The Medical Council of India (MCI), established in 1934 under the Indian Medical Council Act of 1933, served as the regulatory body overseeing medical education standards nationwide. However, in 2019, the government, acting on recommendations from NITI Aayog, opted to replace the MCI with the National Medical Commission (NMC). This transition signifies a significant shift in the governance structure of medical education in India and holds relevance for aspirants aiming to pursue careers in civil services like the IAS or IPS.
The Medical Council of India (MCI) was instituted as a statutory body in India with the primary aim of maintaining consistent and high standards in medical education. Founded in 1934 under the Indian Medical Council Act of 1933, the MCI played a pivotal role in overseeing the quality of medical education until its dissolution on September 25, 2020. Subsequently, it was succeeded by the National Medical Commission, marking a significant transition in the governance of medical education in the country.
Highlights of the Medical Council of India | |
Established | 1934 |
Dissolved | September 25, 2020 |
Replaced By | National Medical Commission (NMC) |
Function | – Maintained a register of medical practitioners in India – Granted recognition for medical qualifications – Accredited medical schools – Oversaw medical practice in India |
Reason for Dissolution | Faced criticism for corruption and regulatory challenges |
Goals of the National Medical Commission (NMC):
The primary functions of the MCI were:
On July 22nd, 2019, Dr. Harsha Vardhan, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, introduced the National Medical Commission Bill 2019 in the Lok Sabha, aiming to repeal the Indian Medical Council Act of 1956. The Lok Sabha granted its consent to the Bill on July 29, 2019, and it was subsequently endorsed by the Rajya Sabha in August of the same year. The enactment of the National Medical Commission Act of 2019 heralds the establishment of the National Medical Commission (NMC), entrusted with the comprehensive oversight of medical education, practice, and institutions.
Below are some of the significant features of the National Medical Commission 2019:
Feature | Description |
Constitution of National Medical Commission | The National Medical Commission (NMC) is established by the Bill. State Governments are mandated to establish State Medical Councils according to the National Medical Commission Bill. |
National Medical Commission – Members | The NMC comprises 25 members, including the Chairperson, Presidents of Post Graduate Medical Education Boards, Presidents of Undergraduate Education Boards, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and Director General of Health Services. A list of 25 members was finalized by the Ministry of Health in October 2019 through a draw of lots from nominations sent by State Governments, Medical Councils, and Union Territories. |
National Medical Commission (NMC) – Boards | The NMC is organized into 4 Boards: Under-Graduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB), Post-Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB), Medical Assessment and Rating Board, and Ethics and Medical Registration Board. |
National Medical Commission (NMC) – Functions | Regulating medical institutions and professionals, ensuring compliance of State Medical Councils with the NMC guidelines, fixing fees for 50% of seats in private medical colleges, and assessing healthcare infrastructure and human resource needs. |
Medical Advisory Council | Constituted by the Central Government under the National Medical Commission Bill 2019, it advises the NMC on maintaining standards of medical education. |
National Exit Test (NEXT) | Proposed as a common final year MBBS exam under the NMC Act, it serves as a licensure exam, admission criterion for post-graduate medical courses, and entrance test for foreign medical graduates. |
Ranking of Medical Colleges | Conducted by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board of the NMC, ranking systems facilitate transparent admission processes and aid students in selecting institutes. |
The objectives of the National Medical Commission Bill 2019 are:
The NITI Aayog recommended the replacement of Medical Council of India (MCI) with National Medical Commission (NMC).
Therefore, all the applicants who have taken and/or desire to take admission into MBBS or its equivalent course in a Medical University/Institution outside the country may apply for Eligibility Certificate to the Medical Council of India, New Delhi on the prescribed application Form No.
The current regulator is the Medical Council of India (MCI) which is an elected body where the President and members of the MCI are elected by medical practitioners themselves. The Bill replaces the MCI with the NMC which is not an elected body.
The All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is a group of autonomous government public medical universities of higher education under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare , Government of India.
The law, which came into effect May 1 1999, requires all newly graduated medical students to sit the National Medical Licensing Examination, regulated by the National Medical Examination Center, and then register with the local regulatory body.
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