India’s biggest medical scam: Bribes & fake license; Know how top medical colleges rig the system

India is grappling with the aftermath of what the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has described as "one of the country's biggest medical education scams." An investigation spread across the nation has revealed a network of bribery, manipulation of the regulatory process, and fake medical licensing involving more than 40 medical colleges, top officials, and a godman who had set himself up.

How the scam worked

The scandal came to light in late June 2025 when a CBI sting operation in the Rawatpura Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Raipur resulted in the arrest of six individuals. Among them were National Medical Commission (NMC) officials, who were caught red-handed taking a ₹55 lakh bribe. The payment was intended to help clear a favorable inspection and regulatory clearance for the college, according to the CBI.

But that was just the start. As the probe expanded, the CBI revealed a "full-fledged racket involving middlemen, NMC assessors, Health Ministry insiders, and private college heads" who cooperated to manipulate inspections. Secret schedules were leaked, dummy patients and faculty members were marched around, and inspection reports were prepared in advance—all for fat bribes.

Big names, bigger shock

The CBI FIR, registered on 30 June 2025, under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Prevention of Corruption Act, contains the names of 34 persons, including:

• DP Singh—ex-UGC Chairman and incumbent Chancellor of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)
• Ravi Shankar Maharaj (Rawatpura Sarkar)—godman and Chairman of Rawatpura Institute of Medical Sciences
• Suresh Singh Bhadoria—Chairman of Indore's Index Medical College
• Mayur Raval – Geetanjali University Registrar, Udaipur
• Jitu Lal Meena – National Health Authority Joint Director
• Manjappa CN – Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, Professor and NMC inspection team member
• Three NMC Inspectors: Dr. Chaitra MS, Dr. P. Rajini Reddy, Dr. Ashok Shelke

The FIR also charges many unidentified Union Health Ministry and NMC officials, middlemen, and private college officials.

Modus operandi: How the scam was perpetrated

As per the official CBI FIR

"Key officials disclosed confidential inspection timetables, assessor information, and internal file notes to private medical colleges via a network of middlemen in exchange for bribes. These acts, undertaken for consideration of money and other criminal considerations, compromise the integrity of the regulative system and pose a risk to the quality of medical education and public health standards in the nation."

The probe found that

• Fake inspections were conducted by colleges using hired personnel and phantom patients.
• Inspection reports were prepared for a fee.
• Bribes were passed through hawala operators and personal intermediaries.
• Personal devices and encrypted apps were used to share confidential information.
• Bribe funds were even used for personal projects, including the construction of a temple.

Example Transactions from the FIR

• Rawatpura Institute, Raipur: A ₹55 lakh bribe was facilitated for the NMC inspection team, with shares to be handed over to inspectors and their kin.
• Gayatri Medical College, Visakhapatnam: ₹50 lakh paid through hawala to clear a regulatory issue.
• Father Colombo Institute, Warangal: ₹66 lakh paid in two tranches for smooth inspections.
• Index Medical College, Indore: Doctored faculty records, duplicated fingerprints for biometric attendance, and forged degrees issued against candidates.

Regulatory response

Following the scandal, the NMC has

• Blacklisted involved assessors.
• Disallowed MBBS and postgraduate seat increases for the implicated colleges for the 2025–26 academic year.

The CBI has raided over 40 premises in six states, seizing crores of cash and documentary proof. The case is still under investigation, with further arrests and regulatory measures pending.

This case reveals the risks of uncontrolled corruption in the health industry, where payoffs and patronage can trump qualifications and protective measures. The CBI inquiry is a grim reminder of the importance of openness, transparency, and rigorous regulation in health education and licensure.

Sources

• [CBI FIR, June 30, 2025]