Announcements / Messages from IAPC
IAPC’s Infographic of the month: Integrating Palliative Care during emergencies for Patients with Non-Communicable Diseases
Emergencies, whether natural disasters, conflicts, or pandemics, can disrupt healthcare systems and leave people with long-term illnesses like cancer, diabetes, or kidney disease without access to essential care. In most situations, their suffering is not prioritised and often goes unnoticed. This August infographic developed by PallCHASE and IAPC highlights a public health approach to integrating palliative care into emergency response, especially for those living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
We thank Dr. Wasimul Hoda (Fellow in Pain Medicine, Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, AIIMS New Delhi) for his support towards this initiative. Feel free to share this infographic with your colleagues and friends.
Vision Statement from the Secretary’s Desk
Dear All,
As we step forward together in this new chapter of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC), my vision is rooted in collaboration, inclusion, and action.
IAPC must continue to grow as a dynamic, member-driven organization that not only advocates for compassionate, person-centered care but also empowers its community of professionals through quality education, transparent governance, and meaningful partnerships.
We envision a future where palliative care is integrated into every level of health care across India, with skilled professionals—doctors, nurses, allied health workers—enabled to lead with confidence and competence. My role as Secretary is to ensure that our systems, communication, and collective decisions remain efficient, inclusive, and forward-looking.
Together, let us strengthen the foundation built by our predecessors and lead with vision, integrity, and purpose.
Long Live IAPC!
Warm regards,
Dr. Raghu S. Thota
Secretary, Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC)
Call for Entries: “Theme Song of the IAPC” – A Prestigious Creative Competition
The Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) is delighted to announce an exciting and prestigious competition to compose the official Theme Song of the IAPC. We invite passionate lyricists, poets, and members of the palliative care community to contribute their creative vision in the form of a powerful and inspiring song. This is a unique opportunity to contribute your creativity and voice to a song that will represent the mission and spirit of palliative care across the nation.
Submission Guidelines:
- The lyrics must be written in Hindi.
- The composition is expected to eloquently capture the essence and core values of Palliative Care in a concise manner.
- The song ought to inspire, uplift, and resonate with members of the IAPC community.
- The lyrics are to be composed within a word limit of 150 words, and must feature verses, a chorus, a bridge, and an outro.
- Only one entry per participant will be accepted.
- The submission must be original, unpublished, not generated or refined using AI tools such as ChatGPT or similar platforms, and must not have been submitted to any previous or ongoing competitions.
- Prize Money: Rs 11,000/- will be awarded to the selected winner.
- All rights of the winning entry will remain with the IAPC.
- Deadline for submission: 15th September 2025.
- Only entries submitted through the designated link will be considered. Please click here to access the link for submission of the Theme Song of the IAPC.
The winning entry will be honoured as the official Theme Song of the IAPC, serving as a musical emblem of our shared dedication to dignity, compassion, and care. We look forward to your heartfelt and thoughtful submissions.
For further queries, please write to nioiapc@gmail.com or programmanager.iapc@gmail.com
IAPC Announces a Special Series of Webinars and Competitions to Mark World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2025
In alignment with this year’s global theme for World Hospice and Palliative Care Day— “Achieving the Promise: Universal Access to Palliative Care, the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC), is proud to launch a series of national-level initiatives to raise awareness, foster engagement, and amplify voices across the country.
Upcoming Webinars
Join us for a three-part webinar series between August and October 2025, curated to explore diverse pathways toward universal palliative care access in India:
- August 2025: Empowering People and Compassionate Communities – A webinar led by IAPC and International organisations highlighting local innovations and community engagement.
- September 2025: Implement Palliative Care Policies to Improve Access – A focused dialogue on policy implementation, integration, and health systems strengthening.
- October 2025: Equity and Innovation: Advancing Universal Access to Palliative Care in India – A national-level webinar featuring leading voices in policy, clinical care, innovation, and lived experience. This will also be the flagship event commemorating World Hospice and Palliative Care Day.
