Centre drafts amendment in NMC bill; proposes new board of exams in medical sciences

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed setting up a new board called ‘Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences’ under the National Medical Commission (NMC). The new board will substitute the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS). The proposal comes under the draft amendment in NMC Act 2019.

According to the draft amendment, the proposed board will conduct the National Exit Test (NExT) which is supposed to substitute the National Eligibility Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG) for admission to postgraduate programmes in medical colleges. It will determine the minimum requirements and accredit medical institutions for conducting diploma, diplomate and fellowship postgraduate and diplomate and fellowship super-speciality courses. The exit exams for these programmes will be conducted by the board which will also grant degree to students.

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The draft amendment bill said that as soon as the Centre appoints people for the new board, NBEMS will be dissolved. However, the accreditation criteria, requirements and other provisions of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences and rules framed by it shall continue to be in force and operate till new criteria or requirements are made,” it added.

Centre has also proposed to incorporate a provision that jurisdiction in all matters related to NMC will be given by Delhi High Court only. The ministry has sought feedback on the amendment within a month.

According to the public notice, the amendment in the bill includes:

• Setting up a fifth autonomous board, namely Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, under NMC
• Incorporating provision in the parent act that jurisdiction in the cases filed, by medical colleges or institutions, in matter related to NMC will be Delhi High Court only
• Providing provision for patients, their relatives, or complainants to prefer appeal in the Ethics and Medical Registration Board, NMC against the decision or action of state medical council in complaints related to medical negligence or professional misconduct.