Health Bulletin 24/February/2026

The Supreme Court of India today observed that it would have to examine the impact of the sharp reduction in the qualifying percentile for NEET PG 2025 on the quality of postgraduate medical education, even though the Union Government maintained that NEET PG is not an entry-level examination like MBBS and that candidates appearing for it are already qualified doctors.

Recently, the Union Government defended its decision before the apex court, stating that NEET-PG does not certify minimum competence, which is established by the MBBS qualification, but is merely a filtering mechanism for allocation of limited postgraduate seats.

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NEET PG: SC to examine impact of cutoff reduction after centre maintains exam does not certify doctors' competence

The Kerala High Court has quashed notices issued by the Travancore Cochin Medical Council directing them to add the suffix 'equivalent to MBBS in India' along with their names and degrees.

Single Bench Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas observed, "There were no regulations or guidelines issued by the Medical Council of India, the authority competent to issue such directives mandating such a requirement. In the absence of any regulation or guideline authorising the same, the State Medical Council could not compel doctors to modify their name boards or letterheads"

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HC quashes medical council order requiring foreign qualified doctors to add 'equivalent to MBBS in India' suffix

Regarding the long-pending issue of stipend disparity between MBBS interns in government and private medical colleges, the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the National Medical Commission has noted that any amendment to the existing rule would require a statutory process.

In its communication dated February 18, 2026, the Commission stated that the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) Regulations, 2021 already provide for payment of stipend to interns. However, the actual implementation and the amount paid are decided by the respective States and Union Territories based on their financial capacity and budget provisions.

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Any amendment to CRMI regulations requires statutory process: NMC on MBBS intern stipend disparity row

In a shocking incident at Kunni Village Community Health Centre (CHC) in Chhattisgarh's Surguja, a newborn died during delivery after a sweeper reportedly tried to assist the birth in the absence of a doctor and nursing staff. The incident has raised serious concerns over staffing and preparedness at rural healthcare facilities.

According to the news reports, on the night of February 16, a woman from Jamdara village went into labor at her maternal home and was rushed to the CHC around 11 pm, seeking medical assistance. However, no doctor or staff nurse was available at the facility at the time.

For more details, check out the full story on the link below:

Newborn dies after sweeper attempts delivery at Surguja CHC, family alleges negligence