After facing significant backlash, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has retracted its controversial Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) guidelines for 2024, which listed lesbianism and sodomy as offenses, as reported by news agency ANI. These guidelines also referred to transgenderism as ‘sexual perversion,’ drawing ire from various communities.
Official Withdrawal
In a circular issued on Thursday, the NMC stated: “It is informed that the circular of even number dated August 31, 2024, thereby issuing guidelines under Competency Based Medical Education Curriculum (CBME) 2024, stands ‘withdrawn and cancelled’ with immediate effect.”
The NMC further clarified that the guidelines will be revised and reissued in due course, with approval from the competent authorities.
Controversial Content
The August 31 CBME guidelines were initially aimed at being implemented for MBBS students beginning the 2024-25 academic year. However, the curriculum came under scrutiny for classifying lesbianism and sodomy as offenses under forensic medicine and toxicology, and referring to transgender identity as a form of sexual perversion. These classifications were widely condemned by the medical fraternity, LGBTQIA+ activists, and civil society.
The new guidelines also removed a seven-hour training course on disabilities, raising further concerns. This course had been part of medical ethics education, focusing on disability-friendly medical practices, but was axed from the updated CBME. Critics argue that this move undermined inclusivity and awareness in healthcare, especially for patients with disabilities.
Moreover, the curriculum proposed the reintroduction of the hymen as a marker of virginity in medico-legal contexts. This concept had been previously removed in 2022 after the Madras High Court issued a directive to eliminate regressive practices in medical education.
Public Outcry and Activist Reactions
The release of the CBME guidelines prompted widespread outrage among doctors, disability rights advocates, and LGBTQIA+ groups. Dr. Satendra Singh, co-chair of the International Council for Disability Inclusion in Medical Education, was vocal in his criticism, highlighting the continued struggle for fair and inclusive medical education in India.
Dr. Singh referenced the NMC’s history of non-compliance with court rulings, particularly those from the Madras and Kerala High Courts in 2022, which directed universities to refrain from approving curriculum content that contained derogatory or unscientific information about the LGBTQIA+ community.
In a post on X, Dr. Singh expressed his concerns over the latest developments, stating,
“The NMC curriculum has only been withdrawn for now. We must wait to see what’s coming next and cannot afford to be complacent, as the NMC has a history of making multiple U-turns.”
Legal and Ethical Background
The controversy surrounding the curriculum is not new. In 2022, the Madras High Court had directed the NMC to update its medical textbooks and eliminate outdated, unscientific views about LGBTQIA+ individuals. Following these directives, the NMC had instructed all universities not to approve any content that contained derogatory or discriminatory information regarding the LGBTQIA+ community. However, the latest CBME guidelines appeared to reverse many of those progressive changes.
Additionally, the removal of sections addressing disabilities in medical education was seen as a step backwards in efforts to make medical training more inclusive and sensitive to the needs of all patients. Activists argued that it ignored the mandates outlined in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the need for disability-friendly medical practices.
Future Steps
While the NMC has withdrawn the CBME guidelines, the issue is far from resolved. Activists like Dr. Singh have expressed caution, urging vigilance as the commission works on revising the curriculum. There is widespread concern that future iterations of the CBME may still include regressive and exclusionary elements if not properly scrutinised.
The NMC has promised a revised version of the guidelines but has not provided a timeline for their release. The medical community and civil rights activists will be closely watching the next steps taken by the NMC to ensure that the new curriculum reflects scientific accuracy, inclusivity, and sensitivity to all communities.
Conclusion
The withdrawal of the controversial CBME guidelines is a significant victory for LGBTQIA+ rights activists and disability advocates. However, the path ahead remains uncertain as the NMC has a history of revising its stance on these matters. Stakeholders will continue to monitor the situation, with hopes that the revised curriculum will align with progressive and inclusive values in medical education.