Question : Transparency in Medical Colleges

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has any mechanism to ensure the transparency and merit of the admission processes in Government Medical Colleges/Private Medical Colleges all over the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Medical council of India Act has given power to Council to conduct an examination for admission and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the number of cases of irregularities in private medical institutions lying pending with the Government; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government to develop a transparent, accountable and timebound system for disposal of the said case?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)
(a): The Medical Council of India (MCI) is a statutory body responsible for regulating Medical Education in the country. The Regulations on Graduate Medical Education, 1997, and Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000, prescribe the admission process for Under Graduate (UG) and Post Graduate (PG) courses in medical colleges/ institutions coming under the ambit of MCI.

(b): The Indian Medical Council (IMC) Act, 1956, empowers MCI to prescribe the minimum standard of medical education required for granting recognized medical qualifications by Universities or medical institutions of India. MCI with the prior approval of Central Government had notified the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to UG/PG Medical Courses. The Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its judgement dated 18.7.2013 in NEET related cases quashed the implementation of NEET. The Central Government has filed a review petition before the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

(c) & (d): The matter relating to irregularities in fee and admission comes under the purview of the State Governments and as such no data is maintained centrally.

However, in the case of private un-aided medical colleges the admission and fee structure is decided by Committees set up by the respective State Governments under the chairmanship of retired High Court Judge in pursuance of the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. It is for the Admission Committee to ensure that the entrance tests conducted by association of private medical colleges are fair and transparent. The Fee Committee fixes fees structure for the private medical colleges.