New Delhi: The Government of India has confirmed multiple violations of National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines by private and government medical colleges in West Bengal over the past three years. In response to a question raised by Rajya Sabha MP of BJP Shri Samik Bhattacharya, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare detailed the findings and subsequent actions taken against erring institutions.
Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel, informed the House that a total of 34 medical colleges in the academic year 2024–25 and 37 in 2025–26 were found deficient in terms of faculty, infrastructure, and other clinical parameters. These institutions—both public and private—received show-cause notices and, in many cases, monetary penalties. Some colleges were granted conditional renewal of MBBS seats based on compliance reports submitted afterward.
Unauthorized Operations and Legal Action
One of the most serious violations pertains to Sanjiban Hospital and Medical College, located in Howrah, which was found operating without the mandatory approval from the NMC. The commission issued an advisory on May 19, 2025, warning students and the general public against such unauthorized institutions.
The advisory named Sanjiban among other violators and aimed to prevent prospective students from being misled into enrolling in unrecognized programs.
Penalties and Seat Reductions in Government Medical Colleges
The NMC’s Post Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) also reviewed applications for recognition and renewal in 2022. Several colleges in West Bengal were found lacking, primarily in terms of faculty strength, infrastructure, and adherence to biometric attendance systems (AEBAS). Penalties were imposed in the form of seat reductions under the Maintenance of Standards of Medical Education Regulations, 2023 and the older Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000.
A detailed annexure provided in the response lists the penalized colleges and courses affected:
- Bankura Sammilani Medical College & Hospital saw reductions in several postgraduate courses, including General Surgery, Anesthesiology, General Medicine, and Pediatrics due to severe faculty and infrastructure shortages.
- Midnapore Medical College & Hospital lost seats in Anesthesiology and General Medicine for the same reasons.
- Burdwan Medical College faced cuts in Dermatology and General Surgery due to inadequate bed occupancy and faculty numbers.
- Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (IPGMER), Kolkata, Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College, and RG Kar Medical College were also penalized for similar deficiencies.
- Medical College, Kolkata saw a reduction in Respiratory Medicine seats because of inadequate faculty strength.
Student Safeguards and Future Steps
To protect students, especially those who may be unknowingly enrolled in unrecognized institutions, the Under Graduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) issued an alert to all stakeholders on May 19, 2025.
The advisory warned against unauthorized medical colleges that falsely claim recognition and urged students and parents to verify credentials directly with the NMC before seeking admission.
The government emphasized its commitment to maintaining the integrity of medical education in the country. It reiterated that institutions found violating NMC guidelines would face stringent action, including monetary penalties, reduction of seats, and in extreme cases, de-recognition.
This move aims to ensure that the quality of medical education in India is not compromised and that students receive training in institutions that meet nationally prescribed standards.
- 34 colleges (2024–25) and 37 colleges (2025–26) in West Bengal found deficient in faculty, infrastructure, or clinical standards.
- Sanjiban Hospital and Medical College found operating without NMC approval.
- Show-cause notices, financial penalties, and conditional renewal of seats issued by NMC.
- Seat reductions enforced at seven major government colleges across West Bengal.
- Advisory issued to protect students from unrecognized institutions.
As the NMC intensifies its oversight, the focus remains on enforcing compliance and ensuring students are not victimized by institutional lapses.
