Recent Updates for NEET-PG 2026
Here are some of the most important, exam-relevant updates for the upcoming NEET-PG 2026 exam.
Contents:
- ACOG guidelines on cervical cancer screening (2026)
- PMOS is the new PCOS
- ACS Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines (2026)
- FDA approves Cefepime-Zidebactam for complicated UTIs
- Sayana Press: New self-injectable contraceptive
- From TORCH to SCORTCH: A broader approach to congenital screening
- SRS Report 2026
ACOG guidelines on cervical cancer screening (2026)
ACOG has updated its cervical cancer screening guidelines for average-risk individuals..
Salient features:
- Screening protocol:
- Individuals aged 21-29 should be screened with cervical cytology (eg, pap smear) every 3 yrs.
- Individuals aged between 30-65 should undergo clinician-collected hrHPV every 5 yrs.
- Individuals > 65 yrs do not require routine screening if adequate prior screening is present.
- Individuals with a total hysterectomy do not require screening if they have no history of cervical cancer or high-grade lesions.
- Recommendations not applicable to patients with HIV, immunocompromised patients without HIV, patients with in-utero diethylstilbesterol (DES) exposure.
- Adequate prior screening: 3 consecutive negative cytology results or 2 consecutive negative co-testing results within 10 yrs before stopping screening.
PMOS is the new PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has officially been renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) by the Endocrine Society and other associated organisations to reflect its metabolic nature and improve diagnosis and care of affected women.
Why the change?
This disease is characterised by fluctuations in hormones, with impacts on weight, metabolic health, mental health, skin, and reproductive system and not just cysts in the ovary. This leads to the elimination of the word ‘cystic’. Additionally:
- Many women with PCOS don’t have ovarian cysts.
- Researchers have found no increase in abnormal ovarian cysts in many cases.
- The term PCOS limited a complex endocrine disorder to cysts and ovaries, leading to missed diagnoses and inadequate treatment.
ACS Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines (2026)
The American Cancer Society (ACS) has updated its colorectal cancer screening guidelines by adding 2 stool-based molecular tests and introducing blood-based cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing for individuals unwilling to undergo conventional screening.
What’s new?
Screening age: 45 to 75 years (previously 50 to 75 years) for average-risk adults with life expectancy >10 years.
Screening modalities:
- Stool-based tests: Multitarget stool RNA (mt-sRNA), next-generation multitarget stool DNA (ng-mt-sDNA)
- Blood-based cell-free DNA tests
Blood-based testing may be offered only if the patient declines direct visualisation tests (colonoscopy, CT colonography, flexible sigmoidoscopy), and Stool-based tests (FIT, gFOBT, mt-sDNA, mt-sRNA). A positive result on any non-colonoscopy test requires a follow-up colonoscopy, preferably within 6 months.
FDA approves Cefepime-Zidebactam for complicated UTIs
The US FDA and DCGI have approved cefepime-zidebactam, the first novel antibiotic developed by an Indian pharmaceutical company to receive FDA approval. It is indicated for complicated UTIs (including pyelonephritis) caused by gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Key highlights:
- Active against β-lactamases, including metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs).
- Overcomes cefepime resistance due to hyper-efflux pumps and porin loss.
MOA: Cefepime binds PBP-3 & PBP-1a/1b; zidebactam binds PBP-2, causing multi-site inhibition of cell wall synthesis.
Dose: 3 g IV every 8 hours (1-hour infusion) for 7 to 10 days in adults with eGFR ≥60 mL/min.
Adverse effects: Hypertension, hypokalaemia, hypersensitivity/anaphylaxis, CDAD, neurotoxicity.
Other effects: Positive direct Coombs’ test, prolonged prothrombin time, urine glucose test interference, and promotion of antibiotic resistance.
Sayana Press: New self injectable contraceptive
India has added the self-injectable subcutaneous injection Sayana Press (Antara-SC) to the National Family Planning Programme. It offers women greater privacy and fewer side effects due to 30% lower DMPA dose.
Sayana Press repeat injection protocols:
Injections are to be taken every 3 months until contraception is desired. Guidelines for early or missed injections are:
- Can be taken 2 weeks before the scheduled due date.
- Can be taken up to 2 weeks past the due date if missed (A 4-week grace period is allowed in case of Antara)
- If the injection is missed for more than 2 weeks post due date, advise the patient as follows:
- Do not self-inject
- Contact your clinician immediately
- The clinician will assess your pregnancy status with a urine pregnancy test
- Administer the injection if the pregnancy test is negative.
- Use a barrier contraceptive 7 days post-injection
- An emergency contraceptive will be administered if unprotected sexual intercourse has occurred within the past 5 days. Use levonorgestrel. Avoid ulipristal acetate.
From TORCH to SCORTCH: A broader approach to congenital screening
Due to the global re-emergence of congenital infections, particularly syphilis, Imperial College London has proposed SCORTCH as an expanded approach to congenital infection screening.
SCORTCH includes:
S: Syphilis
C: Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
O: Others (Zika, Chagas disease, enterovirus, parvovirus, malaria)
R: Rubella
T: Toxoplasmosis
C: Chickenpox (Varicella zoster virus)
H: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and blood-borne viruses (HIV, HBV, HCV, HTLV-1)
Why the shift?
TORCH focused on toxoplasmosis, others, rubella, CMV and HSV. SCORTCH brings syphilis to the forefront because of its rising global burden. Expands “Others” to highlight re-emerging infections such as Zika, chickenpox, HIV and HBV.
What’s new?
- Shift from serology to PCR: PCR testing of infant secretions, blood and skin lesions.
- Head-to-toe evaluation: Complete evaluation of the infant including radiology, ophthalmology and audiology.
- Placenta analysis: Recommends microbiological and histopathological examination for direct evidence of infection.
SRS Report 2026
The Sample Registration System (SRS) report 2026, published by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, provides critical updates on national fertility, mortality, and healthcare indicators from the 2024 sample survey.
Trend analysis:
- ↑ in the sex ratio at birth
- ↓ in paediatric mortality markers like IMR, NMR, and U5MR, with a slight decline in CBR and MMR.
- Stagnation in the values of TFR and CDR
Key changes:
- Added sub-state regional zones data (NSS) of U5MR to the list for the 1st time.
- Streamlined towns and cities into 4 distinct strata (down from 6 previously) based on their population:
- Stratum I: Population < 1 lakh
- Stratum II: Population between 1 and 5 lakhs
- Stratum III: Population > 5 lakhs
- Stratum IV: Metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata
To see the complete list of updates, check out the Recent Updates section on your Marrow app.
