Non-recognition of medical qualifications: Here are NMC's dos and don’ts for appeals to avoid rejections

Hyderabad: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has come up with new guidelines for filing first and second appeals regarding the non-recognition of medical qualifications by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB).

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a public notice to streamline the procedure for filing first and second appeals under various sections of the NMC Act, 2019.

Despite previous guidelines issued on December 28, 2022, and August 28, 2023, many appeals continue to be submitted incorrectly, leading to numerous rejections on technical grounds.

Common Issues in Appeals

The NMC has identified several recurring issues with the appeals submitted by colleges and appellants. Common deficiencies include invoking the wrong section of the NMC Act, incomplete documentation, and addressing appeals to the wrong authorities. "Several appeals received in this Commission are deficient on various counts, which make them liable to be rejected on technical grounds," stated the notice.

Revised Submission Guidelines

To address these issues, the NMC has reiterated the need for strict adherence to the prescribed procedures. The Commission has emphasized that all appellants must carefully review the guidelines before submission.

“All concerned may go through the guidelines before submitting any appeal to this commission against the decision of any board,” the notice advised.

Uniform Appeal Fees

In a significant update from its 13th Meeting, the NMC has standardized the fees for appeals. For appeals related to the academic year 2024-25 onwards, colleges and institutions are required to pay Rs. 50,000, while individuals must pay Rs. 5,000. This change revises the previously varied fees for different types of applications.

Submission Process

The NMC has mandated that all appeals should be submitted online via email to ‘nmc_appeal@nmc.org.in’ and addressed to the Secretary, NMC. The notice clearly states, “Appeals received through any other mode/channel or email address will be liable not to be considered.”

Required Documentation

The notice outlines a detailed checklist of documents that must accompany each appeal:

1. Copy of the Inspection report (for appeals under sections 28(5) and 35(5)).

2. Letter of Board conveying deficiencies or Show Cause Notice, if any.

3. Compliance Report submitted to the board, if any.

4. Decision letter from the Board after filing the compliance report, if any.

5. Appeal made before the Board for review, if any.

6. Final decision of the Board (Letter of Permission/Letter of Disapproval) against which the appeal is filed.

7. Proof that the appeal is addressed to the Chairman, NMC, and sent to the designated email.

Each document must be correctly numbered and attached as per the checklist.

Appeal Timelines

The timelines for filing appeals under the NMC Act are as follows:

- Section 22(3): Within thirty days of the decision.

- Section 28(5): Within six months of submitting a scheme if it is disapproved or not acted upon.

- Section 30(4): Within sixty days of the decision regarding recognition of a medical qualification.

- Section 35(5): Within sixty days of the decision.

Official Statement

Dr. (Prof.) B. Srinivas, Secretary, NMC, who approved the notice, emphasized the importance of following the guidelines to ensure a smooth appeal process. "This issues with the approval of Chairman, NMC," he stated, underscoring the Commission's commitment to maintaining an efficient and transparent appeal process.

The NMC urges all appellants to adhere strictly to these guidelines to avoid unnecessary rejections and ensure their appeals are processed smoothly and efficiently.