The Medical Council of India (MCI) has taken a regressive step. Its circular (No. MCI-12(1)/2015-TEQ/131880, dated September 3, 2015), which is entitled "Clarification with regard to research publications in the matter of promotion for teaching faculty in medical colleges/institutions", is regressive and in partial dissonance with the current trends in medical science publications and norms of ethical publishing. Such an approach could have an adverse impact on the teaching faculty as it might encourage them to indulge in research misconduct. We appeal to the MCI to revisit its approach to the assessment of the performance of the teaching faculty in medical colleges and institutes. We make a strong case for the revocation of the MCI circular with immediate effect on four counts.