The General Practitioners Association (GPA) has finally emerged victorious, after a two-year legal and investigation war, with the arrest of one man on charges of practicing medicine and nursing at several hospitals without qualification.

Jobin Babu, Perambra resident, was nabbed by the Ambalavayal police in Wayanad. He is accused of having presented fake qualifications to get jobs at some hospitals in Kozhikode and Wayanad. The arrest followed the Kerala High Court accepting a writ petition submitted by the GPA that uncovered systemic failures in identifying and prosecuting quacks.

While arrest is a relief to the GPA and the medical fraternity, doctors were stunned at how for years Jobin treated patients without being checked. Jobin had also made false representations that he holds an MBBS degree from Pariyaram Medical College.

It was his estranged wife, a registered medical doctor, who filed a complaint with GPA's anti-quackery cell that he was employing her registration number to issue forged certificates. "We had submitted proof to the police and the district medical officer two years ago. Nevertheless, he was permitted to continue practicing. He was so unscrupulous, he did not even try to escape," said Dr Ashik Basheer, state president of GPA.

Dr Basheer also referred to another such remarkable instance of a dropout of a medical college who, after being caught in Mavelikara, simply shifted to Idukki and continued his illegal practice. Instances like these, he said, made the need for an immediate regulatory mechanism even more pertinent in order to identify and get rid of impersonators.

The GPA alleged the government acted only after it petitioned the HC for a reporting system and stopping medical impersonation. The writ petition also criticized the Kerala State Medical Council (KSMC) for lethargy and inaction. "The KSMC was not inclined to accept complaints at first. It began to respond only after we made them a respondent in the case," said Dr Basheer.

Though the KSMC can register and govern clinical practitioners in Kerala, it has failed to come up with a proper mechanism to identify and deal with quacks. Dr Harikumaran Nair G S, president (modern medicine) of the KSMC, was not answering repeated phone calls by TNIE.

Only those enrolled with the KSMC - the successor of Travancore-Cochin Medical Councils - can practice modern medicine in Kerala under regulations.

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) once again reopened the edit window of the NEET PG 2025 on June 20, 2025, giving the candidates their last chance to edit and verify their already submitted applications before the examination on August 3, 2025. Open until 22 June, the window gives the aspirants time to rectify noticed details like date of birth, educational qualification, gender, category, PwD and EWS status, and re-loading necessary photos, signatures, and thumb impressions according to formats prescribed.

Whereas, there are some of these fields that are non-editable: name, category, nationality, email address, mobile number, and test city are non-editable as of now. This pre-correction facility is a demonstration of the strong tendency of NBEMS to keep administrative mistakes away and make the candidates more ready in dealing with this prior to NEET PG 2025.

Editable fields of NEET PG application form 2025

The following fields are editable by the candidates in their NEET PG application form:

Personal & Academic Updates

  • Date of Birth
  • Gender
  • Category (Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/Other Backward Classes/General)
  • PwD & EWS Status

Academic Qualifications

Image CorrectionsPhotograph, Signature, and Thumb Impression—needs to be as per revised specifications. This window of image correction is available in two phases: pre-final and final—providing buffer to any sort of uploading problem to rectify.

Non-editable fields

Following prominent details are frozen and cannot be altered now:

  • Name
  • Category
  • Nationality
  • Email Address
  • Mobile Number
  • Test City

Steps to edit in NEET PG application form

Steps that will be undertaken by the applicants to rectify their NEET PG forms online are given below:

  • Log on to natboard.edu.in and select the "NEET PG" option.
  • Click the link to make the correction in the application.
  • Enter the password and user ID.
  • Make rational changes, re-load photos, if any, and then save and re-submit.
  • Pay balance fees, if any, for category change or PwD status.

Also, never forget to check all the corrected entries before submission since now-done changes will be printed on your admit card, and a single error can cause trouble during counselling or admission.

Parul University, Vadodara  has been granted an Indian patent for the development and process of a herbal organic hand sanitizer (No. 566448). This innovation came into existence for creating safer, sustainable, and skin-friendly hygiene solutions. The invention is timely when the awareness of the general population regarding hand hygiene is at the highest, and an effective alternative to the alcohol-based hand sanitizers is in demand more than ever. 

