CBME Updates
16.10.2024 | UGMEB reference: Additional clarification on CBME Guideline, 2024 published on 12.09.2024
12.09.2024 | Guidelines for Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) Curriculum 2024
05.09.2024 | Withdrawal of Competency Based Medical Education Curriculum (CBME) Guidelines, 2024
31.08.2024 | Competency Based Medical Education Curriculum (CBME) Guidelines, 2024 - NMC
2019 - Launch of CBME Curriculum
July 2019: The Medical Council of India (MCI), later replaced by the NMC, officially rolled out the CBME curriculum for all MBBS programs starting from the 2019 batch.
Introduction of the Foundation Course (175 hours), covering orientation, basic life support, ethics, communication, and computer skills.
Launch of the AETCOM Module, focusing on Attitude, Ethics, and Communication, integrated throughout the curriculum.
Early Clinical Exposure (ECE) introduced, giving students real-world context from the first year itself.
2020 - Phase I Implementation
Subjects Covered:
Anatomy
Physiology
Biochemistry
Students build foundational understanding of the human body while being introduced to clinical relevance through Early Clinical Exposure (ECE). Learning is integrated with practical skills, communication modules, and professionalism.
Full-scale teaching under CBME begins with first-year MBBS students.
Subjects: Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry are taught with integrated, interdisciplinary themes.
Introduction of skill-based logbooks and formative assessments.
Focus on small group teaching, reflective learning, and self-directed learning.
AETCOM activities reinforce professionalism from the beginning.
2021 - Phase II Implementation
Subjects Covered:
Pathology
Microbiology
Pharmacology
Forensic Medicine
Paraclinical subjects begin to bridge basic sciences with clinical application. Students engage in case-based learning and build skills in diagnostics and early management. AETCOM modules delve deeper into ethics and inter professional communication.
Second-year MBBS students begin training under CBME with subjects like Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Forensic Medicine.
Continued integration of clinical cases into paraclinical subjects.
Expanded use of DOPS (Direct Observation of Procedural Skills) and mini-CEX (Clinical Evaluation Exercises).
More robust use of logbooks and documentation of competencies.
Students continue AETCOM Modules 2 & 3.
2022 - Phase III Begins
Subjects Covered:
ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat)
Ophthalmology
Community Medicine (Part II)
This phase introduces students to specialty-specific learning and public health practices. There is a greater emphasis on clinical postings, community engagement, and understanding health systems in action.
Students progress to Phase III Part I, studying ENT, Ophthalmology, and Community Medicine (Part II).
Increased clinical exposure in hospital settings and peripheral centers.
More hands-on opportunities and role-plays to practice communication skills.
Elective planning begins, with students selecting areas of interest.
2023 - Phase III Part II and Electives
Subjects Covered:
General Medicine
General Surgery
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Pediatrics
Psychiatry
Orthopedics
Dermatology
The final year focuses on core clinical specialties with in-depth clinical exposure, critical thinking, and independent responsibility. Students also complete their electives tailored experiences designed to foster innovation, research, and community service.
Students enter the final year of MBBS, studying:
General Medicine, General Surgery
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Orthopedics, Dermatology
Completion of two-month elective postings, allowing students to pursue interests such as:
Public health and rural service
Clinical research
Emerging healthcare technologies
Clinical integration, interdepartmental coordination, and case-based teaching become core practices.
2024 - Internship and NExT Alignment
Colleges prepare for the nationwide rollout of National Exit Test (NExT).
Internship structure revised to align with CBME competencies.
Emphasis on clinical reasoning, professionalism, teamwork, and leadership.
Pilot runs of NExT-based assessments conducted in select institutions.
Faculty training for NExT-related teaching and evaluation increases.
2025 - Full Integration with NExT
NExT becomes operational as the single licensing and postgraduate entrance examination.
CBME curriculum now fully aligned with NExT structure and expectations.
Medical colleges across India are evaluated based on CBME implementation effectiveness.
Continuous review, audits, and reforms expected to fine-tune the curriculum based on real-world healthcare needs.
Timeline
CBME Implementation Timeline in India
CBME Implementation in India
The introduction of Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) by the National Medical Commission (NMC) in 2019 was a historic moment for Indian medical education. This new approach was developed to ensure that every Indian Medical Graduate (IMG) is not only knowledgeable, but also clinically competent, ethically sound, and patient-centered. The CBME model shifts the focus from time-based education to an outcome-based learning framework, where emphasis is laid on the development of clearly defined competencies.
CBME implementation has been gradual and systematic. From the launch of the Foundation Course to the upcoming integration of the National Exit Test (NExT), here is a detailed year-by-year timeline of how CBME has been implemented across medical colleges in India.