Fake Files, Stipends deductions, Poor Training - DY Patil Medical College Pune Under NMC Scanner

New Delhi: Taking cognizance of the several allegations raised concerning medical students, their training and the functioning of the institute, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed the DY Patil Medical College, Pune to look into the matter and furnish an action taken report within a week.

This comes after the Commission received a complaint alleging several deficiencies in the medical college including infrastructure and space constraints, irregularities and financial concerns, stipend deductions, issues with the district residency programme, deficiencies in medical training and patient care, and concerns regarding surgical training.

Accordingly, writing to DY Patil Medical College on 04.03.2025, NMC directed the College "to immediately look into the matter and furnish an Action Taken Report (ATR) to the PG Board of NMC within 7 days of the issue of this letter."

"Requisite documentary evidence may also be provided to support your response," the Commission added.

Previously, the college was directed by the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) on 30.01.2025 to furnish its comments concerning the allegations of non-payment of stipends and mental harassment etc. Thereafter on 20.02.2025, the college informed that the complainant had collected all the documents and that the Complaint was false. However, NMC has observed that the college did not provide documentary proof with respect to the payment of the stipend.

Also Read:Stipend, faculty, work hours! NMC to roll out SOPs to to address grievances

In the recent letter, the Commission referred to the complaint alleging multiple additional grievances of the complainant doctor. 

Allegations Regarding Infrastructure and Space Constraints: 

NMC mentioned that the complainant has alleged that there is no designated parking space for the residents and it also lacks a playground and adequate open space.

Further, the complaint claimed that the medical college campus houses multiple institutes, including the Ayurvedic College, Nursing College, Homeopathy College, and Physiotherapy College, leading to "congestion and resource limitations".

Financial Concerns: 

As per the complainant, fake files are allegedly being maintained, raising concerns about transparency and accountability. NMC further mentioned in the letter that as per the complaint, the tuition fees and hostel fees are being charged, along with additional payments for faculty and resident publication fees. Allegedly, payments are being made by residents to BHMS doctors for fake files and separate charges for electricity.

"Stipend deductions are being carried out arbitrarily, which is unacceptable. Fake scholarship documents have been submitted to the UGC. Faculty members have submitted fraudulent lecture lists," the letter by NMC further mentioned, adding that allegedly the college is also maintaining fake OT lists, and the hostel and mess fees are being forcibly collected in an extortionate manner. Apart from this, it has also been alleged that the examination fees amount to an exorbitant Rs 1 lakh per student.

Issues with the District Residency Program: 

It was further alleged the medical college is implementing the District Residency Program in an adequate manner. "Residents are required to travel to Aundh at their own expense, and Aundh ACS is further sending them to Baramati, creating unnecessary logistical and financial burdens," stated the letter.

Deficiencies in Medical Training and Patient Care: 

The complainant has informed NMC that the consultants are increasingly sitting in private OPDs instead of engaging with the residents, which severely impacts the learning experience. 

"In the Critical Care Unit, BAMS/BHMS physician assistants are being assigned responsibilities beyond their training, compromising patient care and resident education. The hospital is compromising patient care and resident education. The hospital is avoiding the use of Ayushman Bharat cards, depriving eligible patients of their entitled benefits," the complaint said.

Concerns Regarding Surgical Training: 

Besides, the NMC's letter revealed that the complainant also raised concerns regarding surgical training at the medical college. Allegedly, the General Surgery Department currently has 24 MS seats, with operations conducted in OT 14, 15, and 2 accommodating altogether 72 residents across three years. 

"Despite existing constraints, there are plans to increase the intake to 30 seats, which will further strain resources and compromise the quality of training," stated the letter.

Referring to these allegations, the PG board of NMC has asked the college to immediately look into the matter and furnish an action taken report within 7 days. 

Commenting on the issue, the National President of the United Doctors' Front (UDF), Dr. Lakshya Mittal, who raised the matter on the social media platform X, told Medical Dialogues, "The shocking revelations in NMC’s letter expose the grim reality of medical education in India. Non-payment of stipends, fake documentation, financial exploitation, and severe faculty shortages are not just violations—they are an assault on the dignity of resident doctors and medical students."

"Despite clear evidence, will NMC take strict action, or will this be another case of turning a blind eye? The exploitation of medical professionals must end, and we demand immediate corrective measures," he added.

Also Read: What Action Taken Against Medical Colleges over Non-Payment of Stipend? Here's What NMC says