A parliamentary panel has raised concerns after finding that key NMC regulations were issued without mandatory vetting by the law ministry.
April 26, 2026: A parliamentary committee has expressed concern over lapses in the framing of regulations by the National Medical Commission, stating it was “taken aback” to find that crucial rules were not vetted by the Ministry of Law and Justice. In its report tabled during the Budget session, the Lok Sabha Committee on Subordinate Legislation stressed that legal vetting is a mandatory step to ensure constitutional and drafting accuracy in subordinate legislation.
The panel reviewed several key frameworks, including the National Medical Commission Regulations, 2023, Teachers Eligibility Qualifications in Medical Institutions Regulations, 2022, and the Medical Institutions Regulations, 2025. It noted that the Health Ministry had failed to follow the essential process of sending draft regulations for legal scrutiny, a step described as “non-negotiable.” Officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also acknowledged the lapse during proceedings.
Highlighting the importance of delegated legislation, the committee warned that such rules, once published in the Gazette of India, form the basis for executive action and must be free from legal loopholes. It urged the Health Ministry to exercise greater caution and ensure that all future regulations are properly vetted by the law ministry before being notified.