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Allied Healthcare (GAHC)

Psychology is a scientific study of human behavior that seeks to understand the why behind our actions. Psychology gives us the answers to what we feel and takes us through the discovery of the difference between a well-lived life and an wasted life.
Following psychology can provide you with great analytical and communication skills that can wonder working in controlling the daily challenges of life. It would be worth remembering Chris Cleave's statement that, "Studying psychology is fun because you're always looking for the same things that I think a writer should be looking for which is the story behind the story.".
Psychology is linked to each aspect of our daily life, so, learning about the working of a human mind will do you only good to lead a more fulfilling life. There might be some two or three benefits which you might already be aware of but here are some of those which you might not have realized.
Advantages of psychology: Improve your quality of life
Critical thinking and analysis: Starting from the psychology as a pure science you are introduced to things such as scientific decision-making and problem-solving that force you to critically and deeply think about complex issues. You will be forced to ensure constantly that the knowledge that you use is backed by research as part of this field. Along the way you find yourself being a master of research methods and statistics and somehow contributing to the knowledge base so you can assist others. Even if you have no desire at all to enter into a career in psychology, the skill of gathering information, analyzing and interpreting is going to serve you well in most career choices.
Self-knowledge: The hardest aspect of psychology on the individual level is attempting to understand why we behave and act in a certain way. Psychology will allow you to better understand your personality and what drives your behavior and make you better recognize your own drives and flaws that have brought you into your problem. If you often wonder about your own behavior and emotions then learning psychology is an excellent way of understanding oneself. Without knowing oneself, you will never be able to focus on your objectives and feel powerless during tough situations.
Be a more effective communicator: We do judge a book by its cover in the sense that when we communicate to others we only pay attention to words that are moving through their mouth and ignore things such as language, emotion, tonality, and posture. With the knowledge of these subjects, you can improve your interpersonal communication skills and be aware of what other people are actually communicating. Good communication is not just speaking and writing but also reading those non-verbal cues that are a large component of our interpersonal communication. Psychology will help you to communicate in a manner where both parties feel heard and understood. Such minute things like your tone of speech, your application of eye contact, leaning in with your ears to hear your silences, etc are addressed when you are learning psychology.
Excel at conflict resolution: It was said by Thomas Crumb, "The quality of our lives depends not on whether or not we have conflicts but on how we respond to them". No, it rather suggests that conflict is a part of our life either personal or professional. Psychology will lead you to the causes of behaviour that will take you to the motivation of the conflict. Once you get to see the background of the conflict then getting out of the conflict is easy. In psychology it's all about viewing things from many sides and takes, this indigenous tendency in the discipline will enable you to be more tolerant of various views. In the face of adversity we reply rather than act, well, psychology will encourage you towards a solution rather
Helps you to understand others and the world around you: Ever wished that you could know why a person did something? If you have ever wondered why people do what they do then psychology seems to be your cup of coffee. When you understand the driving factors and influences that impact their behaviors, your response and actions are more mature and considerate of others. Understanding the people around you is extremely important so that you have efficient communication channels between your friends and family.
Gives details regarding mental illness and awareness: For someone who is genuinely interested in becoming a psychologist or a therapist, it is one of the main inspirations to learn the real essence of psychological pathology. However, even if you are not destined to become a psychologist, learning psychology will make you more conscious about the mental disease, the kind of knowledge which will never turn out to be irrelevant. You might know someone who is afflicted with some form of mental illness and with knowing how to approach mental issues and live a better life, you can help yourself and countless other individuals with it.
Compliments other professional disciplines: Psychology, like any other discipline, does not exist in isolation, and encompasses a wide range of subjects within its mandate specifically, philosophy biology, and sociology, broadening your understanding of the allied disciplines. As we have already mentioned psychology is not only meant for those who want to become a psychologist, therefore, if you want to be a writer, teacher, or even industrialist psychology will give you a great platform to start with. Because you are properly able to pursue endless careers even on the professional front studying psychology has only advantages to give to you. But prior to going after a master's or a Ph.D. make certain that this is where you would wish to be working. Apart from that, psychology today is extremely applicable and adds to all sorts of careers.
Interesting findings of human nature: Lastly, reach the most obvious reason- the curiosity and interest that is prevalent among psychology enthusiasts. From pen splatters that reveal the inner feelings of our emotions to bizarre experiments that uncover the human race's shocks, there is nothing boring about the subject that leaves you amazed at every turn.
No matter what your career goals are, applying psychology in daily life is inevitable. The knowledge of social cues and human relationship is a great quality to possess under all circumstances, from trying to acquire the appropriate job to finding your soul mate. End your search at Counsel India, the leading psychology ed-tech with a mission to empower the future of psychology aspirants through practice-based courses and trainings. Reach out to us at to know more about psychology careers.
Gear up for your unique career choice

