29 September 2026
On 28 September 2026 a Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta set aside the Bombay High Court order granting bail to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre. Mhatre and four others have been charged with offences including assaulting public servants, voluntarily causing hurt, rioting, criminal intimidation and intentional insult, in connection with an incident of 6 July at the Shastri Nagar Hospital of the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation in Dombivli. The Bench said a strong message must be sent that the medical fraternity cannot be attacked in this manner, and directed him to surrender within three days. The appeal was filed by the State of Maharashtra.
Bench:
Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta
Time to surrender:
Three days
Incident:
6 July, Shastri Nagar Hospital, Dombivli
Why it matters for exams: Bail jurisprudence and protection of healthcare workers appear in both current affairs and law-related papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
29 September 2026
UN News reports on Yemen on 29 September 2026 that about 7,800 suspected cholera cases and 22 deaths have been recorded in 2026.
More than 22,000 measles cases have been identified, and dengue has been linked to 37 deaths.
Since 6 August, renewed clashes have caused more than 4,481 casualties, including 830 deaths.
Over 180,000 people have been displaced by the fighting.
Dr. Annette Heinzelmann of WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office said emergency obstetric and newborn care has been suspended in two hospitals because staff were redirected to trauma care.
Suspected cholera cases in 2026:
about 7,800
Casualties since 6 August:
more than 4,481 (830 deaths)
People displaced:
over 180,000
Why it matters for exams: Links a conflict to disease outbreaks, a recurring theme in health and international-affairs questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
29 September 2026
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J. P. Nadda addressed the inaugural event of Aarogya Manthan 2026 in New Delhi on 25 September 2026. The event marks eight years of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and five years of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. Mr Nadda said the treatment of 90 per cent of cancer cases starts within thirty days under the scheme, that around 13 crore patients have been treated so far and that nearly two lakh crore rupees have been disbursed by the National Health Authority. Ayushman Bharat is now implemented in all 36 States and Union Territories. He presented awards to best-performing States and Union Territories under both schemes and launched the National Healthcare Providers Registry Mobile App and the Secure Data Environment application.
AB PM-JAY:
Eight years
ABDM:
Five years
Patients treated:
Around 13 crore
Implemented in:
All 36 States and Union Territories
Why it matters for exams: Anniversaries, coverage figures and digital-health launches under AB PM-JAY and ABDM are regular current-affairs questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
29 September 2026
Deputy Commissioner Polan John, NCS, held a review meeting on the anti-drug campaign on 24 September 2026 at the DC's office chamber, Chumoukedima.
Departments were directed to submit activity reports for compilation and follow-up review.
He stressed the need to identify and verify illegal or unauthorised de-addiction and rehabilitation centres in accordance with Central Government guidelines.
The meeting also focused on Drug-Free Campus initiatives, with the Deputy Commissioner suggesting awareness programmes in selected schools and the formation of Drug Awareness Clubs involving students and teachers.
Youth engagement through sports and constructive activities was also emphasised.
Meeting date:
24 September 2026
Chaired by:
DC Polan John, NCS
Campus programme:
Drug-Free Campus
Student bodies:
Drug Awareness Clubs
Why it matters for exams: Covers district administration and anti-drug initiatives such as drug-free campuses.
Kerala PSCSSC
29 September 2026
DR Congo has recorded 8,067 Ebola cases and 3,901 deaths, a fatality rate of 48.4 per cent, according to the report of the DRC's public health institute published on 28 September 2026 and carried by Al Jazeera. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, was declared on 15 May 2026. The World Health Organization's outbreak notice of 10 September, with data as of 7 September, recorded 6,778 confirmed cases and 3,269 deaths and called it the largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded in DR Congo. WHO says the outbreak is far from over. The United States announced a further $267 million against a global target of $2 billion.
Cases reported (DRC report, 28 Sep):
8,067
Deaths (DRC report, 28 Sep):
3,901
Fatality rate:
48.4 per cent
Virus:
Bundibugyo
Why it matters for exams: Disease outbreaks and WHO notices are common in health and current-affairs papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
The Global Hunger Index report is prepared by 'Welthungerhilfe' and 'Concern Worldwide'.
