The draft amendment bill proposes the establishment of the Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, which will take over the functions of the National Board of Examinations that currently conducts the entrance tests for all post-graduation and super-specialty courses

The centre has proposed amending the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act 2019 to bring relief to patients seeking action against negligent doctors.

Upon approval, the amendment would allow patients and their families to appeal decisions of the State Medical Council to the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) or National Medical Council (NMC).

Until now, the NMC has only considered appeals of doctors found guilty of medical negligence by the EMRB, overlooking similar claims by patients. This was despite a Supreme Court ruling favouring patients’ appeals.

The amendment also seeks to introduce the National Exit Test (NEXT) – a two-part examination that will act as a qualifying exam for granting registration to doctors as well as the basis for post-graduate admissions.

The draft amendment bill proposes the establishment of a fifth autonomous board, the Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, which will take over the functions of the National Board of Examinations that currently conducts the entrance tests for all post-graduation and super-speciality courses.

The National Board of Examinations also conducts the screening test for foreign medical graduates, which will also be replaced by the new NEXT examination.

The Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences will perform the following functions:

(a) Conduct National EXIT Test.

(b) Accredit medical institutions for conducting Diploma, Fellowship Postgraduate and Diplomate; and Fellowship Super-Speciality courses.

(c) Determine the minimum requirements and standards for conducting Diploma, Diplomate and Fellowship Postgraduate and Diplomate and Fellowship Super-Speciality courses and their examinations in medical institution, in accordance with the regulations made under this Act.

(d) Conduct exit examinations for the award of Diploma, Diplomate, and Fellowship qualifications.

(e) Conduct any such examinations of any institution as assigned to it by the Commission or by the Central Government.

(f) Grant degree and diploma for Diplomate and Fellowship qualifications.