The National Medical Commission (NMC) is distancing itself from its empanelled assessors amidst a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) crackdown on bribery related to favorable ratings for medical colleges. This move comes in response to recent arrests and investigations into alleged corruption within the medical education sector.
The CBI has been actively investigating instances where bribes were allegedly paid to obtain favorable inspection reports for medical colleges. These reports are crucial for the recognition and accreditation of these institutions. The CBI's actions are aimed at curbing corruption that could compromise the quality of medical education and healthcare standards in the country.
In May 2025, the CBI arrested a senior doctor working as an assessor with the NMC for allegedly accepting a ₹10 lakh bribe to provide a positive inspection report to a private medical college in Karnataka. Following the arrest, the CBI recovered an additional ₹44.6 lakh in cash during searches. Furthermore, in a recent crackdown, the CBI arrested six individuals, including three doctors, for allegedly facilitating favorable inspection reports for medical colleges in exchange for bribes. The arrested individuals are linked to the Rawatpura Sarkar Institute of Medical Sciences & Research in Chhattisgarh's Nava Raipur. The CBI registered a case against the office-bearers of the institute, inspecting doctors, and intermediaries after receiving credible information about the bribery.
The NMC has responded to these incidents with a firm stance against corruption. The commission has blacklisted the assessor arrested in May, pending investigation and final verdict. In an exemplary action, the NMC has decided against renewing the existing number of undergraduate and postgraduate seats for the academic year 2025-26 at the implicated medical college in Karnataka. Moreover, the NMC has stated that applications for increasing seats and starting new courses for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs at the college for the academic year 2025-26 will be canceled and not processed further.
The NMC has clarified the process of engaging assessors, stating that they are senior faculty members from various government medical colleges across the country who volunteer to conduct periodic inspections on behalf of the commission. These assessors are not employed by the NMC but are selected from a pool of nationwide government medical college faculty and assigned inspections through a randomization process.
The NMC has emphasized its commitment to upholding integrity and transparency at all levels and has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. The commission has stated that any untoward incident by any person or medical institution will be dealt with according to the relevant penal provisions of the NMC Act and its regulations. Under these provisions, the NMC can take actions such as imposing monetary penalties, withholding the processing of applications for new schemes, reducing the number of students admitted, stopping admissions to courses, and recommending action against assessors who violate conduct rules.
The CBI's investigation is ongoing, with searches conducted at over 40 locations across multiple states, including Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh. The agency is investigating the extent of the corruption and the individuals involved.
