‘Not to be mistaken for regulatory relaxation’: NMC on MSMER 2023 denotification

Following the denotification of the MSMER 2023, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has clarified that the step is meant to eliminate overlapping procedures and bring clarity to statutory functions, without diluting the prescribed standards of medical education.

NMC has recently denotified the Maintenance of Standards of Medical Education Regulations (MSMER 2023). While speaking about the MSMER 2023, an NMC official said, "It does not, in any manner, dilute the prescribed standards of medical education or the regulatory oversight exercised by NMC.” 

Under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) and Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) are entrusted with prescribing academic standards, minimum requirements and educational norms. 

The Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB), under Section 26 of the Act, is specifically empowered to assess and inspect medical institutions, verify compliance with prescribed standards, and initiate measures against institutions when found deficient, it stated. 

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NMC: Overlapping regulatory functions

MSMER 2023 regulations introduced a parallel mechanism of institutional evaluation, annual renewal and enforcement through UGMEB and PGMEB, resulting in overlapping regulatory functions. After a detailed examination of the framework, NMC decided to remove the duplication and align regulatory responsibilities with the provisions of the NMC Act, the report said. 

However, the requirement of Annual Disclosure Reports (ADR) remains mandatory, and medical colleges will continue to submit ADRs regarding faculty, infrastructure, clinical facilities, patient load and other parameters. 

These disclosures remain available for scrutiny and verification through the statutory assessment and inspection mechanisms of MARB. Therefore, any suggestion that annual disclosures would become merely unverified claims is misplaced, the statement said. 

Furthermore, all existing minimum standard requirements relating to faculty, infrastructure, clinical material, teaching facilities, attendance and academic standards will remain applicable. 

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Yearly renewal requirement scrapped

The de-notification also safeguards actions already taken, liabilities incurred and proceedings initiated under MSMER-2023. The decision neither provides immunity for past violations nor exempts medical colleges from future regulatory action, it stressed. 

According to the NMC, the only procedural change is the scrapping of the additional yearly renewal requirement introduced under MSMER 2023. Medical colleges will continue to be bound by mandatory annual disclosures, minimum prescribed standards, institutional assessments, and statutory enforcement. 

“Regulatory simplification must not be mistaken for regulatory relaxation. NMC has removed an overlapping process, not the safeguards that protect the quality of medical education,” NMC president Abhijat Sheth said. With inputs from PTI