NMC Unveils Draft Framework to Rank & Accredit Medical Colleges

With a view to harmonizing quality within Indian medical institutions, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has published a draft framework for medical college accreditation and rating. The new strategy, spearheaded by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB), suggests assessing colleges by an independent third-party agency to bring in impartiality and conformity.

The framework is constructed on 11 key criteria and 78 evaluation parameters, each with predefined weightage, scoring rubric, and performance indicators. To ensure transparency and inclusivity, the NMC has called upon stakeholders to send their comments within 21 days from the notification dated May 10, 2025.

What is in the draft framework?

1. Data and insight-driven accreditation

NMC's ​​accreditation system is more than a mere level-surface inspection. Every criterion has elaborate sub-parameters encompassing qualitative and quantitative measures, structured as per existing NMC regulations. Colleges are required to submit paperwork, and assessment teams also conduct face-to-face faculty and student interviews.

2. 11 Key Assessment Criteria

The draft enumerates the following categories for institutions' rating:

• Curriculum Implementation and Capacity Building

• Clinical Exposure, Training, and Internship Opportunities

• Teaching and Learning Environment: ​​Physical, Mental, and Digital Infrastructure

• Student Admissions, Competencies, and Career Development

• Faculty Resources and Teaching Process

• Assessment Policies: Formative, Internal, and Summative

• Research Output and Impact: Including Patents and Publications

• Financial Resource Allocation: From Labs to Sports

• Community Outreach Programs: Including Family Adoption Initiatives

• Quality Assurance Mechanisms: SOPs, Accreditation, and Safety Protocols

• Stakeholder Feedback:  From Students, Faculty, and Alumni

Highlights of the Criteria in Action

Curriculum Implementation

This domain measures the integration of the competency-based medical education (CBME) curriculum. In evaluating the functioning of faculty development programs (FDPs) like BCME and ACME, academic councils, and curriculum committees, the assessors will look at how well the curriculum is aligned. 

Clinical Training and Exposure

Hands-on learning in real-life settings is at the core of medical training. This framework evaluates the provision of clinical material, volumes of OPD/IPD, investigations in the lab, and radiological services to assess whether students receive proper training.

Research and Innovation

The model places emphasis on research output, analyzing indexed publications, citation impact, impact factor, active projects, and intellectual property activity.

Feedback-Driven Improvement

Stakeholder feedback from students, alumni, and faculty will also be an essential indicator of institutional quality. This means that colleges are not just infrastructurally well-equipped but also improve the student experience.

How to submit suggestions

NMC invites medical colleges, faculty, students, and stakeholders to go through the draft and provide suggestions. Suggestions can be provided through the online form linked in the official notice.

This move is a big step towards establishing transparency, enhancing the quality of medical education, and fostering institutional excellence in India.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal Arshad/MSM)