Lancet: A recent article published in The Lancet has brought global attention to India’s unprecedented transformation in medical education, a journey marked by rapid expansion, regulatory reform, and a renewed focus on quality and accessibility.
Authored by Dr. Krishna Mohan Surapaneni (A system under transformation, not collapse- the Lancet), Vice Principal and Professor of Biochemistry at Panimalar Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, Chennai, the piece acknowledges the evolution of India’s medical education system as part of a national strategy to strengthen the healthcare workforce and advance social justice through access to quality healthcare.
The Lancet Applauds NMC Reforms
India today hosts the world’s largest undergraduate medical education network, encompassing over 780 medical colleges and an annual intake exceeding 1.18 lakh (118,148) MBBS students.
This vast network, according to Dr. Surapaneni’s article, represents more than just expansion, it reflects a purposeful national strategy aimed at strengthening the health workforce, improving access to care, and enhancing quality.
“It is within this broader context of service and social justice that Indian medical education should be understood,” writes Dr. Surapaneni in The Lancet.
Join NEET News 2025 Over the past decade, the Indian government and the National Medical Commission (NMC) have collaborated to decentralize opportunities for medical training. The focus has been on creating new medical colleges in underserved districts, expanding postgraduate seats, and integrating digital systems to monitor compliance and transparency.
This surge in capacity is not merely a numerical milestone. It underscores India’s ambition to become a global leader in medical education, one that not only meets domestic healthcare demands but also contributes significantly to the global pool of medical professionals.
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Global Recognition and NMC Reform
A major turning point came in 2023, when India’s National Medical Commission received a 10-year recognition from the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME). This accreditation effectively places Indian medical graduates on par with global standards, allowing them to pursue postgraduate opportunities worldwide, including in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
The recognition was a milestone achievement, affirming that India’s regulatory systems now align with international norms for medical education quality, ethics, and training standards.
“These developments underscore a system reorienting towards excellence, not stagnation,” the Lancet report emphasised.
The NMC, established to replace the Medical Council of India (MCI), has taken several evidence-based regulatory steps to strengthen oversight and governance. Key reforms include:
- Uniform inspections for all medical colleges.
- Digital platforms for transparent monitoring and data management.
- Public disclosure of institutional compliance to enhance accountability.
- Focus on outcome-based education, aligning curricula with clinical skills and community health needs.
Through these reforms, the NMC has positioned itself not just as a regulator, but as a facilitator of ethical, transparent, and globally competent medical education.
Global Rise of India in Medicine & Medical Education
In recent years, India’s medical education system has faced both praise and criticism in global journals. Responding to earlier reports questioning aspects of India’s medical regulation, Dr. Surapaneni’s article provided a measured, evidence-based perspective, one that acknowledges challenges but also highlights ongoing corrective measures.
Dr. Abhijat Sheth, Chairperson of the NMC, appreciated the balanced tone of the article, calling it an example of responsible global scientific dialogue.
“We appreciate Dr. Krishna Mohan Surapaneni for a befitting reply to the article earlier published in The Lancet,” Dr. Sheth said in his remarks to ANI.
“Such contributions help ensure that the global scientific discourse remains balanced and that the perspectives of diverse healthcare systems and researchers are represented with clarity and respect.”
Dr. Sheth reaffirmed that the NMC is actively addressing concerns raised in international discussions and is committed to reinforcing transparency, accountability, and integrity in its operations.
“The Commission remains dedicated to fostering a fair, ethical, and trustworthy medical ecosystem for the nation,” he added.
Strengthening Trust Through Reform
The Lancet report and the NMC’s responses converge on a crucial theme: trust. For a country as vast and diverse as India, maintaining trust in the medical education system is vital, both for its citizens and for the global community that increasingly relies on Indian-trained doctors.
The report notes:
“The World Report deserves attention, but not absolutism. This moment should not be used to erode trust, but instead, should be used to strengthen it.”
In this context, India’s journey represents a reformative evolution rather than a reactive response. Despite challenges such as faculty shortages, infrastructure gaps, and regional disparities, the foundation of Indian medical education remains intact, resilient, adaptive, and forward-looking.
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From Expansion to Excellence
While the expansion of medical colleges has been crucial in meeting healthcare demands, the next phase of transformation lies in ensuring quality, consistency, and global competitiveness. The NMC’s focus on competency-based medical education (CBME), which emphasises clinical reasoning, communication skills, and ethical practice, is already setting a new benchmark.
Furthermore, digital transformation initiatives such as e-inspections, biometric attendance for faculty, and online grievance redressal are improving transparency at every level. India’s medical education system is steadily shifting from quantity-centric growth to quality-driven outcomes.
As the Lancet article rightly emphasizes, the reforms underway are not isolated measures, but part of a larger national commitment to ensure that every doctor trained in India is capable, compassionate, and globally competent.
A System in Motion, A Vision in Progress
India’s medical education story is no longer confined to the classroom, it’s a national movement. The collaboration between regulators, educators, and policymakers is reshaping the contours of how future doctors are trained and evaluated.
The Lancet’s acknowledgment of this transformation is both a validation and a responsibility. It affirms that the direction is forward, and the commitment to quality remains unwavering.
Despite challenges, the ongoing reforms by the NMC are setting a model for other developing nations striving to build strong, equitable, and globally aligned medical education systems.
As Dr. Surapaneni concludes in his article, India’s medical education must continue to evolve “within the broader context of service and social justice.” And as the NMC reinforces this vision, the message to the world is clear, India’s foundation is strong, its direction is progressive, and its mission is health for all.
