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Health news, new research and practical guides — updated as it happens.
245 stories
‘All-or-nothing’ attitude may hurt exercise habit: Study
A study has found that an “all-or-nothing” mindset may be a major barrier preventing people from maintaining regular exercise habits. Researchers say many individuals believe workouts must be long, intense and perfectly scheduled, leading them to skip exercise altogether when routines are disrupted. Experts emphasise that flexibility and small, consistent physical activity are more effective for sustaining long-term health and fitness.
5 Mar 2026
Government to target 1.15 crore HPV vaccinations yearly: Health ministry
The government has set a target of administering HPV vaccines to around 1.15 crore 14-year-old girls every year under a nationwide immunisation programme, the Union health ministry said. The free and voluntary vaccination drive will be conducted at government health facilities across states and Union territories, marking a major step in India’s efforts to prevent cervical cancer and strengthen women’s health.
2 Mar 2026
PM Launches Nationwide HPV Vaccination Drive for 14-Year-Old Girls
India has launched a nationwide HPV vaccination drive for 14-year-old girls to prevent cervical cancer at its source. The free, voluntary, single-dose programme aims to cover around 1.2 crore girls annually, marking a major public health intervention focused on disease prevention, women’s health, and the long-term goal of eliminating cervical cancer.
2 Mar 2026
Access to cooling matter of health for all, not privilege of rich, says top UNEP official
Access to cooling should be treated as a public health necessity and not a privilege of the wealthy, a top UNEP official has said, as India prepares for a hotter-than-normal summer. Rising heatwave days are expected to disproportionately affect vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and outdoor workers, with serious implications for health, water supply, power demand, and essential services.
1 Mar 2026
91% of Indian Doctors Don’t Want Their Children to Join the Profession: Study
A new study has revealed deep professional dissatisfaction among Indian doctors, with over 91 per cent saying they would discourage their children from pursuing a career in medicine. The findings highlight rising burnout, increasing incidents of violence against healthcare workers, and mounting medico-legal pressures as key reasons behind the growing disillusionment within the profession.
27 Feb 2026
Around 43% of Rs 300-cr budget for pollution control utilised in 2025-26 so far: RTI reply
Around 43 per cent of the Rs 300-crore budget allocated for Pollution Control and Emergency Measures in Delhi for 2025–26 has been utilised till January 20, 2026, according to an RTI reply. Most of the expenditure was directed towards short-term air pollution mitigation measures, including mist spray systems and truck-mounted anti-smog guns, with funds disbursed through the Public Works Department.
27 Feb 2026
Private Hospitals Set for 14-15% Growth in FY27 as High Acuity Care Drives Demand
India’s private hospital sector is projected to record strong revenue growth of 14–15% in FY27, driven by rising demand for high-acuity and specialised treatments. Stable occupancy levels, improving pricing realisations, expansion of bed capacity and a growing share of insured patients are expected to support sustained double-digit growth, according to CRISIL Ratings.
27 Feb 2026
Doctors can’t be treated like workmen, Madras HC slams Chennai hospital
The Madras High Court has ruled that doctors cannot be treated like workmen or regular employees, strongly criticising a Chennai hospital for attempting to enforce restrictive contractual terms. The court dismissed an arbitration plea against a senior cardiothoracic surgeon and imposed costs on the hospital, reiterating that hospitals cannot function without doctors and must respect their professional autonomy.
24 Feb 2026
Centre to roll out free HPV vaccination for adolescent girls across India soon: official sources
The Centre is set to roll out a nationwide free HPV vaccination programme for adolescent girls to prevent cervical cancer, one of the most common yet preventable cancers affecting women in India. Official sources said the initiative marks a major milestone in women’s health and aims to significantly reduce cancer-related deaths through early prevention.
24 Feb 2026
The Galgotias Episode Sparks a Wider Debate on Tech Transparency and Medical Device Regulation
The Galgotias controversy has ignited a broader national debate on technology transparency, ethics and regulatory oversight. What began as an academic dispute has now raised critical questions around authenticity claims, accountability and patient safety, particularly in high-stakes sectors such as artificial intelligence and medical devices.
21 Feb 2026
AI can transform healthcare in areas lacking specialists: Soumya Swaminathan
Artificial intelligence can significantly improve healthcare delivery in regions facing acute shortages of specialist doctors, especially in diagnostics. By leveraging AI-powered image and pattern recognition, technologies such as X-ray and pathology slide analysis can help bridge gaps in access to quality healthcare in India and other underserved regions.
