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Medical Education in India is amongst the most valuable and respected education in India. Medical Studies in India are also highly competitive and candidates have to clear a medical entrance examination for admission into various Medical Colleges in India. Some medical courses in India are the most sought after, i.e. MBBS in India is the major amongst them. Medical Studies in India are pursued in the disciplines of medicine, nursing, dentistry, rehabilitation and physiotherapy, pharmacy, public health/hospital management and allied health sciences. Indian medical education has a high value all over the world. The number of successful health practitioners in varied areas and under various capacities, itself speaks for the value of Indian medical experts. Highly acclaimed and well known doctors and nurses in foreign countries like U.S.A. and U.K. are of Indian origin. Speaking of popularity, Indian medical education courses are also pursued by a substantial number of foreign nationals. Medical Studies in India are also cheaper for foreign students, especially those from western nations. Treatment and surgeries are also cheaper here and foreign nationals prefer to get these done in top hospitals and clinics of India. They also get the chance to explore India, thereby promoting medical tourism in India. Professionals in medical set ups benefit a lot from the wide reach of medical facilities.

Medical Education in India can be classified into:

ISMH - Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopath includes Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. Various medical courses belonging to this area include B.A.M.S., B.H.M.S., M.D., Diploma and Certificate Courses.

NISM - Non-Indian System of Medicine includes Allopathy which is also known as the modern system of medicine. Various medical courses belonging to this area include M.B.B.S., B.D.S., M.D., M.D.S., M.S. etc.

Most prominent medical education in India is that concerning with 4 major disciplines viz.  medicine, dentistry, nursing and pharmacy. Each field was governed by their respective councils i.e. –Medical Council of India, Dental Council of India, Nursing Council of India and Pharmacy Council of India. These bodies stand on the verge of abolishment according to media reports.    

Medical Education in India is in for a major overhaul in administrative practices. The reason being that - ‘Charges of corrupt practice of the Medical Council of India (MCI) president Ketan Desai made by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Desai, middle-man J. P. Singh, doctors Sukhwinder Singh and Kanwaljit Singh were arrested. They were allegedly accepting a bribe to permit Patiala-based Gyan Sagar Medical College to recruit a fresh batch of students without having adequate infrastructure. MCI was the statutory body for maintenance of uniform and high standards of medical education in India. A bill related to the set up of a new regulatory body was put into effect during August 2010. The proposed regulatory agency to regulate health education in India is the ‘National Council for Human Resource’ (NCHRH). The All India Pre medical Tests (PMT’s) are also being abolished. They will be replaced by a common MBBS entrance test (single PMT / National Eligibility Entrance Examination). National Exit Examination (Screening Test) will also be conducted for students graduating from Indian Medical Colleges. These examinations will serve the purpose of  standardising UG/PG medical and allied health courses. This screening examination shall be mandatory for students who have successfully completed UG from a foreign institution that is not recognised by the council. With this, the National Board of Examinations (NBE) shall be archived. However, all central and state universities will be allowed to conduct their own examinations and award degrees. Principal of Christian Medical College, George Mathew explains that attempts are being made to bring together diverse fields viz. engineering, zoology, botany, biotech, nutrition on a single platform called New Medicine (source India Today).

Dental Education in India

Dental education in India is governed by the Dentists Act, 1948 (XVI of 1948) which regulates the Dental Education and the profession of Dentistry throughout India. It is financed by the Govt. of India in the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (Department of Health) through Grant-in-aid. Dentistry courses in India have witnessed an exponential growth within the last two decades so has the number of dentistry institutes and graduate dentists. Figures of 2010 (ministry of health and family welfare, india) show that there is an annual intake of 23,690 graduates. This large number is the result of total of 291 colleges (39 run by the government and 252 in the private sector) offering dental education. BDS is the most common sough-after courses.

Nursing Education in India

Nursing education in India has expanded considerably post independence.

There are six levels of nursing education in India today. They are :

1. Multi Purpose Health Worker Training (ANM or MPHW)
2. Female Health Supervisor Training (MPHS-F)
3. General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM)
4. BSc. Nursing
5. MSc. Nursing
6. M.Phil. and Ph.D.

The ANM and GNM are conducted in schools of nursing. The last 3 are university level courses and the respective universities conduct examinations. Beside there are several certificate and diploma courses in specialties.

Current Educational Pattern in Nursing

1. Non University Programme

• Basic - ANM-GNM
• Advance-Post-Certificate Diploma

2. University Programme

• Basic- B.Sc. (N)
• Post-Basic B.Sc. (Regular)
• Post-Basic B.Sc. (N).IGNOU
• Advance: M.Sc. (Nursing)
• M. Phil.
• Ph.D.

Distance Medical Education in India

Distance Medical Education in India is restricted to a few institutes. Medical courses are more practice based than theoretical so practical education through distance media is supplemented through intense practical and clinical programme of varying duration viz. 10 - 30 days, held every month or as required. At the same time various workshops, seminars and clinical training on a monthly basis are also conducted. These are further helpful in practical training. Such training programmes benefit a large number of students. Apart from the conventional medical fields, different alternative therapies, traditional medicine and holistic healing courses are also imparted through distance mode of education. These can also be completed in a shorter duration based on the student's ability and performance. Degree of Alternative Medicine does not require registration from Medical Council of India in order to practice as per their letter no. MCI - 34(I)/ 96 Med./10984. This letter is addressed to the Indian Board of Alternative Medicines. Some online universities like the IGNOU are collaborating with various national and international organisations for the development of medical education through distance mode. These organisations are - World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MNFW), Voluntary Organisations like 'ACTS Ministries', Association of Rural Surgeons of India (ARSI), Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI), Nursing Institutes in Seychelles and Narayan Hrudayalaya. IGNOU provides in-service training for medical, nursing, paramedical and allied personnel through the distance education mode.