The Global Hunger Index is based on four indicators - Undernourishment, Child Stunting, Child Wasting and Child Mortality.
In the Global Hunger Index 2021 report, India's score was 27.5 and India was ranked 101 among 116 countries.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations is the data source agency for the indicator 'Prevalence of Undernourishment'.
In a written reply in Lok Sabha, the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, stated that out of the four indicators only one, undernourishment, is directly related to hunger, and that Stunting and Wasting are outcomes of complex interactions of various other factors like sanitation, genetics, environment and utilisation of food intake.
The reply also noted that as per the National Family Health Survey, Child Stunting fell from 38.4% (NFHS-4, 2015-16) to 35.5% (NFHS-5, 2019-21) and Child Wasting from 21.0% to 19.3% over the same surveys.
Published by:
'Welthungerhilfe' and 'Concern Worldwide'
Indicators:
Undernourishment, Child Stunting, Child Wasting and Child Mortality
India in GHI 2021:
score 27.5, ranked 101 among 116 countries
Undernourishment data source:
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
Why it matters for exams: The publishers of the Global Hunger Index and its four indicators are among the most frequently asked index questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
28 September 2026
Justice Harisankar V Menon of the Kerala High Court held that Section 100 of the Patents Act, 1970 covers the Government's use of a patented invention to make a medicine and sell it on a non-commercial basis to needy patients.
The Court read the phrase "purposes of Government" to include vending and non-commercial sale, and the State's duty to improve public health under Article 47 of the Constitution.
The judgment came in a suo motu case continued after the petitioner, a retired bank employee with metastatic breast cancer who had approached the Court on 2 June 2022 seeking affordable Ribociclib, died.
The Court did not direct the Centre to invoke Section 100 for Ribociclib; it said invoking the provision is a policy decision.
It asked the Central Government to collect data to decide whether a medicine is affordable and to consider intervention where prices are exorbitant.
Provision:
Section 100, Patents Act, 1970
Bench:
Justice Harisankar V Menon
Drug in the case:
Ribociclib
Why it matters for exams: The ruling links patent law, Article 47 (public health as a Directive Principle) and access to medicines; it is useful for law, polity and health topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Suo motu On its own motion — A case a court continues or starts on its own, without a fresh petitioner.
Article 47 Duty of the State to raise nutrition and public health — A Directive Principle of State Policy in the Constitution of India.
28 September 2026
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala inaugurated 'Toofan Thaddesham', the second phase of Kerala's anti-drug drive Operation Toofan, at Vengara in Malappuram district on 28 September 2026.
The phase is built on 1,034 Toofan Jagratha Samithis covering 941 grama panchayats, 87 municipalities and 6 corporations, with ward-level janasabhas in every ward.
The Home Minister described the drive as a people's movement run in association with the local self-government institutions.
Kerala Police, Kudumbashree members, ASHA workers, Haritha Karma Sena and local volunteers are to coordinate awareness and monitoring, and WhatsApp numbers have been provided for the public to report drug sales.
The first phase of Operation Toofan began on 2 June 2026; the Home Minister said 11,677 cases were registered and 12,584 arrests made in 117 days.
Local Self Government Minister K M Shaji and Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty took part, and Local Self Government Department Principal Director Divya S Iyer administered the pledge.
Toofan Jagratha Samithis:
1,034
Local bodies covered:
941 grama panchayats, 87 municipalities, 6 corporations
First phase start:
2 June 2026
Why it matters for exams: The numbers of grama panchayats, municipalities and corporations in Kerala, carried here as campaign coverage, are themselves a standing PSC fact.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
Janasabha Janasabha — A ward-level assembly of residents convened by a local body.
Haritha Karma Sena Haritha Karma Sena — The women's enterprise groups that collect non-biodegradable waste door to door in Kerala.
