NMC: De-notifying MSMER-2023 Won't Dilute Medical Education Standards
The National Medical Commission clarifies that de-notifying MSMER-2023 simplifies rules without diluting medical education standards.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has stepped forward to clear the air regarding the de-notification of the Maintenance of Standards of Medical Education Regulations, 2023 (MSMER-2023). In a detailed clarification, the Commission asserted that this move is a step toward regulatory rationalisation and does not, in any way, weaken the medical education standards or the oversight the NMC maintains over medical colleges.
Cutting Through the Red Tape
According to a press release issued by the Commission, the primary goal of removing the MSMER-2023 regulations is to eliminate overlapping procedures. The NMC explained that the move ensures greater clarity regarding the statutory functions of its various Boards and simplifies the compliance burden on medical institutions.
Under the NMC Act of 2019, the responsibilities are clearly divided:
- UGMEB and PGMEB: The Undergraduate and Postgraduate Medical Education Boards are responsible for prescribing academic standards, minimum requirements, and educational norms.
- MARB: The Medical Assessment and Rating Board, under Section 26 of the Act, is specifically empowered to inspect medical institutions, verify if they are meeting prescribed standards, and take regulatory action against those found deficient.
The Commission noted that MSMER-2023 had inadvertently created a parallel mechanism for institutional evaluation and annual renewal through the UGMEB and PGMEB. This led to a duplication of regulatory functions. Following judicial observations and a thorough review of the statutory framework, the NMC decided to align its responsibilities strictly with the provisions of the NMC Act.
Are Annual Disclosures Still Mandatory?
Addressing concerns that the move might lead to unverified claims by institutions, the NMC emphasized that the requirement for Annual Disclosure Reports (ADR) remains strictly mandatory. Medical colleges must continue to submit annual data regarding:
- Faculty strength and qualifications
- Infrastructure and teaching facilities
- Clinical facilities and patient load
- Other prescribed parameters
The Commission clarified that these disclosures will remain subject to scrutiny and verification through the statutory assessment and inspection mechanisms of the MARB.
No Immunity for Violations
The NMC was firm in stating that "regulatory simplification must not be mistaken for regulatory relaxation." All existing Minimum Standard Requirements (MSR) for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses—covering everything from attendance to clinical material—remain fully applicable.
Furthermore, the MARB retains the authority to conduct inspections, including surprise visits without prior notice, and can take action against non-compliant colleges under the NMC Act and the Establishment of Medical Institutions, Assessment and Rating Regulations, 2023.
Crucially, the de-notification does not wipe the slate clean for institutions that have already broken rules. The NMC stated that all actions already taken, liabilities incurred, and proceedings initiated under the MSMER-2023 are expressly safeguarded. This means the decision provides no immunity for past violations nor does it exempt colleges from future enforcement.
"NMC has removed an overlapping process, not the safeguards that protect the quality of medical education."
The only actual change is the removal of the additional annual renewal requirement that existed under MSMER-2023, while the core pillars of mandatory disclosures, minimum standards, and statutory enforcement remain untouched.