Key Proposed Changes

1. Infrastructure Must Be Fully Ready Before Application

The draft regulations require institutions to complete all prescribed infrastructure and meet statutory requirements before applying for permission to establish a medical college or expand student intake.

• Applications based on temporary infrastructure will not be accepted.
• Institutions with campuses or hospitals that are still under construction will not qualify for assessment.
• Only fully operational facilities will be considered during the approval process.

The objective is to ensure that institutions are adequately prepared before seeking regulatory approval.

2. Mandatory Corpus Fund

To strengthen financial sustainability, the proposal introduces a compulsory corpus fund for both new and existing medical colleges.

• New applicants must certify that a dedicated corpus fund has been established.
• Existing institutions will also be required to maintain such a fund.
• The Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) will determine the required amount and may revise it periodically.
• Institutions may be asked to provide documentary evidence confirming compliance.

3. Enhanced Documentation Requirements

The draft seeks to tighten application procedures by making additional documentation mandatory.

• A valid Consent of Affiliation from a recognized university must accompany the application.
• A solvency certificate issued by a chartered accountant within 90 days before the application deadline is also required.
• Applications lacking mandatory documentation may be rejected without further processing.

4. Broader Eligibility Criteria

The proposed amendments expand the categories of organizations eligible to establish medical colleges.

In addition to companies registered under the Companies Act, 2013, trusts registered under applicable state legislation have also been explicitly included among eligible applicants.

5. Measures Against Undue Influence

The proposal introduces stricter provisions to discourage attempts to influence the regulatory approval process.

• Applications may be suspended or rejected if an institution attempts to influence MARB or NMC through intermediaries or external agencies.
• Requests for additional seats or new medical colleges may also be denied.
• Regulators may withhold consideration of future applications for the current or subsequent academic years.

Public Consultation

The draft amendments are currently under public consultation. Stakeholders may submit comments and suggestions electronically to the National Medical Commission using the prescribed format within the designated 30-day consultation period. The Commission will review all feedback before issuing the final regulations.