Threats of exam failure, intimidation of students, parents: NMC seeks ATR, records from Bhilwara medical college over ragging allegations

New Delhi: Taking cognisance of an alleged incident of ragging and intimidation of MBBS first-year students at Bhilwara Medical College in Rajasthan, the Anti-Ragging Cell of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has asked the college to submit an action-taken report.

NMC Anti-Ragging Cell issued this direction after receiving a serious complaint alleging ragging, threats of academic retaliation, intimidation of MBBS first-year students and their parents, and an incident involving alleged threats and group intimidation at Hostel that took place on 15.10.2026. The first-year medical students allegedly received threats over haircut, physical intimidation on campus, threats of examination failure or backlogs, and allegedly the students and parents at Hostel were intimidated.

Writing to the Dean/Principal of the medical college, the Commission mentioned that complaints regarding ragging at the College had also been reported to the NMC a few months ago, and the College was advised to maintain zero tolerance towards ragging and ensure a safe and conducive learning environment.

However, the latest complaint raised concerns regarding the implementation of earlier direction, the directions of the Supreme Court and the NMC Public Notice dated 09.03.2026, NMC said.

"The responsibility of the Head of the Institution for ensuring compliance, along with the functioning of the Anti-Ragging Committee, Anti-Ragging Squad and Hostel Committee, requires examination," it further added.

Accordingly, the college has been asked to furnish point-wise comments and a comprehensive Action Taken Report (ATR) within 24 hours, specifically addressing the alleged incident dated 15.10.2026 which allegedly included threats over haircut, physical intimidation on campus, threats of examination failure or backlogs, and alleged intimidation of the student and parents at Oxtel Hostel.

Further, NMC has asked the college for immediate preservation of CCTV footage from the hostel, its entrance and surrounding areas, and relevant college premises, particularly for the period after 3:00 PM on 15.10.2026.

Explanation has also been sought into the alleged practice of compelling First-Year students to attend evening and late-night gatherings at the college grounds and hostels, and the measures taken to prevent such coercion.

Apart from these, the college has also been asked to submit the details of action taken by the Principal and the Anti-Ragging Committee on the parents' complaint, including measures to protect the complainant, affected students, and witnesses from retaliation. NMC has also sought to know the effectiveness of the Anti-Ragging Committee, Anti-Ragging Squad and Hostel Committee in conducting regular and surprise inspections and maintaining vigilance in hostels, campus grounds and other vulnerable areas.

Besides, NMC has also sought the preceding six months' records of certified minutes of meetings of the Anti-Ragging Committee, Anti-Ragging Squad and Hostel Committee, including attendance, decisions and Action Taken Reports, office orders constituting the above committees, specifying members and assigned responsibilities, office orders and weekly duty rosters of the Anti-Ragging Squad and hostel supervisory staff, indicating personnel deployed, locations and duty timings, records of routine and surprise inspections, observations, deficiencies identified and corrective action taken, details of previous ragging complaints, action taken on that and compliance with earlier NMC directions, supported by relevant correspondence and documents.

Specifying that point-wise comments, ATR and supporting documents must reach the Commission within 24 hours of receipt of this letter. The Commission also clatified that "A general reply without specific findings and documentary evidence shall not suffice."

"The matter shall be treated as most urgent in view of the seriousness of the allegations and the need to safeguard students' safety, dignity and mental well-being," the Commission added.

Praising the NMC Action, the National Chairperson of the United Doctors' Front (UDF), Dr. Lakshya Mittal wrote on X, "ANOTHER RAGGING Incident in RAJASTHAN— Serious allegations of intimidation, threats of exam failure/backlogs & harassment of 1st yr MBBS students have emerged from Bhilwara Medical College. Even parents who reportedly approached the college have allegedly faced intimidation. Thanks to the @NMC_BHARAT & @ugc_india for prompt intervention. NMC has sought a point-wise report within 24 hours, along with preservation of CCTV footage. Will the State authorities act decisively to protect these students or remain silent while future doctors continue to live in fear?"

"We expected zero tolerance towards ragging in Rajasthan’s medical colleges, but repeated reports of alleged ragging and intimidation are raising serious concerns about student safety and the effectiveness of existing anti-ragging mechanisms. The latest allegations from Bhilwara Medical College, involving alleged threats and intimidation of first-year MBBS students, are deeply concerning. We appreciate the prompt intervention by the NMC Anti-Ragging Cell and urge the Rajasthan Government, Medical Education Department and police to act decisively. Zero tolerance must translate into action on the ground—not merely policies on paper," Dr. Mittal mentioned in a statement.

"We demand impartial investigations, protection of complainants from retaliation, preservation of evidence and strict action against anyone found responsible. The Rajasthan Government must urgently review anti-ragging enforcement across medical colleges and ensure that every student can pursue medical education in a safe, dignified and fear-free environment," he further added.

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