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New Delhi, May 19, 2025:
In a recent revelation that has sparked concern across the medical education sector, the National Medical Commission (NMC) disclosed that it received 88 complaints of ragging from postgraduate (PG) medical students at private medical colleges in India over the past two years. The data was made public in response to a Right to Information (RTI) application filed by Dr. Lakshya Mittal, National President of the United Doctors’ Front (UDF).
State-wise Breakdown of Complaints
According to the NMC’s response, the complaints were distributed across several states, with Uttar Pradesh leading at 13 cases, followed by Bihar and Odisha with 10 each. Other notable figures include Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh (8 each), Tamil Nadu (7), Gujarat (5), Rajasthan (6), and smaller numbers from Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Haryana, Jharkhand, Punjab, and Uttarakhand.
Institutional Response and Disciplinary Action
The NMC provided a list of 18 medical colleges from which ragging complaints originated. In nine of these cases, the Anti-Ragging Committee (ARC) concluded that no incident of ragging had occurred. For two colleges-Sree Mookambika Medical College, Kanyakumari, and Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical & Health Sciences, Dehradun-a four-member team visited and issued advisories. Five other colleges were advised to cooperate with students to ensure the completion of their courses.
Concrete disciplinary action was rare. Only MGM Medical College, Maharashtra, reported the suspension of two PG students. The ARC report is still awaited for the Institute of Medical Science & SUM Hospital, Odisha, following a complaint from a DM Medical Gastroenterology student.
Calls for Stronger Enforcement
Dr. Mittal expressed concern over the apparent lack of stringent action in most cases. “Despite the rising numbers, the majority of cases saw no disciplinary action – with many being closed after online meetings or submission of ARC reports concluding ‘no incident of ragging.’ In several instances, the NMC only issued advisories to colleges, without concrete action against institutions or perpetrators,” he said.
He further emphasized the need for robust monitoring, time-bound inquiries, and visible punitive actions to ensure student safety, stating that the current approach raises questions about the seriousness of anti-ragging enforcement in private medical institutions.
The Way Forward
The RTI findings have reignited the debate on campus safety and the effectiveness of anti-ragging measures in India’s private medical colleges. Stakeholders are now calling for stricter penalties for institutions failing to prevent ragging, as well as greater support and protection for junior doctors.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information provided in a report by Medical Dialogues and the official RTI response from the National Medical Commission. The details reflect data as of January 2025. Readers are advised to consult official sources or the NMC for the most current information and policy updates.
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