An Act to provide for the reconstitution of the Medical Council of India, and the maintenance of a Medical Register for India and for matters connected therewith. [30th December, 1956] 

Be it enacted by Parliament in the Seventh Year of the Republic of India as follows 
 
1. Short title, extent and commencements

  (1) This Act may be called the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956. 

  (2) It extends to the whole of India (3)***. 

  (3) It shall come into force on such date(4) as the Central   
  Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette appoint. 

2. Definitions

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

  (a) "approved institution" means a hospital, health centre or other such institution recognized by a University as an institution in which a person may undergo  training required by his course of study before the award of any medical qualification to him.

  (b) "Council" means the Medical Council of India constituted under this Act;

  (c) "Indian Medical Register" means the medical register maintained by the Council.

  (d) "medical institution' means any institution, within or out of India, which grants degrees, diplomas or licenses in medicine.

  (e) "medicine" means modern scientific medicine in all its branches and includes surgery and obstetrics, but does not include veterinary medicine and surgery.

  (f) "prescribed" means prescribed by regulations.

  (g) "recognized medical qualification" means any of the medical
qualifications included in the Schedules.

  (h) 'regulation" means a regulation made under section 33.

  (i) "State Medical Council' means a medical council constituted under any law for the time being in force in any State regulating the registration of practitioners of medicine.

  (j) "State Medical Register" means a register maintained under any law for the time being in force in any State regulating the registration of practitioners of medicine.

  (k) "University" means any University in India established by law and having university faculty in medical stream.

3. Constitution and composition of the Council
 
  (1) The Central Government shall cause to be constituted a Council consisting of the following members, namely:-

  (a) one member from each State other than a Union territory, to be
nominated by the Central Government in consultation with the State
Government concerned
  (b) one member from each University, to be elected from amongst the members of the medical faculty of the University by members of the Senate of the University or in case the University has no Senate by members of the Court.
  (c) one member from each State in which a State Medical Register is maintained, to be elected from amongst themselves by persons enrolled on such Register who possess the medical qualifications included in the First or the Second Schedule or in Part II of the Third Schedule
  (d) seven members to be elected from amongst themselves by persons enrolled on any of the State Medical Registers who possess the medical qualifications included in Part I of the Third Schedule
  (e) eight members to be nominated by the Central Government.

  (2) The President and vice-president of the Council shall be elected by the members of the Council from amongst themselves.
 
  (3) No act, done by the Council shall be questioned on the ground merely of the existence of any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of, the Council.
 
4. Mode of election
 
  (1) An election under clause (b), clause (c) or clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 3 shall be conducted by the Central Government in accordance with such rules as may be made by it
on this behalf, and any rules so made may provide that pending the
preparation of the Indian Medical Register in accordance with the
provisions of this Act, the members referred to in the clause (d) of
sub-section (1) of section 3 may be nominated by the Central
Government instead -of being elected as provided therein.

  (2) Where any dispute arises regarding any election to the Council, it shall be referred to the Central Government whose decision shall be final.
 
5. Restrictions on nomination and membership
 
  (1) No person shall be eligible for nomination under the clause (a) of
sub-section (1) of section 3 unless he possesses any of the medical
qualifications included in the First and Second Schedules, which resides in the State concerned  and  where a State Medical Register is maintained in that State and  is enrolled on that register.
 
  (2) No person may at the same time serve as a member in more than one capacity.
 
6. Incorporation of the Council
 
  The Council so constituted shall be a body corporate by the name of the Medical Council of India, having perpetual succession and a common seal, with power to acquire and hold property, both movable and immovable, and to contract, and shall by the said name sue and be sued.
 
7. Term of office of President, vice-president and members
 
  (1) The President or Vice-president of the Council shall hold office for a term not exceeding five years and not extending beyond the expiry of his term as member of the Council.
 
  (2) Subject to the provisions of this section, a, member shall hold office for a term of five years from the date of his nomination or election or until his successor shall have been duly nominated or elected, whichever is longer.
 
  (3) An elected or nominated member shall be deemed to have vacated his seat if he is absent without excuse, sufficient in the opinion of the Council, from three consecutive ordinary meetings of the Council or, in the case of a member elected under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 3, if he ceases to be a member of the medical faculty of the University concerned, or in the case of a member elected under clause (c) or clause (d) of that sub-section, if he ceases to be a person enrolled on the State Medical Register concerned.
 
