The present edition is a thoroughly revised, expanded and updated, student-friendly book with four new chapters and many new large-sized illustrations. The book follows the syllabus recommended by the Medical Council of India. The text is presented in a simple, easy-to-understand manner.Problem-based approach, each problem solved in a systematic and clear-cut manner. Highlights purpose of each exercise and explains recording and interpretation of results. Each exercise followed by related viva-voce questions and their answers. Separate section devoted to viva spots, consisting of numerous high quality colour pictures of slides of microorganisms and microbiological techniques, including biochemical reactions, plating, cultures, etc. and crucial equipment. The viva spots are carefully selected to facilitate understanding of the students and sharpen their skill of identification of media, equipment, tests, microorganisms/parasites (macroscopic & microscopic) and vectors. Each spot is accompanied by a list of its salient features. New chapters of clinical importance, namely, Hand Hygiene, Standard Precautions (Universal Precautions) and Biomedical Waste Management, and Dot Blot Test.