UPSC SPECIAL 2020

The Rajya Sabha cleared the NMC Bill with a crucial amendment to increase representation of the State Medical Council from 5 members to 9 and State University representation 6 six to 10 in the new body. The Lok Sabha cleared the proposed law on July 29.

Salient Features of the bill:

The Bill seeks to repeal the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956.

National Medical Commission (NMC): The Bill sets up the NMC which will replace the Medical Council of India (MCI). It will consist of 25 members, appointed by the central government.

Functions of the NMC include:

framing policies for regulating medical institutions and medical professionals,

assessing the requirements of healthcare related human resources and infrastructure,

ensuring compliance by the State Medical Councils of the regulations, and

framing guidelines for determination of fees for up to 50% of the seats in private medical institutions and deemed universities which are regulated under the Bill.

State Medical Councils: Within three years of the passage of the Bill, state governments will establish State Medical Councils at the state level.

Medical Advisory Council: The central government will constitute a Medical Advisory Council which will be the primary platform through which the states/union territories can put forth their concerns before the NMC. It will also advise the NMC on measures to determine and maintain minimum standards of medical education.

Autonomous boards: The Bill sets up autonomous boards under the supervision of the NMC. Each board will consist of a President and four members, appointed by the central government.  These boards are –

The Under-Graduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) and the Post-Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB)

The Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB)

The Ethics and Medical Registration Board

Community health providers: The NMC may grant a limited license to certain mid-level practitioners connected with the modern medical profession to practice medicine.  

NEET: There will be a uniform National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to under-graduate and post-graduate super-speciality medical education in all medical institutions regulated under the Bill.

NEXT: There will be a common final year undergraduate examination called the National Exit Test (NEXT) for the students graduating from medical institutions to obtain the license for practice. This test will also serve as the basis for admission into post-graduate courses at medical institutions under this Bill.