Telangana Stipend row: Medicos allege retaliatory suspensions, doctors body seeks NMC intervention

Hyderabad: The authorities at the Chalmeda Anand Rao Institute of Medical Sciences (CAIMS), a private medical college based in Karimnagar, Telangana, have not yet paid stipend, as per the Government Order, to its protesting medicos.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the intern doctors had been protesting against the non-payment of the rightful stipend for more than two months. Recently, the authorities suspended 64 MBBS interns at the medical college for a week for allegedly blocking the vehicles during a protest on the campus.

While the medical college has alleged that the action was taken based on the findings by a disciplinary committee, the students have alleged that it was a retaliatory move against the protest.

Also Read: Medical College Suspends 64 MBBS Interns who protested Against Non-Payment of Stipend

As per the latest media report by The Hindu, the students have further claimed that the administration has continued to withhold stipends even after the suspension and it was now threatening them with stricter duty schedules once they returned after completing the suspension.

“If protesting is wrong, why doesn’t the college first comply with the Government Order and transfer our stipends?” an intern asked.

As per a 2023 Government Order, the MBBS interns across both private and government medical colleges in Telangana need to be paid Rs 25,906 per month. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that recently, the Telangana Government announced a 15 per cent stipend hike for MBBS interns and doctors pursuing post-graduate and super-speciality courses in medicine and dentistry in government institutes across Telangana.

Due to the new Government Order issued on June 28, 2025, the monthly stipend for the house surgeons (medical and dental) was increased from Rs 25,906 to Rs 29,792.

However, the MBBS interns at CAIMS have alleged that the college management has been paying only Rs 2,000 per month to its house surgeons. 

Recently, raising the issue faced by the MBBS interns at the private medical colleges across Telangana, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), wrote to the Chairperson of the National Medical Commission (NMC).

“There are a total of 23 private medical colleges in Telangana where interns are working in affiliated hospitals. Despite multiple circulars and notifications, the managements of these institutions have largely ignored the mandate of paying equal stipends to all interns, similar to those working in government colleges,” FAIMA mentioned in the letter. 

The association pointed out that many of these medical colleges collect Rs 5000 annually as “stipend fee”, but pay interns as little as Rs 2,000 per month, and many colleges do not pay any stipend at all.

“Interns who demand fair compensation are being threatened with suspension, denial of internship completion certificates, and other academic consequences—severely affecting their career prospects. Most concerning is the incident that occurred at CAIMS, Karimnagar, on 1st July 2025, where interns peacefully staged a protest. In response: The management called in police, who reportedly behaved rudely and aggressively towards the students. Interns were threatened, verbally abused, and forced to write apology letters and record self-declaration videos, falsely stating that the issue was internal and resolved. Subsequently, 64 interns were suspended, purely for raising their voices for a legitimate cause,” the association mentioned in the letter.

Calling such “oppressive response” to a peaceful and lawful demand as “deeply unjust”, FAIMA, urged NMC to immediately intervene and direct the private medical colleges in Telangana to ensure payment of stipends as per NMC norms, investigate events at CAIMS, Karimnagar, and take necessary disciplinary action against those responsible for mistreatment and unlawful suspension of interns, ensure that no intern is denied a completion certificate or subjected to academic harassment for participating in peaceful protests, and establish a monitoring mechanism to track stipend disbursement and compliance in private institutions.

Also Read: Telangana Private Medical Colleges Credit Rs 25,000 Stipend, take back Rs 20,000 in Cash, allege interns

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CBI exposes NMC inspection Racket: How a Pan India syndicate was engineering the Biggest Medical Education Scam

CBI exposes NMC inspection Racket: How a Pan India syndicate was engineering the Biggest Medical Education Scam

How did dozens of substandard medical colleges across India gain official recognition despite failing basic requirements? The answer, according to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), lies in a deeply embedded corruption racket operating from within the Union Health Ministry and National Medical Commission (NMC).

In what is now being dubbed India’s biggest medical education scam, the CBI has uncovered an extensive criminal conspiracy involving ministry officials, NMC assessors, middlemen, and medical college administrators.

