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In a significant development, the High Court of Karnataka has intervened to temporarily halt the implementation of the UG-MSR 2023 guidelines, following a plea by non-medical teachers. The plea, filed by educators working in medical colleges without MD degrees, raised concerns over potential demotions if the guidelines were enforced.
The HC bench, headed by Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum, directed the Union Health Ministry and the National Medical Commission (NMC) to refrain from implementing the guidelines until the next date of hearing. The petitioners, who are serving as Assistant Professors/Associate Professors/Professors at Rajarajeshwari Medical College and Hospital in Bengaluru, argued against the retrospective application of the 2023 regulations, which mandate specific qualifications for teaching positions in medical institutions.
The court acknowledged the petitioners’ apprehensions as “reasonable and justified” and emphasized the need for a thorough examination of whether the regulations can be applied retrospectively to individuals appointed based on their M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees.
The interim order directs the concerned authorities not to implement the guidelines for undergraduate courses in new medical institutions until further notice. The bench also instructed the petitioners to serve copies of the plea to the counsel for NMC and notify them of the granted interim order.
The NMC’s guidelines, released in August last year, sparked controversy by restricting the appointment of non-medical teachers to only 15% of the total posts in Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry departments. The regulations also excluded non-medical teachers from serving as examiners for undergraduate medical examinations, citing the need for medical qualifications.
The Non-Medical Teachers’ Association has been actively protesting against these decisions, alleging discrimination and unfair targeting by the NMC. Last year, the association organized a protest in Bengaluru, condemning the “academic apartheid” perpetuated by the NMC and advocating for equal opportunities for non-medical educators.
As the legal battle unfolds, the fate of non-medical teachers in medical institutions hangs in the balance. The outcome of the court’s decision will have far-reaching implications for the education sector and the ongoing debate over qualifications and inclusivity in medical education.