The inventive hand sanitizer has been developed through arduous work of a group led by Avani Khristi, Falguni Tandel, Vrushank Nizama, and Dr. Abhay Dharamsi of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Parul University. This formula does not contain any alcohol unlike other conventional sanitizers which use alcohol, which is known to dry out and cause irritation when used repeatedly. Rather, it is using the inherent antibacterial effect of plant extracts mostly of Cinchona and Aloe Vera:

  • Cinchona Extract: Containing very strong antimicrobial effects, it has been historically used as medicine.
  • Aloe Vera: Famous with its cooling action on the skin, which helps relieve the skin against irritation and dryness.

The overall effect of these is that they don’t just kill the bad germs but also make the skin healthy hence it can be used very often for those with sensitive skin. 

Dr. Geetika Patel, Vice President, Parul University stated,  “This innovation is a shining example of PU’s dedication to solving real-world challenges through applied research and innovation.” She further added, “Our researchers continue to contribute to the nation’s health ecosystem with sustainable solutions that align with the global move toward green chemistry and responsible consumerism.”

The laboratory tests have proved the sanitizer effective in killing major types of bacteria or microorganisms like E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus species which are the main carriers of infection. This makes the herbal sanitizer a remarkable product to use in normal hygiene and in clinical hygiene.

Here are the key features of this herbal organic hand sanitizer:

  • Alcohol-Free: It eliminates the chances of dryness and irritation of the skin.
  • Natural Fragrances: Four refreshing scents are available and make the sensory experience even better.
  • Green, Not-Toxic, and Sustainable: The alternative medicine is eco-friendly, which contributes to human and environmental health. 

The process of making this sanitizer is protected under patent law but the basic procedure is simple which includes extraction and mixing of active drugs within a herbal mix so that maximum antibacterial activity is afforded with the least skin irritating qualities. Its preparation and formulation method are stable, safe, and effective, which are most of the issues that distinguish this sanitizer and generic market product.

What’s more to know? 

This sanitizer comes in  4 different natural fragrances that were decided after surveying Indian consumers who prefer light, refreshing scents over strong chemical fragrance. This market-driven approach reflected how the university’s research is closely aligned with real user needs and is focused on practical application. 

Additionally, because the formulation is alcohol-free and uses locally available plant extracts, it is easy to produce at a lower cost with fewer supply chain constraints like that on alcohol-based sanitizers. This indeed is a great product that is eligible for a large-scale adoption in rural healthcare, schools, and public distribution programs which is key for India’s hygiene mission. 

This is not only a product but a pledge of Parul University to the solutions using research to real-life problems. The swelling fame of the university in the sphere of pharmaceutical research is also emphasized in the patent and the need to blend traditions with the latest science is spoken about.

With WHO and Indian health authorities increasingly recommending the use of non-toxic and eco-friendly hygiene solutions, the herbal organic hand sanitizer developed by Parul University serves as an example of how the future of the industry will develop. Since more than 50 Indian universities currently offer higher degree programs in pharmacy and life sciences, these patented innovations will probably guide others into the scientific community and industry.

All in all, the herbal organic hand sanitizer of Parul University is an opportune scientific response to the issue of the current hygiene. Its patented production, natural (and safe) composition and effectiveness are going to leave a lasting impression on the health field as well as the sustainability in India and abroad. 

Delhi Government on Tuesday opened 33 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs - Centre's drive under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, in the capital. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who opened the function at Tis Hazari, said her government will ensure that the national capital remains the best in the country as regards the healthcare infrastructure.

Gupta also criticized the former AAP government and charged their mohalla clinics as "corruption hubs".

What Are Ayushman Arogya Mandirs?

Ayushman Arogya Mandirs come under the direct purview of the Union government's Ayushman Bharat program for the transformation of the health system with a new emerging chain of primary health centers. The mandirs will provide such healthcare facilities as treatment of non-communicable disease, rehabilitative and palliative care, oral, eye, and ENT care, mental health, and emergency primary care. Free essential drugs and diagnostics facilities - medicines and diagnostic treatments are provided for free

Since the BJP came to power in Delhi, the BJP government has entered an MoU with the Centre this month to roll out the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) scheme in the city, a gigantic poll promise of the party.

