NewsBytes

NMC approves 10,650 new MBBS seats, 41 new medical colleges for 2024-25   

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved 10,650 new MBBS seats for the academic year 2024-25. This increase is part of a broader strategy to enhance the availability of medical education in India. The addition of 41 new medical colleges has also brought the total number of medical institutions in the country to 816. According to NMC Chief Dr Abhijat Sheth, of the 170 applications received for expanding undergraduate (UG) seats, comprising 41 from government colleges and 129 from private institutions, a total of 10,650 MBBS seats have been approved. This will raise the overall MBBS seat count to 1,37,600 for the 2024-25 academic year, including seats in Institutes of National Importance (INI). For postgraduate (PG) courses, the NMC has received over 3,500 applications for new and renewed seats.

Calcutta Stock Exchange may mark its last Diwali in 2025

The Calcutta Stock Exchange (CSE), one of India’s oldest bourses, may this year celebrate its last Kali Puja and Diwali on October 20 as a functioning exchange, with the process of voluntary exit as a bourse nearing completion after a decade-long legal battle. Trading at CSE was suspended by SEBI in April 2013 following regulatory non-compliance. After years of efforts to revive operations and contest SEBI directives in courts, the exchange has now decided to back out of the business and seek a voluntary exit from its stock exchange licence. “Approval has also been obtained from the shareholders vide EGM dated April 25, 2025 relating to the exit of the stock exchange business. Accordingly, CSE submitted the exit application to SEBI, which has, in turn, appointed a valuation agency for undertaking the valuation of stock exchange which is in progress," CSE Chairman Deepankar Bose said. Once SEBI grants exit approval for stock exchange business, CSE will function as a holding company, while its 100 per cent subsidiary, CSE Capital Markets Pvt Ltd (CCMPL), will continue broking as a member of NSE and BSE.

Pak, Afghan agree on ceasefire, to set up mechanisms for lasting peace

Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and setting up of "mechanisms" to ensure lasting peace after days of violent clashes along the border that left several soldiers, civilians and terrorists dead on both sides, officials said on Sunday. The breakthrough came following negotiations between Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Afghanistan's acting Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob in Doha, facilitated by Qatar and Turkiye, according to a statement issued by Qatar's Foreign Ministry. “During the negotiation, both sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire and establishment of mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries,” the statement read. The two neighbours also agreed to hold "follow-up meetings" in the coming days to ensure the "implementation" and "sustainability" of the truce "in a reliable and sustainable manner" to achieve security and stability in both countries, it said.

Louvre Museum closes after theft

A theft occurred at the Louvre on Sunday, France's culture minister said, as the museum closed for the day while authorities investigate. “A robbery took place this morning at the opening of the Louvre Museum,” Rachida Dati wrote on X. The Louvre said it would close “for exceptional reasons,” offering no further details on the heist. No injuries were reported. Dati said she was on site and that an investigation was underway. French daily Le Parisien reported that the criminals entered the world's most visited museum and former palace via the Seine-facing facade, where construction is underway. The report said they used a freight elevator to gain direct access to the targeted room in the Apollo Gallery. After breaking windows, they reportedly stole “nine pieces from the jewellery collection of Napoleon and the Empress,” Le Parisien said.