MCI meets to discuss implementation of CET

The newly constituted governing body of the Medical Council of India (MCI), headed by noted cardiologist Dr. K.K. Talwar, will be meeting on Wednesday 18 May, 2011.

The biggest challenge currently being faced by the new board is the implementation of the Common Entrance Test (CET) for undergraduate medical aspirants and the new medical curriculum.

The previous governing body had submitted all documents to the health ministry. These included the revised curriculum for undergraduate medical education, CET, regulations for postgraduate medical education, codes on medical ethics accreditation and the concept of the "Indian Medical Graduate."

The previous governing body now hopes to see at least some of the suggestions made are being implemented. It has been alleged that the health ministry had been miffed with the earlier MCI governing board led by Dr. S.K. Sarin because it had failed to increase the number of postgraduate medical seats in India to the desired level in the current academic session.

Union Minister of Health Ghulam Nabi Azad had also been upset with the unilateral announcement made by the earlier board regarding the medical CET. This had caused the board and the ministry to be at loggerheads over the issue, with the ministry declaring the board's notification regarding the test to be invalid.