NMC frames anti-ragging regulations for medical colleges

NEW DELHI: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has framed a new regulation to curb and eradicate ragging in medical institutes.

According to the regulation, ragging is defined as “any disorderly conduct, whether by words spoken or written or by an act which has the effect of teasing, treating or handling with rudeness any other student, indulging in rowdy or undisciplined activities which causes or is likely to cause annoyance, hardship or psychological harm or to raise fear or apprehension thereof in a fresher or a junior student or asking the students to do any act or perform something which such student will not in the ordinary course and which has the effect of causing or generating a sense of shame or embarrassment so as to adversely affect the physique or psyche of a fresher or a junior student.”

Also read | NMC directs govt medical colleges to mandatorily keep 50% PG, 15% MBBS seats in AIQ

Measures to be taken by medical colleges

The medical colleges are instructed to take measures to make candidates aware of anti-ragging before the admission process or any other form of assessment and counseling or seat allotment related to the colleges or institutions.

As per the notice, the National Testing Agency (NTA) shall include these regulations in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test [NEET (UG)] for MBBS and the National Board of Examinations (NBE) shall include these regulations in the information bulletin of the NEET PG and Superspecialty (NEET SS) courses.

The Medical Counseling Committee (MCC) should also make these regualtions available on the official website and for the National Exit Test (NExT).

Anti-ragging squad

Anti-ragging squad also has to be constituted by the institution. All medical students and their guardians will give separate undertakings at the time of admission saying that they will not involve in ragging. The forms are given along with the notice.

All matters of discipline within medical college or institution shall be resolved within the campus of such medical college or institution, except those impinging on law and order or breach of peace or public tranquility, which may be dealt with under the penal laws for the time being in force, the notice read.

If an institution fails to curb ragging incidents, NMC can take actions including withdrawal of affiliation or recognition or other privileges conferred.

Also read | NMC notifies regulations for medical internship; one week of AYUSH training included

The NMC has also recently directed the government medical colleges to compulsorily keep 15% MBBS seats and 50% postgraduate MD/ MS seats in the All India Quota.