March 2021 was a very crucial date when India embarked on the mission of consolidating the foundation of allied healthcare professions with the recent enactment of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act (NCAHP). The NCAHP Act was actually framed with the sole aim of regulating and developing various allied health professions. This Act is a giant leap for new areas of work such as Psychology, where professional recognition and standardized practice has been required for much longer now. It is not just a regulatory bill, but it holds the potential to promote and protect mental health services both for professionals and clients.
What the NCAHP Act Means for Psychologists
The NCAHP Act classifies Psychologists as part of the wider category of "Community Care and Behavioral Health Sciences Professionals", placing it firmly within the overall umbrella of healthcare. This categorization provides an official recognition of Psychology as an essential part of the allied health profession and presents a collection of formal standards that affect psychologists in significant ways.
Standardized Training and Education
One of the key advantages of the Act includes the provision of uniform standards of training. It mandates that all institutions adhere to a set of specific educational standards. Through this, the Act guarantees that students pursuing Psychology and mental health professionals alike are treated to consistent, quality training.
This will be followed by periodic audits of the programs to enhance quality, ensuring that students are able to learn from approved and reliable sources, and are equipped to deal with real-world issues with sufficient experiential knowledge. Clients, on the other hand, gain from this standardization since they are able to place their trust on licensed professionals who qualify under strict standards and maintain high professional standards.
Professional Accountability and Recognition
In addition, the NCAHP Act also requires the establishment of a Central Register and State Registers for every licensed psychologist. This offers more accountability to each professional and, at the same time, opens up more job opportunities through the establishment of a clearly defined framework for their respective profession.
Such levels of accountability support public confidence in mental health services and offer a platform to all psychologists where their qualifications and ethical adherence are valued, acknowledged, and respected. 
Defined Scope of Practice and Roles
The NCAHP Act also categorically enunciates the roles and responsibilities that come under each of the allied health professions, including psychology. For psychologists in India, this degree of clarity is of the utmost importance since it identifies the scope within the wider field of healthcare- diagnostic services to therapeutic support.
By following this practice, psychologists are able to concentrate on their specialized expertise without duplicating their duties with other mental health professionals, thus providing assurance that they work under their individualized areas of expertise.
Psychologists' Role in a Regulated Allied Healthcare System
Psychology has developed as a significant component of mental health and emotional well-being in India. The regulations under the Act have brought psychology into parity with other medical professions such as nursing and medicine, so that all psychologists can work within multidisciplinary healthcare teams effectively.
Such organized assistance, however, has enabled psychologists to incorporate mental health services into large healthcare environments in a much better way now, leading to a holistic and inclusive emotional well-being approach in India.
Moreover, this regulation also avails research and policy-making avenues for up-and-coming psychologists to contribute their knowledge for the purposes of driving influence and effect in healthcare matters that ultimately impact the entire nation. With such backing, psychologists are able to further their practices according to the latest scientific advances and best practices in the industry, primarily in terms of their profession as well as the patients they attend to.  
Key Provisions Benefiting Psychologists
1. Central and State Registration – Registering with the Central or State Register enables psychologists to be included in a community that is officially recognized. This is extremely crucial as it grants them access to a forum of continuing professional growth and development.
2. Standardization of Curriculum – The NCAHP Act also sets forth a precise standard for psychology programs so that training is ultimately thorough, ethical, and current with the issues that characterize modern-day mental health. The standardized curriculum equips prospective students for varied situations in mental health care.
3. Professional Ethics and Code of Conduct – Psychologists are today subject to a single code of ethics that strictly places them in line with other healthcare providers. This single code ensures all clients receive safe, respectful, and confidential care, thus creating a greater culture of trust in mental health treatment.
4. Eligibility Testing and Licensing – The Act has fixed provisions for a National Teachers Eligibility Test (NTET) and exit exams for all prospective psychology professionals. These conditions strictly guarantee that only competent and qualified individuals enter the profession, thus safeguarding the highest quality and standards of mental healthcare and education in India.
Why the NCAHP Act Matters for Mental Health in India
The nation's demand for mental health care has only increased, particularly among generations young and old.
In these modern times, by establishing such standards for mental health practitioners, the NCAHP Act seeks to respond to this changing demand by increasing the availability and quality of mental health care. In doing so, it formalizes psychology as a rigorously controlled healthcare profession while also designating it as a renowned discipline, significant enough to help fill the impending gap between need and supply of adequately trained mental health professionals. India remains a country in which mental health is yet to gain a social acceptability. To this end, the NCAHP Act is instrumental in legitmatising the profession of psychology as a valuable and vital aspect of contemporary health care. It provides psychologists who must operate with certainty with the illusion of credibility and enhances the perception of mental health as a valid and valuable intervention. Conclusion
In summary, the NCAHP Act of 2021 constitutes a turning point and milestone for psychologists employed in India. It elevates their credibility, offers a safe platform for their professional advancement, guarantees standards and a framework. With a world-class education, a systematized support mechanism at work, and enhanced ethical standards, psychologists in India are well-equipped to leave an impactful mark in the mental wellness scenario.
As India ushers in this new governing framework, psychologists can eagerly anticipate a bright future where mental health services are widely regarded, available, and influential for communities defining the country. With this revolutionary deed, mental health professionals and the general public can rest assured that the practice of psychology is in able, capable hands!

