The recently published data, released on 29 May 2026, from the sixth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) for the 2023–24 period (https://www.nfhsiips.in/nfhsuser/assets/National%20Family%20Health%20Survey%20(NFHS-6)%202023-2024%20Fact%20Sheets.pdf) offers critical insights into population, health, and nutrition for India and each state/union territory (except Manipur) and the evolving social development landscape. Given that there has been an absence of updated census results since the 2011 census, NFHS-6 serves as a key statistical resource. Although census 2027 is currently underway, its population enumeration is scheduled for 2027, and final results are not yet available. The survey was conducted in two phases across India from May 2023 to December 2024, gathering data from 679 238 households, 716 397 women, and 100 977 men. The findings highlight substantial advances in maternal healthcare, digital connectivity, and financial inclusion, as well as notable public health challenges and demographic shifts.

A major demographic milestone is the stabilization of the population growth. India’s total fertility rate (TFR) has declined to 2.0, falling below the standard replacement-level benchmark of 2.1 and matching the TFR recorded in NFHS-5 (2019–21). This change indicates that the nation is transitioning into a phase of long-term demographic stabilization. Maternal care metrics show encouraging progress toward universal coverage. 90.6% of childbirths are now conducted in institutional settings, representing a massive shift from the 25.5% recorded during the first NFHS round in 1992–93. However, while overall hospital births increased, deliveries within public sector medical facilities fell from 61.9% to 58.6%, suggesting a changing preference in healthcare providers. Additionally, births managed by trained healthcare professionals reached 91.3% (up from 89.4% in NFHS-5), and the coverage of postnatal care for mothers within the critical 48-hour post-delivery window climbed to 82.8% (up from 78.0% in NFHS-5). Similarly, postnatal care for children within 2 days of delivery rose to 85.3% (up from 79.1% in NFHS-5).

The NHFS-6 brings to light socio-economic progress and digital inclusion. The survey highlights significant improvements in gender-focused financial independence and technology adoption, driven largely by targeted welfare programs. Female financial inclusion has risen, with 89% of women now independently managing a bank or savings account—a substantial increase from 78.6% in NFHS-5 and 53% in 2015–16. Digital access has also seen rapid expansion. The percentage of women who have ever used the internet nearly doubled, jumping from 33.3% in NFHS-5 to 64.3% in NFHS-6. Similarly, male internet adoption grew to 80.5% from 51.2% in the previous round. Furthermore, household healthcare security has strengthened, with 60.2% of families now having at least one member covered by a medical insurance or financial assistance program, up from 41% in the 2019–21 survey period.

Despite these developmental gains, the NFHS-6 highlights several public health red flags. While child nutrition indicators show marginal progress—with stunting among children under 5 years declining to 29.3% (35.5% in NFHS-5), wasting dropping slightly to 19.0% (from 19.3%), and the share of underweight children falling to 31.8% (from 32.1%)—child malnutrition remains a persistent concern. Concurrently, India is experiencing a rise in non-communicable and lifestyle-related health conditions. The proportion of underweight adults has fallen, but obesity rates have risen sharply. Currently, 27.3% of men and 30.7% of women are classified as overweight/obese, reflecting an upward trend from 22.9% and 24.0%, respectively, in NFHS-5. This nutritional shift is accompanied by high rates of chronic conditions; nearly a fifth of the adult population has elevated blood sugar levels (including 17.8% of women and 20.9% of men categorized as high/very high or taking corrective medication), and a similar proportion reports hypertension (19.4% of women and 22.1% of men). These figures suggest that the burden of chronic lifestyle diseases is surpassing traditional challenges associated with basic reproductive and prenatal access. The report also notes a steady demographic shift toward an aging population, with the segment of citizens aged 60 years and above, rising to 12.9% from 11.8% in NFHS-5. This trend will require a corresponding adjustment in public healthcare policy.

Finally, the survey itself has changed in scope. The NFHS-6 national factsheet evaluated fewer parameters (101 indicators) than the previous round (which evaluated 131 indicators) and omitted some key health metrics, such as the prevalence of anaemia, though unit-level data will eventually allow for deeper socio-religious analysis.

ALLADI MOHAN, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3214-9884

Andhra Pradesh has pioneered a major regulatory shift by eliminating state-level registration hurdles for medical professionals across India. Under a directive issued on 11 June, 2026, the state government announced that any qualified doctor holding a valid license from any Indian state or union territory medical council is permitted to practice in Andhra Pradesh. This reform removes the traditional requirement for doctors to obtain a no objection certificate (NOC) from their home states or seek independent local registration, simplifying the transition for out-of-state practitioners. While doctors must still upload their details to an online portal for record-keeping and remain subject to the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act of 2019, this deregulation is expected to enhance medical tourism and improve healthcare access. Dr S. Bala Raju, President, Indian Medical Association, Andhra Pradesh, in a text message transmitted to this correspondent, expressed the view, ‘It is a good move by the Andhra Pradesh state to remove registration barriers for doctors from other states to practice in Andhra Pradesh. But, to prevent unauthorized or unqualified doctors from other states, Andhra Pradesh Medical Council should have powers to oversee and streamline this process’.

