NATIONAL NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COMMISSION (NNMC) BILL, 2023

The National Nursing and Midwifery Commission (NNMC) Bill, 2023 is a landmark legislation that aims to reform the nursing and midwifery education and profession in India. The Bill was passed by the Parliament of India on August 8, 2023, and it will come into force on a date to be notified by the government.

The NNMC Bill replaces the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947, which was the existing law governing nursing education and practice in India

The new Bill introduces several key reforms, including:

• The establishment of a National Nursing and Midwifery Commission (NNMC) to regulate and maintain standards of nursing education and services.
• The creation of three autonomous boards under the NNMC to oversee undergraduate and postgraduate education, assessment and rating, and professional conduct and ethics.
• The introduction of a common entrance test for admission to undergraduate nursing courses.
• The establishment of a national register of nurses and midwives.
• The power of the NNMC to de-recognize institutions and professionals that do not meet the required standards.

The NNMC Bill is a significant step towards improving the quality of nursing education and practice in India.

It is expected to lead to a more skilled and competent nursing workforce, which will be essential to meet the growing healthcare needs of the country.

3. Key features of the bill

Here are some of the key features of the NNMC Bill, 2023:

• Establishment of the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission (NNMC): The NNMC will be a statutory body that will be responsible for regulating and maintaining standards of nursing education and services in India. It will consist of 29 members, including a chairperson, 16 ex-officio members, and 12 members appointed by the central government.
• Creation of autonomous boards: The NNMC will have three autonomous boards:
  • The Nursing and Midwifery Undergraduate and Postgraduate Education Board will be responsible for regulating education and examination at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
  • The Nursing and Midwifery Assessment and Rating Board will be responsible for providing the framework for assessing and rating nursing and midwifery institutions.
  • The Nursing and Midwifery Ethics and Registration Board will be responsible for regulating professional conduct and promoting ethics in the profession.
• Common entrance test for admission to undergraduate nursing courses: The NNMC will conduct a common entrance test for admission to all undergraduate nursing courses in India. This will help to ensure that only the most qualified candidates are admitted to nursing programs.
• Establishment of a national register of nurses and midwives: The NNMC will maintain a national register of nurses and midwives. This register will list all qualified nurses and midwives in India, and it will be used to verify the credentials of nurses and midwives.
• Power of the NNMC to de-recognize institutions and professionals: The NNMC will have the power to de-recognize institutions and professionals that do not meet the required standards. This will help to ensure that only high-quality nursing education and care are provided in India.