Allied Healthcare (GAHC)

It was a peaceful Saturday when the tempest burst forth. The National Medical Commission, following almost nine months of Court-ordered deliberation and quietude, published its interim disability guidelines for admission to MBBS — two days prior to NEET 2025 counselling's commencement on 21 July. I had hardly finished reading the paper before my phone started ringing. Answering was an experienced paediatrician, his tone bristling with ire.

One of his patients — a young student who was partially hemiparetic — had passed the NEET 2025 exam. He had worked diligently than others, living in a world that never yields to someone like him. But now, his fate was to be determined not by his merit but by a checklist. A self-declaration affidavit asked questions like:

"Can you support weight and walk on your affected leg?""Can you go up or down stairs independently?"

The doctor was angered. "What is the relevance of this to being a good physician?" he demanded. He was correct.

On asking the wrong questions

This is a classic textbook case of what occurs when policymakers pose the wrong questions — questions that confuse bodily symmetry with clinical proficiency, and physical conformity with professional ability. Questions that boil a life down to a limb, and a vocation to a staircase.

I know this firsthand — not as an outsider, but as one living it. I, too, have a mobility impairment. I am not able to stand unsupported on one leg. Stairs have never been my ally. And yet, I work in a health care institution. I have taught, practiced, published, and argued in the nation's highest court. These are not accommodations made in spite of my disability — they are the facts I live and provide, each and every day.

Last year, when the Supreme Court was listening to Om Rathod vs The Director General Of Health Services, I had presented a report that the bench subsequently deemed "pivotal." The judgment was a turning point: it rejected deficit-based models of disability, asserted the right to reasonable accommodation, and instructed the NMC to implement a functional and inclusive approach. It requested reform. It requested imagination. It requested justice.

The physicians they didn't want to see

Soon enough, NMC contacted me — unofficially, naturally. Not to implement structural change or inclusive policy, but for a list. A list of physicians with disabilities.

Considering my background in disability rights litigation, they knew that I was part of a network of professionals who had defied every stereotype the system previously held against them. So I answered — not with names, but with stories.

I gave them ten.

A transplant surgeon who ambulates with an orthosis. A wheelchair-bound urologist who performs surgery. A blind psychiatrist whose vision is greater than sight. A neurodivergent physician who reins in the madness of medicine with understated genius.

Ten physicians who did not request to be honored. They requested only to be noticed.

But none — not a single one — was offered a seat on the final committee.

However, back came the same architects of the previous exclusionary guidelines. But there was a new addition — a physician from an Institution of National Importance who had a physical disability. When I spotted his name, I prayed.

But even he signed off on the screening-out criteria: "Can you climb stairs? Can you stand on your affected leg?"

The irony was painful. He couldn’t do those things either. And yet, he had approved their use to exclude others.

I understand why.

In medical college, I, too, once believed that my body was the problem. The curriculum, rooted in the medical model of disability, framed people like me as patients, not peers. My impairment wasn’t a variation — it was a flaw to be fixed.

It took years — and reading the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) — to unlearn this. The social model of disability shifted everything. It didn’t ask what is wrong with you? It asked, what is wrong with the environment that excludes you? That question was radical. And healing.

It's why when senior Supreme Court judge and former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud made a ruling in the Om Rathod case, he didn't just call for doctors with disabilities on expert panels. He insisted on experts in disability justice.

Because lived experience on its own isn't sufficient. Without critical consciousness, it threatens to mirror the very oppression it aims to flee from. This was also the reason behind the Supreme Court mandating training of all 16 medical boards with disabled doctors.

The guidelines we received

What we were given on 19 July is not reform. It's a specter of things past.

The temporary guidelines still query whether a student can ascend a stair, but not if the college possesses a ramp. They query whether a student can tolerate weight, but not if the system can tolerate the weight of its own bias.

Delayed rights — or coded as gatekeeping mechanisms — are denied rights.

The NMC had an opportunity to do better. It could have asked more pointed questions. It could have invited the right individuals. It could have heard from the doctors who redefined medicine by refusing to be erased.

It didn't. And that silence is louder than any statement.

Ultimately, it is not only disabled students being filtered out, but the potential for a more compassionate, equitable, and compassionate medical education system.

And that is a diagnosis the country can no longer refuse to see. Dr Satendra Singh is a physician and Director-Professor at University College of Medical Sciences & GTB Hospital, New Delhi. He tweets @drsitu. Views are personal.

As classical medicine receives increased attention, Gujarat is becoming a national model for Ayurvedic healthcare. Backed by strong government initiative and state-of-the-art infrastructure, the Government Ayurved Hospital in Gandhinagar is showing the way in which ancient medicine can become modern—and successful—in today's medical mainstream.

