The Newsroom
Latest stories
Health news, new research and practical guides — updated as it happens.
245 stories
Bulk food packs won’t slip through anymore: FSSAI tightens label rules, rollout from 2027
FSSAI has tightened labelling rules for bulk and non-retail food packs, mandating clear disclosure of product details and traceability to prevent misuse in retail markets. The new regulations, effective from 2027, aim to enhance transparency, safety, and accountability in India’s food supply chain.
3 Apr 2026
Centre gives custom cushion to supply strained Pharma, MedTech manufacturers
The Centre has announced customs duty exemptions on key petrochemical inputs to support pharma and medtech manufacturers amid rising global supply chain disruptions. The temporary relief aims to reduce production costs and ensure uninterrupted availability of essential medical products in India.
3 Apr 2026
Genetic testing improves treatment, survival for Black breast cancer patients
Advanced genetic testing is improving treatment decisions and survival outcomes for Black breast cancer patients by identifying high-risk tumors early. New research shows that gene expression profiling can reduce disparities and ensure more accurate, personalized care.
1 Apr 2026
Irdai to push basic health cover, hospital scorecards to expand sector
IRDAI plans to expand India’s health insurance sector by introducing basic, no-frills health cover and hospital performance scorecards. The initiative aims to improve affordability, transparency, and claim efficiency while encouraging preventive healthcare and better patient outcomes.
31 Mar 2026
Only 1 in 3 schoolchildren meets basic fitness levels
A recent report reveals that only one in three Indian schoolchildren meets basic fitness standards, with poor cardiovascular endurance and rising obesity emerging as key concerns. The findings highlight significant gaps in physical activity, muscle strength, and overall health among children across schools and regions.
30 Mar 2026
Medicine Nobel to trio who identified immune system’s ‘security guards’
A US-Japanese trio has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for groundbreaking discoveries that revealed how the immune system is regulated by its “security guards.” Their work has significantly advanced understanding of autoimmune diseases and immune response mechanisms.
29 Mar 2026
Centre cracks down on unlicensed IVF devices flouting rules
The Centre has initiated strict action against unlicensed IVF devices being sold in violation of regulatory norms, with CDSCO highlighting concerns over illegal import, manufacture, and sale. The move aims to strengthen compliance in India’s rapidly growing fertility sector and ensure patient safety in assisted reproductive procedures.
28 Mar 2026
IIT Bombay develops DNA-based strategy to tackle antibiotic resistance
Researchers at IIT Bombay have developed a novel DNA-based strategy using aptamers to tackle antibiotic resistance by restoring the effectiveness of existing drugs. Instead of creating new antibiotics, the approach focuses on blocking bacterial resistance mechanisms, offering a promising and cost-effective solution to combat the growing global antimicrobial resistance crisis.
27 Mar 2026
India’s health insurance premiums cross Rs 1.2 lakh crore in 2024-25: Finance Ministry
India’s health insurance sector has crossed Rs 1.2 lakh crore in premiums in 2024-25, driven by rising healthcare costs, increased awareness, and demand for better coverage. The Finance Ministry highlighted regulatory measures by IRDAI, including faster cashless claim processing timelines, aimed at improving efficiency and ensuring timely access to medical care.
27 Mar 2026
Redefining Success in Diminished Ovarian Reserve: From Oocyte Yield to Oocyte Competence
Fertility experts are redefining success in cases of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), shifting focus from the number of eggs retrieved to the quality and competence of oocytes. Highlighting factors such as maternal age, genetics, and lifestyle, specialists emphasised a more holistic, patient-centric approach to improving fertility outcomes among women.
27 Mar 2026
Centre Pushes District-Level HIV Action, Targets Epidemic Control by 2027
The Centre is intensifying district-level HIV response efforts across 219 identified districts as part of its strategy to control the epidemic by 2027. Under initiatives like Suraksha Sankalp Karyashala, the government is focusing on data-driven interventions, improved service delivery, and achieving the global 95-95-95 targets to enhance diagnosis, treatment, and viral suppression rates across India.
20 Mar 2026
Centre Sets Up National Dental Commission, Replaces DCI to Reform Dental Education
The Centre has constituted the National Dental Commission (NDC), replacing the Dental Council of India, to reform dental education and improve quality, transparency and access in dental care. The new regulatory framework introduces multiple autonomous boards to oversee academic standards, accreditation and professional conduct, marking a significant step towards strengthening India’s dental healthcare system.
