New Delhi: Signalling a zero-tolerance approach towards external pressure, the National Medical Commission has proposed amendments that would allow outright rejection of applications from medical colleges found attempting to influence the regulator during approvals.In a gazette notification dated February 17, 2026, proposing amendments to the Establishment of Medical Institutions, Assessment and Rating Regulations 2023, the commission has revised Clause 31(h), which deals with attempts to pressurise the regulator.The present clause states that if any medical institution attempts to pressure the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) or NMC through individuals or agencies, the processing of its application will be immediately halted.”Any attempt to pressurise MARB or NMC through individuals or an agency will lead to immediate halt of the processing of the application/request by the medical Institution.”However, under the proposed amendment, such attempts could now lead not only to a halt in processing but also to rejection of the application/request submitted by the medical institution.”Any attempt to pressurise MARB or NMC through individuals or agency will lead to immediate halt of the processing or rejection of the application(s)/request(s) by the medical Institution,”- the proposed clause.The amendment empowers the regulator to outright reject proposals if institutions attempt to exert influence during approvals for new colleges, seat increases, renewals or recognition.These draft amendments have already been prepared and approved by the competent authority. However, before making them final, the Commission has invited the stakeholders for objections and suggestions from the date the Gazette copy is made available to the public.Once finalised, the amended rules will be called the “Establishment of New Medical Institutions, Assessment & Rating (Amendment) Regulations, 2026.” The changes will come into effect from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.Medical Dialogues had reported that the National Medical Commission (NMC) issued a gazette notification proposing draft amendments, including the addition and removal of clauses, to the Establishment of Medical Institutions, Assessment and Rating Regulations 2023. The gazette notification, issued on February 17, 2026, proposes changes to the “Establishment of New Medical Institutions, Starting of New Medical Courses, Increase of Seats for Existing Courses & Assessment & Rating Regulations, 2023.”Also read- NMC proposes amendments to Establishment of New Medical Institutions, Assessment and Rating regulations 2023