Jaipur's Medical College got approval for 250 MBBS seats amid NHRC, NMC concerns on duty hours, stipend, student welfare

Jaipur: The National Medical Commission (NMC) granted 250 MBBS seats to Jaipur National University Institute for Medical Sciences and Research Centre (JNUIMSRC), as per the tentative list of medical colleges and MBBS seat matrix for NEET 2025 counselling, released by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). This approval comes amid ongoing concerns over alleged violations of duty hours, stipend amounts, and student welfare at the institute. Sources have informed Medical Dialogues that this college has received NMC approval for medical seats even though earlier this year, it received show-cause notices from the Apex Medical Commission over discrepancies in the duty hours, stipend amount for resident doctors and the patient load. According to doctors, the medical college students are reportedly still facing the same problems, and there have been no changes in the circumstances. Earlier, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took cognisance of the matter, and after conducting a surprise inspection in December last year, NMC found that these allegations were not without any basis. NHRC had taken cognisance of the issue after it received anonymous complaints from the postgraduate resident doctors and interns at JNUIMSRC, who highlighted their mental harassment, toxic culture, excessive and continuous duty hours, unreasonable warning and panellists, mandatory purchase of uniforms and books, etc. in the University. The complainants had requested an inspection at the University and rectification of the issues on priority. Based on the directions issued by the NHRC, NMC conducted a surprise inspection of the medical college, Jaipur, on 18.12.2024. The inquiry report mentioned that during the visit, the team was shown the OPD of General Medicine and General Surgery, ICU complex, Radiodiagnosis, Pathology, Oncology, Casualty Ward and Labour Room. The Dean was asked to provide the register of the patients' bed occupancy as per the requirement under Minimum Standard Requirement for Post Graduate Courses - 2024. However, it was not provided. The report further mentioned that even though the students were interviewed individually and in group, none of them reiterated the complaints submitted by NHRC due to fear of termination. Therefore, the personal phone number of the NMC team member was shared, and several calls were received. The callers, asking for maintenance of anonymity, reiterated that all the allegations were true. They also confirmed that they had to complete more than 36 hours of duty without rest or sleep. Due to this, they were sleep-deprived and faced mental harassment and psychiatric issues. Further, the students informed that they were given half an hour lunch time, and if they were late for even a few minutes, they were asked to pay a hefty fine and asked to conduct extra duty. Therefore, the students allegedly received less than 50% of the regular stipend. Consequently, NMC issued a show-cause notice on 2 January 2025 to the medical college for violations of the Maintenance of Standards of Medical Education Regulations, 2023.