UGMEB director Shambhu Sharan Kumar stated in a letter to the IGMC & RI dean/principal that the Medical evaluation and Rating Board (MARB) appointed assessors to perform an evaluation after the government institute appealed for continuation of recognition of the MBBS degree.

The National Medical Commission’s Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) recently denied acceptance of the MBBS degree conferred by Pondicherry University to Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute (IGMC & RI), Puducherry. The board made this judgment after recognising shortcomings in the faculty and footage from cameras set in the institute. The government institute, however, has been given the right to appeal this verdict before the National Medical Commission.

Evaluation and Deficiencies

Following the government institute’s appeal for the continuation of recognition of the MBBS degree, the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB), constituted by UGMEB, performed an assessment. MARB assessors conducted a virtual assessment during the final MBBS practical examinations in April of last year, followed by a physical verification of the facilities in January of this year.

The board detected various flaws after evaluating the assessment reports, as well as the Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) and Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) data, including CCTV footage. These flaws were then addressed to the institute, with a request for a response. Following receipt of the response, the board convened a virtual hearing with institute administrators on May 15, this year, to further assess the issue.

Response Unsatisfactory and UGMEB Decision

Following the hearing and careful evaluation of the facts and compliance, the UGMEB concluded that the college authorities’ reaction was unacceptable. The institute, IGMC & RI, continued to fall short of meeting the basic AEBAS requirements for faculty and resident doctors, as well as the installation and operation of cameras. Based on this evaluation, UGMEB denied the application for continued recognition of the MBBS degree (150 seats) conferred by Pondicherry University to students doing training at IGMC & RI, Puducherry.

It is worth noting, however, that the government institute has been given the right to appeal this decision to the National Medical Commission. This gives the institute the opportunity to submit its case and fix the flaws identified by UGMEB. The appeals process allows IGMC and RI to present further evidence or modifications that may influence the decision’s outcome.

The Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the National Medical Commission rejected recognition for the MBBS degree awarded by Pondicherry University to Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute (IGMC & RI), Puducherry, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high standards in medical education. The UGMEB made its judgment based on evaluation reports, Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) data, and CCTV footage that highlighted inadequacies in the faculty and camera installation/function at the institute.

The rejection of recognition is a big setback for IGMC & RI because it affects the future of students pursuing MBBS degrees at the institute. It emphasizes the importance of institutions adhering to the basic requirements imposed by regulatory organizations in order to promote excellent education and student well-being.

It is worth mentioning, however, that the UGMEB has allowed the government institute to appeal to the National Medical Commission. This gives IGMC & RI the opportunity to submit their case and correct the flaws found by the UGMEB. The appeals process allows the institute to correct the deficiencies and demonstrate its commitment to sustaining the criteria required for MBBS degree recognition.

The UGMEB ruling and ensuing appeal procedure demonstrate the accountability and scrutiny that medical colleges and institutes in India endure. It emphasizes the significance of ongoing monitoring and evaluation to ensure that educational institutions maintain the essential standards and offer an atmosphere favorable to learning and growth.

Finally, the UGMEB and other regulating agencies want to make sure that medical students have quality education and training so that they can become competent and compassionate healthcare providers. The acceptance of MBBS degrees is critical in verifying medical graduates’ educational qualifications and guaranteeing their readiness to serve the society.