100 MBBS Seats for 10 Lakh Population Ratio: NMC Stands by its Decision, issues statement

New Delhi: Amidst opposition, the National Medical Commission has stood by its decision to cap the number of MBBS seats in a particular State/UT by prescribing 100 MBBS seats per 10 lakh population ratio.

Issuing a Press Release in this regard, the Apex Medical Commission has informed that this decision was taken after considering the observations of various courts regarding the crowding of medical colleges.

The Commission has further opined that this decision of capping the MBBS seats is expected to reduce regional disparities in the availability of healthcare professionals. NMC mentioned in the release that "With this ratio there will be still potential for addition of about 40,000 MBBS seats in country if the medical colleges are evenly distributed."

Releasing the "Guidelines for Under Graduate Courses under Establishment of New Medical Institutions, Starting of New Medical Courses, Increase of Seats for Existing Courses & Assessment and Rating Regulations, 2023", the Apex Medical Commission prescribed a ratio of 100 MBBS seats per million population.

These Guidelines mentioned, "After A.Y. 2023-24, Letter of permission (LOP) for starting of new medical colleges shall be issued only for annual intake capacity of 50/100/150 seats; Provided that medical college shall follow the ratio of 100 MBBS seats for 10 lakh population in that state/ U.T."

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that as a result of this new rule, several southern states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Telangana became ineligible to apply for any new medical college or any more seats.

Also Read: After Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh oppose NMC Rule of 100 MBBS Seats for 10 Lakh Population Ratio

All the Southern States including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh opposed these new NMC rules for setting up new medical colleges. Kerala, on the other hand, decided to seek relaxation on the basis of specific requirements. Recently, writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M.K. Stalin also expressed his strong opposition against the NMC mandate.

Amid the opposition from the States, the National Medical Commission (NMC) issued a Press Release yesterday and stood by its earlier decision in this regard.

Explaining the role of the Commission and especially the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the Commission, the release mentioned, "UGMEB at the National Medical Commission is committed to providing a medical education system that improves access to quality and affordable medical education, ensures availability of adequate and high-quality medical professionals in all parts of the country; that promotes equitable and universal healthcare that encourages community health perspective and makes services of medical professionals accessible to all the citizens."

The Commission pointed out how various courts had made observations on crowding of medical colleges and added, "As for example, recently, in W.P. No. 17263 of 2020 in case of K.R. Vasudevaa vs. State of T.N. and others, dtd 30.07.2021, Madurai bench of Madras High court has cautioned NMC against crowding of medical colleges."

"Taking these aspects into consideration, and with an objective of providing the right teaching environment to the medical student and improving the overall quality of education, the provision of limiting UG seats in each State to 100 per million population has been included in the recently notified MSR guidelines 2023," the release further added.

NMC expressed its expectation that this decision will help add another 40,000 MBBS seats in India and added in the release, "It is expected that this will reduce regional disparities in availability of healthcare professionals and will go a long way in ensuring effective quality of education. With this ratio there will be still potential for addition of about 40,000 MBBS seats in country if the medical colleges are evenly distributed."

"This decision of NMC has been applauded by various state branches of IMA, students’ associations, and medical fraternity in general. NMC shall continue its endeavour to improve quality of medical training in the country," the Commission further mentioned.

To view the NMC release, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/nmc-ugmeb-press-release-222414.pdf

Also Read: 100 MBBS seats for 10 lakh population: TN CM Urges PM Modi to Put NMC Notification on Hold