In the upcoming inaugural session of the new Lok Sabha commencing on June 17, the Union government is set to reintroduce a crucial bill aimed at instigating substantial reforms in the medical education sector. The National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill, initially introduced in December 2017, lapsed with the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha.
With the formation of a new government post the general elections, the Union health ministry is poised to recommence the legislative process. To achieve this, a new draft bill is slated to be presented before the Cabinet shortly, pending approval from the Law Ministry.
An official source stated, “The draft NMC Bill is currently awaiting approval from the Law Ministry.” Originally introduced in the Lower House of parliament in 2017, the bill sought to replace the Medical Council of India Act, 1956. It included a contentious provision for a “bridge course” enabling practitioners of alternative medicines to pursue allopathy. However, due to extensive protests from the medical fraternity, the bill was referred to a Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee.
After the committee’s recommendations in March 2018, the health ministry removed the controversial provision and incorporated other changes before presenting official amendments in the Lok Sabha. Subsequently, the Cabinet approved the official amendments, and the redrafted NMC bill, including the suggested changes, will soon be submitted to the Cabinet for approval.
Meanwhile, with the term of the elected body of the Medical Council of India concluding, the Centre dissolved the apex body and issued an ordinance in September of the previous year. The ordinance appointed a seven-member Board of Governors (BoG) to oversee the scandal-ridden medical education regulator. The health ministry now plans to introduce a bill to replace the ordinance, ensuring the continued functioning of the BoG.
Certain provisions of the NMC Bill, notably the ‘bridge course,’ faced opposition from health bodies, including the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which argued that allowing AYUSH doctors to practice modern medicine would encourage “quackery.” In response to protests, the health ministry removed the ‘bridge course’ provision, leaving it to state governments to address primary healthcare in rural areas. Additionally, the amendments increased the maximum limit of regulated fees for 50% of seats in private medical institutions and clarified that the fee would encompass all other charges imposed by colleges. The amendments also introduced the National Exit Test (NEXT) as a common exam for MBBS graduates, serving as both an exit test and a screening test for doctors with foreign medical qualifications practicing in India.
