Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Supreme Court Directs UGC, Regulators To Issue Public Advisory After Fake Medical College In Etah Farmhouse
Supreme Court Directs UGC, Regulators To Issue Public Advisory After Fake Medical College In Etah Farmhouse
14.10.2026
A fake medical college operating from a farmhouse in Uttar Pradesh has prompted the Supreme Court to direct the UGC and all regulators to warn students and the public before they take admission anywhere.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has taken note of a fake medical college allegedly run from an old structure in a field at Etah in Uttar Pradesh, and has directed the University Grants Commission (UGC) and all regulatory authorities to issue a public advisory cautioning students, institutions and the public to verify the authenticity of an institution before taking admission in it or dealing with it. The Court also directed the Union of India to monitor compliance [Ayesha Jain v. Amity University, Noida and Others].
A Bench of Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice N.V. Anjaria passed the order on October 9, 2026, on an interlocutory application filed by Dr. R.M. Sharma, the person nominated by the Court to assist it on the functioning of educational institutions.
The report that triggered the order
The application drew the Court’s attention to a newspaper report of September 1, 2026, which described an institution in Etah district operating from a farmhouse and offering courses such as B.Pharma, B.Sc. Nursing and BAMS. The Court recorded that the premises appeared to be an old structure of two or three rooms in a field. The man shown as the institution’s chairman, described as an illiterate tea seller, is stated to have admitted that he regularly signed college documents handed to him by one Satender Kumar.
Local police have acted against Satender Kumar and three others. These are allegations and no finding of guilt has been recorded. The Court expressed no view on the merits and the presumption of innocence applies to all those named.
What the State told the Court
Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj, appearing for the State of Uttar Pradesh, submitted that the police investigation is proceeding, will be taken to its logical conclusion and that the trial will be fast-tracked. The Court noted that the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh has ordered an independent inquiry, which it found necessary, and appreciated the State’s prompt response.
The UGC letter and the advisory Counsel for the UGC had written to the Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education, Uttar Pradesh, and the Court took the letter on record. The ASG then suggested that a public advisory be issued. The Court accepted the suggestion and held:
“a direction is issued to the UGC and all the regulatory authorities to issue such public advisory to act accordingly.”
Union to monitor compliance
The Court directed the ASG appearing for the Union of India to communicate the order to all regulatory bodies, and added:
“The Union of India is also directed to monitor that these directions are duly complied with”
Child Safety Monitoring Committee
The Court did not deal with a sealed cover report filed by Dr. Sharma on the Child Safety Monitoring Committee, which was transferred to it from the Delhi High Court, and directed that the report be resealed and kept on record. Dr. Sharma was authorised to reconstitute the Committee with four members in addition to the Chairman. The matter will next be heard on November 19, 2026.
Why the order matters
The Amity University case has grown into a nationwide supervisory exercise on how schools, colleges and universities function. This order shows how that exercise is now reaching individual rogue institutions: an unverified claim of recognition can sit behind a courses list that looks real to a prospective student.
By ordering a public advisory from every regulator, and making the Union responsible for monitoring compliance, the Court has moved the burden of warning students from after-the-fact police action to a standing duty on regulators. The criminal case against those named remains at the investigation stage.
Case Title: Ayesha Jain v. Amity University, Noida and Others [W.P. (C) No. 531/2025, IA No. 296269/2026]
Bench: Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice N.V. Anjaria, Supreme Court of India
Date of Order: October 9, 2026
Appearances: Dr. R.M. Sharma (court-nominated assistant); K.M. Nataraj, ASG, for the State of Uttar Pradesh; Archana Pathak Dave, ASG, for the Union of India; Dr. N. Visakamurthy, AoR, for the UGC; Charu Mathur, AoR, for the petitioner
NEET PG Counselling 2026 Round 1: Complete Timeline and Key Dates
NEET PG Counselling 2026 Round 1: Complete Timeline and Key Dates
https://medadmit.in/updates/neet-pg-counselling-2026-round-1-registration-nri-quota-documents
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced that registration for NEET PG Round 1 counselling will open on October 12, 2026. This is a critical window for all MBBS graduates who have cleared the NEET-PG exam and are preparing to secure a postgraduate seat in MD, MS, PG Diploma, or DNB programmes across India. Alongside regular Indian candidates, the MCC has also detailed the specific eligibility criteria and document requirements for candidates applying under the NRI (Non-Resident Indian) quota. Understanding these requirements now will help you prepare your application smoothly and avoid delays during the counselling process.