21 Feb 2026
Al in diagnostics, faster hiring must shape AIIMS expansion: Nadda
As AIIMS expands across India, the integration of artificial intelligence in diagnostics and faster recruitment of faculty and staff must go hand in hand, Union health minister Jagat Prakash Nadda said. Emphasising patient-centric care, he called for balanced progress in treatment, teaching and research, along with transparent decision-making, structured feedback systems and strengthened collaboration across AIIMS institutions.
21 Feb 2026
Retail challenge is not consumer demand but demanding consumer
India’s retail sector is poised for rapid growth, but the real challenge for retailers is no longer generating demand—it is meeting the expectations of increasingly selective, context-driven, and demanding consumers. As shoppers prioritise relevance, convenience, personalisation, and seamless experiences across channels, retailers must continuously reinvent themselves to stay competitive in an evolving marketplace.
17 Feb 2026
MP Ajeet Gopchade moves bill to regulate medical prices
MP Ajeet Gopchade has introduced a private member’s bill to regulate medical prices in India, proposing the creation of an independent National Medical Pricing and Regulation Commission to standardise healthcare charges, ensure transparency, curb overcharging, and improve affordability across public and private healthcare establishments.
10 Feb 2026
Domestic firms oppose Centre’s move to reconsider policy for refurbished Med devices
Domestic medical device manufacturers have opposed the Centre’s move to reconsider its policy on refurbished medical devices, warning that easing import restrictions without a strong regulatory framework could pose risks to patient safety and harm India’s growing MedTech industry.
10 Feb 2026
India releases first national lung cancer care guidelines
India has released its first nationally developed, evidence-based lung cancer care guidelines to standardise diagnosis, treatment pathways and palliative care across public and private healthcare systems, aiming to improve early detection and patient outcomes nationwide.
6 Feb 2026
MBBS migration, orders reconsideration of PwD student’s transfer plea
The Delhi High Court has ordered authorities to reconsider the transfer request of a visually impaired MBBS student, striking down a blanket ban on undergraduate medical student migration under the Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023, and affirming the rights of persons with disabilities.
6 Feb 2026
Sustained PM2.5 exposure ups depression risk: Study
Long-term exposure to PM2.5 air pollution significantly increases the risk of depression and anxiety, a nationwide study has found, highlighting how sustained exposure to toxic fine particles is adding to India’s growing mental health burden, particularly among urban residents and vulnerable groups.
5 Feb 2026
Two in five cancer cases globally in 2022 were likely preventable: Study
Nearly two in five cancer cases worldwide in 2022 were preventable, according to a global study that linked the disease to modifiable risk factors such as smoking, infections, alcohol use, high BMI, physical inactivity, and air pollution, underscoring the critical role of prevention in reducing the global cancer burden.
5 Feb 2026
Study shows how immune cells in gut spread Parkinson’s disease to brain
A new study reveals how immune cells in the gut play a crucial role in spreading Parkinson’s disease to the brain, uncovering a previously unknown pathway and pointing to potential new targets for treating the neurodegenerative disorder.
31 Jan 2026
Scrolling Childhood Away: What Economic Survey 2026 and Parents’ Data Reveal
India’s children are spending more time online at younger ages, with rising concerns around digital addiction and mental health. Data from the Economic Survey 2026 and a large parental survey highlight excessive screen time, social media dependence, and online gaming addiction among children, underscoring the urgent need for regulatory, educational, and mental health interventions to safeguard child well-being.
30 Jan 2026
Budget 2026-27: Health Industry Calls for Structural Reforms Across Care Delivery
As India prepares for Union Budget 2026-27, healthcare industry leaders across AYUSH, diagnostics and hospital care are calling for structural reforms to reduce costs, expand infrastructure beyond metros, strengthen preventive care, and improve reimbursement mechanisms. The sector is seeking targeted fiscal support to boost research, affordability, and sustainable healthcare delivery nationwide.
30 Jan 2026
Economic Survey terms Digital addiction as ‘growing public health concern’; backs Usage limits for teens
The Economic Survey 2025–26 has flagged digital addiction as a growing public health concern, particularly among teenagers, and supported usage limits on social media and online gaming. The survey emphasised the need for regulatory, community-based, and educational interventions to address the mental health impact of excessive digital use among youth.
30 Jan 2026
Confronting India’s Cancer Crisis Between Medical Advances and Missing Access
India is facing a rapidly growing cancer burden despite major advances in diagnosis and treatment, with gaps in access continuing to limit outcomes. As cases and mortality rise, experts stress the need for a coordinated approach that combines medical innovation, policy reforms, and equitable healthcare delivery to make cancer care affordable and accessible across the country.
30 Jan 2026