Medical Council of India to be reconstituted by central government

It also introduces provisions for the renewal of medical practitioner enrolment and the maintenance of an electronic register.

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

What the bill does

• Reconstitution of the MCI by the Central Government via notification.
• The term of the Council and its members is set to four years.
• The President and Vice-President of the Council are limited to a maximum of two terms.
• Representation for Union Territories is added to the Council composition.
• Health Universities are eligible to elect representatives for affiliated medical colleges (one representative per ten colleges, or one if fewer than ten).
• The Council is mandated to determine, coordinate, and maintain standards of medical education and practice, and ensure adequate availability of doctors in all States.
• Eligibility for registration is extended to include Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).
• The Council must maintain an Electronic Medical Register in addition to the standard register.
• Enrolment of medical practitioners is valid for ten years and requires renewal.
• Provisions for the resignation, removal, and suspension of the President, Vice-President, or members of the Council are detailed, including grounds such as moral turpitude or misbehaviour.
• The Central Government retains the power to issue directions on policy matters and to make or amend regulations if the Council fails to comply with orders.

Also in the document

• The Bill is an amendment to the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956.
• It references the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Act, 2010, which previously superseded the Council with a Board of Governors.
• The definition of 'electronic form' is linked to the Information Technology Act, 2000.
• The definition of 'overseas citizen of India' is linked to the Citizenship Act, 1955.