The network allegedly manipulated inspection process, leaked confidential regulatory data, and accepted bribes running into crores to facilitate fraudulent approvals for medical institutions across six states. So far, raids have reportedly been conducted on 40 locations across the country, leading to the registration of an FIR against 34 individuals, including officials from the NMC and the Union Health Ministry.

For more information, click on the link below:

CBI exposes NMC inspection Racket: How a Pan India syndicate was engineering the Biggest Medical Education Scam

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Email From ‘Chairman’ Costs Pharma Company Rs 1.9 Crore in Cyber Fraud

Bengaluru: A meticulously executed email spoofing attack has led to a massive financial loss for a pharmaceutical company. The North Division Cyber Crime Police in Bengaluru are investigating a high-profile case of cyber fraud in which a man, posing as the chairman of a pharma firm, allegedly tricked the firm’s accountant into transferring Rs 1.9 crore to a fraudulent bank account.

According to the police complaint filed by Saravanan V., the accused impersonated the company chairman by using his name and photo, and contacted the company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) through a messaging platform about a week ago. Posing as the chairman, the conman claimed he was using a new phone number and requested sensitive bank account details.

Believing the message to be authentic, the COO forwarded the request to the company’s accountant, instructing him to share the required financial information. Continuing the impersonation, the fraudster told the accountant that he was in the middle of a business meeting with a government representative regarding a new project and would not be able to talk directly.

The imposter then requested the current balance of the company’s bank account. Trusting the request to be genuine, the accountant sent a screenshot of the account balance via WhatsApp. Soon after, the accused asked for Rs 1.92 crore to be transferred for the so-called project. When asked where to transfer the money, he provided bank details of a cargo and courier company located in Virar (East), Mumbai.

Unaware that he was dealing with a fraudster, the accountant proceeded to transfer the amount as instructed and later informed the COO. The scam came to light only after the company’s real chairman was informed of the transaction. He immediately clarified that he had not sent any such messages or issued any payment instructions.

Following the discovery, a formal complaint was filed and a case was registered at the North Division Cyber Crime Police Station. The police have booked the unidentified accused under provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000, as well as Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which deals with cheating involving fraudulent inducement to deliver property.

Also Read: Rs 22 Crore Gone In A Click: Pharma Giant Alkem Labs Falls Victim To Cyber Fraud

Police officials are now working to trace the accused using digital forensics and bank transaction trails. A senior officer involved in the investigation told The Hindu, “This is one of the most common forms of cyber fraud,” and urged the public to always cross-verify messages and confirm identities before responding to monetary requests.

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NMC Allows Appointing Medical MSc, PhD Degree Holders as 30 percent Faculty in 5 Depts

New Delhi: The National Medical Commission (NMC) Medical Institutions (Qualifications of Faculty) Regulations have allowed medical MSc, PhD degree holders to be appointed as faculty in Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmacology, and Microbiology departments.

This follows a 2020 change that reduced non-medical faculty appointments in these departments to 15%, with some departments like Microbiology and Pharmacology restricted to 0%. The 2025 regulations restore non-medical faculty appointments to 30% in these subjects.

The Apex Medical Commission recently released the final Medical Institutions (Qualifications of Faculty) Regulations, 2025, in the official Gazette on June 30, 2025, and laid down the eligibility qualifications of medical teachers at medical institutes.

Relaxing the existing norms for appointing non-medical faculty in medical colleges, NMC has specified in these new regulations that non-MBBS holders can teach in Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmacology, and Microbiology Departments in medical colleges if they possess a Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy Degree in the respective fields of Medical Anatomy, Medical Biochemistry, Medical Physiology, Medical Pharmacology, and Medical Microbiology.

In this regard, the Apex Medical Commission mentioned in the Gazette notification, “Any person possessing the academic qualfications specified in column (3) of the table below, in the corresponding specialties specified in column (2) of the said table, shall be eligible for appointment as a non-medical faculty as per the minimum standards requirement specified by the Commission from time to time, if such qualification is obtained through a regular, incampus course from a recognised medical institution…”

Medical MSc Degree holders were allowed to teach in Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Microbiology and Pharmacology departments of medical colleges until 2020. Back then, the intake of Medical MSc and PhD teachers was allowed up to 30% of capacity per subject (50% in biochemistry).