NEET PG Round 1 registration opens October 12, 2026; NRI candidates must submit category-specific documents during registration, with a document verification process and correction window built into the timeline.
The MCC has released the full schedule for NEET PG Round 1 counselling, which will run from October 12 to November 2, 2026. Registration and fee payment will occur from October 12 to 21, while choice filling and locking will run concurrently from October 13 to 22. This overlap means you can begin selecting your preferred colleges and specialities even as the registration window remains open, giving you flexibility to refine your choices as you gather information.
The allotment process will take place on October 22 and 23, with results announced on October 24. Candidates who receive a seat allocation will then have until November 2 to report to their allotted college. This compressed timeline underscores the importance of having all documents ready before October 12, as delays in verification could cost you the opportunity to lock in your choices during the choice-filling window.Registration and fee payment: October 12–21, 2026
Choice filling and locking: October 13–22, 2026
Allotment process: October 22–23, 2026
Seat allotment result: October 24, 2026
Reporting to colleges: October 26 – November 2, 2026
Who Is Eligible for NRI Quota Admissions in NEET PG?
The NRI quota in NEET PG is open to candidates who meet specific residency and relationship criteria. If either of your parents is an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) and residing abroad, you qualify for NRI quota admission. Similarly, if a first-degree relative—defined as a real brother or sister, or a parent—is an NRI and residing abroad, you are eligible. This definition is important because it clarifies that only blood relations count; in-laws or extended family do not qualify.
Additionally, candidates who initially registered as Indian during the NEET-PG exam but now wish to apply under the NRI category are permitted to do so during counselling registration. This flexibility is valuable for candidates whose family circumstances may have changed or who did not initially realize they were eligible for the NRI quota. However, such category conversion requires submission of additional documentation and verification by the MCC's Document Verification Committee (DVC).
One or both parents are NRI and residing abroad
Real brother or sister is NRI and residing abroad
Candidates can convert from Indian to NRI category during counselling registration
NRI Category I: Standard NRI, Parent, Sibling, or Relative Applicants
Category I is the most common NRI quota pathway and applies to candidates whose parent, real brother, or real sister is an NRI. To apply under this category, you must submit a comprehensive set of documents that establish your educational history, medical qualifications, and the NRI status of your sponsor. The documents begin with your Date of Birth Certificate and extend through your 10th and 12th mark sheets, along with equivalence certificates from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) if your schooling was outside India.
Your MBBS examination mark sheets from all three professional years are mandatory. If you completed your MBBS outside India, you must also provide your FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) scorecard. Your NEET-PG scorecard issued by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) is essential, as is a valid passport. Critically, you must obtain an NRI Certificate from the competent authority—either the Indian Embassy or an Indian Consulate in the country where your sponsor resides. This certificate is the official proof of NRI status and cannot be substituted.
Finally, you must submit a notarised affidavit on Rs 100 stamp paper from your NRI sponsor (parent, brother, or sister) confirming their commitment to fund your entire course fees and living expenses during your postgraduate studies.
This affidavit must be supported by bank account documentation—specifically, an NRE (Non-Resident External) or NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) Bank Account Passbook showing the sponsor's financial capacity.
A revenue authority officer (Tehsildar, Patwari, or Government Officer in the Revenue Department) must also verify your relationship to the sponsor.
