The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a public notice announcing a new structured, multi-level grievance redressal mechanism designed to address a wide range of challenges faced by medical students, parents, and other stakeholders. This initiative aims to provide dedicated platforms for the timely and effective resolution of issues encountered during academic and clinical training. This notice was issued on July 8, 2025.
The NMC has acknowledged receiving numerous grievances concerning various issues, including the charging of excess fees, delays or non-payment of stipends, instances of ragging and harassment, internship-related problems, concerns related to faculty or college staff, disciplinary matters, health and safety issues, and academic difficulties such such as curriculum, attendance, teaching methods, and examinations. Recognizing an “emergent need,” the Commission has put this mechanism in place to ensure stakeholders have accessible avenues for redressal.
The advisory proposes a three-tiered approach for grievance resolution:
I. Medical College/Institute Level
Most grievances are expected to be resolved at this foundational level. Medical Colleges and Institutes are encouraged to establish Grievance Redressal Committees with senior functionaries.
II. University Level
If a grievance remains unresolved at the college level, it can then be escalated to the respective University. Universities are also advised to form similar committees.
III. State DME/Health & Medical Education Department Level
For grievances that persist after being addressed at the university level, intervention can be sought from the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) or the Health & Medical Education Department of the concerned State/Union Territory.
Colleges, Universities, and State Health & Medical Education Departments are required to publish details of these committees on their respective websites and diligently maintain records of all grievances received and their resolutions. Additionally, Colleges and Universities are instructed to create and prominently display a web-portal address on their websites, providing an online platform for aggrieved students to register their complaints.
For grievances that require intervention at the national level due to their unresolved status at the state or institutional levels, the NMC has activated its own dedicated web portal. Medical students and stakeholders are encouraged to register on this portal to submit their unresolved grievances directly to the Commission.
The NMC emphasizes the importance of collective effort from all stakeholders to ensure speedy and effective resolution of grievances, striving for issues to be addressed at the earliest possible stage. This structured mechanism is expected to foster a more supportive, transparent, and accountable environment within India’s medical education system.