However, in October 2020, NMC reduced the permissible percentage of Medical MSc/PhD faculty in subjects like Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Physiology from 30% to 15%, while in Microbiology and Pharmacology, NMC decreased it to zero percent.

Also Read: NMC reverses its Stand on TEQ norms for non medical teachers, says old rules will be followed

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that releasing the “Guidelines for Undergraduate Courses under Establishment of New Medical Institutions,l Starting of New Medical Courses, Increase of Seats for Existing Courses & Assessment and Rating Regulations, 2023”, NMC had clarified that only 15% of the total number of posts in the Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry departments could be filled by non-medical teachers.

The National M.Sc Medical Teachers’ Association (NMMTA) protested against NMC’s decision for a long time. Earlier this year, NMC released the Draft TEQ 2024 regulations and clarified that non-medical teachers can work as senior residents and faculties in medical colleges to teach three subjects including Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Physiology.

NMC had mentioned in the Draft that to become eligible to teach these subjects in medical colleges, non-medical teachers must have an MSc and PhD degree in these specialities. However, the Commission had also clarified that non-medical teachers would be eligible for appointment as Senior Resident and Faculty (Assistant Professor and beyond) to teach these Broad Specialty subjects during the transitional period.

NMMTA had earlier expressed several doubts regarding the Draft TEQ 2024, and the association had also sought clarity regarding the transitional period. Now, releasing the final Medical Institutions (Qualifications of Faculty) Regulations, 2025, the Apex Medical Commission has specified that Medical MSc and PhD holders can teach in Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmacology, and Microbiology Departments in medical colleges.

Non-Medical Teachers Allowed in up to 30% of Total posts: 

Now, on July 2, 2025, NMC released an amendment to the UG-MSR 2023 and clarified that Medical MSc and PhD holders would now be allowed in Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Pharmacology departments to the extent of 30% of the total number of posts in the department, subject to the non-availability of medical teachers.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by subsection (d) of subsection (1) of Section 24 read with Sections 26, 28 and 29, 10(1)(d) read with sub-section (r) of subsection 2 of Section 57 of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 (Act No. 30 of 2019), the National Medical Commission hereby makes the following amendment in the “Guidelines under Regulation 10 of the Establishment of New Medical Institutions, Starting of New Medical Courses, Increase of Seats for Existing Courses & Assessment and Rating Regulation 2023 in short (UG-MSR 2023)” and Regulation 19 of the Graduate Medical Education Regulations 2023 notified in Extraordinary Gazette of India Part-III Section 4 vide ADVT-III/Exty/360/2023-24 dated 16.08.2023..,” NMC mentioned in the Gazette notification dated 02.07.2025.

The UG-MSR 2023 document mentioned that in the department of Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, non-medical teachers may be appointed to the extent of 15% of the total number of posts in the department subject to non-availability of medical teachers. The above-mentioned non-medical teachers and the Statistician in the department of Community Medicine should possess a qualification in that particular subject from a recognised University as per requirements in Teacher Eligibility Qualification Regulations.

Also Read: Draft TEQ 2024: NMC Says Non-Medical Teachers Can Teach Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Doctors Cry Foul

However, NMC mentioned that these rules shall now be substituted with the following:

“In the department of Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Pharmacology, non-medical
teachers may be appointed to the extent of 30% of the total number of posts in the department, subject to the
non-availability of medical teachers. The above mentioned non-medical teachers and the Statistician in the
department of Community Medicine should possess qualification in that particular subject from a recognised
University as per requirements in Medical Institutions (Qualifications of Faculty) Regulations.”

NMMTA Welcomes New Rules: 

NMMTA has welcomed the National Medical Commission’s decision to appoint Medical MSc and PhD holders as faculty members in Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmacology, and Microbiology departments.

It has also lauded the amendment notification through which the Commission restored the permissible 30% appointment limit for teachers with medical M.Sc./Ph.D. qualifications in these departments. 

