Psychology and health care courses cannot be offered in distance learning mode: UGC , Pg12

UGC bans distance learning for healthcare courses, including psychology, nutrition, and microbiology, starting 2025, to maintain quality standards.

Nourish to flourish, the nutrition and cognition link , Pg6

Article highlights critical role of nutrition and cognitive development in first 1,000 days for child's future success.

Tobacco control laws are out of step with smokeless tobacco , Pg13

India's tobacco control laws lag behind, costing ₹1.77 lakh crore annually; urgent reforms needed for smokeless tobacco, taxation, and enforcement.

ICMR’s handheld device to scan brain , Pg11

ICMR unveils CEREBO: A portable, AI-powered brain scanner for rapid TBI diagnosis, especially in rural areas, reducing mortality.

What has NOTTO said about organ donations to women? , Pg10

NOTTO prioritizes women in organ allocation to address gender disparity, revealing 63.8% female donors, but only 30.2% recipients.

The complex web of factors behind India’s persistent stunting crisis , Pg9

POSHAN Abhiyaan fails to significantly reduce stunting; systemic issues like teenage pregnancies, poor diets, and sanitation are major contributors.

How does plastic pollution affect health?, Pg12.

Around 180 countries failed to reach consensus in Geneva on a legally binding UN treaty to curb plastic pollution, exposing deep divisions on whether to address plastic production, its health impacts, and financial support for developing nations.

At least 40 dead in Sudan’s worst cholera outbreak in years: MSF , Pg18

Sudan grapples with severe cholera outbreak, claiming 40 lives amid war and displacement, raising concerns over healthcare access and sanitation.

Blood biomarkers might help detect chronic fatigue syndrome , Pg II.

Chronic fatigue syndrome may be detectable through blood biomarkers, offering objective diagnosis beyond symptom reporting, says Cornell University researchers.

COVID-19’s hidden toll: how the pandemic has aged our brains , Pg II.

COVID-19 accelerates brain aging, impacting cognitive functions, especially in vulnerable populations, reveals new studies, necessitating innovative neurorehabilitation treatments.

Should HIV/AIDS testing be made mandatory before marriage? , Pg11

Debate intensifies over mandatory HIV testing before marriage: Balancing public health, individual rights, and ethical considerations.

ICMR set to monitor wastewater for 10 viruses in 50 cities , Pg12

ICMR expands wastewater surveillance to 50 cities, monitoring 10 viruses for early detection of outbreaks and antimicrobial resistance.

Number of cases of violations under PECA filed in 2021-25 , Pg8

Government reports 384 PECA violations, seizing 1,248 e-cigarette stocks between 2021-2025, with Maharashtra reporting the highest number of cases.

Before tackling stray dogs issue, India must count them properly , Pg7

Supreme Court orders stray dog capture amidst data discrepancies; highlights need for accurate census for effective rabies elimination strategies.

Clear the myths, recognise organ donation as a lifeline , Pg6

India grapples with critical organ shortage despite rising transplants; myths hinder donation, demanding awareness and policy reforms for equity.

Justice and equality , Pg6

NOTTO prioritizes women, relatives of deceased donors for organ transplants to address gender imbalance, raising implementation concerns and ethical questions.

Dogs and laws , Pg6

Supreme Court orders Delhi to impound street dogs, clashing with animal birth control rules amid rising dog bite cases.

How should money laundering be tackled?, Pg 10.

A Rajya Sabha report revealed that of 5,892 cases taken up by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) since 2015, only 15 have resulted in convictions — triggering concerns over legal misuse and enforcement efficacy.

The need for doctor-led innovation, Pg 9.

The India-U.K. FTA spells a poor deal for public health, Pg 8.