The Centre has appointed Dr. Abhijit Sheth as the new NMC Chairperson, marking a crucial leadership change in the National Medical Commission (NMC), India’s apex regulatory body for medical education. The announcement comes at a sensitive time, with NMC bribery allegations triggering widespread scrutiny of the commission’s internal functioning and regulatory practices.

Transition of Leadership After Prolonged Vacancy

Dr. Abhijit Sheth as the new NMC Chairperson, succeeds Dr. B N Gangadhar, who resigned from the post in October last year. However, Dr. Gangadhar continued in the role as his resignation was not accepted due to the unavailability of a suitable replacement. For nearly nine months, several key positions within the NMC, including three out of four autonomous board presidents, remained vacant. Even the NMC chairperson and the only remaining president had reportedly submitted their resignations, but they were not acted upon.

The health ministry had earlier sent multiple shortlists of candidates to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet; however, no appointment has been finalized to date. With Dr. Abhijit Sheth as the new NMC Chairperson, the Centre aims to stabilize the regulatory framework and restore confidence in the institution.

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Who is Dr. Abhijit Sheth?

Currently, Dr. Abhijit Sheth as the new NMC Chairperson also serves as the head of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), which conducts entrance examinations for postgraduate and super-specialisation medical courses across the country. He is expected to continue overseeing NBEMS operations for a few months, especially since the NEET-PG examination is scheduled for August. Eventually, Dr. Sheth will step away from NBEMS to dedicate his focus entirely to NMC responsibilities.

This dual role highlights the trust the government places in Dr. Sheth’s administrative acumen and expertise in medical education regulation. The appointment of Dr. Abhijit Sheth as the new NMC Chairperson signals a potential overhaul in the commission's functioning, which has been facing a credibility crisis in recent months.

Bribery Scandal Sparks Regulatory Crisis

The leadership change at NMC follows serious allegations of bribery at NMC. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recently registered a First Information Report (FIR) in connection with a corruption scandal that allegedly manipulated the regulatory framework governing medical colleges.

According to the FIR, confidential inspection schedules and other classified information were illicitly shared with private medical colleges. This allowed them to arrange “ghost faculty” members, admit fictitious patients, and make fraudulent preparations to clear regulatory inspections. Such malpractices undermined the integrity of medical education and raised questions about the NMC’s ability to maintain standards.

While the FIR does not name the NMC chairperson directly, it lists 34 individuals, including former University Grants Commission Chairman Dr. D. P. Singh, officials from the health ministry and the NMC, members of inspection teams, and representatives of various medical colleges. These NMC bribery allegations have further deepened public mistrust in the system.

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Institutional Vacuum and Its Impact

For months, the NMC has been functioning with a skeletal leadership structure. Three out of four presidents of its autonomous boards were absent, and even the chairperson’s resignation was pending acceptance. This institutional vacuum created governance challenges and weakened the commission’s ability to monitor medical colleges effectively.

By appointing Dr. Abhijit Sheth as the new NMC Chairperson, the government aims to fill this leadership gap and bring much-needed administrative stability. His presence is expected to streamline decision-making processes and enhance regulatory oversight, especially at a time when NMC bribery allegations have highlighted serious systemic flaws.

What Lies Ahead for NMC Under Dr. Sheth

The immediate task for Dr. Abhijit Sheth, as the new NMC Chairperson, will be to rebuild the commission’s credibility while ensuring the smooth conduct of crucial entrance examinations, such as NEET-PG. His experience at NBEMS equips him with the expertise to manage large-scale examinations and regulatory frameworks.

Moreover, he will have to address the NMC bribery allegations head-on, ensuring transparency in inspections, stricter accountability for inspection teams, and a robust digital monitoring system to prevent future malpractices. Restoring trust among medical students, colleges, and the public will be critical.

The Centre’s decision to finally appoint Dr. Abhijit Sheth as the new NMC Chairperson also signals a renewed focus on filling other vacant positions within the commission. Strengthening the leadership team will be crucial for enhancing oversight, reducing bureaucratic delays, and improving the quality of medical education in India.

A Crucial Turning Point

The appointment of Dr. Abhijit Sheth as the new NMC Chairperson represents a turning point for the National Medical Commission. After months of leadership uncertainty and damaging NMC bribery allegations, this move offers hope for structural reforms and improved governance.

As he takes charge as the new NMC Chairperson, Dr. Abhijit Sheth will need to balance his ongoing responsibilities at NBEMS with the pressing challenges awaiting him at NMC. His ability to navigate this transition smoothly will determine how effectively the commission can recover from the current crisis and fulfill its mandate of ensuring quality medical education in India.

With the government's backing during this critical period, Dr. Abhijit Sheth, as the new NMC Chairperson, now carries the responsibility of leading the commission toward greater transparency, accountability, and efficiency.

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