Allied OMS, the nation's largest doctor-owned and doctor-managed management services organization (MSO) representing oral and maxillofacial surgeons, today announced it has added Bill Murray as its Chief Financial Officer.

Bill's background is ideally suited to the trajectory of the company," according to Allied OMS CEO Dan Hosler. "Bill's experience in building and developing high-growth health care companies is exactly what we need as Allied OMS continues to grow throughout the country. His acumen in financial planning coupled with implementation know-how will allow us to make our vision for building the doctor-owned partnership for the future of oral surgery a reality.".

Bill noted that Allied OMS’s distinctive structure was a key factor in his decision to join: “I was drawn to Allied OMS because of its unique doctor-led model and its focus on alignment around patient outcomes. 

Dr. Jonathon Jundt, Allied OMS Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer, commented: "Growth is just fine as long as it leads to genuine improvement for the surgeons and patients. Bill's vision will keep us continuing to invest in the people, equipment, and facilities that allow our physicians to do what they want to do and provide care more readily."

Bill's appointment follows Allied OMS' recent minority investment by 65 Equity Partners, which brings additional capital to fuel the growth of the platform. With Bill's business savvy, Allied is ideally positioned to propel its vision – engaging with innovative oral and maxillofacial surgeons who are willing to help pen the future of the specialty, construct resident and associate careers they love, grow de novo offices to better serve their patients, and help established practices realize their full growth potential. His experience will ensure that such projects are conducted sustainably and advance the country's only doctor-owned oral surgery platform.

Allied OMS is owned, governed, and led by physicians MSO coordinating oral and maxillofacial surgical practices across the country. Blending the advantages of private practice with the size and sophistication of institutional support, Allied OMS empowers surgeons to chart the future of their specialty. Allied OMS now aids 50+ location surgeons and has physician representation on all important committees and its Board of Directors.

The commission strives to implement improvement of healthcare quality through the assurance of competence and professionalism of the practitioners on a national level. It regulates the education, training, registration, and standards of practice of allied and healthcare professionals not regulated under any of the other councils such as the National Medical Commission or Indian Nursing Council. 

NCAHP divides allied and health professions into ten general categories such as Medical Laboratory Sciences, Physiotherapy, Nutrition Science, Occupational Therapy, Medical Radiology, and Health Information Management, among others. The wide variety of categories is intended to group different health professions under a single regulatory act to achieve a uniformity across the nation.

Some of the key functions of the NCAHP are curriculum planning and delivery, accreditation of education institutions, practicing registration management, and conducting continuous professional development. Registration for health professionals must be renewed by the commission every five years through ongoing skill acquisition and learning to deliver quality patient care.

The NCAHP recently brought out guidelines to launch new competency-based curricula for ten allied health care professions from the academic year 2026–2027. Universities and deemed universities need to form boards of studies as per NCAHP norms, and governments and state councils need to oversee compliance and report progress.

The commission has also issued draft regulations for registration of allied and healthcare professionals where professionals have to register on state councils and a central register in return for the release of a Unique Identification Number in return for practicing all over India. Provision is made for provisional registration for those with informal qualifications and appeals, renewal, and penalties for failure to register.