  (4) A casual vacancy in the Council shall be filled by nomination or
election, as the case may be, and the person nominated or elected to fill the vacancy shall hold office only for the remainder of the term for which the member whose place he takes was nominated or elected.

  (5) Members of the Council shall be eligible for re-nomination or
re-election.

  (6) Where the said term of five years is about to expire in respect of any member, a successor may be nominated or elected at any time within three months before the said term expires but he shall not assume office until the term has expired.

8. Meetings of the Council
 
  (1) The Council shall meet at least once in each year at such time and place as may be appointed by the Council.

  (2) Unless otherwise provided by regulations, fifteen members of the
Council shall form a quorum, and all the acts of the Council shall be
decided by a majority of the members present and voting.

9. Officers, Committees and servants of the Council
 
The Council shall-
  (1) constitute from amongst its members an Executive Committee and such other Committees for general or special purposes as the Council deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act;

  (2) appoint a Registrar who shall act as Secretary and who may also, if deemed expedient, act as Treasurer.

  (3) employ such other persons as the Council deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.

  (4) require and take from the Registrar, or from any other employee, such security for the due performance of his duties as the Council deems necessary.  

  (5) with the previous sanction of the Central Government, fix the
remuneration and allowances to be paid to the President, Vice President and member of the Council and determine the conditions of service of the employees of the Council.

10. The Executive Committee
 
  (1) The Executive Committee, herein after referred to as the Committee, shall consist of the President and vice-president, who shall be members ex officio, and not less than seven and not more than ten other, members who shall be elected by the Council from amongst its members.

  (2) The President and vice-president shall be the President and
vice-president respectively of the Committee.

  (3) In addition to the powers and duties conferred and imposed upon it by this Act, the Committee shall exercise and discharge such powers and duties as the Council may confer or impose upon it by any regulations which may be made in this behalf.

  (6) Permission for establishment of new medical college, new
course of study, etc.- (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Act or any other law for the time being in force.

  (a) no person shall establish a medical college  or  (b) no medical college shall    (i) open a new or higher course of study or training (including a post-graduate course of study or training) which would enable a student of such course or training to qualify himself for the award of any recognized medical qualification  or
  (ii) increase its admission capacity in any course of study or training (including a post-graduate course of study or training), except with the previous permission of the 'Central Government obtained in accordance with the provisions of this section.

Explanation 1

For the purposes of this section, "person" includes any University or a trust but does not include the Central Government. 

Explanation 2

For the purposes of this section "admission capacity". in relation to any course of study or training (including post-graduate course of study or training) in a medical college, means the maximum number of students that may be fixed by the Council from time to time for being admitted to such course or training.

  (2) (a) Every person or medical college shall for the purpose of obtaining permission under sub-section (1), submit to Central Government a scheme in accordance with the provisions of clause (b) and the Central Government shall refer the scheme to the Council for its recommendations. (b) The scheme referred to in clause (a) shall be in such form and contain such particulars and be preferred in such manner and be accompanied with such fee as may be prescribed.

  (3) On receipt of a scheme by the Council under sub-section (2), the Council may obtain such other particulars as may be considered necessary by it from the person or the medical college concerned, and thereafter:
(a) if the scheme is defective and does not contain any necessary particulars, give a reasonable opportunity to the person or college concerned for making a written representation and it shall be open to such person or medical college to rectify the defects, if any, specified by the Council.
(b) consider the scheme, having regard to the factors referred to in subsection (7), and submit the scheme together with the recommendations thereon to the Central Government.

  (4) The Central Government may after considering the scheme and the recommendations of the Council under sub-section (3) and after
obtaining, where necessary, such other particulars as may be considered necessary by it from the person or college concerned, and having regard to the factors referred to in subsection (7), either approve (with such conditions, if any, as it may consider necessary) or disapprove the scheme and any such approval shall be a permission under subsection (1) Provided that no scheme shall be disapproved by the Central Government except after giving the person or college concerned a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
Provided further that nothing in this sub-section shall prevent any person or medical college whose scheme has not been approved by the Central Government to submit a fresh scheme and the provisions of this section shall apply to such scheme, as if such a scheme has been submitted for the first time under sub-section (2).
 
  (5) Where, within a period of one year from the date of submission of the scheme to the Central Government under sub-section (2), no order passed by the Central Government has been communicated to the person or college submitting the scheme, such scheme shall be deemed to have been approved by the Central Government in the form in which it had been submitted, and accordingly  the permission of the Central Government required under sub-section (1) shall also be deemed to have been granted.

