Medical Council of India reconstituted with Union Territory and Health University reps

It also expands the Council's functions to include regulating medical education standards and maintaining an electronic medical register.

Who it concerns: The Medical Council of India (MCI), the Central Government, State Governments, Health Universities, medical colleges, and medical practitioners (including Overseas Citizens of India).

What the bill does

• Reconstitutes the MCI with a new composition, including a representative for Union Territories and representatives from Health Universities.
• Limits the President and Vice-President of the MCI to a maximum of two terms.
• Reduces the term of office for MCI members from five years to four years.
• Mandates the reconstitution of the Council within 180 days of the Act's commencement.
• Expands the Council's functions to include laying down professional ethics standards, granting permission for medical colleges, and facilitating medical education outside India.
• Allows Overseas Citizens of India to be eligible for registration in the Indian Medical Register.
• Requires the MCI to maintain the Indian Medical Register in electronic form, including biometric details.
• Provides grounds for the removal of the President, Vice-President, or members, including insolvency, mental incapacity, moral turpitude, or conflict of interest.
• Grants the Central Government the power to issue policy directions to the Council and to make or amend regulations if the Council fails to comply.
• Requires rules and regulations made under the Act to be laid before Parliament for a total period of 30 days.

Also in the document

• The Bill repeals the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013.
• The Act is deemed to have come into force on May 15, 2013.
• The Board of Governors continues to function until the new Council is reconstituted or for a period not exceeding 180 days.