In 2021, the NMC revised its guidelines for foreign medical graduates (FMGs) seeking to obtain a license to practice medicine in the country.

Reports have highlighted issues such as conflicting penalties and approvals for medical institutions, delays in decision-making, and poor internal consultations, which have been flagged to the Union Health Ministry.

This turmoil has been exacerbated by high-profile controversies, including the NEET paper leak and concerns about declining standards in medical education.

[17] The National Medical Commission (NMC) was established in January 2019 by way of an ordinance, which later achieved permanency in the form of a law, after being passed by the Indian Parliament and approved by the President of India on August 8, 2019.

On June 26, 2023, the NMC issued a circular soliciting comments and suggestions on the draft regulations for the Minimum Standard Requirements (MSR) for medical colleges across India.

Furthermore, it argues that this removal diminishes the specialty healthcare services that these departments have historically provided in medical college hospitals.

Over the years, this department has not only catered to patient care but has also significantly contributed to the education and skill enhancement of undergraduate medical students.

The Indian Chest Society (ICS), which is the largest body representing the specialty of Respiratory Medicine, has strongly opposed the action taken by the NMC and requested the NMC to withdraw its UGMEB 2023 guidelines with immediate effect and reinstate the department of Respiratory Medicine as a ‘required’ department for medical colleges running undergraduate courses across India.

[19] The NMC was compelled to revise the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) 2024 guidelines after the Madras High Court expressed concerns regarding the inclusion of the term “Gender Identity Disorder” in the MBBS curriculum.