On 5 June, 2026, Maharashtra adopted a different framework. While it also spared doctors from manually securing an NOC, the Maharashtra Medical Council preserved strict registration and verification protocols. Under their system, the council directly contacts the doctor’s home state council for verification, granting only provisional registration until cleared.

These differing state approaches have reignited the national conversation regarding whether doctors registered in one region should be authorized to practice countrywide. Proponents of a unified national registry argue that duplicate registration requirements create unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles for doctors migrating for employment, speciality training, or emergency medical services. This debate has gained further traction as the NMC reviews a similar single-registration policy for armed forces medical staff, who need to relocate frequently, and which advocates believe should serve as a blueprint for all registered doctors across the nation.

ALLADI MOHAN, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3214-9884

An outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus has continued to spread in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighbouring Uganda. Since the outbreak was identified in May 2026, 1561 confirmed cases and 506 deaths have been reported in the DRC, with additional cross-border transmission documented in Uganda. The outbreak has prompted an extensive response from national governments and international public health agencies.

The outbreak was first detected in Ituri province in northeastern DRC. Subsequently, investigations suggested that transmission had been occurring for several weeks before formal recognition of the outbreak. Cases have since been reported from multiple affected health zones and districts.

Cross-border transmission has also been documented in Uganda. In response, health authorities in both countries have strengthened surveillance activities, border health measures and contact-tracing efforts. Population movement across the region has complicated containment measures. WHO has stated that the outbreak remains in an expansion phase, with ongoing transmission driven by delayed case detection, population movement and limitations in healthcare capacity.

On 17 May 2026, the WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The designation is reserved for extraordinary public health events that pose a risk of international spread and require a coordinated international response.

Bundibugyo virus is one of the recognized species of Ebola virus and was first identified during an outbreak in Uganda in 2007. Although less frequently encountered than Zaire ebolavirus, it causes a similar clinical illness characterized by fever, fatigue, headache, gastrointestinal symptoms and, in some patients, haemorrhagic manifestations.

Previous outbreaks associated with the Bundibugyo virus have generally been limited in scale. However, the current outbreak is the largest recorded outbreak caused by Bundibugyo ebolavirus and has raised concerns regarding sustained transmission in affected areas.

Unlike Zaire ebolavirus infection, for which vaccines and specific therapies are available, there is no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment currently available for Bundibugyo virus disease; investigational therapeutics are undergoing clinical evaluation. Consequently, outbreak-control measures have relied largely on early case detection, isolation of patients, contact tracing, infection-prevention practices and community engagement.

Response efforts have faced several challenges: insecurity in some affected areas, displacement of populations and limitations in healthcare infrastructure have hindered surveillance and case-management activities. Public health authorities have also reported difficulties in monitoring exposed contacts in remote and conflict-affected regions.

WHO, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and other international partners have mobilized technical and financial support for the response. Measures undertaken include strengthening laboratory capacity, expanding treatment facilities, enhancing surveillance systems and initiating a clinical trial to evaluate investigational therapeutics, including remdesivir, MBP134 and their combination, for Bundibugyo virus disease.

The ongoing outbreak highlights the challenges of controlling Ebola outbreaks in regions affected by insecurity, population displacement and limited healthcare infrastructure. The absence of approved vaccines and specific therapies for the Bundibugyo virus has added to these difficulties. The episode underscores the importance of robust surveillance systems and timely public health response for the early detection and containment of emerging infectious diseases.

NISCHAL P.M., Mysuru, Karnataka

ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3491-5500

In a major biomedical milestone, scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai and the Indian Council of Medical Research National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health have collaboratively engineered India’s first indigenous ‘placenta-on-a-chip (POC)’. This innovative microfluidic device artificially replicates the complex structure and vital barrier functions of the human placenta.

Historically, developing and prescribing safe medications for expectant mothers has been exceptionally challenging. Conventional pharmacological research relies heavily on animal models, particularly mice, which, however, fail to accurately mirror human placental behaviour. This discrepancy leaves pregnant women with limited safe therapeutic options. Furthermore, traditional static cell cultures cannot capture the dynamic nature of a real pregnancy.

To overcome these limitations, the Indian research team designed specific POC devices capable of simulating various gestational phases. These microdevices were fabricated utilizing advanced lithography techniques and cultivated human placental cells under conditions that mimic natural blood circulation and mechanical stress. The synthetic platform successfully performs crucial biological tasks, including hormone synthesis, nutrient transportation, and waste filtration. It can even simulate pathological states such as gestational diabetes.

This technological breakthrough elevates India into an exclusive group of only 7 nations (USA, South Korea, Germany, UK, China, Netherlands being the others) possessing proprietary POC capabilities. By providing a highly accurate, human-relevant testing environment, the device promises to transform pharmaceutical research. It will facilitate the rigorous screening of drugs and chemicals for foetal toxicity, allow for the early detection of pregnancy complications, and pave the way for personalized maternal medicine. Ultimately, this ethical, laboratory-grown alternative is poised to drastically reduce the biomedical sector’s reliance on animal testing while ensuring safer healthcare outcomes for pregnant women globally.

