The Board of Governors of the Medical Council of India (MCI) has recommended creation of an “Indian Medical Graduate,” who will have necessary competence to assume his or her role as a health care provider. The 'Indian Medical Graduate' will have to pass an exit exam or a licentiate examination after an internship to get license to practice anywhere in the country. MCI has proposed major changes in the undergraduate curriculum and training aimed at meeting the twin demand of having more graduates and maintaining the quality of education. MCI also hopes that the 'Indian Medical Graduate' will, at the time of graduation, effectively fulfill the roles of clinician, leader, communicator and life-long learner, and be a professional with a set of competencies. The national-level exit exam is expected to set a standard for doctors. The MCI also proposes to introduce the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test from 2012. The licentiate system, if approved, would be optional between 2012 and 2016, but mandatory thereon. The MCI has proposed to start a two-month foundation course after admission to MBBS course to prepare students to study medicine effectively. This would help in orienting students to national health scenarios, medical ethics, health economics, learning skills and communication, life support, biohazard and environment safety. The new curriculum has been structured to facilitate horizontal and vertical integration between disciplines and bridge the gaps between theory and practice. In the first year, focus would be on basic and laboratory sciences, while in the second and third years, focus would be on clinical exposure and learning. Clinical training would start in the first year and there would be more focus on common problems seen in outpatients and emergency settings.
