NMC proposes tougher rules for new medical colleges, seat expansion
Draft amendments mandate completed infrastructure before applications, introduce corpus fund, tighten scrutiny of proposals. The draft amendments have been issued for public consultation and will be considered after the 30-day feedback period ends.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has proposed changes to the regulations governing the establishment of new medical colleges. The changes seek to tighten eligibility norms, ensure institutions are fully built before applying for approval and strengthen financial safeguards for medical education providers.
The draft amendments to the Establishment of New Medical Institutions, Starting of New Medical Courses, Increase of Seats for Existing Courses and Assessment & Rating Regulations, 2023 were published in the Gazette on July 9. Stakeholders have been given 30 days to submit objections and suggestions before the rules are finalised.
NO MORE WORK-IN-PROGRESS CAMPUSES
The Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) has proposed that medical colleges must have all prescribed infrastructure and statutory requirements in place at the time of application.
The draft states that temporary arrangements for hospitals or college buildings will not be permitted and institutions still under construction, or in a "work-in-progress" stage, will not be considered for processing.
CORPUS FUND, DOCUMENTATION NORMS TIGHTENED
The regulator has also proposed introducing a mandatory corpus fund. Applicants seeking permission to establish a new medical college will have to submit an undertaking that a dedicated corpus fund has been earmarked for the institution's functioning.
Existing medical colleges will also be required to maintain such a corpus fund, with the amount to be determined by MARB and revised periodically. Institutions may be asked to furnish documentary proof whenever directed by the regulator.
The draft also streamlines documentation requirements. Applicants will have to submit a valid Consent of Affiliation (CoA) from a recognised university in the name of the applicant or medical college. A solvency certificate issued by a chartered accountant within 90 days before the application deadline has also been made mandatory.
Incomplete applications, those lacking mandatory documents or other documents notified by MARB, will be rejected without being treated as valid proposals under the National Medical Commission Act.
The proposed amendments also expand the categories of entities eligible to establish medical colleges by explicitly including trusts registered under relevant state laws, alongside companies incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013.
Additionally, the regulator has proposed stricter action against institutions attempting to influence the approval process. Any effort to pressure MARB or the NMC through individuals or agencies could result in the immediate suspension or rejection of applications for new colleges or additional seats. MARB would also be empowered to withhold or reject applications for new schemes or seat increases for the concerned academic year or even subsequent years.
The draft amendments have been issued for public consultation and will be considered after the 30-day feedback period ends. Suggestions and objections can be submitted electronically to the NMC in the prescribed format.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has proposed changes to the regulations governing the establishment of new medical colleges. The changes seek to tighten eligibility norms, ensure institutions are fully built before applying for approval and strengthen financial safeguards for medical education providers.
The draft amendments to the Establishment of New Medical Institutions, Starting of New Medical Courses, Increase of Seats for Existing Courses and Assessment & Rating Regulations, 2023 were published in the Gazette on July 9. Stakeholders have been given 30 days to submit objections and suggestions before the rules are finalised.
NO MORE WORK-IN-PROGRESS CAMPUSES
The Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) has proposed that medical colleges must have all prescribed infrastructure and statutory requirements in place at the time of application.
The draft states that temporary arrangements for hospitals or college buildings will not be permitted and institutions still under construction, or in a "work-in-progress" stage, will not be considered for processing.
CORPUS FUND, DOCUMENTATION NORMS TIGHTENED
The regulator has also proposed introducing a mandatory corpus fund. Applicants seeking permission to establish a new medical college will have to submit an undertaking that a dedicated corpus fund has been earmarked for the institution's functioning.
Existing medical colleges will also be required to maintain such a corpus fund, with the amount to be determined by MARB and revised periodically. Institutions may be asked to furnish documentary proof whenever directed by the regulator.
The draft also streamlines documentation requirements. Applicants will have to submit a valid Consent of Affiliation (CoA) from a recognised university in the name of the applicant or medical college. A solvency certificate issued by a chartered accountant within 90 days before the application deadline has also been made mandatory.
Incomplete applications, those lacking mandatory documents or other documents notified by MARB, will be rejected without being treated as valid proposals under the National Medical Commission Act.
The proposed amendments also expand the categories of entities eligible to establish medical colleges by explicitly including trusts registered under relevant state laws, alongside companies incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013.
Additionally, the regulator has proposed stricter action against institutions attempting to influence the approval process. Any effort to pressure MARB or the NMC through individuals or agencies could result in the immediate suspension or rejection of applications for new colleges or additional seats. MARB would also be empowered to withhold or reject applications for new schemes or seat increases for the concerned academic year or even subsequent years.
The draft amendments have been issued for public consultation and will be considered after the 30-day feedback period ends. Suggestions and objections can be submitted electronically to the NMC in the prescribed format.
