Medical Council of India - Introduction

The Medical Council of India was established in 1934 under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1933. The council has given the responsibility to set standard of higher qualifications in medicine and recognition of medical qualifications in India and abroad. The Medical Council of India (MCI) has its written constitution to deal with medical colleges and hospitals and medical professionals of the country. The amendment in MCI act has also made in 1964, 1993 and 2001 to ensure the proper functioning of the council.

The Medical Council of India was established in 1934 under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1933. The council has given the responsibility to set standard of higher qualifications in medicine and recognition of medical qualifications in India and abroad. The Medical Council of India (MCI) has its written constitution to deal with medical colleges and hospitals and medical professionals of the country. The amendment in MCI act has also made in 1964, 1993 and 2001 to ensure the proper functioning of the council.
Under Section 3 (1) of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, the Council consists of the following members:

1.  One member from each State other than a Union Territory to be nominated by the Central Government in consultation with the State Government concerned.

2.  One member from each University, to be elected from amongst the members of the medical faculty of the University, by members of the Senate of the University or in case the University has no senate, by members of the Court.

3.  One member from each State in which a State Medical Register is maintained, to be elected from amongst themselves by persons enrolled on such Register who possess the medical qualifications included in the First and Second Schedule or in Part-II of the Third Schedule.

4.  Seven members to be elected from amongst themselves by persons who possess the medical qualifications included in Part I of the Third Schedule.

5.  Eight members to be nominated by the Central Govt. The members of the Council from amongst themselves elect the President and Vice-President of the Council.

Under the provisions of Regulations of the two statuary bodies, no medical or dental college can be established or increase their capacity without prior approval of the Central Government. According to the procedure under section 10-A, the Central Government’s permission to such colleges are granted initially for one year, i.e., for admitting only one batch of students in a calendar year. The permissions are to be renewed on yearly basis after verification of achievements of annual targets.

This process is continued till such time the required infrastructure is created and recognition is granted. The admissions made without the required approval/renewals will be irregular and their degrees will not be recognised.

The Central Government and the Medical Council of India (MCI) and Dental Council of India (DCI) have noted with great concern that the many colleges/private promoters are taking admissions through newspaper advertisements, without following the procedure under MCI/DCI regulations. The parents/guardians  of students and students themselves  are advised to verify the admission status of the colleges for the forthcoming year from the Central Government and Medical Council Of India  (MCI) and Dental Council of India (DCI) before taking admissions in medical and dental colleges.