The Union Cabinet has approved the National Commission for Indian Systems of Medicine (NCIM) Bill, 2018.
Aim:
- The bill seeks to replace the existing regulator, the Central Council for Indian Medicine (CCIM).
- The bill aims at bringing reforms in the medical education of Indian systems in line with the National Medical Commission proposed for setting up for allopathy system of medicine.
- The National Commission for Indian Systems of Medicine aims to promote transparency and accountability.
Features of the Bill
The salient features of the National Commission for Indian Systems of Medicine (NCIM) Bill, 2018 are:
- The bill provides for the constitution of a National Commission with four autonomous boards.
- The Board of Ayurveda would be responsible for overseeing the overall education of Ayurveda.
- The Board of Unani, Siddha and Sowarigpa will be responsible for overseeing the overall education of Unani, Siddha and Sowarigpa.
- The bill provides for two common boards, Board of Assessment and Rating and Board of Ethics and Registration.
- The Board of Assessment and Rating would be responsible to assess and grant permission to educational institutions of Indian systems of Medicine.
- The Board of Ethics and Registration of practitioners of Indian systems of medicine would maintain National Register and deal with ethical issues relating to practice under the National Commission for Indian Medicine,
- The bill also proposes a common entrance exam and an exit exam which all graduates will have to clear to get practicing licenses.
- The bill proposes a teacher’s eligibility test to assess the standard of teachers before appointment and promotions.