The Supreme Court has refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought modifications in the medical syllabus. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai made it clear that determining what should be taught in medical education is not the judiciary’s responsibility.
“This is not our role. We cannot decide on syllabus matters. The petitioner must approach the university or the government,” observed the bench. The judges emphasized that such issues fall strictly within the jurisdiction of academic and regulatory authorities, not the courts.
Consequently, the PIL was dismissed. However, the Court left the door open for the petitioner to take the matter to the appropriate bodies, such as the concerned universities or the government.
In India, the National Medical Commission (NMC) is the apex authority regulating medical education. It frames and updates the curriculum, syllabus, and academic standards for all medical courses across the country.
The NMC functions through four autonomous boards:
- Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) and Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB): responsible for designing and revising the MBBS, MD, MS, and other course curricula.
- Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB): ensures medical colleges comply with regulatory standards.
- Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB): oversees professional ethics, regulates medical conduct, and addresses cases of professional misconduct by doctors.