  (6) In computing the time limit specified in sub-section (5), the time taken by the person or college concerned submitting -the scheme, in furnishing any particulars called for by the Council, or by the Central Government, shall be excluded.

  (7) The Council, while making its recommendations under clause (b) of subsection (3) and the Central Government, while passing an order, either approving or disapproving the scheme under sub-section (4) shall have due regard to the following factors, namely:-(a) whether the proposed medical college or the existing medical college
seeking to open a new or higher course of study or training, would be in a position to offer the minimum standards of medical education as
prescribed by the Council under section 19A or, as the case may be,
under section 20 in the case of post graduate medical education; (b) whether the person seeking to establish a medical college or the
existing medical college seeking to open a new or higher course of study or training or to increase its admission capacity has adequate financial resources; (c) whether necessary facilities in respect' of staff, equipment, accommodation, training and other facilities to ensure proper functioning of the medical college or conducting the new. course of study or training or accommodating the increased admission capacity have been provided or would be provided within the time-limit specified in the scheme; (d) whether adequate hospital facilities, having regard to the number of students likely to attend such medical college or course of study or training or as a result of the increased admission capacity have been provided or would be provided within the time-limit specified in the scheme; (e) whether any arrangement has been made or programmed drawn to impart proper training to students likely to attend such medical college or
course of study or training by persons having the recognized medical
qualifications; (f) the requirement of manpower in the field of practice of medicine; and (g) any other factors as may be prescribed.

  (8) Where the Central Government passes an order either approving or disapproving a scheme under this section, a copy of the order shall be communicated to the person or college concerned.

10B. Non-recognition of medical qualifications in certain cases

  (1) Where any medical college is established except with the previous permission of the Central Government in accordance with the revisions of section 10A, no medical qualification granted to any student of such medical college shall be a recognized medical qualification for the purposes of this Act.

  (2) Where any medical college opens a new or higher course of study or training (including a post-graduate course of study or training) except with the previous permission of the Central Government in accordance with the provisions of section 10A, no medical qualification granted to any student of such medical college on the basis of such study or training shall be a recognized medical qualification for the purposes of this Act.

  (3) Where any medical college increases its admission capacity in any course of study or training except with the previous permission of the Central Government in accordance with the provisions of section 10A, no medical qualification granted to any student of such medical college on the basis of the increase in its admission capacity shall be a recognized medical qualification for the purposes of this Act.

Explanation

For the purposes of this section, the certificate for identifying a student who has been granted a medical qualification on the basis of such increase in the admission capacity shall be such as may be prescribed.

10C. Time for seeking permission for certain existing medical
colleges, etc.

  (1) If, after the lst day of June, 1992 and on and before the
commencement of the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Act, 1993 any person has established a medical college or any medical college has opened a new or higher course of study or training or increase the admission capacity. Such person or medical college, as the case may be, shall seek, within a period of one year from the commencement of the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Act, 1993, the permission of the Central Government in accordance with the provisions of section 10A 
 
  (2) If any person or medical college, as the case may be, fails to seek the permission under sub-section (1) the provisions of section 10B shall apply, so far as may be if, permission of the Central Government under section 10A has been refused.

11. Recognition of medical qualifications granted by Universities or medical institutions in India

  (1) The medical qualifications granted by any University or medical
institution in India, which are included in the First Schedule, shall be
recognized medical qualifications for the purposes of this Act.

  (2) Any University of medical institution in India, which grants medical qualification not included in the First Schedule may apply to the Central Government to have such qualifications recognized, and the Central Government, after consulting the Council, may, by notification in the Official Gazette, amend the First Schedule so as to include such qualification therein, and any such notification may also direct that an entry shall be made in the last column of the First Schedule against such medical qualification declaring that it shall be a recognized medical qualification only when granted after a specified date. 

12. Recognition of medical qualifications granted by medical
institutions in countries with which there is a scheme of reciprocity

  (1) The medical qualifications granted by medical institutions outside in India, which are included in the Second Schedule, shall be recognised medical qualifications for the purposes of this Act.

