NMC boards lie vacant as it directs states to deal with teacher vacancies

Vacancies Plague NMC's Key Regulatory Boards

In a striking case of irony, the National Medical Commission (NMC), India's top regulator for medical education, is grappling with significant vacancies in its autonomous boards even as it pushes states to address teacher shortages.

The four key boards—Undergraduate Medical Education Board, Postgraduate Medical Education Board, Ethics and Medical Registration Board, and Medical Assessment and Rating Board—are meant to have five members each, including a president.

Yet, three of these boards operate with just one part-time member apiece, while the Medical Assessment and Rating Board has a president and one part-time member, leaving three spots empty.

This leaves three-quarters of the leadership positions unfilled across the boards, raising questions about oversight in a sector expanding rapidly with new colleges and seats.

The NMC itself has 28 out of 33 positions filled, including the chairperson and secretary roles, but the boards' gaps are more pronounced.

These bodies are crucial for approving colleges, monitoring training standards, and upholding ethics, making their understaffing a potential risk to quality control.

Government data shared in Parliament confirms 19 vacancies out of 54 sanctioned posts across the NMC and its boards, with only 35 filled as of early 2026.[2][5]

Court Order Sparks NMC Directive to States

The situation took a sharper turn following a Patna High Court directive.

Hearing a petition on biometric attendance in medical colleges, the court urged the NMC to instruct states to launch time-bound recruitment drives for vacant teaching posts.

Responding promptly, the NMC has written to all states and union territories, mandating action to fill these gaps within six months.[1]

Medical colleges nationwide report hundreds of unfilled faculty positions, which the court highlighted as a threat to education quality.

This move underscores the commission's push for accountability at the state level, even amid its internal challenges.

Experts note that teacher shortages have long plagued medical education, exacerbated by rapid growth in institutions.

The NMC's order aims to enforce stricter compliance, potentially improving student training and patient care standards.

However, the commission's own staffing issues have fueled criticism that it may lack the full capacity to monitor implementation effectively.

Government Response and Ongoing Recruitment Efforts

NMC Chairperson Dr. Abhijat Sheth has defended the body's operations, stating it remains fully functional.

"All statutory requirements, including quorum, are being duly met, and the functioning of the commission and its boards remains unaffected," he emphasized.

Policy decisions are handled at the commission level, with expert committees stepping in for board functions under the chairperson's authority.[1]

“The process of filling the vacancies in the boards was currently under consideration by the government... Policy-level decisions continue to be taken at the Commission level. For matters pertaining to Autonomous Boards, the Chairperson is empowered under the Act to constitute expert committees, and all functions are being carried out through these duly constituted mechanisms.”[1]

The Health Ministry, through Minister of State Anupriya Patel, informed Rajya Sabha that recruitment is ongoing.

Advertisements for presidents, whole-time, and part-time members in the boards appeared in national newspapers in August and October 2024, with applications invited from eligible professionals.[2][5]

The ministry described it as a continuous process under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019.

Despite these steps, parliamentary questions persist on timelines, especially as medical education expands.

Critics argue delays could undermine regulation when India needs robust oversight most.

This irony highlights broader administrative hurdles in health regulation.

Filling these roles requires balancing expertise, independence, and government approval, often prolonging the process.

Stakeholders hope swift appointments will strengthen both national and state-level efforts.

In summary, the NMC's vacant boards contrast sharply with its directive to states on teacher vacancies, driven by court orders and parliamentary scrutiny. Recruitment is underway, but full staffing remains key to effective medical education oversight.