Introduction
In a significant development concerning the future of hundreds of medical students, Attorney General for India R. Venkataramani assured the Supreme Court of India that steps are being taken to find a viable solution for students affected by the derecognition of postgraduate courses offered by the College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPS), Mumbai.
The assurance came during the hearing of College of Physician and Surgeon (CPS House) v. Suhas Hari Pingle, where the apex court is monitoring the fallout of the Bombay High Court’s decision that upheld the derecognition of all CPS postgraduate courses. The matter was heard by a bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Viswanathan on October 9, 2025.
Background: Derecognition of CPS Courses
The issue dates back to August 16, 2024, when the Post Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB), functioning under the National Medical Commission (NMC), issued an order derecognizing all postgraduate diploma and fellowship programs offered by CPS, Mumbai.
The PGMEB cited the institution’s non-compliance with regulatory norms under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 (NMC Act). According to the show cause notice, CPS had been operating as if it were an examination-conducting authority akin to the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS)—a government body authorized to conduct medical examinations and confer recognized qualifications.
However, CPS is a non-governmental organization and lacks statutory authority to grant medical degrees or conduct examinations recognized by the NMC. This fundamental irregularity led to the derecognition of all its courses.
The derecognition left hundreds of postgraduate students in uncertainty — unable to take examinations, register their qualifications, or continue their professional training, despite having invested years of effort and financial resources.
Supreme Court’s Intervention: Bench Seeks Attorney General’s Assistance
When the matter reached the Supreme Court, the bench led by Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Viswanathan took serious note of the academic and career implications faced by affected students. Given the gravity of the situation, the Court sought the intervention of the Attorney General for India to help chart a path forward.
During the October 9 hearing, the Attorney General (AG) informed the Court that substantial progress had been made toward identifying and supporting students impacted by the derecognition.
According to the AG, approximately 932 students have been identified who were registered with CPS and were awaiting examinations. The AG added that efforts were being made to facilitate their registration and ensure they could appear for their pending exams, thereby securing their academic continuity.
Concerns Raised By Senior Advocate Vikas Singh
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for some of the affected students, highlighted a key gap in the identification process.
He pointed out that the 932 students mentioned by the AG represented only those linked to the National Medical Commission, while many others were registered under State Medical Commissions and had not yet been accounted for.
In response, the Attorney General assured the Court that his office would explore modalities to identify and include all such students, irrespective of their registration authority. He acknowledged the need for a comprehensive solution to prevent any student from being left in academic limbo.
Supreme Court’s Order: Four Weeks’ Time Granted
Recognizing the progress made and the AG’s assurance, the Supreme Court granted four weeks’ time for the Attorney General to submit an updated report outlining the steps taken and arrangements proposed to safeguard the interests of all affected students.
In its order, the Court observed:
“Today, when the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned Attorney General pointed out that there has been some progress in the matter. According to the learned Attorney, they have been able to identify approximately 932 students registered with the College of Physician and Surgery. However, senior counsel Vikas Singh pointed out that these students are only those concerned with the National Medical Commission, and the students concerned with the State Medical Commission have not been registered. In this regard, the learned Attorney General submitted that the issue will be looked into. We request the Attorney to bring some arrangements by which the future of all these students is secured.”
This directive ensures that the Union Government, NMC, and concerned State authorities remain accountable in finding an equitable solution.
How the Issue Reached the Courts
The matter originally arose from a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Dr. Suhas Hari Pingle, a former President of the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC).
Dr. Pingle alleged that the College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPS) had been running unapproved postgraduate courses without obtaining the necessary permissions from the NMC. He argued that CPS was misleading students into believing that its diploma and fellowship programs were valid medical qualifications.
The Bombay High Court, after reviewing the PIL, agreed with the petitioner and upheld the derecognition order issued by the PGMEB in August 2024. CPS subsequently challenged this decision before the Supreme Court, leading to the current proceedings.
Impact on Medical Students and the Health Sector
The derecognition of CPS courses has far-reaching consequences for medical education and healthcare delivery in India. CPS programs have historically produced a large number of diploma-holding specialists, particularly in secondary and rural healthcare setups.
With more than 900 students stranded mid-course, the derecognition has created not only academic distress but also a potential shortage of trained professionals in key specialities such as anaesthesiology, gynaecology, and ophthalmology.
Experts have urged the NMC and government to balance regulatory compliance with student welfare, suggesting temporary measures such as:
- Transitional arrangements for students to appear for exams through recognized bodies,
- Bridging programs under NMC supervision, or
- One-time regularization for batches already admitted before derecognition.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s proactive stance and the Attorney General’s assurance signal hope for hundreds of young doctors whose futures were thrown into uncertainty following the derecognition of CPS courses.
While regulatory compliance remains non-negotiable, the larger principle of fairness demands that students — who enrolled in good faith and completed rigorous medical training — should not bear the brunt of institutional lapses.
As the Attorney General works toward a comprehensive solution, all eyes will be on the next hearing, expected in November 2025, to see whether the government can strike a balance between maintaining standards in medical education and protecting the legitimate expectations of students.
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