  (2) The Council may enter into negotiations with the Authority in any (7)*** country outside India which by the law of such 1*** country is entrusted with the maintenance of a register of medical practitioners, for the settling of a scheme of reciprocity for the recognition of medical qualifications, and in pursuance of any such scheme, the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, amend the Second Schedule so as to include therein the medical qualification which the Council has decided should be recognised, and any such notification may also direct that an entry shall be made in the last column of the Second Schedule against such medical qualification declaring that it shall be a recognised medical qualification only when granted after a specified date.

(3) The Central Government, after consultation with the Council, may by notification in the Official Gazette, amend the Second Schedule by directing that an entry by made therein in respect of any medical
qualification declaring that it shall be a recognized medical qualification only when granted before a specified date.

(4) Where the Council has refused to recommend any medical qualification which has been proposed for recognition by any Authority referred to in subsection (2) and that Authority applies to the Central Government in this behalf, the Central Government, after considering such application and after obtaining from the. Council a report, if any, as to the reasons for any such refusal, may, by notification in the Official Gazette, amend the Second Schedule so as to include such qualification therein and the provisions of sub-section (2) shall apply to such notification.

13. Recognition of medical qualifications granted by certain medical institutions whose qualifications are not included in the First or Second Schedule

  (1) The medical qualifications granted by medical institutions in India which are not included in the First Schedule and which are included in Part 1 of the Third Schedule shall also be recognized medical qualifications for the purposes of this Act.

  (2) The medical qualifications granted to a citizen of India-
(a) before the 15th day of August, 1947, by medical institutions in the territories now forming part of Pakistan, and
(b) before the 1st day, of April, 1937, by medical institutions in the
territories now forming part of Burma, which are included in Part I of the Third Schedule shall also be recognized medical qualifications for the purposes of this Act.

  (3) The medical qualifications granted by medical institutions outside Indian, which are included in Part 11 of the Third Schedule, shall also be recognized medical qualifications for the purposes of this Act, but no person possessing any such qualification shall be entitled to enrolment on any State Medical Register unless he is a citizen of India and has undergone such practical training after obtaining that qualification as may be required by the rules or regulations in force in the country (8)*** granting the qualification, or if he has not undergone any practical training in that country (9)***, he has undergone such practical training as may be prescribed.

  (4) The Central Government, after consulting the Council, may by
notification in the Official Gazette, amend Part 11 of the Third Schedule so as to include therein any qualification granted by a medical institution outside India which is not included in the Second Schedule.

  (5) Any medical institution in India, which is desirous of getting a medical  qualification granted by it included in Part I of the Third Schedule may apply to the Central Government to have such qualification recognized and the Central Government, after consulting the Council, may, by notification in the Official Gazette, amend Part I of the Third Schedule so as to include such qualification therein, and any such notification may also direct that an entry shall be made in the last column of Part I of the Third Schedule against such medical qualification declaring that it shall be a recognized medical qualification only when granted after a specified date.

14. Special provision in certain cases for recognition of medical qualifications granted, by medical institutions in countries with which there is no scheme of reciprocity

  (1) The Central Government after consultation with the Council may, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct that medical qualifications granted by medical institutions in any (10)*** country outside India in respect of which a scheme of reciprocity for the recognition of medical qualifications is not in force, shall be recognized medical qualifications for the purposes of this Act or shall be so only when granted after a specified date.
(11)Provided that medical practice by persons possessing such
qualifications- 
(a) shall be permitted only if such persons are enrolled as medical
practitioners in accordance with the law regulating the registration of
medical practitioners for the time being in force in that country.
(b) shall be limited to the institution to which they are attached for the time being for the purpose of teaching, research or charitable work.
(c) shall be limited to the period specified on this behalf by the Central Government by general or special order.)

  (2) In respect of any such medical qualification, the Central Government, after consultation with the Council, may  by notification in the Official Gazette, direct that it shall be a recognized medical qualification only when granted before a specified date.

15. Right of persons possessing qualifications in the Schedules to be enrolled
 
  (1)1 Subject to the other provisions contained in this Act, the
medical qualifications included in the Schedules shall be sufficient
qualification for enrolment on any State Medical Register.

  (2) Save as provided in section 25, no person other than a medical
practitioner enrolled on a State Medical Register,- 
(a) shall hold office as physician or surgeon or any other office (by
whatever designation called) in Government or in any institution
maintained by a local or other authority.
(b) shall practice medicine in any State.
(c) shall be entitled to sign or authenticate a medical or fitness certificate or any other certificate required by any law to be signed or authenticated by a duly qualified medical practitioner;
(d) shall be entitled to give evidence at any inquest or in any court of law as an expert under section 45 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 on any matter relating to medicine.

