MARB Issues Detailed Guidelines, Deadlines and Compliance Norms
In New Delhi, the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has invited online applications for starting new Post Graduate (PG) medical courses, establishing standalone PG medical institutions, and increasing seats in existing PG courses for the Academic Year 2026–27.
According to the notice dated February 27, 2026, applications will be accepted only through the official NMC website. The online portal will remain open from March 2, 2026, to March 31, 2026, and the last date for submission of completed applications is March 31, 2026, before 11:59 pm. No offline or hard-copy submissions will be entertained.
MARB has emphasized that applicant institutions must strictly comply with the “Establishment of Medical Institutions, Assessment and Rating Regulations, 2023,” along with the Minimum Standard Requirements (MSRs), PGMSR 2024, and other relevant guidelines. Incomplete applications or those lacking mandatory documents will be rejected without further communication.
For established medical colleges seeking to start new PG courses or increase intake, institutions must upload detailed information including consent of affiliation (CoA), existing MBBS and PG seat details, faculty strength, hospital infrastructure, clinical material data (OPD/IPD/bed occupancy), equipment lists, and recognized PG guides. A signed undertaking on Rs 500 non-judicial stamp paper confirming the authenticity of information is mandatory.
For new standalone PG medical institutions (only for government colleges), additional requirements include a valid essentiality certificate (EC), land and building details, fire safety clearance, AERB and Pollution Control Board certificates, blood bank license, biomedical waste management certification, and proof of a barrier-free environment. Provisional or conditional CoA and EC will not be accepted.
The application process involves four steps: user registration, payment of a non-refundable registration fee of Rs 2 lakh plus 18% GST, filling the application form with required documents, and payment of the applicable course fee before final submission. An application number will be generated only after successful submission and payment verification.
MARB clarified that assessments may include digital scrutiny, AEBAS attendance verification (minimum 75%), live video feed review, HMIS data analysis, and surprise physical or virtual inspections. Institutions must have fully functional infrastructure and faculty in place at the time of application, as “work-in-progress” status will not be entertained.
The Board has also warned against the practice of admitting “fake patients” to artificially inflate clinical workload. If detected, institutions may face sanctions under Chapter V of the 2023 Regulations, including denial of new courses, seat increases, or renewal of existing approvals. Performance Bank Guarantees, application fees, and appeal fees have also been clearly specified, and all stakeholders have been directed to strictly adhere to the MARB notice for AY 2026–27.
