New Medical College FAQs Part 2: MARB Assessment & Penalties
Starting a New Medical College FAQs — Part 2: MARB Assessment, Ratings & Penalties
Deeper questions on how the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) actually evaluates, rates, and penalises medical colleges under NMC's establishment regulations.
what does msr mean in marb rules?
MSR stands for Minimum Standards of Requirement — the minimum norms for infrastructure, faculty, clinical material and hospital facilities that UGMEB or PGMEB notify from time to time, including their explanatory circulars and advisories. MARB uses these as the benchmark for approving a college.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Section 2(h)
does a marb "inspection" always mean a physical site visit?
No. "Inspection" is defined to include virtual and/or physical inspection, and evaluation of actual and/or digital records — so MARB can rely on remote verification, not just an in-person visit.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Section 2(g)
what's the difference between ugmeb and pgmeb in college approvals?
UGMEB (Undergraduate Medical Education Board) and PGMEB (Postgraduate Medical Education Board) are NMC boards that notify and update the MSR norms a college must meet — UGMEB for UG courses, PGMEB for PG courses.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Sections 2(j)-(k); Section 10(b)
can i apply to marb to open a new medical college whenever i want?
No. You can only apply when MARB formally invites applications through a notification — whether for a new institution, new UG/PG courses, or seat changes — and you must apply within the stated deadline through the NMC web portal.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Sections 5 and 7
do i need to already meet all msr norms on the day i apply, or can i fix gaps afterward?
You must satisfy all conditions prescribed under the notified MSRs as on the date of application itself — deficiencies can't be completed afterward.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Section 8
does a state government medical college also have to prove financial capacity?
No — the requirement to show basic infrastructure and administrative/financial support capability applies only when the applicant is not the Central Government, a State Government, or a Union Territory administration.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Section 9(f)
if my college already exists and i just want to add a new course, do i still need ec, coa and all the usual documents?
Not necessarily — established institutions applying for new courses may be exempted from some of the mandated documents, as specified when MARB calls for applications.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Section 9, Explanation 3
what happens if i submit an incomplete application to marb?
It's rejected outright as an incomplete application, and you lose the chance to reapply until MARB opens the next window for applications.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Section 9, proviso
Preparing a MARB application means gathering documentation as a team, well before the notification window opens.
how much is the marb application fee and bank guarantee for a new medical college?
The regulations don't fix a rupee figure — they only require proof of payment of the "prescribed application fee and bank guarantee," with actual amounts notified separately by MARB from time to time.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Section 9(h)
is a bank guarantee required in addition to the application fee?
Yes — both must accompany the application, and the same requirement applies when applying to increase seats.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Sections 9(h) and 18(b)
does marb require proof i already own or run a hospital before approving a new college?
Yes — documentary proof of owning or running a hospital of the capacity required under the MSRs must be submitted with the application.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Section 9(g)
if marb asks for extra documents while my application is pending, how long do i have to respond?
Whatever time MARB specifies in its communication, or 15 days — whichever is earlier. Missing that window results in automatic rejection of the application.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Sections 12-13
does marb have to send an inspection team, or can it assess a college remotely?
MARB has discretion over the method and can use digital document verification, Aadhaar-based attendance registers, live video feeds, photographs, Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) data, or a surprise physical assessment.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Section 14
can marb attach conditions to the permission it grants, and am i bound by them?
Yes — MARB can grant permission "subject to such conditions as it may think fit to impose," and the institution must abide by them. MARB can demand information or run an inquiry anytime to check compliance.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Sections 4 (proviso) and 16
what documents do i need just to increase pg or ug seats in an already-running course?
A fresh Consent of Affiliation from the university for the proposed number of seats, proof of the prescribed application fee and bank guarantee, and any other documents MARB specifies in its notification.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Section 18
is a seat-increase application judged by different criteria than a new-college application?
No — MARB evaluates it on merit using the same broad criteria (desirability/feasibility, MSR compliance, sustainability of the scheme), applied in the same way.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Section 19
does marb inspect every college itself, or can it outsource the job?
MARB can conduct assessment and rating itself, or appoint one or more independent third-party agencies to do it on its behalf, with powers defined in their appointment letter.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Sections 20 and 22
what factors actually determine a medical college's marb rating?
Compliance with UGMEB/PGMEB standards, academic excellence and innovative teaching methods, research output and impact, student discipline and learning environment, student feedback, participation in national/international academic activities, and standards/participation in sports and social activities.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Section 24
are marb's ratings of medical colleges published anywhere?
Yes — MARB must make the latest annual assessment results and ratings available on its website or otherwise in the public domain.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Section 25
what is the "annual disclosure report" every medical college has to file?
A compulsory yearly filing every medical institution submits to UGMEB and/or PGMEB, with a copy to MARB, in the prescribed format and fee, confirming compliance with the norms specified under the NMC Act.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Section 26
what's the deadline for filing the annual disclosure report?
It's filed only after all students for that academic year have been admitted, and no later than 30 days from the date of the last student's admission.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Section 26, proviso
what happens if a college doesn't file its annual disclosure report on time?
It's treated as non-compliance, triggering disciplinary action, and the college is barred from admitting students in the next academic year unless MARB directs otherwise.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Section 27
can a college voluntarily ask marb to cut its own sanctioned seats, and get them back later?
Yes — a college can use its Annual Disclosure Report as self-appraisal to request MARB for a voluntary decrease in seats/courses, and can later request appropriate restitution of those seats.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Section 27, proviso
Patient care standards like this are part of what MARB weighs when assessing a college's ongoing compliance.
what counts as "non-compliance" that marb can act against?
Among other things: ignoring NMC regulations/notifications, running the college against its stated objectives (such as ragging or exploiting students on fees), infrastructure/staff/clinical-material deficiencies below MSR, obstructing MARB assessors, physical abuse or harassment of students or faculty, giving false information to obtain permission, and fabricating evidence during inspection.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Section 29(a)-(g)
what penalties can marb impose on a non-compliant college, and is there a cap on the fine?
A warning with time to fix the issue, a monetary penalty capped at Rs 1 crore per instance of non-compliance, withholding processing of new-scheme applications for a year or more, reducing student intake in later years, stopping admission to specific courses, recommending withdrawal of recognition to NMC, or withholding/withdrawing the college's rating for up to five academic years.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Section 31(a)-(g)
will marb penalise a college immediately, or is there a chance to fix problems first?
Generally a college gets an opportunity to rectify deficiencies before further action, unless it still fails to meet the required norms — though any attempt to pressurise MARB/NMC through individuals or an agency results in an immediate halt to the pending application or request.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Section 31, proviso and Section 31(h)
can giving false information to marb lead to criminal charges, not just a fine?
Yes — separate from the regulatory penalty, MARB or the Commission can initiate criminal proceedings under applicable criminal law for furnishing false information or fabricating documents.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Section 31, second proviso
if i lose my appeal before the commission, can i appeal further?
Yes — a second appeal can be filed before the Central Government within 30 days of the Commission's decision, or if the Commission fails to decide within 45 days of receiving the first appeal.
Source: Establishment/Increase (MARB) Regulations, Section 33
Related NMC Regulation FAQs
For more on starting or expanding a medical college, and on other NMC regulatory frameworks, see also:
District Residency Programme FAQs — implementation and grievances
PGMER 2023 FAQs — definitions, admissions and reservation rules
For current academic openings, see our faculty vacancy listings across medical colleges.
This article is for general informational purposes based on our reading of the notified regulations and does not constitute legal advice. Requirements can be amended by NMC from time to time — please verify current rules directly with the National Medical Commission before making decisions.