28 September 2026
The Ministry of Ayush announced the results of a 24-week clinical trial of standardised Ashwagandha root extract, published in Frontiers in Medicine.
1,200 vaccinated adults aged 18 to 70 years took part; 1,032 participants, or 86 per cent, completed the 24-week intervention, with follow-up continuing to week 28.
Participants received 500 mg of the extract daily, equivalent to 4 grams of raw root powder.
Liver and kidney function parameters remained within normal ranges and no treatment-related hepatic or renal injury was observed.
No serious adverse events were attributed to the intervention and no participant withdrew because of adverse effects.
Nine institutions took part, including the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, the All India Institute of Ayurveda and the National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur.
Ayush Secretary Rajesh Kotecha said high-quality clinical research strengthens the scientific evidence-base of Ayurveda.
Participants:
1,200
Completed the intervention:
1,032 (86%)
Daily dose:
500 mg
Duration:
24 weeks
Why it matters for exams: Government-backed clinical validation of an Ayush drug is a recurring science and health question area.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The DPA-II Division of the Ministry of External Affairs is the nodal division for implementing the India for Humanity Scheme, in place since 2018.
Under the scheme India offers full financial assistance to implement 60-day artificial limb fitment camps in countries abroad.
The camps are conducted by a travelling team of prosthetic experts from BMVSS, an NGO based in Jaipur, in partnership with the concerned Indian Mission and local hospitals or health departments.
A total of 35 artificial limbs fitment camps have been organised, fitting approximately 20,000 limbs.
The camps have been held in countries including Vietnam, Myanmar, Malawi, Iraq, Egypt, Senegal, Tanzania, Namibia, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Syria, Uganda, Djibouti, Sri Lanka, Equatorial Guinea, South Sudan, Fiji, Lebanon, Cambodia, Palestine, Mongolia, Madagascar and Papua New Guinea.
The same division also runs Centres of Excellence in IT projects abroad: a total of 58 CEIT projects in 47 countries have been implemented, training nearly 2 lakh trainees in subjects like high performance computing, AI/ML and big data.
Camps organised:
35 artificial limbs fitment camps
Limbs fitted:
approximate 20,000 limbs
Camp duration:
60-day
Implementing NGO:
BMVSS of Jaipur
CEIT projects:
58 CEIT projects in 47 countries
Why it matters for exams: India for Humanity and the CEIT projects are examples of India's humanitarian and technology diplomacy that exams ask about by number and partner.
Kerala PSCUPSC
27 September 2026
The AYUSH Department at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur, commemorated Ayurveda Day 2026 by organizing a special Medicinal Plantation Programme at the institute's Herbal Garden.
The event was graced by the Chief Guest, Dr. (Prof.) Prashant P. Joshi, Executive Director, AIIMS Nagpur.
Shri Vijay Nayak, Deputy Director (Administration), and Dr. Raunak Dubey, Deputy Medical Superintendent, also attended.
Dr. (Prof.) Prashant P. Joshi underscored the enduring relevance of Ayurveda and medicinal flora in modern health promotion.
The plantation drive aimed to foster greater awareness regarding the conservation of medicinal plants and their therapeutic potential.
The programme was coordinated under the leadership of Dr. Rajni Kachole, AYUSH Medical Officer (Ayurveda).
Ayurveda Day 2026:
Medicinal Plantation Programme
Executive Director, AIIMS Nagpur:
Dr. (Prof.) Prashant P. Joshi
AYUSH Medical Officer (Ayurveda):
Dr. Rajni Kachole
Why it matters for exams: AYUSH institutions, Ayurveda Day observances and medicinal plant conservation recur in health and governance questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
27 September 2026
The 'Mera Swasthya, Mera Garv' activities were organised under the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Abhiyan by MY Bharat and its partner organisations at more than 400 locations across the country. Over 2.5 lakh youth and citizens participated. The initiative focused on promoting physical and mental well-being among young people while strengthening awareness about the harmful effects of substance abuse. Health check-up camps, health expert sessions and meditation sessions were organised at participating locations. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the figures on 27 September 2026.
