Dr. Abhijat Chandrakant Sheth is a cardiothoracic surgeon with extensive clinical and administrative experience in India and the United Kingdom. He was appointed as the Chairperson of the National Medical Commission (NMC), India’s apex regulatory body for medical education and practice, by the Union Cabinet on July 11, 2025, succeeding Dr. B N Gangadhar (also referred to as Dr. Suresh Gangadhar in some sources), who resigned in October 2024 due to health concerns.

Key Details About Dr. Abhijat Sheth:

• Professional Background: Dr. Sheth is a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon with a career spanning India and the UK, bringing significant expertise to his leadership roles in medical education and regulation.
• Current Role: He serves as the President of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), which conducts entrance examinations for postgraduate and super-specialization medical courses, such as NEET-PG. He will continue in this role for a few months, as NEET-PG is scheduled for August 2025.
• NMC Chairperson Appointment: Dr. Sheth’s appointment to the NMC is for a tenure of four years or until he attains the age of 70, whichever comes first. He has not yet officially taken charge, pending mutual discussions with the outgoing chairperson, Dr. Gangadhar.
• Priorities as NMC Chairperson: Dr. Sheth has emphasized improving the quality of medical education, promoting good governance, and fostering teamwork to achieve governmental objectives. He aims to enhance transparency in the NMC’s functioning, address issues like opaque inspections and delayed approvals, and create a stronger regulatory framework through collaboration with stakeholders.
• Context of Appointment: His appointment comes amid a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged corruption within the NMC, involving bribery, fake staff, and improper medical college inspections. Dr. Sheth’s leadership is seen as an effort to restore credibility to the NMC.

Additional Context:

• Dr. Sheth’s predecessor, Dr. Gangadhar, introduced significant reforms during his tenure, including grading medical colleges, obtaining World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) accreditation, streamlining processes, and implementing the Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) for faculty monitoring.
• Dr. Sheth’s dual role as NBEMS President and NMC Chairperson reflects his extensive administrative experience, particularly in managing critical medical examinations like NEET-PG, which he has overseen successfully for years.

Dr. Sheth’s appointment has been widely reported as a strategic move to address ongoing challenges in India’s medical education system, with a focus on quality, transparency, and governance.