India’s top medical education regulator, the National Medical Commission (NMC), has recently issued warnings to several medical colleges across the country for admitting students in violation of rules. The commission found irregularities in how some colleges handled the admission process, including giving seats to ineligible candidates, not following proper counselling procedures, and admitting students beyond the allowed limits. In some cases, students were given MBBS seats without appearing for or clearing NEET, which is mandatory for all medical admissions in India.

I felt it was important to write about this issue because every year, lakhs of students work hard to clear NEET and secure a seat in medical colleges. When colleges bend rules and admit students unfairly, it directly affects the dreams of meritorious candidates. Many parents also spend their life savings hoping to secure a medical education for their children. If rules are not followed, it not only impacts individual students but also damages the credibility of our medical education system. I believe it’s necessary to talk about these issues openly so that the system becomes more transparent and trustworthy for everyone involved.

What Did the NMC Find in Its Audit?

The National Medical Commission conducted a review of admission records from multiple colleges. It flagged several serious issues, such as:

• Admission of students without NEET qualification
• Enrolment beyond the permitted seat limit
• Skipping centralised counselling, which is mandatory under current rules
• Students getting admitted through backdoor entries or management quotas misused

These findings have raised red flags about how strictly some institutions are following national regulations.

Why Following the Admission Process Matters

NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is the only accepted entrance exam for medical admissions in India. All seats—whether in government or private colleges—must be filled based on NEET rank through a transparent counselling process.

If any college bypasses this, it affects deserving candidates who have the merit but not the money or influence to secure a seat through illegal means. It also creates unfair advantages and risks bringing down the overall standard of medical education in the country.

What Action Has the NMC Taken?

In its notice, the NMC has asked the concerned colleges to explain their actions. Some may face penalties or lose their recognition if found guilty. Colleges were warned that further violations could lead to:

• Withdrawal of accreditation
• Reduction in permitted seat intake
• Complete ban on future admissions

The commission has also asked state medical councils and universities to investigate these cases and take suitable action at their end.

What Should Students and Parents Be Careful About?

If you are planning to join a medical college, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Always ensure admission is done through proper NEET counselling
• Check if the college is recognised by the NMC
• Avoid falling into traps of agents or people promising backdoor entry
• Keep all official documents and counselling allotment letters safely

It is better to be cautious than to fall into trouble later, especially when your career is at stake.

Personal View on the Situation

As someone who has seen close friends struggle through NEET, I know how much effort goes into just getting a single seat. It’s heartbreaking to know that some colleges are still playing with students’ futures for profit. I feel strict monitoring, digital record-keeping and random audits should become more regular. Only then can we build trust in the system.