National Essay Writing & Photography Competitions
To further celebrate this global movement, IAPC and WHPCA are co-hosting two creative competitions for professionals and volunteers across the palliative care spectrum:
Essay Writing Competition
Topic: How can we achieve universal access to palliative care in India? Challenges, innovations, and your vision
Competition open to palliative care professionals, volunteers, patients and caregiver.
Guidelines:
- Language: English only
- Word limit: 1000–1500 words
- Only original, unpublished work will be considered
- The essay should reflect personal experience, innovative ideas, practice models, or patient/family stories (anonymized if applicable)
- Each participant may submit only one entry.
- Submissions identified to have plagiarism and Artificial Intelligence generated content will be disqualified.
Photography Competition
Theme: Faces, Places, and Moments of Compassion: Capturing Universal Access to Palliative Care
Guidelines:
- Photographs must be original and taken by the submitter
- 1 photo per participant
- Short (max 60 words) caption for each image describing context or significance
- Digital submission in high resolution (JPG/PNG)
- Patient photos must have written consent and maintain dignity/privacy
Prizes: Each competition will have 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize winners (Rs 10,000 / Rs 7,500 / Rs 5,000) along with a certificate jointly issued by IAPC and WHPCA.
Selected entries will be featured in the IAPC newsletter, website, social media, and advocacy materials—and honoured during the WHPCD observance in October.
Details regarding registration, submission guidelines, and deadlines will be made available on the IAPC website and social media platforms shortly.
The World Hospice and Palliative Care Day will be celebrated on Saturday, 11th October, 2025.
IAPC Announces Awards Worth Rs 4 Lakhs for Paper and Poster Presentations at IAPCON 2026
The Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) is pleased to announce a total of Rs 4,00,000 in awards for winners of paper and poster presentations at the 33rd Annual International Conference of the IAPC (IAPCON 2026).
This prestigious competition invites entries under four distinct categories:
- Doctors
- Doctors (Students) – MD/DNB students from any speciality and students pursuing full-time, offline fellowships in any speciality
- Nurses
- Others – including Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists, Counsellors, Social Workers, Volunteers, and allied professionals
Each category will have three awards each for both paper and poster presentations:
- First Prize: Rs 25,000 and a certificate
- Second Prize: Rs 15,000 and a certificate
- Third Prize: Rs 10,000 and a certificate
A total of 24 prizes (12 for paper presentations and 12 for poster presentations), across the four categories, will be awarded at IAPCON 2026.
Award Categories and Prizes
| S. No. | Category | Paper Presentation Awards | Poster Presentation Awards | Prize Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doctors | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | 1st – Rs. 25,000 & certificate 2nd – Rs. 15,000 & certificate 3rd – 10,000 & certificate |
| 2 | Doctors (Students) | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | Same as above |
| 3 | Nurses | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | Same as above |
| 4 | Others (Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists, Counsellors, Social Workers, Volunteers, etc.) | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | Same as above |
Please note: The Abstract Committee of IAPCON 2026 will be the final authority in all matters related to award categories, abstract evaluations, and the selection of winners.
We encourage all eligible professionals and students to submit their abstracts and showcase their contributions to the field of palliative care. This is an opportunity to gain recognition for your work and commitment to advancing palliative care in India.
For more details and abstract submission guidelines, please visit the official conference website: www.iapcon2026hyd.com.
The 33rd International Conference of IAPC (IAPCON 2026) will be held at NI-MSME Hyderabad between Friday, 13th February, 2026, and Sunday, 15th February 2026.
IAPCON 2026: Last chance to grab early bird registration, Deadline extends to 15th August 2025
The early bird registration deadline for IAPCON 2026 has been extended to 15th August 2025. Hurry, and register now! This is your last chance to avail early bird registration rates!
The 33rd Annual International Conference of IAPC (IAPCON 2026) will be held at the National Institute for Micro- Small-and Medium Enterprise (NI-MSME), Hyderabad, Telangana, between Friday, 13th February, 2026, and Sunday, 15th February 2026. IAPCON 2026 is themed ‘Continuum of Care: Hospital, Hospice, and Home’ to resonate with the importance of ensuring seamless and comprehensive care for patients across all stages of their healthcare journey, emphasizing collaboration and holistic support in diverse care settings. The conference is being organised jointly by Sparsh Hospice – Centre for Palliative Care, Hyderabad, and the Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Hyderabad.