ALLADI MOHAN, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3214-9884

In a notable development in antimicrobial drug discovery, Wockhardt’s antibiotic Zaynich (cefepime–zidebactam) has received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis, in adults. The drug was also approved by the Drugs Controller General of India in May 2026.

Zaynich combines cefepime, a fourth-generation cephalosporin, with zidebactam, a β-lactam enhancer developed by Wockhardt. The combination is intended for the treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, including multidrug-resistant organisms that have become increasingly difficult to treat with existing antibiotics.

Antimicrobial resistance among Gram-negative pathogens has emerged as a major public health concern worldwide. Organisms such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter species are important causes of healthcare-associated infections and are increasingly associated with resistance to multiple classes of antimicrobial agents.

The approval of cefepime–zidebactam comes at a time when the global pipeline for new antibiotics remains limited. Despite the growing burden of antimicrobial resistance, relatively few antibacterial agents with activity against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative organisms have reached clinical practice during the past 2 decades.

Regulatory approval was supported by data from multicentre clinical studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of the drug in patients with complicated urinary tract infections. According to information released by the company (https://www.wockhardt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/wockhardt-zaynichfda-approval-press-release.pdf), cefepime zidebactam demonstrated higher rates of clinical and microbiological response than meropenem in a pivotal phase III trial.

The approval is also noteworthy because the drug originated from research and development undertaken by an Indian pharmaceutical company. Although India is a major manufacturer of generic medicines, relatively few antibacterial agents discovered and developed within the country have progressed through advanced clinical development and regulatory approval pathways.

Experts have cautioned that the availability of new antibiotics alone will not address the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance. Appropriate antimicrobial stewardship, measures to prevent infection and ongoing surveillance remain essential to preserve the effectiveness of newly introduced agents and limit the emergence of resistance.

The approval of cefepime–zidebactam provides an additional treatment option for infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. The development highlights the continuing need for antibiotic research and development at a time when antimicrobial resistance remains a major threat to public health worldwide.

NISCHAL P.M., Mysuru, Karnataka

ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3491-5500

In a remarkable breakthrough in the field of neurosciences, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), Chennai released the world’s most detailed 3D cell-resolution atlas of the human brainstem in June 2026, at the 3rd Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability (BRICS) neurosciences symposium that it hosted. The atlas, in the form of an online database called ‘Atlas of Neurochemical Characterization of the Human Brainstem with 3D Reconstruction (ANCHOR)’, was developed by the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre (SGBC) at IITM. It integrates multimodal data, from MRI and block face imaging with Nissl and immunohistochemical-stained serial sections, and provides a 3D reconstruction of the entire brainstem that can be explored using an online viewer and navigation system. The datasets are available for 3 ages across the human lifespan: a 25-week gestational age foetus, and ages 9 years and 54 years. The enormity of the task can be gathered from the fact that the brainstem has more than 200 nuclei and fibre tracts, and the researchers identified and manually annotated these structures. They further characterized them using Nissl and 7 immunohistochemical stains on hundreds of serial sections, followed by reconstruction and integration into detailed mapping. The users can zoom in and explore the brainstem as seen on MRI, down to individual neurons, while maintaining their spatial relationships.

This mammoth task was possible only with an interdisciplinary team of more than 200 researchers, engineers and technicians working at the SGBC, with 20 collaborators from different countries. In the true spirit of science and research, the database ANCHOR has been placed in the public domain by the researchers at https://anchor.humanbrain.in for the benefit of researchers, clinicians and patients globally. It is of note that India is the chairing nation in 2026 for the 11-nation BRICS consortium, and the release of this atlas at the BRICS symposium was only befitting as a testimony to the power of collaboration across borders and disciplines.

It is worth mentioning that in a short time since the launch of SGBC at IITM in 2022 as a multi-institutional, multinational and multi-disciplinary endeavour, with the support of the government, industry and philanthropy, to power a large-scale effort for mapping human brains at the cellular level, the centre has made remarkable strides. Another milestone achieved by SGBC was in 2024 when it released ‘3D Developing Human-Brain Atlas Resource to Advance Neuroscience Internationally (DHARANI)’—the first online platform with 3D histological reconstructions of the developing human foetal brain from 14 to 24 gestational weeks, which they also made publicly available at https://brainportal.humanbrain.in/publicview/index.html. The DHARANI brought the SGBC global recognition and a well-deserved acknowledgement in an editorial in the reputable Journal of Comparative Neurology (JCN). Established in 1891, JCN is the oldest continually published basic neuroscience journal (Herculano-Houzel S. India gets a seat at the table of human brain cartography. J Comp Neurol 2025;533:e70005).

Earlier, DHARANI and now ANCHOR firmly established the SGBC and India as a global leader in this area of research. The appeal of these databases lies not only in the simplicity of presentation and easy exploration-navigation, but also in being explicitly translational, seamlessly connecting the medical imaging to cellular pathology with potential application in research, diagnostics, and therapeutics, e.g., neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and even for improving surgical navigation by neurosurgeons.

JYOTI NATH MODI, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

ORCID iD: 0000-0002-0626-1637