PCI Tightens Inspection Guidelines for Pharmacy Institutions
Inspectors must verify that the Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) is installed and compliant with the Gazette Notification dated 24.11.2024 and PCI guidelines. Inspectors must confirm that faculty members who have given consent to an institution are considered faculty only for that specific institution.
Pharmacy Council of India Mandates Automatic Faculty Relieving After Resignation
Faculty members will be automatically relieved after a period of 30 or 45 days from the date of their relieving request on the DIGI-PHARMed Portal. If institutions fail to relieve faculty members within the stipulated timeframe, their names will be automatically removed from the institution’s portal.
Supreme Court Issues Notice on Additional Medical Seats at JIET Medical College, Jodhpur
In its latest order dated March 3, 2025, the Supreme Court has directed that a public notice be issued to inform students who were admitted against the additional 50 seats beyond the permitted intake at JIET Medical College & Hospital. The Court’s directive emphasizes that these admissions are subject to the final outcome of the pending SLP.
Prime Minister Announces National Gene Bank to Safeguard India’s Genetic Resources
The announcement was made during a webinar aimed at fostering collaboration between government, industry, academia, and citizens to translate the budget’s transformative announcements into effective outcomes. This new facility will house 1 million germplasm lines, providing crucial conservation support for both public and private sectors.
ICMR Releases Ethical Guidelines for Integrative Medicine Research
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has published an addendum to its National Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical and Health Research Involving Human Participants (2017), establishing a structured ethical framework for Research in Integrative Medicine (RIM). The addendum provides clear ethical guidelines for research that combines traditional Ayush systems with modern medical practices, ensuring ethical rigor and regulatory compliance.
Government Launches Scheme to Boost Ethanol Production in Cooperative Sugar Mills
The scheme encourages Cooperative Sugar Mills (CSMs) to convert their existing sugarcane-based ethanol plants into multi-feedstock facilities, enabling them to utilize grains like maize and Damaged Food Grains (DFG) for ethanol production.
Health Minister Nadda Inaugurates International Symposium on Health Technology Assessment (ISHTA 2025)
The symposium, organized by the Department of Health Research (DHR) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) India Country Office and the Centre for Global Development (CGD), focuses on “Bridging Evidence to Policy: Health Technology Assessment for Affordable Healthcare.”
CEA Releases Comprehensive Guidelines for Optical Fiber Usage in Power Systems
The guidelines aim to establish a structured framework for the efficient and secure utilization of optical fiber infrastructure, crucial for the modern and rapidly expanding power sector. The CEA has requested all utilities, Transmission Service Providers (TSPs), power system stakeholders, and users to adopt and adhere to these guidelines.
CDSCO Launches Online Registration for Clinical Research Organizations (CROs) via SUGAM Portal
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has announced the launch of online registration for Clinical Research Organizations (CROs) through the SUGAM portal. This initiative follows the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s notification making CRO registration mandatory from April 1, 2025.
Central Electricity Authority Proposes Amendments to Meter Installation and Operation Regulations
The proposed amendments, titled the Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, aim to modernize metering practices and align them with evolving industry needs, particularly concerning open access and smart metering.
