NMC withdraws 2023 medical education standards regulations, notification issued on October 14

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has made a major change to the rules governing medical education. It has withdrawn the "Maintenance of Standards of Medical Education Regulations 2023" with immediate effect, meaning the rules brought in during 2023 will no longer apply. The NMC issued notifications to this effect on October 14, 2026.

The decision is significant for medical colleges, institutions and their administrations. The NMC has also clarified that the system of submitting Annual Disclosure Reports will continue.

The NMC is the statutory body that regulates medical education and the medical profession in the country. It had notified these regulations in September 2023, with the aim of maintaining the required standards and systems in institutions linked to medical education. It has now formally withdrawn them. The decision was taken using the powers granted under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019.

For colleges, the key point after the repeal is that the requirement to file an Annual Disclosure Report (ADR) has not ended. Colleges and related institutions will have to submit the report in line with the applicable law and the rules in force at the time. Even though the 2023 regulations have been withdrawn, the system of reporting essential information and compliance by institutions remains in place.

The notification also addresses past cases. Decisions taken or orders issued on the basis of actions carried out while the 2023 regulations were in force will not be cancelled merely because the regulations have been withdrawn. Approvals, renewals, orders and directions issued earlier will likewise not be affected. A permission or renewal granted earlier to a medical college will not be treated as void only because the 2023 regulations are now withdrawn.

The notification further states that rights, privileges, responsibilities or legal liabilities that an institution or individual acquired under the 2023 regulations will be preserved. A position that had already arisen under the earlier rules will not end automatically merely because the rules have been removed.