Date of Birth Certificate
10th and 12th mark sheets with AIU equivalence certificate (if applicable)
MBBS 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Professional Examination mark sheets
FMGE scorecard (if MBBS completed outside India)
NEET-PG scorecard from NBE
Valid passport
NRI Certificate from Embassy or Indian Consulate
Notarised affidavit (Rs 100 stamp paper) from NRI sponsor confirming financial support
NRE/NRO Bank Account Passbook of sponsor
Relationship verification by revenue authority officer
NRI Category II: OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) Applicants
Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) form a distinct category within the NRI quota. OCI status is granted to foreign nationals of Indian origin or their descendants who wish to maintain a connection with India. If you hold an OCI card, you can apply for NEET PG postgraduate seats under this category. The document requirements for OCI applicants are similar to Category I in most respects but differ in one critical way: instead of an NRI Certificate and a sponsorship affidavit, you must submit your valid OCI Card.
Like Category I applicants, you must provide your
Date of Birth Certificate,
10th and 12th mark sheets (with AIU equivalence certificates if applicable),
MBBS examination mark sheets from all three years,
FMGE scorecard (if your MBBS was outside India),
NEET-PG scorecard, and a valid passport.
The OCI Card itself serves as proof of your eligibility and status, eliminating the need for an Embassy certificate or sponsorship documentation. This streamlined requirement reflects the fact that OCI status is already a recognized legal status granted by the Government of India.
Date of Birth Certificate
10th and 12th mark sheets with AIU equivalence certificate (if applicable)
MBBS 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Professional Examination mark sheets
FMGE scorecard (if MBBS completed outside India)
NEET-PG scorecard from NBE
Valid passport
Valid Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card
NRI Category III: Foreign National Applicants
Foreign nationals who have completed their MBBS in India or abroad and have qualified in NEET-PG can also apply for NRI quota seats. This category is designed for candidates who hold citizenship of a country other than India and do not hold OCI status. The document requirements are largely identical to those for OCI applicants, with one key difference: instead of an OCI Card, you must submit your citizenship certificate along with your foreign passport.
All other documentation—
Date of Birth Certificate,
10th and 12th mark sheets,
MBBS examination mark sheets,
FMGE scorecard if applicable, and NEET-PG scorecard—remains the same.
The citizenship certificate serves as proof of your nationality and is typically issued by the government of your country of citizenship. This category ensures that international medical graduates who have qualified through NEET-PG have a clear pathway to postgraduate medical education in India.
Date of Birth Certificate
10th and 12th mark sheets with AIU equivalence certificate (if applicable)
MBBS 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Professional Examination mark sheets
FMGE scorecard (if MBBS completed outside India)
NEET-PG scorecard from NBE
Valid foreign passport
Citizenship certificate
NRI Category IV: Indian Candidates Converting to NRI Status During Counselling
Some candidates register for NEET-PG as Indian citizens but later discover they are eligible for the NRI quota—for example, if a parent recently obtained NRI status or if they were unaware of their eligibility at the time of exam registration. The MCC permits such candidates to convert their category from Indian to NRI during the counselling registration phase. This conversion requires submission of all standard educational and examination documents, plus proof of NRI status and sponsorship.
In addition to the documents required for Category I applicants, candidates converting from Indian to NRI must provide evidence of guardianship if they claim sponsorship by a legal guardian rather than a parent or sibling.
This evidence might include school or college fee receipts showing payment by the claimed guardian, educational records reflecting the guardian's involvement, bank or payment records evidencing financial support, or other relevant documentation establishing that the person has genuinely cared for and supported the candidate for the required period.
A notarised affidavit from the guardian is also mandatory, confirming their commitment to sponsor the entire course and living expenses, supported by NRE/NRO Bank Account documentation.
Date of Birth Certificate
10th and 12th mark sheets with AIU equivalence certificate (if applicable)
MBBS 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Professional Examination mark sheets
FMGE scorecard (if MBBS completed outside India)
NEET-PG scorecard from NBE
Valid passport
NRI Certificate from Embassy or Indian Consulate
Notarised affidavit from NRI sponsor or legal guardian (Rs 100 stamp paper)
NRE/NRO Bank Account Passbook of sponsor
Documentary evidence of guardianship (fee receipts, educational records, bank statements, etc.)
