New Delhi, August 21 (HS):

The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued notices to the Union government and the National Medical Commission (NMC) in response to a petition challenging the validity of the Teacher Eligibility Notification 2025 for medical institutions.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya directed both the Centre and the NMC to file their detailed replies within four weeks.

The petition, filed by the United Doctors Front through advocate Satyam Singh Rajput, seeks quashing of the notification issued by the NMC on July 2, 2025. Under the new framework, the Commission has permitted up to 30 percent of teaching appointments in MBBS subjects—including Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Pharmacology—to be filled by non-medical teachers.

The plea argues that this dilution will significantly erode the standard of medical education by allowing individuals without MBBS, MD, or MS qualifications to instruct core subjects. It contends that the notification violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, as well as provisions of the National Medical Commission Act, thereby undermining both the right to quality education for medical students and the fundamental right to health of citizens.

The petitioners have urged the Court to direct that only duly qualified medical professionals — holders of MD or MS degrees — be eligible to teach MBBS students. Such a move, they argue, would safeguard the integrity of medical education and ensure competent healthcare delivery to the public.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar