The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released a draft amendment to the Establishment of New Medical Institutions, Starting of New Medical Courses, Increase of Seats for Existing Courses, and Assessment & Rating Regulations, 2026. The proposed changes aim to make the approval process for medical colleges more transparent, financially stable, and infrastructure-focused.
If implemented, these amendments could significantly impact how new medical colleges are established and how existing institutions expand their MBBS and postgraduate seats.
All Companies May Be Eligible to Establish Medical Colleges
One of the most notable proposals is that all companies registered under the Companies Act, 2013 may be allowed to establish medical colleges. Previously, only Section 8 (non-profit) companies were eligible. In addition, registered trusts will also be permitted to apply.
This move is expected to encourage greater investment in medical education while expanding opportunities to establish new institutions across the country.
Mandatory Corpus Fund for Financial Stability
The draft regulations introduce a mandatory Corpus Fund requirement for both new applicants and existing medical colleges.
Every institution will be required to maintain a dedicated corpus fund to ensure smooth functioning and long-term financial stability. The amount of the corpus fund will be determined by the Medical Assessment & Rating Board (MARB) and may be revised periodically. Institutions must also be ready to submit proof of the corpus fund whenever required.
Incomplete Applications Will Be Rejected
The NMC has proposed a stricter application process.
Institutions submitting incomplete applications or missing mandatory documents may face immediate rejection, without being given an opportunity to make corrections. This change is intended to streamline the approval process and reduce unnecessary delays.
Complete Infrastructure Before Approval
Under the draft amendment, medical colleges seeking approval for:
Establishment of a new medical college
Starting new medical courses
Increasing MBBS or PG seats
must have fully completed infrastructure before applying.
This includes:
Fully constructed academic buildings
Operational teaching hospitals
Complete statutory facilities and infrastructure
Applications based on temporary arrangements or under-construction facilities may no longer be considered.
Revised Documentation Requirements
The draft also proposes changes to the documentation required during the approval process. These include revisions related to:
Essentiality Certificate (EC)
Consent of Affiliation (CoA)
Solvency Certificate
Infrastructure compliance documents
The objective is to simplify documentation while ensuring institutions meet all regulatory standards.
Stricter Compliance and Penalties
The NMC has also proposed stronger enforcement measures.
Applications for new colleges, additional courses, or seat increases may be rejected if institutions fail to comply with regulations. Furthermore, any attempt to improperly influence the decision-making process of the NMC or MARB could result in immediate rejection of the application.
Public Consultation Before Final Notification
Since these are draft regulations, the NMC has invited comments, suggestions, and objections from stakeholders within 30 days of the notification. After reviewing the feedback, the Commission is expected to issue the final regulations.
What Does This Mean for Students?
Although these amendments primarily target medical institutions, they could benefit students in the long run by:
Improving the quality and infrastructure of medical colleges.
Ensuring financially stable institutions.
Increasing transparency in the approval process.
Potentially expanding the number of medical colleges and MBBS seats in the future.
Conclusion
The proposed amendments reflect the NMC's focus on strengthening India's medical education system through stricter infrastructure requirements, enhanced financial accountability, and greater transparency. If approved, these regulations could reshape the establishment and expansion of medical colleges while ensuring that institutions meet higher standards before admitting students.
