Short Note – Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill

The lower house of the Indian Parliament, the Lok Sabha passed the Indian Medical Council (Amendment), Bill. The bill will now be tabled in the Rajya Sabha for discussion and voting. The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha by a voice vote.

What is the Indian Medical Council (Amendment), Bill?

  • This Bill amends the earlier Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and completely replaces the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Second Ordinance, 2019.
  • The Act sets up the Medical Council of India (MCI) which will regulate the medical education and practice in India.
  • The provisions of this Bill will be effective from September 26, 2018.
  • The Act requires the central government to constitute a Board of Governors, to exercise the powers of the MCI when it is suspended for a duration (earlier 3, now after this act- 2 years).
  • The new Bill also increases the strength of the Board from 7 to 12. Now people with administrative capacity may be appointed to the board.
  • The board will be assisted by a Secretary-General appointed by the Central Government.

Other bills in the process

In the Rajya Sabha, the Bill to amend the Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973, was passed after it had been cleared by the Lok Sabha.

The discussion has remained inconclusive on the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers Cadre) Bill, 2019 in the Rajya Sabha.