Campaign:
Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Abhiyan
Activity:
'Mera Swasthya, Mera Garv'
Locations:
more than 400
Participants:
over 2.5 lakh youth and citizens
Organiser:
MY Bharat and partner organisations
Why it matters for exams: MY Bharat and the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Abhiyan, with the participation figures, are asked in schemes and health-awareness sections.
Kerala PSCUPSC
27 September 2026
Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan was the chief guest at the 15th Graduation Day Ceremony of the Sree Uthradom Thirunal (SUT) Academy of Medical Sciences, Thiruvananthapuram.
Governor Shri Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar and the state Minister for Labour, Animal Husbandry and Women and Child Development, Smt. Bindhu Krishna, were present.
Dr. A. C. Shanmugam, Chairman of the SUT Academy of Medical Sciences, and Dr. Mohanan Kunnummal, Vice Chancellor of the Kerala University of Health Sciences, also attended.
60 women and 32 men received undergraduate degrees, and 5 women and 2 men received postgraduate degrees.
The Vice-President said, "Technology can assist a doctor, but it cannot replace the human aspects of a doctor."
He noted the expansion of medical education, pointing to 12 new AIIMS established in the country.
Undergraduate degrees awarded:
60 women and 32 men
Postgraduate degrees awarded:
5 women and 2 men
New AIIMS cited:
12
Why it matters for exams: Kerala PSC and UPSC ask who holds constitutional offices and which university governs Kerala's medical and allied health education.
Kerala PSCUPSC
27 September 2026
Union Minister of Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the World Congress on Nanomedicine 2026 in New Delhi on 27 September 2026.
The congress is organised by the International Society of Nano Medical Sciences and the International Society for NanoMedicine.
The Department of Biotechnology is supporting 210 research and development projects in nanomedicine with financial backing of 174 crore rupees.
Dr Singh said nanomedicine is one of the most transformative developments in medical practice, with the potential to advance personalised healthcare at the cellular level.
The congress brings together scientists, researchers, students and industry representatives to exchange knowledge and build collaborations.
R&D projects supported:
210
Financial backing:
174 crore rupees
Venue:
New Delhi
Why it matters for exams: Science and technology questions pair the hosting of an international congress with the government department and outlay funding the research.
Kerala PSCUPSC
26 September 2026
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil announced on 26 September that the government will bear the postal delivery cost of medicines from 1 October.
Patients who opt for the service will no longer pay for delivery themselves.
The Communications Ministry will help the Health Ministry provide the service through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
It will be rolled out nationwide with an allocation of about RM5 million.
It is expected to benefit about 80,000 patients a month.
Fahmi spoke after visiting the Persada digital health connectivity project at Padang Besar Health Clinic in Perlis.
Start date:
1 October 2026
Allocation:
RM5 million
Patients per month:
80,000
Why it matters for exams: It is an example of telecom and postal infrastructure being used to widen access to public healthcare.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
MCMC Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission — Malaysia's regulator for telecommunications, broadcasting, internet and postal services.
Persada National Digital Health Ecosystem and Connectivity Driver — A Malaysian project to improve digital connectivity at health facilities.
26 September 2026
Bangladesh began a nationwide special measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign on Saturday, 26 September 2026, as it steps up efforts to contain a measles outbreak.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain inaugurated the drive at the TNT playground in Dhaka's Korail.
Titled the "Intensified MR Catch-up Vaccination", it targets 3.4 million children aged six months to under five years.
The target includes 2.4 million children who were missed earlier and 1 million infants who recently reached six months of age.
The campaign runs through October 31 and aims to find and vaccinate children missed in earlier rounds, as well as those newly eligible.
Earlier vaccination rounds beginning in April covered 18.5 million children.
Target children:
3.4 million
Age group:
Six months to under five years
Campaign ends:
October 31
Why it matters for exams: Measles-rubella elimination drives and catch-up immunisation in South Asia are common public-health questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
MR vaccine Measles-Rubella vaccine — A combined vaccine that protects against measles and rubella.
