Health Bulletin 30/April/2026

With the NEET-UG 2026 exam just days away, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has rolled out a robust, multi-layered security system to ensure a “leak-proof” examination. Covering everything from registration to exam centres, the new framework includes biometric verification, facial recognition, and Aadhaar-based authentication to prevent impersonation.

AI-powered surveillance cameras will monitor candidate behaviour in real time, while 5G jammers and strict frisking protocols aim to block any unauthorised communication or devices inside centres, according to Deccan Herald.

To further strengthen security, question papers will be transported under GPS tracking and secured with digital locks that open only at authorised times and locations. CCTV monitoring, police escort, and vigilance outside centres add additional layers of protection. The move comes in response to the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak controversy, which raised serious concerns over exam integrity. With over 22 lakh candidates appearing this year, authorities have emphasised strict compliance, aiming to restore trust and ensure a fair, transparent examination process.

JIPMER Limits Resident Doctors' Duty to 48 Hours a week, 12 Hours Per Day

Putting limits on long working shifts and stressing the need to achieve better work-life balance, the Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) has clarified that junior residents should ordinarily work for 48 hours per week, and no duty hours should stretch more than 12 hours continuously.

In a circular issued on April 28, 2026, the institute referred to the Residency Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on June 5, 1992, following directions from the Supreme Court, which clearly limit resident doctors’ duty hours to a maximum of 12 hours per day and 48 hours per week.

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

JIPMER caps resident doctors duty at 12 hours per stretch, 48 per week, doctors welcome move

Supreme Court Dismisses Plea Seeking Institutional Stray Round to Fill 1,140 Vacant NEET PG Seats

In a recent update on the issue of several vacant NEET PG seats and demand for an additional counselling round, the Supreme Court of India has dismissed the plea seeking an institutional-level stray vacancy round to fill 1,140 unfilled postgraduate medical seats for the 2025-26 academic session.

The bench observed that any interference would go against its earlier orders.

Medical Dialogues reported that the petition was filed by Dhruv Chauhan, National Spokesperson, Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors' Network (IMA-JDN), and others, highlighting that as many as 1,140 postgraduate medical seats remain vacant across the country even after all counselling rounds have been completed.

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

NEET PG: SC junks plea seeking institutional level stray round to fill 1,140 vacant seats

Study Finds Nearly 7% School Children in India Obese; Arunachal Pradesh Worst-Affected

Childhood obesity is emerging as a growing public health concern in India, with new research showing a steady rise in prevalence across regions and age groups. A large-scale analysis published in the Indian Journal of Community Medicine, based on over 5 lakh participants from 125 studies, found that nearly 7% of children in the country are now obese.

The study highlights regional disparities, with northern India recording the highest prevalence at 8.58%, while central India reported the lowest at 5.63%. Among states, Arunachal Pradesh topped the list, followed by Delhi, whereas Manipur reported the lowest rates, reports CNBC TV18. 

The findings also point to shifting lifestyle patterns as a key driver, including reduced physical activity and increased consumption of calorie-dense processed foods. While obesity levels among boys and girls remain nearly equal, the broader trend signals a worrying trajectory. Experts warn that childhood obesity significantly increases the risk of long-term conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hormonal disorders. At the same time, India continues to face a “double burden” of malnutrition, where rising obesity coexists with persistent undernutrition, posing a complex challenge for public health systems.