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New Delhi, May 20, 2025:
In a significant policy shift, the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has removed the faculty ratio as a criterion for ranking medical colleges in its latest Draft Framework for Accreditation and Ranking. This move marks a departure from previous frameworks, where the proportion of Professors and Associate Professors was a key parameter in evaluating medical institutions across India.
Key Changes in the Draft Framework
Previously, the faculty ratio-specifically, the number of Professors and Associate Professors relative to regulatory requirements-played a crucial role in the accreditation and rating of medical colleges. The earlier draft, prepared in collaboration with the Quality Council of India (QCI) in 2023, included this metric under the parameter “Programme wise number of recruited Faculty Staff vis-à-vis Regulatory specifications.” Colleges were required to maintain an overall proportion of full-time or regular teachers above the minimum standard requirements set for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
However, the newly released draft framework by MARB has omitted this requirement. The updated framework now comprises 11 assessment criteria and 78 parameters, a reduction from the previous 92 parameters. These criteria cover a broad spectrum, including:
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Curriculum Implementation and Capacity Building
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Clinical Exposure and Training Facilities
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Teaching-Learning Environment
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Student Admission and Progression
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Human Resource and Teaching-Learning Process
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Assessment Policy
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Research Output and Impact
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Financial Resources
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Community Outreach Programs
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Quality Assessment System
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Stakeholder Feedback and Perception
The new draft also changes the weightage assigned to various categories and shifts the balance between qualitative and quantitative parameters.
Other Criteria Dropped
In addition to the faculty ratio, the NMC has also removed other criteria from the ranking framework, including the mandatory payment of stipends to interns and resident doctors, as well as the requirement for publications in high-quartile category journals.
Implications for Medical Colleges
The removal of the faculty ratio and other criteria is expected to alter the way medical colleges are assessed and ranked in India. While some experts believe this could provide more flexibility to institutions, others express concerns about maintaining faculty quality and student outcomes.
The NMC’s new draft framework is currently open for feedback from stakeholders, and further revisions may be made before final implementation.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information reported by Medical Dialogues as of May 2025. The draft framework is subject to change pending stakeholder feedback and final approval by the National Medical Commission. Readers are advised to consult official NMC communications for the most up-to-date information.