Issuing a Press Release, the association mentioned, “Through the Medical Institutions (Qualifications of Faculty) Regulations, 2025 dated 30th June 2025 and the Amendment Notification dated 2nd July 2025, the National Medical Commission & Health ministry has restored the permissible 30% appointment limit for teachers with medical M.Sc./Ph.D. qualifications in the five non-clinical subjects—Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmacology, and Microbiology.”

According to the association, this correction brings a “much-needed end to years of injustice that stemmed from the MSR-2020 guidelines, which had severely impacted the careers, livelihoods, and dignity of non-medical teachers while also aggravating faculty shortages in medical colleges across India.”

Welcoming the change, the President of NMMTA Dr. Arjun Maitra said “Ministry has stood by the principles of fairness and meritocracy, and we are deeply grateful for this decisive and inclusive policy change. We are grateful to Shri J.P. Nadda ji as he delivered his promise to resolve the issues.”

The association also pointed out that its legal challenge filed in 2020 still remains pending and it thanked the Ministry for acting faster and more effectively to address the genuine concerns of thousands of affected faculty members.

“However, certain concerns remain unresolved. These include the lack of clarity surrounding the “transition period,” which must be clearly defined and time-bound to prevent anxiety and uncertainty,” said Dr. Ayan Das, the Secretary of NMMTA.

He also explained that the unfair disparity in entry-level qualifications, where Tutors require only an MBBS while Demonstrators must possess both M.Sc. and Ph.D.—a requirement that should be rationalized; and the misinterpretation of UGC norms regarding Ph.D. modes of study, where only distance-mode degrees are invalid, not part-time Ph.D.s pursued while in service.

NMMTA’s founder Dr. Shridhar Rao mentioned that “the continued denial of Head of Department (HOD) positions to senior faculty with M.Sc./Ph.D. qualifications—despite their experience and competence—is discriminatory and unjust. We urge the Ministry to address these issues through timely executive action and to include a permanent saving clause to ensure that in-service faculty are protected from any future reversals or disqualifications.”

“NMMTA views this policy shift as long awaited justice and victory earned through years of advocacy, petitions, and perseverance. The association thanks the Ministry, NMC, all members and all supporters who stood by and reaffirm association’s commitment to upholding the standards of medical education in India,” read the release.

What is the Transition Period? 

NMC in these new regulations defined the “Transition Period” as such period as may be determined by the Commission based on the recommendations of the Postgraduate Medical Education Board for the purposes of allowing alternate qualifications for eligibility of faculty in a broad or super specialty, till adequate faculty with qualifications specified for such specialty are available.

Appointment of Faculty During Transition Period: 

The Commission mentioned that where there is a shortage of qualified faculty in a particular specialty, any person possessing the qualifications specified in the regulations shall be eligible for appointment as faculty in that specialty, for the transition period, and having any of the following experience:

(a) at least three years of experience in a medical institution with an exclusive department or unit dedicated to the specialty, having separate and dedicated infrastructure and faculty members who are not concurrently shown as part of any other department or unit; or

(b) at least three years of experience in an institute of national importance with a dedicated department or unit in the specified specialty; or

(c) at least three years of experience in a reputed or recognised institute of excellence in India or abroad, approved by the Commission, running a department or unit dedicated to the specified specialty; and

(d) shall have at least two research publications in the concerned specialty during the three years period specified above and must be amongst first three authors.

Also Read: NMC proposes changes in TEQ regulations- here’s how doctors, non-medical teachers react

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MP doctor allegedly refuses anti-rabies injection, suspended

Bhopal: A woman doctor at a government hospital in Madhya Pradesh was suspended for allegedly refusing to administer an anti-rabies injection to the wife of Dr Subroto Das, a Padma Shri awardee from Vadodara, an official said on Monday. 

The incident took place during the couple’s visit to the popular tourist spot of Mandu, where a stray dog bit Sushmita Das on her leg

Dr Das and his wife, Sushmita Das (60), had come to Mandu in Dhar district of MP two days ago. A stray dog bit Sushmita Das on her leg during the visit.

When the couple approached a local health facility for an anti-rabies shot, the attending doctors allegedly declined to administer it, citing unavailability, and redirected them to a far-off health centre, according to a UNI news report.

