National Medical Commission
AbbreviationNMC
PredecessorMedical Council of India
Formation25 September 2020; 3 years ago (25 September 2020)
PurposeRegulatory agency
HeadquartersNew Delhi, Delhi, India
Chairperson
Dr. B. N. Gangadhar (interim)
AffiliationsMinistry of Health and Family Welfare
Websitenmc.org.in

National Medical Commission (NMC) is an Indian regulatory body of 33 members which regulates medical education and medical professionals. It replaced the Medical Council of India on 25 September 2020.[1][2] The Commission grants recognition of medical qualifications, gives accreditation to medical schools, grants registration to medical practitioners, and monitors medical practice and assesses the medical infrastructure in India.

It was earlier established for 6 months by an ordinance in January 2019 and later became a permanent law passed by Parliament of India and later approved by President of India on 8 August 2019.[3]

History

The NITI Aayog recommended the replacement of Medical Council of India (MCI) with National Medical Commission (NMC). The NMC bill was passed by parliament and approved by President on 8 August 2019.[4][5][6]

National Medical Commission ordinance was brought in to replace Medical Council of India in early 2019 through an ordinance issued in January 2019, by the President of India.

The Supreme Court had allowed the Central Government to replace the medical council and with the help of five specialised doctors monitor the medical education system in India, from July 2017.[7]

The planning commission recommended the replacement of Medical Council of India (MCI) with National Medical Commission (NMC). The decision was approved by most states and after its approval by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi it was to be proposed as final bill in the parliamentary sessions by the Minister of health and family welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan.[8] It was passed by both houses of Parliament in 2019.[9][10][11][12] President of India approved the National Medical Commission Bill 2019 on 8 August 2019 and it became a law.

Guidelines for foreign medical graduates

In 2021, the NMC revised its guidelines for foreign medical graduates (FMGs) seeking to obtain a license to practice medicine in the country. The guidelines introduced changes and updates, including the expansion of recognition of medical qualifications from certain countries and the requirement for FMGs to pass the Screening Test for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGE).

To be recognised as qualified to practice medicine in India, FMGs must be in possession of a valid medical qualification from a recognised medical institution and to have passed the FMGE, a mandatory examination that measures the knowledge and skills of FMGs in various areas of medicine.

The process for obtaining a license to practice medicine in India under the new guidelines involves several steps, including applying for recognition of the medical qualification with the NMC, registering with the Medical Council of India (MCI), and applying to take the FMGE. Upon passing the FMGE, FMGs can then apply for a license to practice medicine in India with the NMC.[13]

Boards

The commission consists of four autonomous boards:[14]

Composition

The NMC consists of 33 members,[15] including:

a) a Chairperson (medical professionals only)

b) 10 ex officio Members:

c) 22 Part-time Members:

Of these at least 60% of the members must be medical practitioners.

Controversies

Recent change of NMC logo in November, 2023 had invited disapproval on social media from certain medical fraternities.[17]

See also

References

  1. ^ "NMC comes into force from today, repeals Indian Medical Council Act". ANI News. 25 September 2020. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  2. ^ "President gives assent to National Medical Commission Bill; panel to replace MCI will be formed within six months". Firstpost. Press Trust India. 8 August 2019. Archived from the original on 26 August 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  3. ^ Dey, Sushmi (4 February 2020). "National Medical Commission in advanced stage of formation, assures health minister". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  4. ^ "President Kovind gives assent to National Medical Commission Bill". Archived from the original on 16 January 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  5. ^ "President gives assent to National Medical Commission Bill; panel to replace MCI will be formed within six months". Firstpost. 8 August 2019. Archived from the original on 26 August 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  6. ^ "Medical Council of India is soon to be National Medical Commission". teluguglobal.in. Archived from the original on 1 October 2016. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  7. ^ "SC allows Centre to replace Medical Council of India oversight committee". The Economic Times. 18 July 2017. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  8. ^ "Medical Council of India is soon to be National Medical Commission.The bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP) members made Ashoka Chakra in the logo of NMC to A Hindu Goddess, which was not at all suited for a secular country". teluguglobal.in. Archived from the original on 1 October 2016. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  9. ^ "Lok Sabha passes National Medical Commission Bill". India Today. Press Trust of India. 29 July 2019. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  10. ^ Bakshi, Gorky (2 August 2019). "Rajya Sabha Passes National Medical Commission Bill, 2019". Jagran Josh. Archived from the original on 23 July 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  11. ^ "National Medical Commission bill passes Rajya Sabha test; healthcare on verge of landmark changes". The Economic Times. 8 August 2019. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  12. ^ "National Medical Commission Bill passed by Lok Sabha". The Economic Times. 29 July 2019. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  13. ^ "New NMC guidelines for Foreign Medical Graduate 2021". Eduinfoseas.com. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  14. ^ "THE NATIONAL MEDICAL COMMISSION BILL, 2019" (PDF). 29 July 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 September 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  15. ^ "National Medical Commission, India's regulator of medical education, comes into existence replacing MCI". Healthworld. PTI. 26 September 2020. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  16. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 August 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2019.((cite web)): CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. ^ "Dismay over the addition of a colour image of Dhanvantari, and the word 'Bharat' to the National Medical Commission's logo". The Hindu. 30 November 2023.

External links

Professional Regulators in India
Higher education in India
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