Updated National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2.0
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare launched the second version of the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR 2.0) (2025–29) on November 18, 2025, which also marked the first day of the WHO’s World AMR Awareness Week (November 18–24). The Minister emphasized that Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a major public health concern that demands collective action.
Tie-Breaking Rule Reversed for Combined Medical Services Exam
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a Corrigendum to correct the tie-breaking principle used in the Combined Medical Services Examination, 2025. The Corrigendum, dated November 6, 2025, corrects an error in the rules regarding the ranking of candidates who score the same marks in the Combined Medical Services Examination, 2025. This rule is applied after the primary tie-breaker (marks in the examination) has been exhausted.
Ministry of Health Issues Corrigendum on Drug Testing Sample Size
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), under the Department of Health and Family Welfare, has issued a corrigendum to amend a condition regarding the sample size for drug testing in a previously published draft notification.
Ministry of Personnel Extends Administrative Tribunal Jurisdiction to Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission
The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions has issued a notification applying provisions of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, to the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. This action grants employees of the IPC the right to approach the Administrative Tribunal for adjudication of disputes related to their service matters, ensuring they receive subsidies, benefits, and services in a seamless and convenient manner.
Government Proposes Strict Debarment Rules for Submitting False Information Under Drugs Act
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has published draft rules proposing stringent penalties, including the debarment of applicants, found guilty of submitting misleading, fake, or fabricated documents and information across various regulatory parts of the Drugs Rules, 1945.
Supreme Court Expresses Displeasure Over Low Response to Student Mental Health Survey
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) directed the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Indian Nursing Council (INC) to mandate immediate participation from all institutions registered under their administrative control in the ongoing national survey. This nationwide campaign seeks to gather anonymous and confidential inputs to inform preventive measures against student suicides in educational settings.
Government Proposes New Restrictions on Alcohol-Containing Oral Drugs
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has published draft rules proposing amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, which would introduce significant new restrictions on the retail sale and distribution of certain oral drug formulations containing alcohol.
Government Proposes Amendments to Drugs Rules to Include Cell and Gene Therapies
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has published draft rules proposing significant amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, to formally incorporate the regulatory oversight of modern biological therapies, including Cell and Stem Cell derived products, Gene therapeutic products, and Xenografts.
Proposed Expansion of Schedule H2 for Critical Drugs
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has published a draft notification proposing an amendment to Schedule H2 of the Drugs Rules, 1945, to expand the list of medicines covered under the category of drugs that require specific prescription and monitoring controls. The proposed amendment, titled the Drugs (… Amendment) Rules, 2025 has been published for public consultation under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Stakeholders and the public have 30 days to submit their comments or objections to the Ministry before the rules are finalised.
Ministry Proposes Minimum Qualifications for Medical Device Inspectors and Analysts
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has published a draft notification proposing amendments to the Medical Device Rules, 2017, to formally establish the minimum educational qualifications required for personnel appointed as Inspectors and Government Analysts specifically for medical devices. The proposed amendments, titled the Medical Devices (Amendment) Rules, 2024, aim to ensure that regulatory and quality control functions are performed by individuals with appropriate technical and scientific backgrounds relevant to the medical device industry.
Health Ministry Orders Nationwide Crackdown on Contaminated Cough Syrups and Irrational Use
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare convened a high-level meeting under the chairmanship of Union Health Secretary to address recent concerns regarding the quality and administration of cough syrups, particularly in children. The meeting, attended by top officials from the Ministry of Health, Department of Pharmaceuticals, ICMR, and Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), resulted in strict directives for all States and Union Territories.
Medical Colleges & Nursing Institutions to Participate In CPR Awareness Week
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is organizing a nation-wide Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Awareness Week from October 13 to 17, 2025. The National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Indian Nursing Council (INC) have both issued notices urging all medical colleges, institutions, principals of nursing colleges/schools, and students to ensure their full participation.