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New Delhi, July 29, 2025 – The Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has released detailed guidelines to regulate the conduct and broadcast of live surgeries in India, aiming to address growing concerns over patient safety, commercial exploitation, and ethical standards in medical education.
Background: Supreme Court Challenge Sparks Reform
The move comes after a 2023 Supreme Court petition raised alarms about private hospitals allegedly using patients as models for commercial gain through live surgery broadcasts at conferences. The petition highlighted that these events, sometimes attended by hundreds in real-time and involving interactive participation, might divert surgeons’ attention and prioritize showmanship over patient care. Advertising, sponsorships, and brand promotions were flagged as problematic, prompting the NMC to seek public opinion and expert feedback before drafting the new regulations.
Key Concerns Highlighted by NMC
NMC’s notice recognizes that while live surgery broadcasts offer experiential learning, they suffer from critical shortcomings:
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Educational Limitations: Observers may miss procedural nuances, and the format lacks evidence of superiority compared to edited recordings, which allow frame-by-frame review and annotation.
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Ethical and Patient Safety Risks: Patients may not be properly informed about divided surgeon attention and potential increased risk. The presence of cameras and audiences could compromise patient comfort.
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Commercial Influences: There are concerns about hospitals and companies exploiting patients for marketing, overshadowing the true educational purpose.
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Professional Stress: International and Indian associations have already banned such sessions, noting the stress and divided focus on surgeons.
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Counterpoint: Some argue telecasting surgeries improves access to advanced skills in remote locations and serves as a globally accepted learning tool, especially with evolving technology.
Who Can Organize and Perform Live Surgeries
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Organizers: Only individuals or institutions with indemnity insurance and proper regulatory permission may host live surgeries. Foreign practitioners require NMC’s Ethics Board approval and state medical council consent.
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Surgeons: Procedures are restricted to registered medical practitioners with at least five years’ post-specialty experience. Financial or commercial interests in showcased devices are prohibited, and self-promotion is not allowed.
Strict Venue and Procedure Protocols
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Approved Venues: Only accredited hospitals with full operative and emergency capabilities are eligible. Operating theaters must be inspected and found compliant by relevant authorities.
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Patient Selection: High-risk or inadequately investigated cases are excluded. No financial incentives for patients; instead, insurance coverage should be offered for unforeseen incidents.
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Informed Consent: Explicit, written consent must detail the educational purpose, risks, protections for anonymity, and the right to withdraw.
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Surgical Conduct: Surgeons must not engage with audiences during procedures, and moderators are to provide commentary separately. Live broadcasts are discouraged for established or high-risk surgeries, which should use recordings instead.
Oversight and Regulatory Approval
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Prior Permission: Approval from regulatory bodies and, where applicable, the Dean (for government hospitals) or State Medical Council (for private) is mandatory.
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Ethical Oversight: An apex committee must ensure compliance with all guidelines, with professional associations expected to self-regulate and prohibit commercial activities.
Additional Recommendations
NMC emphasizes that live broadcasts should be educational, avoid glorification, and ensure proper insurance and risk mitigation. Only new or innovative procedures may be broadcast live, and unedited recordings are to be preserved for at least two years in case of legal disputes. Routine use for established procedures is discouraged. Exceptions exist for live surgeries conducted solely for students or registered practitioners within NMC Act-scheduled institutions.
Disclaimer: This article summarizes the latest guidelines issued by the National Medical Commission as reported by Medical Dialogues. The content is for informational purposes only and does not serve as legal or medical advice. For specific medical or legal concerns, please consult appropriate professionals or regulatory authorities.