Abstract submission for the conference is now open. Submit your abstract and win attractive prizes for Paper and Poster Presentations!
Visit the conference website for details including registration and abstract submission: www.iapcon2026hyd.com.
Pre- Conference workshops are scheduled to be held on Thursday, 12th February, 2026, in 16 important topics. Register now for Pre-Conference Workshop and grab your seat. To know more about the pre-conference workshop topics and registration for workshops, please follow this link: https://www.iapcon2026hyd.com/workshop.php
Update on IAPC Gold Medal for Nurses 2025
The Step I Online Examination Opens Today, Friday, 1st August, 2025.
The Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) has received an overwhelming response to the call for applications for the IAPC’s Gold Medal for Nurses 2025. Nurses from across the country have shown enthusiastic participation, reflecting the growing interest in advancing excellence within palliative nursing.
Candidates who have successfully completed the registration process with all required documentation will receive an email on 1st August 2025, which will include their registration number and a link for the Step 1 Screening Examination. This communication will be sent to the email address provided at the time of registration.
As part of the screening process, emails have been sent to applicants found ineligible for the award competition, along with specific reasons for their non-eligibility. Applicants are encouraged to reach out in case of any queries or clarifications via phone at +91 7874397051 or email at iapcgoldmedalnurse@gmail.com.
All official communication regarding the IAPC Gold Medal for Nurses 2025 will be routed exclusively through the email ID iapcgoldmedalnurse@gmail.com. If a candidate has not received any communication, they are requested to kindly check their spam or junk mail folders before reaching out to the IAPC.
Dr. Dinesh Kumar, Professor of Community Medicine at Pramukhswami Medical College, Bhaikaka University, has been appointed as the coordinator for the IAPC Gold Medal for Nurses 2025.
Please follow this link for further details: https://www.palliativecare.in/iapcs-gold-medal-for-nurses/
IAPC’s Executive Committee Visits IAPCON 2026 Venue at NI-MSME, Hyderabad
The Executive Committee members of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) visited the venue for the upcoming 33rd Annual International Conference of the IAPC (IAPCON 2026) at the National Institute for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (NI-MSME), Hyderabad, on Saturday, 12th July, 2025. The visit aimed to review preparations and ensure a successful and well-organised conference.
The delegation, led by Dr. Geeta Joshi (President, IAPC) and Dr. Raghu S. Thota (Secretary, IAPC), was warmly received by Dr. Subrahmanyam Maddirala (Organizing Chairperson, IAPCON 2026), Dr. Anjaneyulu Konda (Org. Secretary), Dr. Praneeth Suvvari (Scientific Chair), and Dr. S. K. V. Raju (Scientific Co-Chair), along with their team. The hosts provided a detailed briefing on the venue layout, infrastructure, and logistical arrangements planned for the event.
A review meeting was held on-site to discuss the progress of preparations and address any pending requirements. The team also visited pre- conference venues at Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, and Sparsh Hospice.
Mid -Term Executive Committee Meeting of IAPC
The mid-term Central Council Meeting was also conducted on Saturday, 12th and Sunday 13th of July, 2025, at Sparsh Hospice, Hyderabad. The meeting started from 11:00 am on Saturday, was Chaired by Dr. Geeta Joshi (President, IAPC). the meeting featured a presentation by Dr. Praneeth Suvvari (Chairperson, Scientific Committee, IAPCON 2026), who outlined the proposed scientific programme and the structure of the pre-conference workshops.