  (3) Any person who acts in contravention of any provision of sub-section(2) shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

16. Power to require information as to courses of study and
examinations

Every University or medical institution in India, grants a recognized medical qualification shall furnish such information as the Council -may, from time to time, require as to the courses of study and examinations to be undergone in order to obtain such qualification, as to the ages at which such courses of study and examinations are required to be undergone and such qualification is conferred and generally as to the requisites for obtaining such qualification.

17. Inspection of examinations.

  (1) The Committee shall appoint such number of medical inspectors
as it may deem requisite to inspect any medical institution, college,
hospital or other institution where medical education is given, or to attend any examination held by any University or medical institution for the purpose of recommending to the Central Government recognition of medical qualifications granted by that University or medical institution.

  (2) The medical inspectors shall not interfere with the conduct of any training or examination, but shall report to the Committee on the
adequacy of the standards of medical education including staff,
equipment, accommodation, training and other facilities prescribed for giving medical education or on the sufficiency of every examination which they attend.

  (3) The Committee shall forward a copy of any such report to the
University or medical institution concerned, and shall also forward a copy with the remarks of the University or institution thereon, to the Central Government.

18. Visitors at examinations

  (1) The Council may appoint such number of visitors as it may deem requisite to inspect any medical institution, college, hospital or other institution where medical education is given or to attend any examination held by any University or medical institution for the purpose of granting recognized medical qualifications.

  (2) Any person, whether he is a member of the Council or not, may be appointed as a visitor under this section but a person who is appointed as an inspector under section 17 for any [inspection or examination] shall not be appointed as a visitor for the same (16)[inspection or examination].

  (3) The visitor shall not interfere with the conduct of any training or
examination, but shall report to the President of the Council on the
adequacy of the standards of medical education including staff,
equipment, accommodation, training and other facilities prescribed for giving medical education or on the sufficiency of every examination which they attend. 

  (4) The report of a visitor shall be treated as confidential unless in any particular case the President of the Council otherwise directs:
Provided that if the Central Government requires a copy of the report of a visitor, the Council shall furnish the same.

19. Withdrawal of recognition
  (1)When upon report by the Committee or the visitor, it appears to
the Council- 
(a) that the courses of study and examination to be undergone in, or the proficiency required from candidates at any examination held by, any University or medical institution, or
(b) that the staff, equipment, accommodation, training and other facilities for instruction and training provided in such University or medical institution or in any college or other institution affiliated to that University, do not conform to the standards prescribed by the Council,'the Council shall make a representation to that effect to the Central Government.

  (2) After considering such representation, the Central Government may send to the State Government of the State in which the University or medical institution is situated and the State Government shall forward it along with such remarks as it may choose to make to the University or medical institution, with an intimation of the period within which the University of medical institution may submit its explanation to the State Government

  (3) On the receipt of the explanation or, where no explanation is
submitted within the period fixed, then on the expiry of that period, the State Government shall make its recommendations to the Central Government.

  (4) The Central Government, after making such further inquiry if any, as it may think fit, may  by notification in the Official Gazette direct that an entry shall be made in the appropriate Schedule against the said medical qualification declaring that it shall be a recognized medical qualification only when granted before a specified date (19)[or that the said medical qualification if granted to students of a specified college or institution affiliated to any University shall be a recognized medical qualification only when granted before a specified date or, as the case may be, that the said medical qualification shall be a recognized medical qualification in relation to a specified college or institution affiliated to any University only when granted after a specified date.
 
19A. Minimum standards of medical education

  (1) The Council may prescribe the minimum standards of medical
education required for granting recognized medical qualifications (other than postgraduate medical qualifications) by Universities or medical institutions in India.

  (2) Copies of the draft regulations and of all subsequent amendments thereof shall be furnished by the Council to all State Governments and the Council shall, before submitting the regulations or any amendment thereof, as the case may be, to the Central Government for sanction, take into consideration the comments of any State Government received within three months from the furnishing of the copies as aforesaid.
 
  (3) The Committee shall from time to time report to the Council on the efficacy of the regulations and may recommend to the Council such amendments thereof as it may think fit.

