NEW DELHI: A parliamentary Panel has expressed serious concern over a “major procedural lapse” by the National Medical Commission (NMC), finding that several key medical regulations were issued without the mandatory legal vetting by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice.
The Lok Sabha Committee on Subordinate Legislation, in its report titled “Infirmities in the regulations framed under the National Medical Commission Act,” stated it was “taken aback” to discover that such an integral step in the legislative process had been “missed.” The report was tabled during the recently concluded Budget session of Parliament in April 2026.
The Missing “Non-Negotiable” Step
According to the committee, legal vetting is not merely a formality but a safeguard to ensure that subordinate legislation—rules and regulations drafted by executive bodies—is constitutionally sound and legally robust.
Committee’s Finding: The panel noted that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare admitted to the oversight during depositions.
The Risk: The committee cautioned that regulations in the public domain serve as the “fulcrum” for executive actions. Loopholes or legal vulnerabilities in these documents can lead to significant legal ramifications and litigation.
The Ruling: The panel emphasized that vetting is a “non-negotiable step” that must be completed before any regulation is published in the Gazette of India.
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Specific Regulations Under Scrutiny
The committee’s examination focused on three major sets of regulations drafted by the NMC:
Recognition of Medical Qualifications Regulations, 2023
Teachers Eligibility Qualifications in Medical Institutions Regulations, 2022
Medical Institutions (Qualifications of Faculty) Regulations, 2025
Broader Implications for 2026
The timing of this report is particularly sensitive as the NMC has recently been active in proposing new amendments for the 2026-27 academic year.
Draft Amendments: On February 17, 2026, the NMC issued draft notifications regarding the establishment of new medical institutions and seat increases.
Medical Practice Rules: As of April 7, 2026, new draft rules for the Registration of Medical Practitioners and licenses to practice were released for public feedback.
Following the panel’s rebuke, the Health Ministry has been advised to remain “alert” and ensure that all current and future subordinate legislations are duly vetted to avoid administrative chaos in the medical education sector.
