EMERGING TOPICS (2024–2025 Exclusives)
These topics recently appeared and reflect the exam’s shift toward current updates and new laws.
- Forensic Medicine – New Legal Codes:
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA): specifically Section 111 (Presumption of death).
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): specifically Section 26 (Act done in good faith/Emergency consent).
- Community Medicine – New Initiatives:
- Tele-MANAS: National Tele Mental Health Programme.
- Aarogya Dhan/Lakshmi: Security benefits.
- Anemia Mukt Bharat: 6x6x6 strategy and prophylactic doses.
- Microbiology/Pathology:
- Monkeypox: Diagnosis and clinical presentation.
- Nipah Virus: Clinical vignette involving palm fruit exposure in Kerala.
- NETs: Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in inflammation.
- Pharmacology:
- Voxelotor: New drug for Sickle Cell Anemia.
- Bedaquiline: ECG changes (QT prolongation) in TB treatment.
- SGLT-2 Inhibitors: Mechanism (gliflozins) and benefits.
LAST 7 DAYS FOCUS (20–30 Topics)
Study these to ensure you can solve clinical vignettes and multi-step management questions.
- Biomedical Waste Management (BMW): Color coding for cytotoxic, sharps, and soiled waste (Yellow vs. Red bags).
- Contraception & MTP Act: OCP contraindications (MEC criteria), Emergency Contraception (Levonorgestrel vs. Mifepristone), and MTP Act 2021 rules (20 vs 24 weeks).
- Tuberculosis (NTEP): Diagnosis flow (CBNAAT), drug regimens (HREZ), and side effects (Ethambutol/Optic Neuritis).
- Obstetric Hemorrhage: PPH management sequence (Massage $\rightarrow$ Oxytocin $\rightarrow$ Balloon) and Placenta Previa vs. Abruption.
- Peripheral Nerve Injuries: Differentiating Wrist Drop (Radial), Claw Hand (Ulnar), and Foot Drop (Common Peroneal).
- Breast Pathology: Differentiating Fibroadenoma, Phyllodes Tumor (leaf-like), and Carcinoma (Peau d’orange).
- Meningitis (CSF Analysis): Differentiating Pyogenic, Tubercular, and Cryptococcal (India Ink) based on protein/sugar/cells.
- Vitamins & Nutrition: Deficiency syndromes for A (Bitot spots), B1 (Wernicke), B3 (Pellagra), C (Scurvy), and D (Rickets).
- Thyroid Carcinoma: Papillary (Orphan Annie eyes, Psammoma bodies) vs. Medullary (Calcitonin/Amyloid).
- Acute Abdomen: Pancreatitis (Amylase/Lipase, CT), Appendicitis (Alvarado/Mantrels), and Cholecystitis (Murphy’s sign).
- Stroke & ICH: Identifying EDH (Lucid interval, Lens shape), SDH (Crescent), and SAH (Thunderclap) on CT.
- Glaucoma: Angle-closure (painful, halo) vs. Open-angle drugs (Latanoprost, Timolol).
- Bone Tumors: X-ray keywords: Sunburst (Osteosarcoma), Soap Bubble (GCT), Onion Peel (Ewing’s).
- STIs & Vaginal Discharge: Trichomonas (Strawberry cx), Bacterial Vaginosis (Clue cells), and Syphilis (Chancre).
- Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP): Flowchart for PPV and Chest compressions.
- Immunization: National Immunization Schedule (NIS), Open Vial Policy, and site of administration.
- Renal Stones & Failure: Investigation of choice (NCCT), Staghorn calculi, and differentiating Prerenal vs. Renal failure.
- Acid-Base Disorders: Interpreting pH, pCO2, and HCO3 (Metabolic Acidosis/Alkalosis).
- Anemias: Iron deficiency (Microcytic) vs. Megaloblastic (Macrocytic) vs. Hemolytic (Reticulocyte count).
- Burn Management: Parkland formula calculation and Rule of Nines.
- Myocardial Infarction: ECG localization (Inferior II, III, aVF vs Anterior V1-V4) and enzymes (Troponin).
- Leprosy: Clinical features (Hypopigmented patch, nerve thickening) and Reactions (Type 1 vs 2).
- Poisoning: Organophosphates (Atropine), Snake bite (ASV), and Heavy metals.
- Shock: Hypovolemic vs. Cardiogenic vs. Septic (Clinical signs and management).
- Biostatistics: Mean, Median, Mode, Normal Distribution curves, and incidence/prevalence.
LAST 48 HOURS LIST (15–20 Topics)
Memorize these “volatile” facts, numbers, and images immediately before the exam.
- New Laws: BNS 26 (Emergency), BSA 111 (Presumption of Death), BNSS 194/196 (Inquests).
- STD Kit Colors: Grey (discharge), Green, White, Blue, Red.
- BMW Bag Colors: Yellow (Anatomical/blood), Red (Plastic/tubing), White (Sharps), Blue (Glass).
- Triage Colors: Red (Immediate), Yellow (Urgent), Green (Walking), Black (Dead).
- Vaccine Diluents: BCG (NS), Measles (Distilled Water), JE (Phosphate buffer).
- Developmental Milestones: 6mo (sit), 12mo (stand/walk), 2 yrs (2 word sentence).
- GCS Scoring: Eye (4), Verbal (5), Motor (6) – memorize the criteria.
- Pharyngeal Arches: Nerve and artery derivatives (1st-6th).
- Histopath Buzzwords: Orphan Annie (Papillary Thyroid), Owl Eye (CMV), Signet Ring (Gastric/Lobular Breast).
- X-ray Signs: Double Bubble (Duodenal Atresia), Boot Heart (TOF), Egg on Side (TGA), Steeple Sign (Croup).
- Antidotes: Paracetamol (NAC), Opioids (Naloxone), Benzos (Flumazenil), Heparin (Protamine).
- Cranial Nerve Palsies: Identifying 3rd (Down & out), 4th (Head tilt), 6th (Medial deviations).
- ECG Arrhythmias: Saw-tooth (Flutter), Irregularly Irregular (Fib), Broad QRS (VT).
- PSM Indices: IMR vs. MMR denominators, TFR definition.
- Microbiology Stains/Media: LJ Media (TB), Chocolate Agar (H. flu), Thayer Martin (Neisseria), India Ink (Cryptococcus).
- Refractive Errors: Myopia (concave lens), Hypermetropia (convex), Astigmatism (cylindrical).
- Dermatology Signs: Auspitz sign (Psoriasis), Nikolsky sign (Pemphigus), Wickham striae (Lichen Planus).