The National Medical Commission (NMC) recently withdrew new qualification-based medical education (CBME) courses for MBBS students, which was introduced on 31 August 2024.
The withdrawal of the new MBBS curriculum by the National Medical Commission was followed by an important public backlash, especially from transgender and disability rights groups. Critics argued that the curriculum included discriminatory materials, such as classifying sodomy and homosexuality as “unnatural sexual offenses”.
In response, the NMC immediately canceled the guidelines and announced that the revised versions would be released soon, addressing these concerns.
This course was scheduled for implementation in the 2024-2025 academic year, which aims to modernize medical education in India. However, due to extensive criticism, NMC decided to review and modify the guidelines before its breeding.
What is the National Medical Commission (NMC)
The National Medical Commission (NMC) is India’s regulatory body for medical education and practice, which replaced the Medical Council of India (MCI) in 2020. This was established to increase the quality of medical education and ensure transparency in the medical profession. Is responsible for NMC:
- Graduate education-related policies from graduation to postgraduate level.
- To recognize medical institutions and ensure standards in teaching and training.
- Regulating medical professionals including licensing and morality.
- MBBS oversees medical examinations like the National Exit Test (Next) for Graduates, which serves as a license examination and postgraduate admission test.
- Addressing public health concerns by ensuring an adequate supply of competent doctors.
The NMC operates through various boards like the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB), Post-graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB), and Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB).
