Lancet Report Slams NMC: A recent report published in the renowned medical journal The Lancet has attacked India’s apex medical regulatory body, the National Medical Commission (NMC), calling it nothing more than a “rebranded version of the discredited Medical Council of India (MCI)”. The sharp criticism comes in the wake of a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged corruption and irregularities in the NMC’s functioning, especially concerning the approval of medical colleges.
From Reform to Repetition?
In its July 2025 issue, The Lancet raised serious concerns about the lack of transparency, accountability, and ethical governance in India’s medical regulatory system. The journal claims that instead of being a much-needed overhaul, the NMC has inherited the very flaws that led to the MCI’s dissolution in 2020.
“The NMC was introduced with the promise of reform and modernization. However, recent events, including the CBI investigation, suggest that old practices persist under a new name,” says the Lancet editorial.
To read full Lancet report: Corruption scandal engulfs Indian medical education
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CBI Probe Flags Corruption in Medical Colleges
The CBI is currently investigating multiple officials of the NMC on charges of bribery for granting permissions to substandard or non-compliant medical colleges. Several MBBS colleges allegedly secured recognition or increased seats by bypassing regulatory protocols in exchange for illegal payments.
This revelation has cast a shadow over the credibility of the commission, especially as NEET UG 2025 counselling is underway and lakhs of students are competing for over 1.15 lakh MBBS seats.
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Medical Education in Crisis
The Lancet report warns that the ongoing crisis could have a long-term impact on medical education quality, faculty recruitment, and ultimately, public health outcomes in India. It highlights how private and trust-run medical colleges continue to flourish despite poor infrastructure and faculty shortages, raising questions about the effectiveness of NMC’s inspection mechanisms.
The journal also noted that nine colleges in India were recently allotted “zero” MBBS seats by the NMC due to non-compliance, a move seen as reactive rather than preventive.
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Experts Call for Structural Reform
Medical experts and educationists across the country have echoed The Lancet’s concerns, calling for a complete revamp of the medical education regulatory architecture.
Dr. Sunil Rajput, a public health policy analyst, remarked:
“Unless systemic corruption and opaque decision-making are addressed, simply renaming institutions will not solve India’s medical education crisis.“
Key Highlights:
- The Lancet labels NMC a “rebranded MCI” with similar structural flaws.
- CBI is probing NMC officials for alleged bribery and abuse of power.
- Quality of medical education and college approvals under serious scrutiny.
- Regulatory failure risks eroding public trust in India’s healthcare system.
- Experts urge for autonomous, transparent, and ethically governed oversight mechanisms.
NMC vs MCI
Comparison table highlighting the key differences between the NMC (National Medical Commission) and the MCI (Medical Council of India):
| Aspect | MCI (Medical Council of India) | NMC (National Medical Commission) |
|---|---|---|
| Established | 1934 (by Indian Medical Council Act, 1933) | 2020 (by National Medical Commission Act, 2019) |
| Purpose | Regulate medical education and registration of doctors | Reform and regulate medical education, ethics, and quality |
| Structure | Single central body | Four autonomous boards under NMC: UG, PG, Ethics, Assessment |
| Members | Mostly elected doctors | Mostly appointed experts + limited representation of states |
| Transparency | Criticized for corruption and opaque functioning | Designed to improve transparency and accountability |
| MBBS Admissions Regulation | Managed by MCI; multiple exams existed before NEET | Enforces NEET as single national-level entrance exam |
| Medical College Approvals | Time-consuming and allegedly biased | Faster digital approval process with defined criteria |
| Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG) Licensing | FMGE conducted by NBE; no oversight by MCI | NMC regulates FMGE and will introduce NExT as common exam |
| Postgraduate Admission & Exams | NEET-PG under NBE; MCI had limited oversight | NMC oversees NEET-PG and will implement NExT post-2025 |
| Focus on Ethics | Medical Ethics Board under MCI but less empowered | Dedicated Medical Ethics and Registration Board |
| Teacher Qualification Rules | MCI’s teacher rules often outdated | NMC has revised faculty requirements for quality improvement |
| Exit Exam (NExT) | No exit exam mandated | NExT to act as final MBBS exam + PG entrance + FMG screening |
While MCI was often criticized for inefficiency and lack of reform, the NMC was established to bring transparency, modern regulation, and better alignment with global medical standards, most notably through the introduction of NExT and stricter oversight of both Indian and foreign medical institutions.
As India aspires to become a global hub for medical education and healthcare, the credibility of its regulatory bodies remains crucial. The NMC, envisioned as a progressive alternative to the MCI, now stands at a crossroads. The coming months, and the findings of the CBI probe, will likely determine whether India’s medical education system can reclaim its integrity or slip further into bureaucratic opacity.
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