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In a significant move, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has taken strict action against 349 medical colleges across the country for failing to adhere to the Minimum Standard Requirements (MSR) 2020, leading to a deficiency in required faculty numbers. The issuance of show cause notices to these institutions highlights a critical lapse in maintaining the stipulated standards set by the apex medical regulator.
Violation of Standards and Potential Ramifications
Out of a total of 654 medical colleges in the country, approximately 50 percent have received show cause notices from the NMC for various violations, including a shortage of faculty members, as reported by sources familiar with the matter. Among these, 197 are government-aided institutions, while the rest are privately run.
Sources reveal that failure to rectify these errors might result in a severe consequence, with admissions in these colleges being withheld for a year.
Notice Issued to Specific Institutions
The NMC specifically addressed concerns regarding deficiencies in attendance and faculty requirements in certain medical colleges. For instance, a notice was served to a medical college in Kerala’s Idukki region, citing a shortfall in faculty and attendance, thereby contravening the MSR 2020 guidelines.
Similar action was taken against a college in Barmer, Rajasthan, for failing to meet the prescribed faculty requirements for the ongoing MBBS course.
Attendance Mandate and Previous Actions
The commission underscored the importance of compliance with attendance guidelines, indicating that a minimum of 75 percent attendance for all faculty and Senior Resident Doctors is mandatory, as outlined in clause 3.2 of the MSR 2023 guidelines.
This recent move follows earlier actions taken in May, where non-compliance with norms and several lapses, including a shortage of faculty and issues related to CCTV cameras, led to punitive measures against these institutions.
Rapid Growth Amid Concerns
India has witnessed a significant surge in the number of medical colleges, with a remarkable increase from 387 to 654 since 2014. Concurrently, the number of MBBS seats has soared by 94 percent. However, this expansion has raised concerns regarding the maintenance of essential standards and requirements, as evidenced by the recent actions undertaken by the NMC.
The NMC’s decisive steps aim to ensure that medical education institutions maintain the prescribed standards, guaranteeing quality education and training for aspiring medical professionals across the country.