Relationship verification by revenue authority officer
Step-by-Step Process for NRI Document Submission and Category Verification
The MCC has established a structured 10-step process to ensure transparent and fair verification of NRI documents. The process begins when you select the NRI quota during registration on the MCC portal on October 12. If you initially registered as Indian during the NEET-PG exam but now wish to apply as NRI, you must still select the NRI option at this stage. Next, you will select your specific NRI subcategory (Category I, II, III, or IV) based on your eligibility.
You will then upload all supporting documents as scanned copies through the MCC portal during registration. The MCC's Document Verification Committee will scrutinise these documents online. If discrepancies or deficiencies are found—such as missing pages, unclear scans, or incomplete information—the committee will raise a document discrepancy query. You will be notified of any issues via SMS and email, and a correction window will be provided to resolve the query within a stipulated timeframe. During this window, you can edit, modify, or resubmit corrected documents online.
Once all documents are found to be in order, your category will be converted from Indian to NRI (if applicable), and you will become eligible to access the NRI category seat list and select NRI quota seats during choice filling.
Importantly, if you are unable to produce required documents within the correction window during Round 1, you can still participate in Round 2 counselling, giving you a second opportunity to submit and verify your documents.
Step 1: Select NRI quota during registration on MCC portal
Step 2: Select your NRI subcategory (I, II, III, or IV)
Step 3: Upload all supporting documents as scanned copies
Step 4: MCC Document Verification Committee reviews documents online
Step 5: Committee raises discrepancy query if issues are found
Step 6: Candidate notified via SMS and email of discrepancies
Step 7: Correction window provided to resolve issues and resubmit documents
Step 8: Category converted to NRI once all documents are verified
Step 9: Candidate becomes eligible to access NRI seat list and select choices
Step 10: Candidates unable to complete verification in Round 1 can participate in Round 2
Practical Checklist: What NRI Candidates Must Do Before October 12
To ensure a smooth registration and verification process, begin preparing your documents immediately. Gather all original certificates and mark sheets, and arrange for certified scans or digital copies. If any of your educational documents are from outside India, obtain equivalence certificates from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) well in advance, as this process can take time. If your MBBS was completed outside India, ensure you have your FMGE scorecard. Verify that your passport is valid and will remain valid throughout your postgraduate course.
If you are applying under Category I, contact the Indian Embassy or Consulate in your sponsor's country of residence to obtain the NRI Certificate. This is a critical document and should not be delayed.
Prepare the notarised affidavit from your NRI sponsor on Rs 100 stamp paper, and gather the NRE/NRO Bank Account Passbook pages showing the sponsor's financial capacity. If you are converting from Indian to NRI status, collect all guardianship evidence (fee receipts, educational records, bank statements) and arrange for relationship verification by a revenue authority officer. Finally, ensure all documents are scanned clearly in PDF or JPG format, as poor-quality scans may be rejected during verification.Gather and certify all educational mark sheets and certificates
Obtain AIU equivalence certificates for education completed outside India
Secure FMGE scorecard if MBBS was outside India
Verify passport validity
Obtain NRI Certificate from Embassy/Consulate (Category I applicants)
Prepare notarised affidavit from NRI sponsor on Rs 100 stamp paper
Collect NRE/NRO Bank Account Passbook pages
Gather guardianship evidence if converting from Indian to NRI
Arrange relationship verification by revenue authority officer
Scan all documents clearly in PDF or JPG format
Why This Matters for Your NEET PG Admission Journey
The NRI quota represents a significant pathway for eligible candidates to secure postgraduate medical seats in India. For MBBS graduates with NRI family connections, this quota often offers competitive advantages in terms of seat availability and choice options. However, the document verification process is rigorous, and incomplete or incorrect submissions can delay your category conversion and limit your ability to select from the full range of available seats during choice filling.
Understanding the specific requirements for your NRI category now—before registration opens—allows you to prepare methodically and avoid last-minute scrambling. The MCC's structured verification process, while thorough, includes a correction window, but relying on this window means you may miss the opportunity to lock in your preferred choices during the main choice-filling period. By submitting complete, accurate documents on the first attempt, you maximise your chances of swift verification and full participation in the counselling process.