20 Mar 2026
Diabetes patients who stop GLP-1 drugs increase their heart risks
A new study suggests that stopping GLP-1 medications for diabetes may significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke. While continuous use of these drugs is linked to reduced heart risk, even a few months of discontinuation can reverse these benefits, highlighting the importance of sustained treatment in managing type 2 diabetes.
20 Mar 2026
Only 1 in 4 Indian Men Meet Normal Semen Parameters, Experts Flag Growing Male Infertility Concern
A growing reproductive health concern is emerging in India as studies suggest that only one in four men meet normal semen parameters. Experts warn that lifestyle disorders, environmental exposures, and delayed diagnosis are contributing to rising male infertility, highlighting the urgent need for early screening, improved diagnostics, and greater awareness about semen health.
15 Mar 2026
Cost Conundrum: IVF Access and the Insurance Bridge
Rising IVF treatment costs and limited insurance coverage continue to restrict access to fertility care in India. Experts are calling for standardized protocols, transparent reporting, and the creation of a national fertility registry to strengthen insurer confidence and expand coverage for infertility treatments.
15 Mar 2026
Cuts to USAID could generate USD 7.5 bn additional costs for households in LMICS: Study
A new study warns that cuts to USAID funding could generate USD 7.5 billion in additional healthcare costs for households in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) by 2050. Researchers from Boston University say millions of families affected by tuberculosis may face catastrophic medical and non-medical expenses if international TB funding declines.
15 Mar 2026
Healthcare infrastructure, medical education expanded significantly in last decade: J. P. Nadda
Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda said India has witnessed significant expansion in healthcare infrastructure and medical education over the past decade. Addressing students at a university convocation, he highlighted the rise in AIIMS institutions, improvements in maternal mortality rates and progress in tuberculosis reduction as key indicators of the country’s strengthening healthcare system.
15 Mar 2026
No proposal for Front-of-Pack Labelling awareness campaign: Govt tells RS
The government has informed the Rajya Sabha that there is currently no proposal to launch a nationwide awareness campaign on front-of-pack labelling for food products. The Ministry of Women and Child Development said states and Union Territories are already conducting nutrition awareness activities under initiatives such as Poshan Maah and Poshan Pakhwada, focusing on healthy lifestyles, reducing sugar and oil consumption, and preventing childhood obesity.
12 Mar 2026
India medical device shortage: Polypropylene price surge threatens syringes, IV bags amid Iran war
India’s medical device industry is facing the risk of shortages as a sharp surge in polypropylene prices threatens the production of essential medical consumables such as syringes, IV bags, blood bags and catheter components. Industry experts say the spike in plastic raw material costs, linked to geopolitical tensions including the Iran conflict, could severely impact small and medium manufacturers that dominate the sector.
12 Mar 2026
Blood biomarker may help predict woman’s dementia risk 25 years before symptoms: Study
A new study suggests that a blood-based biomarker could help predict a woman’s risk of developing dementia up to 25 years before symptoms appear. Researchers found that higher levels of phosphorylated tau 217 (p-tau217), a protein linked to Alzheimer’s-related brain changes, were strongly associated with future cognitive decline among older women who were cognitively healthy at the start of the study.
12 Mar 2026
NITI Aayog, UNICEF India to boost nutrition efforts in Aspirational Districts, Blocks
NITI Aayog has signed a statement of intent with UNICEF India to strengthen nutrition initiatives in Aspirational Districts and Blocks across the country. The collaboration aims to improve maternal and child nutrition outcomes by enhancing Anganwadi infrastructure, promoting nutrition awareness, increasing the uptake of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and building the capacity of frontline health workers in underserved regions.
8 Mar 2026
Karnataka to ban social media for children under 16
Karnataka has announced a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16, aiming to reduce the negative impact of increasing mobile and internet usage on young users. The move, announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during the state budget speech, comes amid growing global concerns about children’s digital safety, social media addiction, and unrestricted internet access.
8 Mar 2026
Severe irritability in teens can be reduced by daily doses of vitamins, minerals: New research
A new clinical study suggests that daily doses of broad-spectrum micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals, may significantly reduce severe irritability in teenagers. The placebo-controlled trial found that teens with disruptive behaviour experienced notable improvements, highlighting the potential of nutritional interventions as a safe and accessible approach to managing mental health challenges in adolescents.
5 Mar 2026
Breast cancer incidence in India more than doubled in 3 decades, says Lancet study
Breast cancer incidence in India has more than doubled over the past three decades, according to a study published in The Lancet Oncology. The research found that cases rose from 13 per lakh women in 1990 to 29.4 per lakh in 2023, while mortality rates also increased significantly. Experts warn that the burden could rise further by 2050 if key modifiable risk factors are not addressed.
5 Mar 2026