The National Medical Commission (NMC) has withdrawn the Maintenance of Standards of Medical Education Regulations, 2023 (MSMER-2023). Its October 2026 Gazette notification removes provisions for fines of up to ₹1 crore against colleges and ₹5 lakh against individuals submitting false records. Medical colleges must still file Annual Disclosure Reports, while earlier orders and pending cases remain protected. The distinction is especially relevant to colleges facing compliance inquiries.
Key Highlights
- NMC’s notification is dated October 14, 2026, and takes effect from Gazette publication.
- The MSMER-2023 penalty provisions, including ₹1 crore college fines, have been withdrawn.
- Annual Disclosure Reports (ADRs) remain mandatory under the NMC Act, 2019.
- Existing approvals, liabilities and pending proceedings are covered by a saving clause.
What Did NMC Withdraw in October 2026?
The 2023 rules prescribed enforcement action when colleges fell short of medical education standards, covering faculty, clinical resources and annual returns.
Signed by NMC Secretary Dr Raghav Langer, the new notification withdraws rules originally notified on September 19, 2023, and published two days later. It cites Sections 10, 24, 25 and 57 of the NMC Act, 2019, alongside the General Clauses Act, 1897.
Under the former framework, the undergraduate and postgraduate medical education boards could review reports and investigate whether college claims matched their resources. The parent Act and other applicable NMC regulations remain in force. This is not a wholesale removal of education standards.
Which Medical College Penalties Have Been Removed?
MSMER-2023 allowed sanctions affecting college finances and student intake, as detailed in The Indian Express report:
- Financial penalties: Up to ₹1 crore for each violation by a medical institution.
- Admissions and seats: Reduction of seats, suspension of admissions, or restrictions on applications for new courses and additional seats.
- Recognition-related measures: Withholding or withdrawal of accreditation for up to five academic years, alongside recommendations concerning permission to operate.
- Individual accountability: Up to ₹5 lakh in fines for faculty members or administrators submitting false declarations, including fabricated patient records.
The MSMER-2023 sanctions and its 60-day initial appeal route no longer govern newly arising cases under those rules.
The withdrawn rules also allowed restrictions when colleges sought improper influence over regulatory decisions. False records may still attract action under other laws or professional rules. The Gazette separately protects existing liabilities and proceedings.
Annual Disclosure Reports Remain Mandatory for Colleges
Colleges must still account for their teaching staff and facilities through the Annual Disclosure Report (ADR). The October notification expressly preserves this requirement under Sections 24(i) and 25(h) of the NMC Act, 2019.
ADRs provide information for regulatory scrutiny. Faculty lists and clinical facilities must reflect actual staffing and resources, not figures assembled for inspection.
On May 30, 2026, the NMC extended the deadline for existing colleges’ MBBS seat renewal disclosures for academic year 2026–27 to June 10. This was a past deadline, not a new one.
Separately, an October 5, 2026 NMC notice called for updating faculty registration numbers on the AEBAS attendance portal. The withdrawal does not revoke that instruction. Colleges still need accurate faculty and hospital records and must follow future NMC filing instructions.
What Happens to Pending Cases, New Applications and Students?
The Gazette’s transitional clause prevents automatic cancellation of earlier notices, orders or appeals.
- Earlier decisions: Approvals, renewals, directions, rights and liabilities arising before de-notification remain protected.
- Pending files: Applications, appeals, inquiries and proceedings continue under the former rules where applicable, subject to the new notification’s saving provisions.
- New issues: Cases arising from the de-notification date fall under the NMC Act and other laws or regulations then in force.
An earlier penalty notice also cannot simply be discarded: its status depends on the saved proceedings and facts of the case. Existing MBBS admissions or seats are not automatically cancelled by the withdrawal. Nor does it grant colleges permission to increase intake. Students can verify current approvals and seats through NMC records.
No replacement timetable was announced. Colleges must continue ADR filings and review existing compliance cases individually, while watching for fresh NMC instructions.
FAQs
When Did NMC Withdraw the 2023 Medical Education Regulations?
The withdrawal was notified on October 14, 2026, and became effective upon Gazette publication. It applies to MSMER-2023, not every regulation governing medical education or student admissions.
Can NMC Still Penalise Medical Colleges After the Withdrawal?
Yes, where another applicable law or regulation authorises action. The withdrawn MSMER-2023 penalty framework itself cannot automatically be applied to newly arising violations under those former rules.
Is the ₹5 Lakh Penalty for False Faculty Declarations Still Valid?
That particular MSMER-2023 fine has been removed for new matters. False declarations may nevertheless attract consequences under other applicable legal or professional provisions, depending on the facts.
Do Medical Colleges Still Need to Submit Annual Disclosure Reports?
Yes. The October notification explicitly retains ADR filing under Sections 24(i) and 25(h) of the NMC Act, 2019, alongside applicable regulations. Colleges should monitor new filing instructions.
Will Pending Appeals and Earlier Orders Be Cancelled Automatically?
No. The Gazette protects earlier orders, approvals, and liabilities. Pending appeals or inquiries continue under the earlier rules where applicable, subject to the notification.
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