One Nation One Registration Platform

Contex:

The National Medical Commission (NMC) is all set to launch its “one nation, one registration platform” for doctors across India.

Relevance:

GS II: Government Policies and Interventions

Dimensions of the Article:

1. One Nation, One Registration Platform
2. About National Medical Commission (NMC)

One Nation, One Registration Platform:

• The NMC (National Medical Commission) plans to introduce a preliminary pilot of the National Medical Register (NMR) in the coming six months, which will assign a unique identification number to doctors.
• Doctors will have the flexibility to apply for a license to practice medicine in any state of their choice.
• The NMC had earlier published a gazette notification titled “Registration of Medical Practitioners and License to Practice Medicine Regulations” this year.

Objectives and Features:

• The primary goal is to provide undergraduate students with a masked ID within the NMR, with the unmasking and allocation of this ID being based on their course completion date.
• This ID will serve as a means for updating additional qualifications, and it will be linked to all state registers for licenses, allowing doctors to work anywhere in the country.
• The key aim is to streamline processes, eliminate duplication, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and provide the public with easy access to information about any practicing physician in India.

 About National Medical Commission (NMC):

• The National Medical Commission (NMC) is a regulatory body responsible for overseeing medical education and profession in India.
• The NMC was established in 2019 under the National Medical Commission Act, replacing the erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI).

Composition:

• The NMC consists of a Chairperson, members, and ex-officio members appointed by the Central Government.
• The Chairperson and members include eminent medical professionals, academicians, and experts from various fields related to medical education and practice.

Autonomous Boards:

• The NMC comprises autonomous boards responsible for specific areas such as undergraduate education, postgraduate education, medical assessment and rating, ethics and medical registration, and continuing professional development.

Reforms and Objectives:

• The NMC was established to bring about significant reforms in the medical education sector, promote transparency, improve the quality of education, and ensure the availability of competent medical professionals.
• It aims to address challenges in medical education, bridge gaps, and align education with evolving healthcare needs.

Functions and Responsibilities:

• Regulating Medical Education: The NMC sets standards, guidelines, and regulations for undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in India.
• Assessing Medical Institutions: It conducts inspections and assessments of medical colleges and institutions to ensure compliance with prescribed standards.
• Granting Recognition: The NMC grants recognition to medical qualifications and degrees obtained from Indian and foreign institutions.
• Promoting Ethical Practices: It establishes and enforces ethical standards and guidelines for medical professionals.
• Conducting Common Entrance Examinations: The NMC conducts a common entrance examination called the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to undergraduate medical courses in India.
• Oversight and Quality Assurance: The NMC monitors the quality of medical education, training, and research to maintain high standards in the healthcare sector.

-Source: The Hindu