• On the matter whether online mode of teaching for MBBS course from foreign medical colleges are permitted or not, the apex medical regulator the Medical Council of India (MCI) has clarified via a recent RTI reply that it does not approve online teaching in MBBS.
• This came after one concerned person had written to the apex medical council stating certain information relating to an online course in MBBS by foreign Medical Universities under the provisions of the RTI Act, 2005.
• The question was whether the online mode of teaching for the first semester is approved by the MCI and if not approved, what is the Standing instruction on this Matter by the authority.
• To which the RTI cell of the medical council has clearly replied:The Medical Council of India does not recognize /approve any online Teaching in MBBS or it's equivalent Medical Course.
• The issue of online mode for teaching has been gaining momentum, ever since the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the country as well as the world, putting a halt to major economic activities including medical education. While many other fields have moved to online modalities, the MCI response makes it clear that an online mode of education would not be a suitable one for medical education.