Key updates during the meeting included:
- Activity report by Dr. Raghu Thota, Hon. Secretary, IAPC
- Financial report and SOPs by Col. (Dr.) Yashavant Joshi
- Financial report by Dr. Mayur Ghoghari, Treasurer, IAPC
- IJPC report by Dr. Raghavendra Ramanjulu, Editor, Indian Journal of Palliative Care
- Academic report by Dr. Lulu Mathew (Chairperson Board of Examiners, IAPC)
- APM report by Ms. Sharmila Santosh (Admin Officer, Academy of Palliative Medicine)
The meeting concluded on Sunday, 13th July, 2025 at 1.00 p.m.
Academy of Palliative Medicine Unveils New Logo and Website
The Academy of Palliative Medicine (APM) is proud to announce the launch of its redesigned logo and newly revamped official website, reflecting the APM’s evolving identity and enduring commitment to academic and professional excellence in palliative care.
Marking this important milestone, the Team APM Governing Council shared: “This transformation represents a significant step in our journey. While the previous logo has served us well, it lacked distinctiveness and visual clarity. In response, we embarked on the development of a new visual identity that better embodies the Academy’s mission, vision, and core values.”
The newly designed logo incorporates symbolic elements that convey compassion, knowledge, and professional integrity—the core principles that define APM. At its heart lies the Latin phrase ‘Scientia Solacii’, meaning ‘Knowledge of Compassion’, a tribute to the academic and empathetic spirit that drives the Academy’s work.
The new APM website was officially launched on 2nd July 2025 and can be accessed at www.apmindia.org. With improved navigation, enhanced content, and a user-friendly interface, the site offers an intuitive and seamless experience across all devices—whether desktop or mobile.
Key features of the new website include:
- Comprehensive information on all APM courses and workshops
- Direct registration for programs via the website
- Regular updates on upcoming events, training sessions, and learning opportunities
- Secure login access for students and faculty to the learning platform
The APM Governing Council extends heartfelt thanks to all contributors and supporters of this meaningful transition.
National Medical Commission introduces 15 major changes to Teachers Eligibility Qualifications Rules, 2025 (TEQ 2025)
- Upper Age Limit for Faculty
- No faculty member can serve beyond 70 years of age.
- Inclusion of Diplomate of National Board (DNB) as Equivalent
- DNB qualifications (Broad and Super Specialty) are now explicitly recognized as equivalent to MD/MS/MCh/DM, if obtained at a 500+ bedded hospital.
- One-Year Senior Residency for DNB from <500 Beds Hospitals
- Those who obtained DNB from hospitals with less than 500 beds must do an additional 1-year senior residency in a recognized institute.
- Age Limit for Senior Residency
- Maximum age 45 years for clinical subjects
- Maximum age 50 years for pre- & para-clinical subjects
- Senior Residency Experience Counts Toward Assistant Professor Eligibility
- Experience during senior residency in super specialty departments can be counted towards Assistant Professor eligibility if feeder broad specialty matches.
- Compulsory PhD for Non-Medical Faculty
- Non-medical faculty must have both M.Sc. + PhD in the respective subject to qualify as Assistant Professors.
- Defined Administrative Eligibility Criteria
- Dean/Principal/Medical Superintendent must have 15 years teaching experience, 5 years as Professor.
- HODs must be Professors in relevant specialties.
- Transitional Provision for Faculty Shortage
- For specialties with faculty shortages, alternative qualifications and 3 years’ experience in a dedicated unit plus 2 publications are acceptable.
- For Palliative Medicine following are the alternate academic qualifications during transition period
- M.D./DNB (Anaesthesiology)
- M.D./DNB (General medicine)
- M.D./DNB (Radiation Oncology)
- M.D./DNB (Geriatric medicine)
- Medical Education Training (MET) Course Mandatory
- All faculty (except super specialty not involved in UG teaching) must complete basic MET and Biomedical Research Course from NMC-recognized institutes.
- Research Publications Required for Promotion
- For promotion to Associate Professor/Professor:
- Minimum 2 research publications in indexed journals
- Must be among the first 3 authors
- For promotion to Associate Professor/Professor:
- Eligibility for Postgraduate Guide
- For Broad Specialties: 5 years of teaching as Asst. Professor or above
- For Super Specialties: 3 years as Asst. Professor or above
- PhD-Based Eligibility for Some Broad Specialties
- In subjects like Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, and Microbiology — M.Sc. + PhD is recognized as qualification (for pre-/para-clinical).
