docTLDR

India's COVID-19 tally rose sharply with over 3,700 active cases by June 1. Kerala leads with 1,400 cases, followed by Maharashtra (506) and Delhi (436). New Omicron subvariants LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB.1.8.1 are driving the surge, with 28 deaths reported since January 2025.

The Supreme Court has directed NBEMS to conduct NEET-PG 2025 in a single shift on June 15, overturning the two-shift plan. The bench emphasized that multiple shifts introduce arbitrariness due to inevitable differences in question paper difficulty, stating that normalization should be an exception, not routine practice.

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Science will release the NEET PG 2025 city intimation slip on June 2, allowing candidates to check their exam city. The admit card will follow on June 11, with the exam scheduled for June 15. Doctors and students are advised to monitor official updates closely to avoid last-minute issues.

Inflammatory bowel disease is rapidly increasing across India, driven by dietary and lifestyle changes. Medical experts highlight how delayed diagnosis and social stigma are complicating treatment efforts, making this chronic condition a growing public health concern requiring urgent attention.

Amid rising concerns over unqualified practitioners, the Delhi Medical Council has released comprehensive guidelines to help doctors and the public identify quacks. The move aims to curb illegal medical practice and protect patient safety, with the Council notifying the Delhi High Court about these measures. Doctors are urged to remain vigilant and report violations promptly.

Uttarakhand is implementing CDSCO guidelines for scientific disposal of expired and unused medicines. The initiative includes establishing 'Drug Take-Back Sites' across urban and rural areas where citizens can deposit medicines for proper disposal, positioning the state as a leader in green healthcare.

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has flagged 233 health-related advertisements for violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act. Many ads promoted unproven remedies or made misleading health claims. ASCI has reported these to the AYUSH Ministry, highlighting the urgent need for stricter enforcement and vigilance by medical professionals.

Delhi government is set to establish 33 Arogya Mandirs across all districts, replacing the existing Mohalla clinics as part of the PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. The move aims to significantly upgrade primary healthcare infrastructure, with officials racing to complete preparations by May 27. The initiative is expected to enhance access and quality of care for Delhi residents.

A systematic review protocol aims to quantify the prevalence and symptoms of long COVID among healthcare workers worldwide. The study will provide pooled estimates and explore differences by country and ethnicity, offering crucial data for Indian clinicians managing post-COVID sequelae in frontline staff.

A cohort study found that both prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination provide substantial protection against future infection among healthcare workers. The findings support ongoing vaccination drives and infection control measures in Indian healthcare settings to safeguard frontline staff.

Research analyzing 23,800 participants over 10 years reveals evening chronotypes experience faster cognitive decline with age. The effect is more pronounced in highly educated individuals, with a one-hour delay in sleep-wake cycle corresponding to a 0.8 decline in cognition per decade. Researchers attribute 25% of this risk to lifestyle factors like increased smoking and poor sleep quality.

The Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) has introduced a new bond policy for civilian NEET-PG candidates under Priority-V. Selected candidates must serve as Short Service Commissioned Officers for five years or pay a penalty of ₹59 lakh if unwilling to join after admission. The policy aims to address workforce needs but raises concerns about financial burden.

The 26th Russian Education Fair highlighted Russia as a preferred destination for Indian medical students, with approximately 23,500 Indians currently enrolled in Russian medical universities. The fair, held across nine Indian cities, showcased affordable MBBS programs taught in English with global recognition.

Indian oncologists have strongly condemned recent viral claims by ex-cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu that his wife’s stage IV breast cancer was cured in 40 days through dietary changes and home remedies. Experts from Tata Memorial Hospital labeled these statements as unscientific and cautioned the public against misinformation, emphasizing the dangers of bypassing evidence-based cancer treatments.

A systematic review protocol will assess the effectiveness of culturally adapted internet- and mobile-based interventions for health promotion, including healthy eating and physical activity. The findings are expected to inform the design of digital health tools tailored for India's diverse communities.