Catch-up vaccination — A drive to vaccinate children who missed their scheduled doses.
26 September 2026
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated an MRI machine worth ₹23 crore at Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College and Hospital, Nerchowk, in Mandi district. He also opened a Tertiary Care Cancer Centre equipped with linear accelerator (LINAC) and CT simulator machines. He laid the foundation stone of a PET scan machine block estimated to cost ₹51 crore. He said 25 to 30 additional ICU beds would be added at the college. He said the State would increase postgraduate seats by 320 this year. He said automated laboratories were being set up in all medical colleges of the State.
MRI machine cost:
₹23 crore
PET scan block (foundation stone):
₹51 crore
Additional PG seats this year:
320
Additional ICU beds planned:
25 to 30
Why it matters for exams: State health infrastructure and cancer-care technology such as LINAC and PET are asked in State Focus and science papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
LINAC Linear accelerator — A machine that produces high-energy X-rays to treat cancer by radiotherapy.
PET scan Positron Emission Tomography — An imaging test that uses a radioactive tracer to show how tissues are working, widely used in cancer care.
26 September 2026
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi distributed 1,101 appointment letters across four departments at the 17th State-Level Job Fair, held at OUAT Krushi Shiksha Sadan, Bhubaneswar, on 26 September 2026. The appointees include 814 Medical Officers and 92 Assistant Professors of the Health Department, 30 OAS, 42 ORS, 46 OFS and 60 OTAS officers, and 17 Cooperative Service officers. Within 27 months of the government's formation, 46,575 people have been inducted into government service through 17 job fairs. A first-of-its-kind age-specific Mental Health Guidebook for children and youth in Odisha, prepared jointly by four departments, was also unveiled at the fair.
Appointment letters:
1,101
Medical Officers:
814
Inducted through 17 job fairs:
46,575
Why it matters for exams: State recruitment drives and health-workforce numbers are typical state-affairs questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
25 September 2026
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda inaugurated Arogya Manthan 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on 25 September 2026.
The event, organised by the National Health Authority (NHA), marked eight years of AB PM-JAY and five years of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
Under ABDM, Bihar, Ladakh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli were recognised as top-performing States/UTs across model districts based on district population categories.
The minister said more than 97.8 crore ABHAs have been created, with over 121 crore health records linked.
AB PM-JAY covers more than 60 crore beneficiaries and has facilitated over 13 crore hospital admissions.
Recognised under ABDM (model districts):
Bihar, Ladakh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli
ABHAs created:
more than 97.8 crore
Health records linked:
over 121 crore
AB PM-JAY beneficiaries:
more than 60 crore
Why it matters for exams: State rankings and awards under flagship health schemes such as ABDM and AB PM-JAY are common in state and national exams.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
ABDM Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission — National mission to build digital health infrastructure.
ABHA Ayushman Bharat Health Account — A unique digital health ID for citizens.
AB PM-JAY Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana — Health assurance scheme for hospital treatment.
25 September 2026
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava represented India at the UN High-Level Meeting on 'Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response' in New York on 25 September 2026. She called for digital public infrastructure to be recognised as a global public good. She said India supplied 300 million vaccine doses to around 100 countries and two UN entities during COVID-19 and gave medical assistance to over 150 countries. Referring to the WHO Pandemic Agreement adopted in May 2025, she said its credibility would depend on a fair Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system. She said the political declaration should not prejudge ongoing negotiations on the PABS annex.
Vaccine doses supplied during COVID-19:
300 million
Countries given medical assistance:
over 150
WHO Pandemic Agreement adopted:
May 2025
Why it matters for exams: The WHO Pandemic Agreement, the PABS annex and India's vaccine diplomacy are recurring health-governance topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
PABS Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing — A proposed system under the WHO Pandemic Agreement to share pathogen samples and the vaccines and medicines developed from them.
DPI Digital Public Infrastructure — Shared digital systems such as identity, payments and data platforms that deliver public services at scale.