Medical Dialogues

Taking note of alleged unethical practices, professional misconduct, use of fake medical qualifications, and expired registration certificates, the Telangana Medical Council has removed the name of a doctor from its medical register for two years and censured another for their alleged illegal practices at a diagnostic centre in Suryapet.

The National Medical Commission's proposed common exit -licentiate examination, i.e., the National Exit Test (NExT), is yet to see the light of day. Amid this, a fresh debate has emerged within the medical community over the exam's necessity and timing of implementation.

While a section of doctors have sought the implementation of NExT examination for MBBS students, some have expressed concerns regarding the immediate rollout.

8 additional super speciality seats across five medical colleges have been approved by the National Medical Commission (NMC) for the academic year 2025-26, following decisions taken by its First Appeal Committee.

This comes right after the Medical Assessment & Rating Board (MARB) of NMC approved 49 additional DM and MCh seats in other institutes after reviewing their appeals on March 30, 2026.

Taking note of the huge vacancies in the posts of faculty members and residents at the central government medical institutes, a Parliamentary Committee on Health has expressed concern about the excessive workload of doctors.

Highlighting the possibility of clinical errors and burnout resulting in compromised patient safety, the panel has recommended formulating and strictly enforcing a "Clinical Duty Hours Regulation" policy with mandatory rest periods and monitored rosters.

These recommendations were presented before the Parliament by the Department-related Parliamentary Committee on Health and Family Welfare in its 172nd report.

India has 1,28,976 MBBS seats and 68,175 postgraduate medical seats for the academic year 2025-26, Union Minister of State for Health Smt Anupriya Patel informed the Lok Sabha, citing data from the National Medical Commission (NMC).

Over the last five years, MBBS seats have increased from 92,065 in 2021-22 to 1,28,976 in 2025-26, while PG seats have risen from 47,419 to 68,175, reflecting steady expansion in medical education capacity.