Also Read:CHC doctor suspended for allegedly directing patients to private pharmacies

After the incident came to light, Dhar Collector Priyank Mishra took a serious note of the matter and ordered an inquiry by a team from Indore.

Based on the preliminary findings, Dr Chandni Dabrolia was found prima facie guilty and suspended by the health department.

Collector Mishra said the doctor’s actions were unacceptable, which warranted the suspension based on the findings of the initial probe.

Sushmita Das was later provided with an anti-rabies shot at the same health facility in Mandu.

“Any government institution, be it a hospital, college, school, service centre or office, must treat every service-seeking citizen respectfully and deliver the required service within the stipulated time,” Mishra told reporters here, reports PTI.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the Tamil Nadu Health Department has temporarily suspended the duty doctor, nurse, and other staff at the Upgraded Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Melvisharam, Ranipet district, after they were found absent during duty hours.

 

Also Read:Govt Doctor suspended for negligence after injecting patient’s wrong eye

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Ludhiana Doctor booked over false Medico-Legal Report

Ludhiana: The Sarabha Nagar police have registered a case against a city-based doctor for allegedly issuing a fraudulent medico-legal report (MLR) and falsely categorising an injury as grievous. 

The incident dates back to April 11, 2024, when an FIR for attempted murder was lodged against four residents of Sarabha Nagar. Following the registration of the case, Palwinder Kaur, wife of one of the accused, approached the Police Commissioner, alleging that the injury sustained by the complainant, Daljit Singh, had been misrepresented in the MLR prepared by the doctor, who is associated with a nursing home in Samrala Chowk.

According to news reports, in response to the complaint, a five-member medical board was constituted on April 16, 2024, by the then Civil Surgeon, Dr. Jasbir Singh Aulakh. The board consisted of Dr Varun Saggar, senior medical officer (SMO), Hathur; Dr Davinder, senior medical officer (SMO), CHC Sudhar; Dr Ravi Datt, senior medical officer, Manupur; Dr Gurbinder Singh Kakkar (forensic expert), civil hospital, Khanna; and Dr Aditya Prakash (orthopaedician).

Also Read: Punjab Govt doctor under scanner for fake medical report case

According to the TOI, the FIR says that the inquiry report of the medical board was sent to the police commissioner on May 2 last year. The board observed, “From the available record, the board of doctors is of the unanimous opinion that there is nothing to suggest that any injury to the person of Daljit Singh was either grievous or dangerous in nature. Rather, it was done fraudulently.” The inquiry report by the then civil surgeon mentioned that the accused doctor did not follow the guidelines of the government of Punjab and the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Emphasising the absence of any life-threatening injuries, the report also raised serious questions about the conduct of ASI, the investigating officer from Sarabha Nagar police station. As per the report, the board stated that Kumar failed to provide any credible medical documentation during the inquiry to establish that Daljit Singh’s injuries were life-threatening.

Ironically, the same officer has reportedly been assigned to investigate the current FIR, raising questions of procedural fairness and conflict of interest.

Also Read: Neurosurgeon arrested for allegedly providing fake medical report in hit-and-run case gets bail

In the inquiry report, the then civil surgeon also recommended to the registrar, Punjab Medical Council, Mohali, to delete the name of Dr Jasvir Singh Kathuria permanently from the register of Punjab Medical Council, Mohali, as per section 7.7 of Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002. Police said that legal opinion was sought from the deputy district attorney (legal), who said that a doctor issuing a fraudulent MLC can face both criminal and civil legal action, reports TOI.  

On Friday, the Sarabha Nagar police registered a case against the doctor under the following sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)- sections 420 (cheating), 195 (giving or fabricating false evidence), and 197 (issuing or signing of false certificates) of the IPC against the accused.

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What’s behind the enormous increase in early-onset gastrointestinal cancers?

A paper in the British Journal of Surgery indicates that early-onset gastrointestinal cancer rates are rising dramatically across the globe.

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Matching your workouts to your personality could make exercising more enjoyable and give you better results

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Breast cancer: Treatment decisions on basis of biomarker-based test can be harmful

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