There is not much difference in treatment between Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinic. The AAP government scheme was the Mohalla Clinic scheme, while the Central government scheme is the Ayushman Arogya Mandir scheme and they run parallel with Aayushman Bharat Scheme.

Ever since the BJP government assumed office in Delhi, its government recently signed an MoU with the Centre for implementing the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in the city, one of the BJP's big election commitments.

CM Slams Ex-AAP Govt

"Corruption was done in the name of outsourcing of tests. Corruption was done in renting space for the clinics on rent," the chief minister alleged.

Gupta added that the Centre had provided Rs 2,400 crore to the previous government so that more than 1,100 Ayushman Mandirs could be made functional but that money was not spent.

"That money will expire in March. The money had not been spent by the previous government. We have to construct these Ayushman Mandirs by March next year so that money does not expire. The job which should have been finished in five years, we will have to do a lot less than a year," she said.

The government is attempting to make Delhi the best when it comes to health infrastructure, the chief minister added further.

"We want that no one should lose life due to the lack of proper treatment," she added further.

There Are 0.42 Beds In Delhi For 1,000 People: CM

According to norms set by the World Health Organisation, there must be two beds per 1,000 citizens, the Chief Minister stated.

"There are 0.42 beds per 1,000 people of Delhi. That is, there is not even one bed between 1,000 individuals. We are going to have three beds for 1,000 individuals," she added.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released a public notice instructing 50 top medical colleges and institutions in India to encourage the PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme, a government policy aimed at ensuring collateral-free, guarantor-free education loans for deserving students who are undertaking medical education.

In its recent circular, the NMC added that all Scheduled Commercial Banks have been instructed by the Reserve Bank of India to implement the Model Education Loan Scheme (MELS) developed by the Indian Banks' Association (IBA). Further facilitating access, the PM Vidyalaxmi scheme was formally launched on November 6, 2024, with a simplified, transparent, and digital approach for students of Quality Higher Educational Institutions (QHEIs).

The commission has also published a list of 50 top medical colleges, including branches of AIIMS, state government colleges, and private universities, and asked their deans and principals to mention details about the PM Vidyalaxmi scheme in their prospectuses and admission brochures. The decision is intended to make eligible students aware of available financial support and promote more extensive use of the scheme.

Students can obtain loans from the government portal pmvidyalaxmi.co.in. Some of the institutions covered include AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Patna, JIPMER Puducherry, PGIMER Chandigarh, Madras Medical College, CMC Vellore, King George's Medical University, and many more located in 24 states and union territories.

With the NEET-PG 2025 date nearing, MBBS graduates of this very same university were eagerly anticipating they would be eligible to sit for the exam despite graduating a year ago.

Impacted college is Madhya Pradesh Medical Science University (MPMSU) Jabalpur. MBBS fourth-year students, who graduated in 2024 from MSU, claim that they were not in a position to provide NEET-PG 2025, as they have not completed their mandatory one-year internship, which will be done only in August.

According to National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) regulations holding NEET-PG, the candidates must have completed their internship on or before 31st July 2025 in order to be considered for appearing for NEET-PG 2025.

With regard to MP MSU students, the reason why their internship was not completed is that the university delayed publishing their final year MBBS results.

"We have completed all our end-term tests and other exams till June. But results were declared till August 16. So, we began our internships a bit late than we should have," Dr Lucky* (name withheld at request), a passout from college, said.

Normally, the university students would complete exams, receive final marks and disperse for internships by March 31, and the deadline would be July 31. But not one year. "The college somehow left our results pending, which never used to happen," says Dr Anshuman*, a postgraduate of the university's MBBS course.

Dr Lucky also lamented that since the COVID-19 pandemic, results of exams after taking the exams took months before the university released them. "First-year exam results at some point in time were out five months after sitting for exams," he said.

"Even final year results were impacted by those delays last year," he groused.

