The Union Budget 2026 has made a significant statement on mental health by announcing the creation of new national-level mental health and trauma care institutes. The government has recognised that mental health is no longer a marginal issue but a core public health priority that requires strong institutions, trained professionals, and long-term investment. Presenting the…
India has taken a major step forward in recognising women’s health and dignity. In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India has declared menstrual hygiene an integral part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. The Court has directed governments to ensure free sanitary pads, separate functional toilets in schools,…
Particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, health has gradually taken centre stage in India’s development rhetoric. Although there has been steady increase in the Union Budget for health in recent years, it is still unclear if this increase will be adequate and strategic enough to provide noticeable health results. Expectations are influenced by…
India’s highest court has stepped in to address a growing crisis in student well-being. The Supreme Court of India has directed a National Task Force (NTF) to strengthen measures related to student safety, mental health support, and institutional accountability. The intervention comes amid rising concerns over student suicides, stress, harassment, and the lack of structured…
Telangana has launched a major push to modernise medical education. The state government has announced that all 35 government medical colleges will get digital classrooms. The move aims to boost learning quality and ensure uniform standards across urban and rural institutions. Health and Medical Education Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha announced the initiative at a high-level review…
The Madhya Pradesh government has constituted a high-level inquiry committee to investigate a serious drinking water contamination incident in Indore, following reports of widespread illness and multiple deaths. The decision was taken after health authorities confirmed a spike in water-borne infections in several localities, triggering public concern over the safety of the municipal water supply….
India’s health system is heading in a new direction. The government has formally shifted its focus from “sick care” – treating disease after it strikes – to wellness and prevention. The change was announced by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, at the 14th convocation of the Jawaharlal Institute of…
Two of my younger relatives, my niece and nephew, recently cleared their NEET-PG. Last week, before the latest wave of controversy over percentile shifts and seat allotments hit the headlines, I asked them a simple question: In today’s high-stakes private healthcare market, why choose ENT or Obstetrics over “lifestyle” branches like Radiology or Dermatology? My…
A New Chapter in India’s Public Health Preparedness India has taken a significant step towards strengthening its biosecurity and disease-response capacity with the foundation stone being laid for the country’s first state-funded Biosafety Level-4 (BSL-4) laboratory in Gujarat. The facility will come up in Gandhinagar, placing the state at the centre of India’s advanced infectious…
India’s postgraduate medical admissions are facing growing tension between ensuring quality and filling thousands of vacant seats. More than 18,000 MD/MS and diploma seats remained unfilled following the second round of counselling. Authorities significantly lowered the NEET-PG eligibility criteria to allow more doctors to participate in the third counselling round. This decision has sparked intense…