Patients such as Sarojben of Jamnagar, who have been suffering from insomnia for years, have shown real improvement in merely a few days of treatment. Others with long-standing diseases such as incontinence of urine and migraine are improving phenomenally, indicating the therapeutic potential of Ayurvedic treatment when backed by rational science and institutional support.

The Gujarat state government's strategy is holistic—curing patients as much as establishing a robust institutional base. There are attempts at upgrading the current Ayurvedic hospitals and wellness centers and taking the services to the rural and underprivileged areas. Aiming to build a pipeline of trained specialists and encouraging evidence-based treatment practices, plans for new Ayurvedic colleges and research initiatives are already underway.

This Gujarat Ayurveda renaissance is a component of wider national objectives under the Ayush mission, yet the state is pressing on with unprecedented tempo and intent. By combining ancient indigenous wisdom with modern mechanisms of healthcare delivery, Gujarat is creating a model for the rest of the states to emulate.

What sets this effort apart is not merely the magnitude of investment but real effects on patient care and popular sentiment. Ayurveda, until now considered ancillary or slow-effect, is increasingly being hailed for its prevention and cure potential, especially where the allopath has only symptomatic relief to provide in chronic lifestyle disorders.

With so much of the healthcare world schooled to be controlled by expensive interventions, Gujarat's Ayurvedic initiative is making treatment more accessible, affordable, and culture-focused—reinstating faith in India's ancient ethos while conjoining modern standards of care.

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has made a significant announcement for all NEET UG 2025 candidates. The option filling and locking option for round 1 counselling has been extended up to August 11, 2025, 11:59 PM. This provides students with additional time to choose and lock their desired medical and dental colleges carefully prior to the first round of seat allocation.

What is Choice Filling and Locking?

Choice filling is when the candidates prioritize their desired colleges and courses in order of preference on the MCC official counselling portal. Locking is when the choices are confirmed so that the system can take them into consideration when giving out seats. Choices cannot be altered once they are locked except when the deadline arrives and they can be unlocked.

Why was the Deadline Extended?

The MCC also extended the deadline following several requests from applicants, with some experiencing technical issues while making choices on the MCC's official portal mcc.nic.in. The authorities did not want any student to miss the opportunity to choose their desired seats securely in a timely manner because of last-minute technical issues or delays.

Key highlights

• Choice filling and locking till: August 11, 2025 (11:59 PM)
• Round 1 seat allotment result on: August 11 or shortly thereafter
• Candidates should visit the MCC website periodically for updates.

How to Fill and Lock Choices?

1. Go to the MCC official website at mcc.nic.in.
2. Login via your NEET 2025 roll number and password or application number.
3. Scroll through the list of available colleges and courses.
4. Choose preferred colleges in choice order.
5. Lock your choices prior to the deadline to ensure confirmation.
6. Save and download the confirmation slip for future use.

After declaring the round 1 seat allotment results, the candidates who have been allotted a seat have to report for admission formalities to the respective college within the provided timelines. Candidates who do not receive a seat or who are not content with the seat allotted can opt to attend later counselling rounds.

MCC has also implemented priority groups for Non-Resident Indians (NRI) and their family members for All India Quota seats. Candidates are recommended to enter preferences judiciously since seat allotment relies upon rank, preference, reservation criteria, and available seats. Check the official MCC website regularly for updates and notifications in real-time.

Extension of choice filling deadline to August 11 assists candidates in making definite final career decisions confidently and prevents anxiety due to last-minute mistakes or site problems. It also demonstrates MCC's concern for a transparent and just counselling process for India's next generation doctors and dentists.

Ganesh festival celebration money collection from students of Kurnool Medical College (KMC), suspected by a group of first year MBBS students as a case of ragging, has raised a scare among parents and the authorities. Again, the administration of the college categorically ruled out the occurrence of any case of ragging.

When going for fine collection, some of the senior students were said to have acted violently, and harassed first year students in their hostel rooms. Could no longer take pressure anymore, some of the first year students complained to the college authorities, and thus there was general alarm.

The problem soon snowballed, and attracted the wrath of the National Medical Commission (NMC), which acted decisively. The NMC requested the college administration to submit a report on the problem in detail.

Fueling the flames further, State Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav stepped in, calling up the college principal, and requesting him to explain.

No ragging had taken place: KMC principal

He said that such incidents were bringing a bad reputation to medical institutions, and promised strict action if the complaints were proved to be true.

The Health Minister also told the principal to put forward the report of the Anti-Ragging Committee at the earliest. There would be no leniency towards any harassment or misbehavior by seniors in educational institutions, he declared.

But in a press statement issued on Saturday, Dr K Chitti Narasamma, the principal of the medical college, went flat out and stated categorically that there had been no ragging.

Referring to the results of the in-house inquiry, she said, "There is no substance to the ragging allegations. The college Anti-Ragging Committee made an in-depth inquiry, one-to-one with students, and recorded statements in writing. During the investigation, nowhere were the students in a position to establish instances of ragging."

