The National Medical Commission (NMC) has introduced new Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) guidelines, which will be implemented from the MBBS batch of 2024-25 onwards. This notice was issued on August 31, 2024.
The CBME guidelines, developed in collaboration with expert groups, aim to transform medical education in India by focusing on developing essential competencies in medical graduates. These guidelines will supersede the earlier guidelines issued by the NMC.
The CBME framework encompasses three volumes:
Volume I
Volume I outlines the foundational principles and framework of CBME. It includes subjects such as Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine & Toxicology.
Volume II
Volume II details the learning outcomes and competencies expected of medical graduates at different stages of training. It includes subjects such as Community Medicine, General Medicine, Paediatrics, Psychiatry and Dermatology, Venereology & Leprosy.
Volume III
Volume III provides guidance on assessment methods and evaluation tools to measure competency attainment. It includes subjects such as General Surgery, Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Anaesthesiology and Radiodiagnosis.
The NMC believes that the CBME guidelines will equip medical graduates with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to provide high-quality patient care in a complex and evolving healthcare landscape. By shifting the focus from rote learning to practical application, the CBME framework aims to produce more competent and compassionate doctors.
