The Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI) has called for a complete transformation of the National Medical Commission (NMC), which oversees medical education and professional standards in India. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 10, AHPI criticised the NMC for failing to implement transparent and outcome-driven reforms as initially promised.
Recent Corruption Allegations Intensify Demands
AHPI’s appeal comes in the wake of a CBI investigation that revealed alleged corruption involving health ministry officials, NMC assessors, intermediaries, and representatives from medical colleges. These revelations have reignited concerns about the lingering presence of ‘Inspector Raj’-style practices in medical regulation.
The AHPI highlighted that public and professional perception increasingly sees the NMC as no different from the disbanded Medical Council of India, which it replaced in 2020 to bring reform.
Call for Systemic Change and Innovation
In the letter, Dr. Girdhar Gyani, Director General of AHPI, proposed a radical shift in NMC’s role—from a procedural regulator to a proactive, autonomous institution focused on innovation, quality assessment, and continuous improvement.
He urged the government to implement the National Exit Test (NEXT) as a nationwide screening tool to objectively measure both student performance and institutional effectiveness. “If executed effectively, NEXT can become a transparent benchmark. Medical colleges that consistently underperform must undergo remedial actions,” Gyani stated.
Tech-Driven Oversight and Curriculum Reform
Adding to the recommendations, Dr. Alexandar Thomas, Patron of AHPI, stressed the importance of using digital tools, remote monitoring, and real-time dashboards to curb human interference, reduce the scope for collusion, and ensure early detection of irregularities.
AHPI also urged the NMC to take a stronger role in guiding curriculum development, faculty training, and accreditation frameworks, aligning with modern healthcare demands.
A Roadmap to Transparency and Excellence
AHPI emphasized that with strong leadership, and by building on the National Health Policy of 2017, the NMC can become a high-impact regulatory body that upholds transparency, integrity, and academic rigour, especially as the government works to open more medical colleges across India.
The association offered to provide detailed reform recommendations and extended its support to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Health in implementing these structural changes.
Manpower Shortages Hampering NMC Operations
Earlier reports from Mint revealed that the NMC suffers from a severe manpower crisis, operating with only two members, far short of the 18 required to oversee reforms and ensure effective governance of medical colleges.
AHPI’s intervention underscores the urgent need for bold reforms and robust oversight to restore trust in India’s medical education system.