Hence, MBBS students who had given their final exams received their result after months when the exams were over and so there were delayed internship notices. In this so-called bureaucratic error, these students are unable to provide NEET-PG 2025.

"We can provide only NEET-PG 2026. One year has lapsed without our fault," fumed Dr Lucky*.

Both the interns also make sure that after internship, it is not possible to become a junior resident doctor. "Madhya Pradesh state government hospitals and health centres have a two-year bond. If we start practicing after internship, we will not be able to deliver NEET-PG till 2028," said Dr Anshuman*.

The only ray of hope for the graduates is that the NBEMS extends its deadline by one month, to August 31.

Medical professional associations such as the United Doctors' Front (UDF) also conveyed sympathies to the graduates.

In a letter to Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda, the UDF states, "This partial extension would provide all such aggrieved candidates an equitable and fair opportunity to compete in NEET PG 2025, as per the canons of justice and academic parity."

But notwithstanding the amount of help there is, the graduates have no chance of the deadline being extended on their behalf. "The university administration does not assist, and to be frank with you, they are also helpless in extending the deadline," Dr Lucky said.

Dr Anshuman also suggested that he "has accepted" the fact that they would have no option but to proceed and conduct NEET-PG 2026 alone. "Sale of NEET-PG application forms is closed and last opportunity to apply late is closed. The test will go as planned and nothing could be done in this regard," he admitted nostalgically.

The Indian government is acting swiftly to ensure the safety of its citizens and students in Tehran. In a significant move, over 100 students were moved out of Tehran in the last 48 hours. Many of them are said to have already crossed the Iran-Armenia border and are preparing to return home. This order was passed due to the increasing security threat because of the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. The government has also advised its self-sufficient citizens in Tehran to leave the city.

The Embassy of India in Tehran, in close coordination with Iranian authorities, has helped in shifting the students of high-risk areas of Tehran to safer cities like Qom that are approximately 150km. Qom, with its religious significance and relative safety, has become a temporary refuge of around 600 Indian students. On the other side, 110 students (including many medical students of Kashmir and other Indian states) who crossed over the border to the Armenian side will soon take a flight to Delhi.

As per the Indian officials, There were 10,000 Indian nationals in Iran of which 6000 were Indian students when the clash happened. The government of India said, "The embassy remains continuously in touch with the community with a view to extending all feasible assistance. Further advisories may be issued given the fluid situation."

To guide the process, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has established a 24/7 control room in New Delhi to keep track of the situation and make evacuation arrangements. The embassy is also making advisories requesting all Indian nationals in Tehran to relocate to safer grounds at their own means where possible, and stay in contact with the embassy officials further to assist them.

Tehran air evacuation was impossible since the Iranian airspace had been closed as a result of the conflict. Consequently, the Indian government decided to use the land route through Armenia, the country bordering Iran and has good relations with India. They have taken this path as a preferred method of safe escape, similar to land evacuation during the Ukrainian evacuations in the mission called Operation Ganga.

Indian students in Tehran reported being in fear and in most cases forced to stay in the basements with little communication because of poor internet connection. Mehreen Zaffar, a medical student living in Tehran told the news agency PTI in a voice full of fear, “We are scared. We have been calling for help but nothing is happening.” She also said, “Iran is on black alert. We don’t know what is happening.” Mahreen then described how they had to be in the basement with no communication. 

Mahreen is one of those 70 students stuck in the warzone waiting to be rescued. For these students, the Indian embassy and the Indian government  are the only hope that can help them return home safely. “We have full hopes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” She further said. 

Huzaif Malik, a student far from the warzone in Urmia said, “we were in Urmia which was relatively safe. We have reached Armenia.” Another student named Faizan Nabi from Kerman University of Medical Sciences said, “The situation is not bad here as in Tehran. But there is still fear and we are hoping that we will be relocated soon.” 

As per the report received from Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Association, the students have safely reached Yerevan which is Armenia’s capital city.

There have been numerous reports of relief at being relocated to safer areas but calls of an outright evacuation back to India remain. The situation is still strained and parents in India are waiting desperately to hear about the safety of their children.

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