The Union health ministry has reconstituted the Medical Council of India (MCI) with 68 members, including 23 nominated by the State Governments, after disbanding the seven-member board appointed by the Government in May.

The office-bearers of the MCI will now be selected from the members who also include nominees by universities. The elected MCI body comes into effect as per the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Second Ordinance, 2013, and it will be in place for the next four years.

Of the total 68 members, 23 have been nominated by the Central government in consultation with states while one has been nominated by the Centre representing the UT Administration of Daman & Diu.

Besides, 29 members represent the universities/health sciences universities and another seven members represent the registered medical graduates of states and another eight members are nominated by the central government.

The Council will finally have 130 members, as names of those elected by various universities are yet to come as some elections are yet to take place.

“As per provisions contained in section 3AA of the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Second Ordinance, 2013, the powers and functions of the Board of Governors (BoG) of MCI stands withdrawn and the BoG of MCI stands dissolved with immediate effect,” said the notification.

The previous elected MCI headed by Ketan Desai was embroiled in controversies of alleged corrupt practices. Desai was arrested by CBI for allegedly accepting a bribe. The government then disbanded the elected body and put in place a seven-member Board of Governors to run the Council.