In a major decision to safeguard the integrity of medical education, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has suspended all approvals for new medical colleges, seat increases, and course renewals for the academic year 2025–2026. This move follows a widespread bribery scandal uncovered during NMC inspections, revealing that fraudulent approvals were granted to several institutions lacking proper infrastructure and faculty.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched raids at 40 medical colleges across India, exposing how bribes were allegedly paid to obtain approval for colleges without meeting regulatory standards such as infrastructure, faculty qualification, and patient care facilities. The action aims to restore credibility within the sector.
The CBI has uncovered a corruption network involving 34 individuals, including officials from the Union Health Ministry, NMC, a National Health Authority officer, and five NMC inspectors, along with key figures from private medical colleges. Raids targeted institutions such as Swaminarayan Medical College in Gujarat, linked to Swami Bhagat Vatsalyadasji, and religious leaders like Guru Ravishankarji in Chhattisgarh are also under scrutiny.
So far, 36 people have been arrested, including 11 officials from health departments and three doctors tied to private colleges. Authorities estimate the scam could exceed ₹1,000 crore.
To enforce compliance, NMC plans surprise inspections at existing institutions. The freeze marks an unprecedented halt in India’s medical education expansion, likely affecting private players’ future plans.
In a related incident in May 2025, an NMC assessor was blacklisted for allegedly accepting bribes to favor a medical college in Karnataka, leading to cancellation of seat renewals and new course approvals for that institution.