20. Post-graduate Medical Education Committee for assisting
Council in matters relating to post graduate medical education

  (1) The Council may prescribe standards of post-graduate medical
education for the guidance of Universities, and may advise Universities in the matter of securing uniform standards for post-graduate medical education throughout India, and for this purpose the Central Government may constitute from among the members of the Council a Post-graduate Medical Education Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Post-graduate Committee).

  (2) The Post-graduate Committee shall consist of nine members all of whom shall be persons possessing post-graduate medical qualifications and experience of teaching or examining post-graduate students of medicine.

  (3) Six of the members of the Post-graduate Committee shall be
nominated by the Central Government and the remaining three members shall be elected by the Council from amongst its members.

  (4) For the purpose of considering post-graduate studies in a subject, the Post-graduate Committee may co-opt, as and when necessary, one or more qualified  members give assistance in that subject.

  (5) The views and recommendations of the Post-graduate Committee on all matters shall be placed before the Council, and if the Council does not agree with the views expressed or the recommendations made by the Post-graduate Committee on any matter, the Council shall forward them together with its observations to the Central Government for decision.

20A. Professional conduct 

  (1) The Council may prescribe standards of professional conduct and etiquette and a code of ethics for medical practitioners.

  (2) Regulations made by the Council under sub-section (1) may specify which violations thereof shall constitute infamous conduct in any professional respect, that is to say, professional misconduct, and such provision shall have effect notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force.

21. The Indian Medical Register

  (1) The Council shall cause to be maintained in the prescribed manner a register of medical practitioners to be known as the Indian Medical Register, which shall contain the names of all persons who are for the time being enrolled on any State Medical Register and who possess any of the recognized medical qualifications.

  (2) it shall be the duty of the Registrar of the Council to keep the Indian Medical Register in accordance with the provisions of this Act and of any orders made by the Council, and from time to time to revise the register and publish it in the Gazette of India and in such other manner as may be prescribed.

  (3) Such register shall be deemed to be a public document within the meaning of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872), and may be proved by a copy published in the Gazette of India.

22. Supply of copies of the State Medical Registers

Each State Medical Council shall supply to the Council (22)[six] printed copies of the State Medical Register as soon as may be after the commencement of this Act and subsequently after the first day of April of each year, and each Registrar of a State Medical Council shall inform the Council without delay of all additions to and other amendments in the State Medical Register made from time to time.

23. Registration in the Indian Medical Register

The Registrar of the Council may, on receipt of the report of registration of a person in a State Medical Register or on application made a person, enter his name in the Indian Medical Register. Provided that the Registrar is satisfied that the person concerned possesses a recognized medical qualification.

24. Removal of names from the Indian Medical Register

  (1) If the name of any person enrolled on a State Medical Register is removed there from in pursuance of any power conferred by or under any law relating to registration of medical practitioners for the time being in force in any State, the Council shall direct the removal of the name of such person from the Indian Medical Register.

  (2) Where the name of any person has been removed from a State
Medical Register (23)[on the ground of professional misconduct or any other ground except that he is not possessed of the requisite medical qualifications] or where any application made by the said person for restoration of his name to the State Medical Register has been rejected he may appeal in the prescribed manner and subject to such conditions including conditions as to the payment of a fees as may be laid down in rules made by the Central Government on this behalf, to the Central Government, whose decision shall be given after consulting the Council binding on the State Government and on the authorities concerned with the preparation of the State Medical Register.

25. Provisional registration

  (1) A citizen of India possessing a medical qualification granted by a medical institution outside India included in Part II of the Third Schedule, who is required to undergo practical training as prescribed under sub-section (3) of section 13 shall  on production of proper evidence that he has been selected for such practical training in an approved institution, be entitled to be registered provisionally in a State Medical Register and shall be entitled to practice medicine in the approved institution for the purposes of  training and for no other purpose.

  (2) A person who has passed the qualifying examination of any University of medical institution in India for the grant of a recognized medical qualification shall be entitled to be registered provisionally in a State Medical Register for the purpose of enabling him to be engaged in employment in a resident medical capacity in any approved institution, or in the Medical Service of the Armed Forces of the Union, and for no other purpose, on production of proper evidence that he has been selected for such employment.

  (3) The names of all persons provisionally registered under sub-section (1)or sub-section (2) in a State Medical Register shall be entered therein separately from the names of other persons registered therein.

