The National Medical Commission (NMC) has withdrawn its 2023 regulations on maintaining standards in medical education, but medical colleges will still be required to submit Annual Disclosure Reports (ADRs) under the law.
Withdrawal Notification
The decision was announced in a notification dated 14 October and published in the Gazette of India. The regulations, which came into force in September 2023, have now been scrapped with immediate effect.
The NMC has not specified a reason for the withdrawal. However, the notification clarifies that approvals, renewals, orders, and directions issued while the regulations were in force will remain valid. Rights and obligations acquired before the withdrawal will also continue.
ADR Requirement Still Binding
Despite the withdrawal, medical colleges must continue filing ADRs. The notification states:
“The requirement of furnishing the Annual Disclosure Report (ADR) shall continue to operate in accordance with Section 24(i) and 25(h) of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 and the regulations applicable from time to time.”
This means institutions cannot interpret the withdrawal as an exemption from disclosure responsibilities. ADRs remain a statutory obligation for all medical institutions.
Pending Cases and Applications
The notification also explains how ongoing regulatory matters will be handled:
- Pending cases such as applications, appeals, and inquiries may continue under the withdrawn 2023 regulations, wherever applicable.
- New matters arising after the withdrawal will be governed by the NMC Act, 2019 and the relevant provisions in force at the time.
This ensures continuity for cases already initiated while establishing a clear framework for future proceedings.
What Colleges Need to Know
- The withdrawal changes the regulatory framework but does not invalidate earlier approvals.
- ADR filing remains mandatory.
- Pending cases will follow transitional provisions, while new matters will be handled under the NMC Act.
The NMC, as the statutory authority regulating medical education in India, has clarified that while the 2023 rules are no longer in force, colleges must remain compliant with existing legal and disclosure requirements.