National Medical Commission To Partner With QCI To Rate India's Medical Colleges

Indian medical colleges will now receive government ratings based on the quality of education they provide to students. This is a significant development as it marks the first time such ratings will be implemented in the country.

The National Medical Commission, the apex medical education regulator in India, has partnered with the Quality Council of India (QCI) to initiate this rating assessment. The assessment process is set to begin in the next academic session.

The assessment and rating of medical colleges will be conducted under the "Establishment of Medical Institutions, Assessment and Rating Regulations, 2023." This regulation aims to ensure that assessments and ratings are carried out on a government platform.

This decision to introduce government ratings for medical colleges is a response to the credibility issues faced by some private medical colleges. Currently, the ratings of these colleges are conducted by private organizations.

The release of government ratings to the public will have multiple benefits. It will assist students in making informed decisions when choosing a medical college, and it will also discourage private medical colleges from charging exorbitant fees.

To ensure compliance with government regulations and the provision of quality education, surprise inspections will be conducted by experts from the NMC and QCI in medical colleges. These inspections will assess various aspects of the colleges' operations.

According to reports, the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of the NMC has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Quality Council of India (QCI). This partnership will allow for third-party assessment of both private and government medical colleges.

This collaboration aims to establish high standards and accountability in the medical education sector. It marks the first time that medical colleges will undergo an assessment process for ranking purposes.

By promoting transparency and adherence to quality, the goal is to ensure the delivery of top-notch medical education and services.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has long been recognized as the leading institution for medical education in India. However, there are now several claims from private sector colleges vying for the top spot.

The responsibility of conducting inspections and granting permissions for new medical colleges, increasing seats, and renewing existing permissions lies with the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB). They also conduct surprise inspections in medical colleges periodically.

In recent years, there has been a significant surge in the number of medical colleges across the country. Government data shows a 70% increase, with the number of medical colleges rising from 387 before 2014 to 704 presently.