NMC Withdraws Medical Education Rules, Removes Penalty Framework

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has withdrawn the Maintenance of Standards of Medical Education Regulations, 2023 (MSMER-2023), with immediate effect, removing the specific penalty framework preTheviously used against medical colleges for violating prescribed standards, submitting false records and reporting non-existent faculty members.

The decision was formalised through a notification dated October 14, 2026, published in the Gazette of India. The regulations were originally notified in September 2023 and established a framework for addressing deficiencies in medical education institutions.

The withdrawal removes provisions prescribing fines of up to ₹1 crore per violation for medical colleges and penalties of up to ₹5 lakh for faculty members and administrators who submitted false declarations or records under the regulations.

However, the decision does not eliminate medical institutions' legal obligations. The NMC has clarified that the requirement to submit Annual Disclosure Reports (ADRs) will continue under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, and applicable regulations.

NMC Withdraws MSMER-2023: What Has Changed?

The Maintenance of Standards of Medical Education Regulations, 2023, provided a structured mechanism for dealing with medical colleges that failed to meet prescribed standards, misrepresented their facilities or submitted inaccurate information.

Under the withdrawn framework, the NMC could issue warnings, direct institutions to rectify deficiencies and impose stronger sanctions for serious violations.

The available penalties included:

Monetary fines of up to ₹1 crore for each violation.

Withholding or withdrawal of accreditation for up to five academic years.

Restrictions on applications for new courses or additional seats.

Reduction in approved seats or suspension of admissions to a course.

Recommendations for withdrawal of permission to operate a medical institution.

The regulations also provided a mechanism for addressing attempts to influence the NMC or its boards through intermediaries.

With MSMER-2023 withdrawn, these specific sanctions no longer operate as a penalty framework for new matters arising after the withdrawal. The applicable legal and regulatory provisions must determine what action can be taken in each case.

Penalty for Fake Records and Ghost Faculty Removed

One of the most significant changes concerns the specific penalties previously applicable to individuals who submitted false declarations or records.

Under MSMER-2023, faculty members, heads of departments, deans, directors and doctors could face fines of up to ₹5 lakh for submitting false information or documents, including patient records. The framework also allowed action for professional misconduct.

These provisions were intended to address irregularities such as ghost faculty, in which teachers are shown on institutional records despite not genuinely fulfilling their teaching responsibilities, and the manipulation of patient records used to demonstrate clinical training facilities.

The withdrawal removes this particular penalty provision under MSMER-2023. It should not, however, be interpreted as immunity from prosecution or disciplinary action under other applicable laws and regulations.

Annual Disclosure Reports Remain Mandatory for Medical Colleges

Although the NMC has withdrawn the 2023 regulations, medical institutions must continue submitting their Annual Disclosure Reports.

The requirement is preserved under Sections 24(i) and 25(h) of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, along with applicable regulations.

Annual disclosures provide information about an institution's faculty strength, infrastructure, facilities and other relevant aspects of medical education. These details help the regulator assess whether institutions meet the requirements applicable to them.

Medical colleges must therefore continue complying with disclosure obligations and other standards prescribed under the regulatory framework in force.

Can the NMC Still Take Action Against Medical Colleges?

The withdrawal of MSMER-2023 does not mean that all regulatory oversight of medical colleges has ended.

The NMC Act, other applicable regulations and criminal laws remain relevant. False declarations, fabricated documents and other alleged wrongdoing may still attract action under provisions that remain in force.

The notification also contains transitional and saving provisions. Actions, decisions, approvals, liabilities and proceedings arising under the earlier regulations before their withdrawal are not automatically erased.

Pending applications, inquiries and appeals will be dealt with according to the terms of the notification and the applicable legal framework. Matters arising after the withdrawal will be governed by the NMC Act and the statutory and regulatory provisions then in force.

The precise consequences will depend on the nature of the alleged violation, when it occurred and the legal provisions applicable to the case.

What the NMC Decision Means for Medical Education

The withdrawal changes the specific enforcement framework previously set out in MSMER-2023. Medical colleges will nevertheless remain subject to statutory disclosure requirements and other applicable standards.

For institutions, the immediate priority is to continue maintaining accurate faculty, infrastructure and clinical records, file mandatory disclosures and comply with the regulations currently in force.

For students and prospective medical applicants, the withdrawal should not automatically be interpreted as a change in course recognition, admission eligibility or approved seat numbers. Those matters must be assessed through the relevant official approvals and notifications.

The NMC's notification provides the legal basis for the withdrawal. Any replacement enforcement framework or further clarification issued by the commission will be important in determining how future cases involving deficiencies and false records are handled.