The recent developments surrounding the National Medical Commission (NMC) raise a critical question: How is the NMC addressing the concerns of medical students and interns in India? The answer lies in the NMC’s proactive measures to enhance educational quality and address financial grievances.
On March 26, 2026, the NMC launched an online feedback system designed specifically for undergraduate medical students. This initiative allows students to anonymously register complaints and evaluate their colleges’ infrastructure and faculty. “The feedback aims to gather valuable anonymous feedback on various aspects of your medical college and medical education experience,” the NMC stated.
This online ‘Student Feedback Form’ seeks insights on various facets of medical colleges and the overall educational experience, aiming for internal academic review and quality improvement purposes. Such initiatives reflect the NMC’s commitment to fostering a more responsive educational environment.
However, the NMC is also grappling with serious issues regarding unpaid stipends for MBBS interns. The commission has identified 60 medical colleges, including 27 private institutions, that are not paying their interns. This situation has been under scrutiny since January 25, 2019, and the Supreme Court has been hearing the issue since 2022.
In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court expressed frustration, stating, “We are forced to make this observation as no action seems to have been taken against erring institutions.” The NMC has responded by imposing a penalty of Rs 1 crore on seven colleges for failing to provide stipend payment information.
The financial strain on interns is significant, with some receiving a monthly stipend of only Rs 2,000. The Chief Justice remarked that not paying stipends to young doctors working 16-20 hours per day was akin to the practice of bonded labor.
In addition to these stipend issues, the NMC has cautioned students against enrolling in foreign medical institutes in Uzbekistan that do not comply with the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) regulations. These regulations mandate a minimum of 54 months of education in a single institution and a 12-month internship at the same foreign university.
As the NMC continues to navigate these challenges, the focus remains on improving the quality of medical education and ensuring fair treatment for interns. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full impact of these measures, but the NMC’s recent actions indicate a significant shift towards accountability and student welfare.