The principal himself, however, clarified that money collection was a part of regular annual festival activity utilized to be traditionally arranged by hostel students and not on a ragging basis.

Additionally, she assured that in case any student is harassed or disturbed under the guise of Ganesh celebrations, action will be initiated.

In addition to this, alumni and students have also put forward requests for more openness, requesting that the college give preference to student welfare and make such festivals voluntary rather than based on competition between juniors and seniors or coercion

Mumbai has now raised the bar on inclusive education with the launch of the first university-certified Certificate and Diploma level courses focused on training neurodivergent adults of any age. Led by HSNC University and supported by the Skill Shakti Community, this pioneering pilot program meets the college education and professional working skills demanded of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, Down Syndrome, intellectual disabilities, or other neurodivergent conditions.

What is so Unique About This Course?

Known as InclusivEd, the program allows neurodivergent adults over the age of 16, who are functionally literate and familiar with standard digital tools, to receive official certification by a university. The course is characterized by:

• 2 tiers of certification: Diploma entailing 80 credits, emphasizing on autonomy, decision-making and preparedness to workplaces. Additionally, a Foundation Certificate that takes 20 credits focusing on fundamental life skills and digital literacy.
• Learner-controlled, flexible, and self-paced learning. It is made to enable the learner to study at their own pace which builds confidence and comfort.
• Alignment with India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Internships and micro-business projects as part of academic credits are added.

Empowering the Neurodivergent Adult Skills

InclusivEd equips learners with practical, real-world skills such as:

• Daily life management and independence
• Digital literacy and communication tools
• Workplace readiness and soft skills
• Hands-on experience via internships with corporate partners and community businesses

Participants have engaged in diverse projects like running Instagram-based micro-businesses, culinary ventures, artwork creation, and internships at hospitality giants, enhancing their employability.

Why is this program important?

1. Formal academic recognition: Neurodivergent adults are, for the first time, able to get a certification in university, which offers a valuable credential that is also accepted in the work place.
2. Workforce Inclusion: Diploma holders are considered to have been trained professionally and are willing partners, thus break stereotypes, and make hiring more inclusive.
3. Altering Perceptions: Works on the mindset to go more than charity, as neurodivergent people are good professionals.

Success Leads Through Supporting and Collaborating

Major organisations like the Gateway School and Taj Group of Hotels are also working in unison, providing opportunities that include internships and employment opportunities. As HSNC University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Hemlata Bagla explained, InclusivEd is an expression of accessibility, flexibility, and human nature in education.

Who Can Apply?

Adult neurodivergent persons 16 and older with functional literacy and very basic digital skills, who want to learn in a supportive context. The aptitude of the candidate to the program is decided through an informal interview.

The Indian society and economy that could be affected The potential impact on the Indian society and economy.

This is the first move in Mumbai that has the potential to change the teaching and job opportunities of neurodivergent individuals in India. It opens the gateway to respectful jobs and inclusion in society, as well as allows stakeholders, including families and employers, to see the true potential of neurodiverse talents by offering formal skills and tracking certifications.

To students, teachers and activists in need of new ideas on pushing forward inclusive education, the InclusivEd program in Mumbai provides a ray of hope and a gateway to real possibilities.

President Draupadi Murmu, at the first convocation of AIIMS-Deoghar, instructed the young doctors to be absolutely clinical in their surgery and diagnosis, but they should not be clinical in their manner. President in her address stated that doctors are the mortal form of God on the earth, and lakhs of people have expectations from them.

The President reached Ranchi on Thursday afternoon during her two-day Jharkhand trip to take part in the convocation ceremonies of AIIMS Deoghar and IIT Dhanbad.

"You must be totally clinical in surgery and diagnosis, but not be clinical in practice," the President declared. It's a big thing to become a good doctor, but to become a good human being is an even greater thing, she further added.

Advice with courtesy, she further added. "We have faith in God, we have faith in Baba Baidyanath, but it does not possess legs and hands. You are a representative of God; hence, you are a living God," President said.

The President also wished that culture and excellence is being initiated with this convocation. She also congratulated students who graduated and who excelled.

The President was delighted with the information that there are now more girls who were awarded medals in the convocation. She mentioned that the ratio of boys and girls at AIIMS Deoghar has now become nearly equal.

The President informed the students that admission in AIIMS and education is a promise that they become a proficient doctor. "You need to be a good doctor. A good doctor should also possess the power of sensitive communication," she said. "We have also encountered such doctors, the patients and their relatives begin to feel alright just after meeting them," she added.

“You can bring light into the lives of countless people. You can also play a role in building the society by making good use of the place that nature and circumstances and your skill and hard work have given you in the society,” said the President. She added that she would like them to contribute in primary medical treatment as well.

The President, in her second day of visit, will be present at the 45th convocation ceremony of IIT-ISh (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad.