NMC Staffing Shortfall: 19 of 54 Sanctioned Posts Remain Vacant
The National Medical Commission (NMC), India's apex medical education regulator, is grappling with significant staffing shortages, with nearly one-third of its authorized positions currently unfilled. This critical revelation came to light during a parliamentary session on February 10, 2026, when the Centre provided official data to the Rajya Sabha.
Parliamentary Disclosure Reveals Systemic Gaps
In response to a query raised by Shri Vivek K. Tankha, Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel disclosed that the NMC and its four autonomous boards collectively have a sanctioned strength of 54 positions. However, only 35 of these positions are currently occupied, leaving a substantial 19 posts vacant across the regulatory framework.
The Commission itself maintains better staffing levels, with 28 out of 33 sanctioned positions filled. These include the Chairman, ex-officio members, and part-time members, along with the Secretary's post which remains occupied. However, the situation becomes markedly more concerning when examining the autonomous boards that form the operational backbone of medical education regulation.
Autonomous Boards Operating with Critical Shortages
The four autonomous boards responsible for crucial functions including:
- Undergraduate and postgraduate medical education regulation
- Medical assessment and accreditation processes
- Ethics enforcement and medical registration oversight
are experiencing particularly severe vacancy rates. Parliamentary data indicates that several of these boards are functioning with only a limited number of members in place, with multiple President and whole-time member positions remaining unfilled.
These boards perform essential regulatory functions that directly impact medical education quality across India. Their responsibilities include approving new medical colleges, monitoring training standards, and enforcing professional ethics among medical practitioners.
Government Response and Institutional Mechanisms
Addressing concerns about how the NMC continues to function amid these vacancies, the Commission has assured the government that "appropriate institutional mechanisms" remain operational to ensure continued discharge of statutory responsibilities under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare emphasized that filling vacancies represents an ongoing, continuous process. According to official statements, appropriate actions are being taken in accordance with provisions outlined in the Act, including periodic advertisement releases to attract qualified candidates for vacant positions.
Timing Concerns Amid Medical Education Expansion
This staffing disclosure emerges during a critical period of healthcare infrastructure development in India. The country is actively expanding its medical education capacity through increased numbers of medical colleges and available seats. This expansion makes full staffing at the regulatory level particularly crucial for maintaining educational standards and ensuring proper oversight.
The NMC's role in quality assurance becomes increasingly vital as India works to address healthcare workforce shortages and improve medical education accessibility nationwide. Regulatory gaps during this expansion phase could potentially compromise the standards that future medical professionals will uphold throughout their careers.
