National Commission for Indian Systems of Medicine (NCIM) Bill, 2019 | 19 Mar 2020

Why in News

Recently, the Rajya Sabha passed the National Commission for Indian Systems of Medicines (NCIM) Bill, 2019.

Key Features of the Bill

  • Constitution of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine:
    • The NCISM will consist of 29 members, appointed by the central government.
  • Functions of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine:
    • Framing policies for regulating medical institutions and medical professionals of Indian System of Medicine.
    • Ensuring compliance by the State Medical Councils of Indian System of Medicine to the regulations made under the Bill.
    • Ensuring coordination among the autonomous boards set up under the Bill.
  • Constitution of Autonomous Boards:
    • Board of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Sowa-Rigpa responsible for formulating standards, curriculum, guidelines for setting up of medical institutions, and granting recognition to medical qualifications at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in their respective disciplines.
    • Board of assessment and rating to assess as well as to grant permission to educational institutions of Indian systems of medicine.
    • Board of ethics and registration of practitioners of Indian systems of medicine to maintain a National Register and deal with ethical issues.
  • Entrance Exams:
    • In order to ensure transparency it also proposes a common entrance exam and an exit exam that all graduates will have to clear to obtain their license to practice Indian medicine.
    • Further, a teacher's eligibility test has been proposed in the Bill to assess the standard of teachers before appointment and promotions.
  • Advisory Council for Indian System of Medicine:
    • The Advisory Council for Indian System of Medicine will be the primary platform through which the states/union territories can put forth their views and concerns before the NCISM.
    • Further, the Council will advise the NCISM on measures to determine and maintain the minimum standards of medical education.