• The Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was introduced by Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Mr. Jagat Prakash Nadda in Lok Sabha on July 19, 2016.  The Bill seeks to amend the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956.  The Act provides for the constitution of the Medical Council of India (MCI).  The MCI regulates: (i) standards of medical education, (ii) permission to start colleges, courses or increase the number of seats, (iv) registration of doctors, (v) standards of professional conduct of medical practitioners, among others. 

• The Bill seeks to replace the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2016.  The Bill states that its provisions will come in to force from May 24, 2016.

• The Bill seeks to introduce a uniform entrance examination for all medical educational institutions.  This would be applicable at the undergraduate and the post-graduate level.

• The Bill states that in case a state has not opted for the uniform entrance examination, then the examination will not be applicable at the undergraduate level for the academic year 2016-17.  This provision will apply to state government seats in government and private medical colleges.

• The Bill states that the entrance examinations will be conducted in Hindi, English and other languages.

• The Bill provides powers to the MCI to frame regulations with regard to: (i) the authority designated with the conduct of the exams, (ii) the manner of conducting the exams, and (iii) specifying languages other than English and Hindi in which the examinations may be conducted. 

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