  (4) A person registered provisionally as aforesaid who has completed practical training referred to in sub-section (1) or who has been engaged for the prescribed period in employment in a resident medical capacity in any approved institution or in the Medical Service of the Armed Forces of the Union, as the case may be, shall be entitled to registration in the State Medical Register under section 15.

26. Registration of additional qualifications

  (1) If any person whose name is entered in the Indian Medical Register obtains any title, diploma or other qualification for proficiency in sanitary science, public health or medicine, which is a recognized medical qualification, he shall on application made in this behalf in the prescribed manner, be entitled to have an entry stating such other title or diploma or other qualification made against his name in the Indian Medical Register either in substitution for or in addition to any entry previously made.

  (2) The entries in respect of any such person in a State Medical Register shall be altered in accordance with the alterations made in the Indian Medical Register.

27. Privileges of persons who are enrolled on the Indian Medical Register

Subject to the conditions and restrictions laid down in this Act regarding medical practice by persons possessing certain recognized medical qualifications, every person whose name is for the time being borne on the Indian Medical Register shall be entitled according to his qualifications to practice as a medical practitioner in any part of India and to recover in due course of law in respect of such practice any expenses, charges in respect of medicament or other appliances, or any fees to which he may be entitled.

28. Person enrolled on the Indian Medical Register to notify change of place of residence or practice

Every person registered in the Indian Medical Register shall notify any transfer of the place of his residence or practice to the Council and to the State Medical Council concerned, within thirty days of such transfer, failing which his right to participate in the election of members to the Council or a State Medical Council shall be liable to be forfeited by order of the Central Government either permanently or for such period as may be specified therein.

29. Information to be furnished by the Council and publication
there of

  (1) The Council shall furnish such reports, copies of its minutes, abstracts of its accounts, and other information to the Central Government as that Government may require.

  (2) The Central Government may publish in such manner as it may think fit any report, copy, abstract or other information furnish to it under this section or under sections 17 and 18.

30. Commissions of Inquiry

  (1) Whenever it is made to appear to the Central Government that the Council is not complying with any of the provisions of this Act, the Central Government may refer the particulars of the complaint to a Commission of Inquiry consisting of three persons, two of whom shall be appointed by the Central Government, one being a Judge of a High Court, and one by the Council, and such Commission shall proceed to inquire in a summary manner and to report to the Central Government as to the truth of the matters charged in the complaint, and in case of any charge of default or of improper action being found by the Commission to have been established, the Commission shall recommend the remedies, if any, which are in its opinion necessary.

  (2) The Central Government may require the Council to adopt the
remedies so recommended within such time as, having regard to the
report of the Commission it may think fit, and if the Council fails to
comply with any such requirement, the Central Government may amend the regulations of the Council, or make such provision or order or take such other steps as may seem necessary to give effect to the recommendations of the Commission.

  (3) A Commission of Inquiry shall have power to administer oaths, to enforce the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, and shall have all such other necessary powers for the purpose of any inquiry conducted by it as are exercised by a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure 1908 (5 of 1908).

31. Protection of action taken in good faith

No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against the
Government, the Council or a State Medical Council or any Committee thereof, or any officer or servant of the Government or Councils aforesaid for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act.

32. Power to make rules 

  (1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act.

  (2) All rules made under this section shall be laid or not less than thirty days before both Houses of Parliament as soon as possible after they are made, and shall be subject to such modifications as Parliament may make during the session in which they are so laid or the session immediately following.

33. Power to make regulations

The Council may with the previous sanction of the Central Government, make regulations generally to carry out the purposes of this Act and without prejudice to the generality of this power, such regulations may provide for:
(a) the management of the property of the Council and the maintenance and audit of its accounts.
(b) the summoning and holding of meetings of the Council the times and places where such meetings are to be held, the conduct of business there at and the number of members necessary to constitute a quorum.
(c) the resignation of members of the Council.
(d) the power and duties of the President and vice-president.
(e) the mode of appointment of the Executive Committee and other
Committees, the summoning and holding of meetings, and the conduct of business of such Committees.
(f) the tenure of office, and the powers and duties of the Registrar and
other officers and servants of the Council.
f (a) the form of the scheme, the particulars to be given in such
scheme, the manner in which the scheme is to be preferred and the fee payable with the scheme under clause (b) of sub-section (2) of section lOA; 
(f (b)) any other factors under clause (g) of sub-section (7) of section lOA;
(f (c)) the criteria for identifying a student who has been granted a medical qualification referred to in the Explanation to sub-section (3) of section lOB];
(g) the particulars to be stated, and the proof of qualifications to be
given the applications for registration under this Act;
(h) the fees to be paid on applications and appeals under this Act;
(i) the appointment, powers, duties and procedure of medical inspectors and visitors; (26)***
(j) the courses and period of study and of practical training to be
undertaken, the subjects of examination and the standards of proficiency therein to be obtained, in Universities or medical institutions for grant of recognized medical qualifications.
(k) the standards of staff, equipment, accommodation, training and other facilities for medical education.
(l) the conduct of professional examinations, qualifications of examiners and the conditions of admission to such examinations.
(m) the standards of professional conduct and etiquette and code of
ethics to be observed by medical practitioners.
(n) any matter for which under this Act provision may be made by
regulations. 

