The National Medical Commission (NMC) has now revoked the recently released Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023 for MBBS admissions, confusing nearly one lakh potential undergraduate students of medicine at the beginning of a new academic year, which is now only around the horizon.
Uncertainty Looms as Commission Removes Released Course Requirements
On June 12, the Commission released the MBBS course guidelines, which included the updated requirements for the competency-based medical education (CBME) curriculum, the family adoption programme, the admission of students who fall under the category of disability, and the format for submitting information about admissions to medical colleges. There is currently no indication of when new guidelines will be produced or which specific rules should be followed. These guidelines are currently removed.
Controversy Surrounds Sudden Withdrawal of MBBS Guidelines
There is no explanation for the shift on the one-page notice. In less than 15 days, the Commission released, then withdrew, the guidelines, leaving a number of crucial problems unclear. The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) national chairman Rohan Krishnan claimed that NMC is taking on more work than it can handle and that this is causing confusion. NMC officials have not responded to The Hindu’s inquiries over the matter, however. They are not doing their fundamental duty, which is to accredit appropriate colleges and introduce thorough and timely rules for medical curricula. The Commission has started a habit of releasing fresh circulars then pulling them. NMC should refrain from sharing information about which it is unsure. This is upsetting,” he said. The most recent NMC circular, which was published in the meantime, states: “It is advised that the Circular of even number dated 12.06.2023 therefore releasing Guidelines undergraduate Medical Education Regulations 2023, stands withdrawn and revoked with immediate effect. This is authorised by the Undergraduate Medical Education Board’s (UGMEB) Competent Authority.
Students and Parents Seek Clarity Amidst NMC Circular Withdrawal
With the release of this circular, parents and students are seeking clarification on a number of issues, including what will happen to the Commission’s earlier order requiring medical colleges and universities to finish MBBS admissions by August 30 and announcing that the National Exit Test (NExT) exam, which will replace NEET-PG, will be held in December and January of each year. “We still don’t fully comprehend the implications of this latest NMC circular for students who passed the NEET exam. The NMC’s on-off policies increase the burden on the parents because it is so near to counselling, admission, and the start of the academic year. Tuhina Sarkar, whose child this year passed the NEET exam, stated, “We are apprehensive. The NMC has since released a number of additional communications in an effort to get feedback from stakeholders on a variety of topics, including the competency-based medical education curriculum regulation, the minimum standard requirement for the establishment of new medical colleges, the increase in MBBS seats, and the maintenance of medical education standards.
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