Medical Council of India

Medical Council of India (MCI) is a statutory body responsible for establishing and maintaining high standards of medical education and recognition of medical qualifications in India. It also registers doctors to practice in India, in order to protect and promote the health and safety of the public by ensuring proper standards in the practice of medicine.

History

The Medical Council of India was first established in 1934 under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1933. The Council was later reconstituted under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 that replaced the earlier Act.

Functions

The main functions of the Medical Council of India include:

• Maintenance of uniform standards of medical education, both undergraduate and postgraduate.
• Recommendation for recognition/de-recognition of medical qualifications of medical institutions of India or foreign countries.
• Permanent registration/provisional registration of doctors with recognized medical qualifications.
• Reciprocity with foreign countries in the matter of mutual recognition of medical qualifications.

Structure

The Medical Council of India consists of members elected by registered medical practitioners from amongst themselves, members nominated by the Government of India, members elected by the universities and state governments, and members nominated by the Central Government.

Controversies

The Medical Council of India has been embroiled in several controversies over the years, including allegations of corruption and lack of transparency in its functioning. In 2010, the President of the MCI, Ketan Desai, was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on charges of accepting a bribe to grant recognition to a medical college.

Dissolution and Replacement

In 2019, the Medical Council of India was dissolved and replaced by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The NMC is expected to bring about several reforms in the medical education sector, including a uniform entrance examination and licensing examination for all medical graduates.

See Also

• National Medical Commission
• Healthcare in India
• Medical Education in India

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