NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR INDIAN SYSTEMS OF MEDICINE (NCIM) BILL, 2018

Dec. 29, 2018

Union Cabinet today approved the draft National Commission for Indian Systems of Medicine (NCIM) Bill, 2018.

Salient features:

  • It proposes to set up a National Commission for Indian Medicine (NCIM) to replace the existing regulator Central Council for Indian Medicine (CCIM).

  • Under NCIM, four autonomous boards will be setup.
    • Board of Ayurveda: It will be responsible for conducting overall education of Ayurveda.

    • Board of Unaini, Siddha and Sowarigpa: It will be responsible for conducting examinations and overall education of Unani, Siddha & Sowarigpa

    • Board of assessment and rating: It will assess and grant permission to educational institutions of Indian systems of Medicine.

    • Board of ethics and registration of practitioners: It will maintain National Register and ethical issues relating to practice of Indian systems of medicine.



  • Examinations:
    • It also proposes a common entrance exam and an exit exam, which all graduates will have to clear to get practicing licenses.

    • Further, a teacher's eligibility test has been proposed in the Bill to assess the standard of teachers before appointment and promotions.



Benefits:

  • It aims to reform the medical education of Indian medicine sector in lines with the National Medical Commission proposed for setting up for Allopathy system of medicine.

  • The proposed regulatory structure will enable transparency and accountability for protecting the interest of the general public.

  • The NCIM will promote availability of affordable healthcare services in all parts of the country.

Source : PIB