With its policy of regulation, curriculum reform, and professional development, the NCAHP is consolidating India's allied and healthcare industry human resources into a better, responsible, and harmonized healthcare industry that serves practitioners and patients across the country.

Mahindra University, Hyderabad, andApollo Healthcare Academytodaydeclared the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to introduceBachelor's programs in Allied Health Sciences jointly. This strategic partnership will address thegrowing allied health professional deficit in India and around the world and equip students with the academic excellence along with extensive clinical training.

The courses will be high-demand areas of specialization likeAnesthesia & Operation Theatre Technology, Medical Laboratory Technology, Cardiovascular Technology, etc. With the convergence of Mahindra University's world-class academic facilities and Apollo Healthcare Academy's clinical skills, the partnership will yield practice-oriented graduates to satisfy the needs of the healthcare sector.

The curriculum will be on par with that set by the National Commission for Allied & Healthcare Professionals (NCAHP) in order to enable national regulation and international accreditation. Clinical rotations in Apollo Hospitals and partnering healthcare organizations, including a final-year internship, will also be provided to the students.

Meeting a Global Need

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the health systems worldwide are also concerned with the dire allied health professional shortage, which is predicted to grow as populations age and healthcare needs rise. The program directly tackles this through the preparation of health professionals who are competent, confident, and ready to make an impact from day one.

Voices from the Partnership

Dr. Yajulu Medury, Vice Chancellor, Mahindra University, stated: "This partnership is our collective vision for creating highly competent healthcare professionals. By integrating Mahindra University's multidisciplinary academic excellence and Apollo's established healthcare experience, we are confident that we can create graduates who will leave an immediate lasting impact in society."

Dr. Rajinder Singh Chauhan, Professor & Dean, Centre for Life Sciences, Mahindra University added further: "The courses are a blend of academic rigor and experiential learning. Our students will not only study but also execute in actual healthcare environments, and thus they will be ready for jobs as well as for the future."

Mr. Sivaramakrishnan Venkateswaran, CEO, Apollo Knowledge, further said: "Apollo Healthcare Academy aims to bridge learning in the classroom and doing in hospitals. This partnership will give students the confidence, exposure, and skill set to succeed not only in India but also in overseas opportunities. This is all part of our global workforce development initiative to build and empower the next generation of health professionals who can drive genuine impact in health systems globally.".

Dr. Jagadeswaran, Head & Dean - Allied & Healthcare Professions, Apollo Institute of Hospital Management & Allied Sciences, said: "We are thrilled to take Apollo's model of experiential training to Mahindra University. Together, we will render allied health graduates relevant in the world and impactful at the local level."

What Students Can Expect

Shaping the Future of Healthcare

With this MoU, Mahindra University and Apollo Healthcare Academy reiterate their commitment to innovation in allied health education along with addressing the global shortage of the healthcare workforce. The two institutions will jointly create a strong pipeline of well-trained allied health professionals who are ready to make their impact on redesigning the future of healthcare in India and beyond.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) ban on distance-learning courses in psychology has been a big setback to the careers and higher learning of more than 1.3 lakh students across the country. Apart from the current student list of those who are already enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate psychology courses, even such graduates have begun suspecting the worthiness and reliability of their degree.

The action comes in the wake of a regulatory shift wherein certain subjects like psychology were brought under the purview of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), a statutory body formed through the NCAHP Act of 2021. The Distance Education Bureau (DEB) of the UGC thus revoked previously granted permissions to universities to offer courses in psychology in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) modes.

It is this fresh rule that has generated mass panic and confusion among the institutions, students, and instructors. Institutions that have operated such courses for generations have to go through the process of adjustment to this new situation while the students remain in doubt regarding their future academic and professional life.

The decision was made at the 592nd meeting of the UGC following which the commission stated that certain allied and healthcare science courses such as psychology, microbiology, nutrition science, and biotechnology come under the regulation domain of the NCAHP framed by an Act in 2021.

UGC CITES NCAHP ACT; EXPERTS QUESTION INCLUSION

The NCAHP, regulating 10 allied healthcare professional groups presently, has included "psychologist," "behavioural analyst," and "mental health support workers" in its list of gains under its regulation. It is because the overlap with the current courses in psychology that the UGC made efforts to prevent the universities from awarding psychology degrees under Open and Distance Learning (ODL) learning modes from July 2025.

The critics, however, opine that the academic psychology syllabus in distance courses is not following strictly healthcare functions, with ex-Delhi University SOL principal Dr US Pandey terming the distance course comparable to what is offered at regular colleges and inquiring why that is being singled out. 

