MBBS Admissions Beyond September 30 are Invalid: NMC warns all the states

New Delhi: Through a recent notice, the National Medical Commission (NMC) reiterated that all MBBS admissions must be completed within September 30 of the concerned academic year and admissions beyond the cut-off date shall be considered invalid.

Taking note of the fact that several states are conducting Undergraduate MBBS Counselling beyond the cut-off date, the Apex Medical Commission has also issued a warning to the stakeholders to strictly adhere to the counselling schedule fixed by the Commission.

"Stakeholders, including Central Authorities, State authorities, and Medical Colleges, are hence, directed to strictly adhere to the counselling schedule set by National Medical Commission for the academic year 2023-24 for UG MBBS Courses," stated a release by NMC Media/Publication Division.

"Any counselling carried out by the mentioned authorities beyond the prescribed schedule will be deemed invalid. Students admitted through such counselling will be discharged immediately," the release further mentioned.

NMC issued the release after taking cognisance of the conduct of UG Admission Counselling (both through online and offline mode) by Several States (such as State of Maharashtra; State of Bihar; State of West Bengal etc) beyond the cut-off date i.e. 30th September, 2023.

Referring to the issue, the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of NMC issued a notice on 19.10.2023 and mentioned, "The National Medical Commission vide Public Notice dated 27.07.2023 has intimated to the stakeholders regarding the cut-off date for conducting the UG MBBS Counselling i.e. 30th September, 2023. Any admission or conduct of counselling beyond the cut-off date is in violation of the notice issued by NMC as well as in violation of the judgments passed by Hon'ble Supreme Court of India."

Also Read: NMC releases final regulations on MBBS Curriculum

In the notice, the NMC UG Board referred to the Supreme Court order dated 18.01.2016, where the Apex Medical Body had approved the time schedule for processing of scheme as well as admission in Undergraduate, Postgraduate as well as Super-Speciality medical and dental Courses, which was framed after consulting all the States/ Union Territories, Govt. Of India and other concerned parties.

Further, NMC also referred to the Supreme Court order dated 09.01.2016 where the Apex Court had observed that the High Court should not have extended the cut-off date already fixed by the Apex Court and the High Court also should not have granted provisional admission which have the potential of circumventing the orders of the Apex Court.

The Commission also referred to the regulations set by the erstwhile MCI and noted, "That erstwhile MCI, Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 1999 was amended vide MCI notification dated 23.01.2018, Proviso Regulation 4(3) of the abovementioned amended notification categorically provides that no admission shall be granted after the last / cut- off date."

NMC UG Board also pointed out that the Supreme Court in its order dated 21.06.2019 had held that merely because seats are lying vacant is no justifiable reason to extend the cut-off date or grant admissions, after the cut-off date.

"In regard to the above facts and the judgments, the stakeholders are hereby directed to strictly adhere to the counselling schedule as fixed by the National Medical Commission for the academic session 2023-24 for UG MBBS Course," the UGMEB mentioned in the notice.

"Hence any counselling, if carried out by the Central Authorities/ State authorities/ Medical colleges shall be considered to be invalid and the students admitted, if any, shall be discharged immediately," the notice further added.

In the Press Release by NMC in this regard, Dr. Aruna V. Vanikar, President Undergraduate Medical Education Board asserted, "The sanctity of the admission process is crucial to maintaining the integrity of medical education. Adhering to prescribed schedules is a shared responsibility, and deviations undermine the principles set by the MC and Hon'ble Supreme Court. We urge all stakeholders to comply with the set timelines to uphold the credibility of medical admissions."

Meanwhile, Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that releasing the final Competency-Based Medical Education Regulations 2023, which came into effect on August 01, 2023, NMC clarified that from the next academic year, there shall be no admission of MBBS students in respect of any academic session beyond 30th August.

In fact, the Apex medical education regulatory body also made it clear that any student who gets admitted after the last date for closure of admission shall be discharged from the course and NMC shall not recognize any medical qualification granted to such a student.

NMC also mentioned that the first Professional year of the MBBS course starts with induction through the Foundation Course by the 1st of August of each year from academic year 2024-25.

"Universities shall organize admission timing and admission process in such a way that teaching in the first Professional year commences with induction through the Foundation Course by the 1st of August of each year from academic year 2024-25," stated the regulations.

Specifying August 30 of each year as the last date of MBBS admission, NMC further mentioned in the regulations, "There shall be no admission of students in respect of any academic session beyond 30th August from academic year 2024-25. The Universities shall not register any student admitted beyond the said date."