A release from the NMC to Dean/ Principal of All Medical Colleges/Institutions stated that the attention of the commission has been drawn to some media reports that online classes for teaching of the MBBS curriculum were not approved by erstwhile MCI. In this regard, it is clarified that because of pandemic COVID-19 the Medical Colleges/Institutions in India are conducting online theory classes for MBBS students.

Online classes are valid and were approved for teaching during the pandemic period only. Such online theory classes are required to be supplemented by practical and clinical training as per the current curriculum in all MBBS subjects in the Colleges/Institutions and affiliated hospitals as and when colleges reopen.

The release also further clarified that the media reports appeared to have relied upon the reply given on August 13, 2020 by erstwhile MCI in response to an RTI query which was about the conduct of MBBS teaching curriculum by the foreign medical university through online medium only.