STUDENTS CAUGHT OFF GUARD

The prohibition has created general anxiety among students, with existing enrollments left wondering whether their certificates will be honoured and graduates unable to continue studying because of the absence of a grace period and uncertain destinies.

The absence of a grace period, normal in amendments to rules, added to the problem, and authorities were apprehensive about lawsuits against the UGC.

POPULAR, EXPANDING FIELD SUDDENLY BRACKETED

Psychology distance education programs have seen all-time high increases in the past two years. DEB statistics state that while there were 17 universities offering courses on psychology through ODL in 2020-21, there are 57 universities in 2024-25. They consist of 36 state universities, 11 state open universities, five private colleges, three deemed-to-be universities, and two central universities, Delhi University and Mizoram University.

Telangana and Tamil Nadu top the list of state universities providing such courses with 20 and eight, respectively. Osmania University, for example, has psychology as one of the subjects of a combined BA course in economics and English.

NEP GOALS IN QUESTION

Most experts believe that the ban is in contravention of the letter and spirit of the National Education Policy (NEP) and maintains that it closes classroom doors to learning and is an unjustified barrier, which contradicts the policy push towards flexibility and inclusion.

As the pressure from the teaching community and student union mounts, the attention of all now comes to whether the education ministry and the UGC will lift the ban at the cost of demoralizing thousands in expectations of a psychological tomorrow.

The Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today presided over a meeting to review comprehensively the standards and quality of nursing education in the Union Territory with a focus on the fact that nursing is the backbone of the healthcare delivery system.

It was presided over by Secretary, Health & Medical Education; Principals of GMC Jammu and Srinagar; Chairperson, J&K Allied & Healthcare Council (A&HCC); Registrar, J&K Nursing Council; Principals of Nursing Colleges, and other senior officers.

In the course of the review, the Chief Secretary assessed the operations of newly opened Nursing Colleges in various districts, the scope of courses offered and student enrolment. He instructed that diploma-level courses be increasingly upgraded into degree and postgraduate studies to develop sophisticated capacities in the nursing field.

He also directed early completion and operationalisation of Nursing Colleges at Sopore, Kulgam, Shopian, and Budgam, along with feasibility of opening such colleges at some left-out districts. The Chief Secretary also emphasized phasing out redundant courses with no significant contribution towards patient care, and the introduction of new courses in response to emerging healthcare requirements.

In a review of the working of the newly formed J&K State Allied & Healthcare Council (SA&HC), the Chief Secretary ordered that it be further developed with sufficient manpower and stringent monitoring systems, as per the National Commission for Allied & Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) guidelines and checklists of institutional preparedness.

Reaffirming the commitment of the Government, Chief Secretary reiterated that it is crucial to improve nursing education and allied healthcare systems to boost patient care, address the increasing demands on healthcare, and develop a skilled workforce to serve the people of J&K.

Apart from this, Chief Secretary presided over an inter-department coordination meeting to discuss the holistic action plan on food safety in the Union Territory.

The review is in the wake of recent raids on spurious meat and milk products in various regions of the UT, which has raised serious doubts regarding food adulteration and public safety.

The meeting was held with the presence of Commissioner Secretary, FCS&CA; Commissioner Secretary, H&UDD; Secretary, H&ME; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu/Kashmir; Secretary, Law; Commissioner, FSD; Director, FCS&CA, Jammu/Kashmir; DG, Budget; DirectorHealth, Jammu/Kashmir along with other senior officers.

During the deliberation, the Chief Secretary instructed the Food and Civil Supplies Department to act strictly against unlabelled and non-standard packaged foodstuffs, especially imported foods that are not marking ingredients and product details, calling such acts blatant disregard for law.

He underwent a critical assessment of the action plan drafted by the Food Safety Wing in liaison with important departments, such as Housing & Urban Development, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and District Administration. The plan details immediate as well as long-term steps for eliminating the entry of substandard food products into J&K and enforcing stringent adherence to food safety standards.

Chief Secretary asserted that proper inter-departmental coordination would be the backbone of this initiative. He instructed all concerned departments to operate in close coordination with each other so that only safe, hygienic, and quality food is available in the market

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  1. UGC prohibits psychology degrees through distance learning, 1.3 lakh students in a fix
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  3. Union Cabinet Approves Phase-III of Medical Seat Expansion Scheme to Add Over 10,000 UG and PG Seats
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