NMC refuses to disclose information on action against private colleges over unpaid PG stipends
NMC refuses to disclose information on action against private colleges over unpaid PG stipends
In 2023, NMC said 2,110 students reported no stipend, 4,288 said they were paid less than students at govt medical colleges in their states, 1,228 said colleges took back money after paying them.
13 October, 2026 05:09 pm IST
New Delhi: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has refused to disclose action taken against private medical colleges accused of withholding or underpaying stipends to postgraduate (PG) medical students, citing an exemption under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
In a reply dated 8 October 2026 to an RTI application filed by Kerala-based doctor K. V. Babu, the medical regulator declined to share details of action taken following its own 2023 survey, which found that thousands of postgraduate students at private medical colleges were either not receiving stipends, being paid less than their counterparts in government colleges, or being forced to return the money.
The refusal comes after the commission told the Supreme Court in August 2026 that all 564 medical colleges offering postgraduate courses had reported paying stipends to their students and resident doctors. The affidavit listed the amounts reported by individual colleges but did not reveal whether payments had been independently verified or whether complaints recorded in the earlier survey had been resolved.
In its 24 August 2023 advisory, the NMC’s Post Graduate Medical Education Board said 2,110 students reported receiving no stipend, 4,288 said they were paid less than students at government medical colleges in their respective states, and 1,228 said their colleges took back the money after paying them.
The regulator had then warned private medical colleges of strict action for non-compliance. However, the latest RTI reply does not clarify whether any institution was penalised for non-payment or underpayment.
“There is not even a single instance of NMC taking any action against those medical colleges, which are defaulters in paying stipend to PG doctors/interns. Still, they have no hesitation in filing entirely different data in the Supreme Court of India. It is time to take action against NMC officials, who are not submitting the exact data in the SC,” Dr Babu said.
Last week, a senior NMC official told ThePrint that the commission would take stricter action against institutions violating stipend rules, including financial penalties and possible consequences for accreditation.
The official also said the Undergraduate Medical Education Board had recently imposed monetary penalties on eight institutions for failing to submit stipend-related information. However, Dr Babu said these penalties were for not submitting records, not for failing to pay stipends.
Stipend rules and enforcement
Under Section 5.4 of the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023, postgraduate students pursuing degree, diploma and super-speciality courses at private colleges must receive stipends at par with students at state or central government medical institutions in the same state or Union Territory.
The issue also extends to undergraduate interns. The NMC’s Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) Regulations, 2021, require interns to be paid the stipend fixed by the appropriate authority applicable to their institution, university or state. Unlike the postgraduate regulations, they do not explicitly require parity with interns at government medical colleges in the same state.
Dr Babu said he had raised this discrepancy with the Union Health Ministry in June 2022. Following this, the ministry’s Medical Education Policy section asked the NMC in November 2025 to examine the issue and sent a reminder on 15 December 2025.
Later, in a response dated 18 February 2026, the NMC’s Undergraduate Medical Education Board said any amendment to the CRMI regulations would require consideration through the statutory process and consultation with authorities concerned.
In an RTI reply dated 17 July 2026, the commission then said the February letter had been sent in response to inputs sought by the ministry and that stakeholders would be consulted when the regulations were revised or amended.
Responding to ThePrint’s queries on whether a decision had been taken to initiate amendments to CRMI regulations, a senior NMC official said, “The fixation of stipend rates involves the respective state governments and competent authorities, and requires wider stakeholder consultation. The regulatory intent & stated position of the commission is very clear on this. No definitive timeline can be indicated at this stage, as the action lies at the level of respective states. The issue is a continuous discussion point with the states.”
Regarding actions taken against defaulter colleges, the official said, “NMC has consistently maintained that payment of the prescribed stipend to postgraduate medical students is mandatory and that the regulatory non-compliance is viewed seriously. Complaints regarding non-payment or irregular payment are examined, and appropriate action is initiated against defaulting institutions in accordance with the applicable regulations.”
On the denial of information in response to the RTI, the official said, “The response to a particular RTI application needs to be checked with the concerned CPIO (Central Public Information Officer) and the same has to conform to the provisions of the RTI Act.”
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
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