Only Madras Medical College, Coimbatore GMC Spared
Chennai : In a sweeping move, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued show-cause notices to 34 out of 36 government medical colleges (GMCs) in Tamil Nadu over severe deficiencies in faculty and medical services, including surgeries and laboratory operations.
Only Madras Medical College and Government Coimbatore Medical College have been spared from the action.
Staff Deficiency in Up to 95% of Departments
According to The Times of India, most of the affected colleges face staff shortages in as many as 95% of departments, including general medicine, surgery, orthopaedics, and dermatology. These deficiencies were flagged based on expert reports and AEBAS (biometric attendance) data submitted to NMC.
At Government Chengalpattu Medical College, 19 of the 20 departments were found deficient. The institution also failed to record any “emergency surgery” on the NMC portal. Similarly, Government Kilpauk Medical College showed shortages in 8 departments and incomplete pathology data.
NMC Sets One-Week Deadline, Warns of Rs 1 Crore Penalty
In its May 7 show-cause notice, NMC’s Director of Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) Sukh Lal Meena has demanded a written explanation within seven days. Failure to respond would lead to presumed non-compliance and punitive action without further opportunity.
The Commission also invoked Clause 8 of Chapter III of the Maintenance of Standard of Medical Education Regulations, 2023, allowing it to levy penalties up to ₹1 crore for non-compliance.
Colleges Failed to Meet Annual Declaration Deadlines
The NMC has repeatedly directed all medical colleges to submit Annual Declaration Reports (ADRs) with details of faculty, patient load, surgeries, and other data on its portal. Despite multiple extensions and reminders on November 1, 2024, and April 25, 2025, several institutions failed to comply.
On March 28, 2025, the NMC imposed a ₹50,000 penalty on defaulters alongside ADR submissions.
State Authorities and Doctors’ Associations Respond
Dr. J Sangumani, Director of Medical Education, stated that faculty appointments were underway and expected to be completed soon. “Most will join in a couple of days. We are hoping to send a letter to NMC stating we have filled all vacancies,” he said.
However, doctors’ associations expressed skepticism. The Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association (SDPGA) noted that the vacancies persisted due to delayed counselling and promotion processes over the past three years.
“The 2023 counselling just ended. We still have counselling for two more years. Vacancies will persist unless the government speeds up recruitment and expands sanctioned posts as per NMC norms,” said Dr. A. Ramalingam, State Organising Secretary, SDPGA.