- Clarified Faculty Eligibility in Dental Institutions
- MDS with specific teaching & publication criteria laid down for Professor, Associate & Assistant Professors in dental medical education.
- Defined Roles for Medical Physicists
- Specific qualifications and experience outlined for Medical Physicist appointments at different academic levels.
- Recognition of Foreign Qualifications
- Professionals with recognized qualifications from UK, USA, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand (with specific experience & registration) are eligible for faculty roles in India.
‘Singing for the Stars’: Update from the July 2025 event
The July 2025 edition of the Singing for the stars, the virtual musical evening, was held at 2:55 p.m., on Wednesday, 16th July 2025. The program, co-hosted by the Indian Association of Palliative Care and Shankar Mahadevan Academy Nirvana, turned out to be a heartwarming virtual musical event that celebrated compassion through music.
This special evening celebrated palliative care patients and their caregivers through a soulful performance by Ms. Vaishnavi Shriram, a talented vocalist, composer, and performing artist. The event offered a soothing blend of music and gratitude, honouring each participant as a star in their own right.
Individuals receiving palliative care from various institutes and hospices, along with their carers and healthcare professionals, joined the program.
Leverage the IAPC’s Social Media to stay connected!
The IAPC is inviting each of you to join the IAPC’s Social Media community to network and stay connected with the palliative care community, from India and beyond!
To get started, Follow / Like us on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/palliativecare.in
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iapc-1994/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iapcsecretary
New vacancies from across the country now published in the IAPC’s Careers page
We invite you to visit the IAPC’s ‘View job vacancy’ page to view the recently updated vacancies in palliative care from across the country.
Details of current vacancies are:
- Fellowship In Palliative Care at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Karnataka
- Clinical Assistant at Tata Memorial Centre Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Senior Resident at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Karnataka
- Senior Resident at St Johns Medical College Hospital, Karnataka
- Senior Resident at Kasturba Medical College, Karnataka
We request you to please also join us to improve the availability and access to palliative care by either sharing the details of vacancies at your center or by sharing the details of this platform with your colleagues to submit a vacancy from centers rendering palliative care services.
Call for Support: Your 2 minutes = Someone’s entire lifetime of Peace, Comfort and Dignity!
The IAPC requests you to spare just two minutes of your valuable time to submit / update the details of your palliative care services in the IAPC’s National Palliative Care Directory.
Steps to show your support:
- Please visit the IAPC’s National Palliative Care Directory and select the State from the drop down menu to check details of your center.
- If you need to add / update details of your center, then please visit the Submit/Update details of your PC center page on the IAPC website and submit the relevant details.
- After entering the relevant details, please click the ‘Submit’ button to record your responses.
Please do remember that your two minutes will make an invaluable difference in someone’s entire lifetime, as patients and caregivers, along with your colleagues will then have access to palliative care services when they need it the most!
Come on, donate your time to be a bridge in alleviating the suffering of our patients from across the country. Let no one be left behind!
Please click here for guidance on how to update your details.
‘Saath Saath Helpline’: India’s free palliative care helpline
Saath-Saath Helpline: 1800-202-7777, is the first of its kind National, Free-of-cost Palliative care helpline. The helpline offers non-judgmental listening services to palliative patients and their caregivers, or to a patient’s physician, and connects them to the nearest palliative care center.
The helpline has 26 partner organisations working across 17 States and Union territories viz; Maharashtra, Delhi, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Orissa, Punjab, Haryana, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kashmir and West Bengal. Volunteers from Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) and Cipla Palliative Care and Training Centre (CPC) attend the calls in four shifts to either provide information, offer Psycho-emotional support or to refer the caller to a partner organisation.
The helpline provides service through call-in on a phone line and works 6 days a week (Mon-Sat), 10 am to 6 pm.
You can offer your support by informing patients about this helpline and refer those who are in need of such services.