National Medical Commission orders colleges to report student suicides and faculty vacancies

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a directive to medical colleges across India to maintain updated records of all student suicides and unnatural deaths. This move follows a Supreme Court directive aimed at addressing a disturbing pattern of student suicides in educational institutions.

In addition to monitoring student welfare, the NMC has ordered institutions to prioritize filling vacant teaching, non-teaching, and key administrative posts. Colleges are required to submit a monthly Action Taken Report (ATR), certified by the head of the institution, to the NMC.

The Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) has also instructed Union and State governments to ensure compliance before September 1, 2026, when the Supreme Court is expected to review the matter. Requirements include providing 24/7 access to qualified medical assistance on or near campus and ensuring scholarship disbursements are cleared within four months. The NMC will consolidate this data for monitoring and submission to the Ministry of Education.