Nagpur High Court Directs Union Government on Respiratory Medicine Curriculum
Overview of the Case
The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has instructed the Union Government and the National Medical Commission (NMC) to respond to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) requesting the reinstatement of Respiratory Medicine as a structured subject in the MBBS curriculum. The matter was previously discussed on January 23, 2026, when a Division Bench, consisting of Justice Anil S. Kilor and Justice Raj D. Wakode, postponed the hearing to February 13, 2026, at the request of the respondents’ counsel.
Context of the Litigation
In a prior hearing in 2024, the court inquired why the NMC had removed the subject, emphasizing its potential impact on healthcare delivery, medical staff training, and the establishment of respiratory medicine departments in 706 medical colleges across India. The Bombay High Court had previously raised concerns about the NMC’s decision to eliminate the Respiratory Medicine Department from the MBBS curriculum.
Changes by the NMC
In 2023, the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the NMC removed three departments—Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR), Respiratory Medicine, and Emergency Medicine—from the mandatory list of departments for medical colleges seeking annual approval for undergraduate admissions. The new Competency-Based Medical Education 2024 guidelines also lack provisions for a separate respiratory medicine department.
Legal Action by Medical Societies
Despite efforts from respiratory medicine specialists to reverse this decision, they received no relief and opted for legal recourse. Consequently, the Indian Chest Society (ICS) filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court, along with the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation as a co-petitioner.
Importance of Respiratory Medicine
During the 2024 hearings, the Apex Medical Commission informed the court that these subjects would be integrated into General Medicine. However, the court highlighted the significance of Respiratory Medicine, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, questioning the rationale behind its removal. The bench also sought clarification on including such a vital area under General Medicine.
Current Respiratory Health Challenges
According to the Indian Chest Society, the prevalence of respiratory illnesses in India is rising due to increased air pollution, occupational hazards, tobacco use, and recurrent respiratory infections. Common conditions such as asthma, COPD, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and pollution-related lung diseases are major contributors to outpatient visits, emergency admissions, and preventable deaths.
Concerns from Medical Experts
The ICS expressed concerns that the removal of formal training in respiratory medicine at the MBBS level has left many young doctors inadequately prepared to identify and treat serious lung conditions. Dr. Neel Thakkar, a Vadodara-based pulmonologist and governing body member of the ICS, emphasized that enhancing respiratory medicine training at the undergraduate level is crucial for public safety and improved health outcomes.
Looking Ahead
Dr. Thakkar noted that MBBS doctors are essential to India’s healthcare system, particularly in primary and district-level care, and their competence in managing respiratory diseases is vital amid escalating air pollution and climate-related health challenges. He expressed hope that the upcoming hearing on February 13, 2026, will lead to meaningful, evidence-based reforms in medical education that align with current public health realities. “A stronger MBBS curriculum today will save lives tomorrow,” Dr. Thakkar concluded.