34. Repeal of Act 27 of 1933.- 

  (1) The Indian Medical Council Act, 1933, is hereby repealed.

  (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, until the Council is constituted in accordance with the provisions of this Act:
(a) the Medical Council of India as constituted immediately before the commencement of this Act under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1933 (27 of 1933), with the addition of seven members nominated thereto by the Central Government from among persons enrolled on any of the State Medical Registers who possess the medical qualifications included in Part of the Third Schedule to this Act (hereinafter referred to as the said Medical Council) shall be deemed to be the Council constituted under his Act and may exercise any of the powers conferred or perform any of the duties imposed on the Council and any vacancy occurring in the said Medical Council may be filled up in such manner as the Central Government may think fit; and
(b) the Executive Committee and other Committees of the said Medical Council as constituted immediately before the commencement of this Act shall be deemed to be the Executive Committee and other Committees constituted under this Act
1. As published in Gazette of India, Part H, Sec. 1, Extra S. No. 83, dt.31.12.1956. 
2. This Act has been extended to Pondicherry, with modifications, by Reg. 7 of 1963,3 and Sch. 1 (w.e.f. 1-10-1963), to Dadra and Nagar Haveli by Reg. 6 of 1963, s. 2 and Sch. 1, (w.e.f. 1-7-1965), to Goa, Daman and Diu by Reg. 11 of 1963, s. 3 and
Sch. 
3. The words "except the State of jammu and Kashmir" omitted by Act 24 of 1964, s.2. 
4. Ist November, 1958, vide Notification No. S.O. 2254, dated the i8th October, 1958,Gazette of India, Pt. II Sec. 3 (ii), p. 2080. 
5. Cl. (c) omitted by Act 24 of 1964, s. 3. 
6. Ins. by Act 31 of 1993, w.e.f. 27.8.1992. 
7. The words "State or" omitted by Act 24 of 1964, s. 4. 
8. The words "or State" omitted by Act 24 of 1964, s. 5. 
9. The words "or State" omitted by Act 24 of 1964, s. 5. 
10. The words "State or" omitted by Act 24 of 1964, s. 6. 
11. Subs by Act 24 of 1964, s. 6, for the farmer proviso. 
12. Section 15 renumbered as sub-section (1) thereof by Act 24 of 1964, s. 7. 
13. Ins by Act 24 of 1964, s. 7. 
14. ubs. by Act 24 of 1964, s. 8, for sub-sections (1) and (2). 
15. Subs. by Act 24 of 1964, s. 9, for sub-section (1). 
16. Subs by Act 24 of 1964, s. 9, for the word "examination". 
17. Subs. by Act 24 of 1964, s. 9, for sub-section (3). 
18. Subs. by Act 24 of 1964, s. 10, for sub-section (1). 
19. Ins. by Act 24 of 1964, s. 10. 
20. Ins. by Act 24 of 1964, s. 11. 
21. Ins. by Act 24 of 1964, s. 12. 
22. Subs by Act 24 of 1964, s. 13, for the word "three". 
23. Subs. by Act 24 of 1964, s. 14, for certain words. 
24. Subs. by Act 24 of 1964, s. 15, for s. 25. 
25. Ins by Act 31 of 1993, w.e.f 27.8.1992. 
26. The word "and" omitted by Act 24 of 1964, s. 16. 
27. Ins. by Act 24 of 1964, s. 16. 
28. Cl. (i) re-lettered as cl. (n) by Act 24 of 1964, s. 16. 
29. Subs. by Act 36 of 1958, s. 2, for s. 34 (retrospectively).