if English-medium instruction is not guaranteed.

Another critical implication lies in licensing. Students graduating in non-English mediums may face restrictions in appearing for qualifying examinations in India, further narrowing their chances of entering the domestic medical workforce.

Education experts say the move underscores the government’s intent to prioritise quality over affordability in medical training. However, it also raises concerns about access, as thousands of aspirants rely on overseas education due to intense competition and limited seats in India.

For now, students planning to study medicine abroad must carefully evaluate course language, accreditation status, and regulatory compliance. The NMC’s message is clear: global education pathways must align with national standards to ensure credibility and career continuity.a

In a significant move to protect medical students from excess charges, the National Medical Commission has directed all medical colleges and universities to charge MBBS fees strictly for the academic duration of the course—four-and-a-half years—and not for the full five or five-and-a-half-year period.

The directive comes after the commission received multiple complaints from students alleging that some institutions were collecting fees for the entire duration of the MBBS programme, including the compulsory internship year. The NMC clarified that this practice is not in line with the official academic structure and results in students being charged for periods without formal teaching.

As per regulations, the MBBS course comprises 4.5 years (54 months) of academic study, followed by a one-year Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI). While the internship is mandatory for obtaining the degree and license to practice, it is considered a training phase rather than part of the formal academic curriculum.

The commission has emphasised that fees must only cover the academic component where structured teaching, faculty involvement, and institutional resources are actively provided. Charging for the internship period, where such academic instruction is absent, has been termed inconsistent with prescribed norms.

In its official notice, the NMC stated that levying fees beyond the academic duration amounts to collecting money without offering corresponding educational services. It stressed that fee structures should be transparent, reasonable, and directly linked to the facilities and instruction provided to students.

All medical institutions have now been instructed to revise and align their fee structures accordingly. The commission has also issued a strict warning that any violation of these guidelines will be taken seriously, with regulatory action initiated under existing provisions.

This move is expected to bring much-needed financial relief to MBBS students and ensure greater accountability among medical colleges, reinforcing fair practices in medical education across the country.

Have you ever heard people say it’s better to get chickenpox as a child than as an adult? That’s because the illness can be more severe later in life. But here’s a fascinating question—why do we usually get it only once?

Let’s break it down.

What is Chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the Varicella-zoster virus. It begins with fever, fatigue, headache, and loss of appetite, followed by an itchy rash that turns into fluid-filled blisters and eventually scabs.

The infection spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, or direct contact with the blisters. A person is contagious from about 1–2 days before the rash appears until all blisters have crusted over.

Why Is It Called Chickenpox?

The name “chickenpox” likely comes from the rash’s resemblance to chickpeas or small pecks on the skin. It may also reflect the disease’s relatively milder nature compared to smallpox.

The Real Reason: Your Immune System Remembers

The key to “getting it only once” lies in your body’s immune memory.

When you first get infected, your immune system produces antibodies—proteins that identify and attack the virus. Once the infection is cleared, most antibodies fade away, but some remain as “memory cells.”

If the same virus enters your body again, these memory cells quickly recognise it and destroy it before it can make you sick. That’s why most people don’t get chickenpox twice.

But Does the Virus Really Leave?

Not entirely.

The Varicella-zoster virus can stay dormant (inactive) in your nerve cells for years. Later in life, it can reactivate as Shingles—a painful skin condition, not a second case of chickenpox.

Can You Ever Get Chickenpox Again?

It’s rare, but possible.

Reinfection can happen if:

• Your initial immune response was weak
• Your immunity declines over time
• The virus behaves slightly differently

Unlike viruses that mutate rapidly (like those causing common colds), the chickenpox virus changes very little. That’s why immunity tends to last for decades—sometimes even a lifetime.

Vaccination: A Safer Way to Build Immunity

Instead of getting infected, you can build protection through the Varicella vaccine.

It’s given in two doses:

• First dose: 12–15 months
• Second dose: 4–6 years

The vaccine is safe and effective, usually causing only mild side effects like a sore arm or slight fever. It’s also recommended for teenagers and adults who haven’t had chickenpox.

The Takeaway

Chickenpox is usually a one-time illness because your immune system learns to recognise and fight the virus for years after infection. But the virus never truly leaves—it just hides quietly in your body.

So while your first encounter builds strong defence, prevention through vaccination remains the safest strategy.