Conversion of PG Diploma Seats to MD,MS seats: Ministry of Health issues notice

New Delhi: Following the decision of the Medical Council of India to stop all MCI recognised postgraduate diploma courses in Medical colleges and give equal number of MD/MS seats in return to the medical colleges, the Ministry of Health has now issued PUBLIC notice, giving a last chance to medical colleges to take advantage of the scheme

The notice informed that for those medical colleges who had already applied for the same, their applications are being considered on priority. Adding that the last date to issue a letter of permission for the academic session 2019-20 is 28.02.2019, the Ministry is going to consider only those applications of conversion which will be received till 25.01.2019.

"All Medical Institutes are therefore requested to adhere to the prescribed time schedule," the notice added

The notice states

 This is regarding Medical Council of India's Amendment Notification NO.MCI-18(I)/20 I8-Med.lI22294 dated 12.07.2018 enabling medical colleges to seek an equal number of PG (MD/MS) seats by surrendering recognized diploma seats in corresponding courses.

The Ministry is receiving applications from medical colleges for increasing PG degree seats as per Notification dated 12.07.2018 which are being processed on priority. After receipt of the application, the Ministry is required to issue a Notification omitting the name of Diploma in respect of the said medical college and forward the application along with omission Notification and undertaking of the college to the Board of Governors-Medical Council of India (BoG-MCI) for the recommendation.

 As the last date to issue the letter of permission for the academic session 2019-20 is 28.02.2019 which is fast approaching, it has been decided that the Ministry will consider only those applications which will be received till 25.01.2019. All Medical Institutes are therefore requested to adhere to the prescribed time schedule.

Future to Benefit, Present Still in Limbo

While the move of conversion of PG Diploma seats in commensurate MD/MS seats at medical colleges will indeed benefit the future PG students who are going to pursue specialisation in the medical colleges in india, the present PG Diploma students are left in Limbo as they have no avenue to promotions owing to their present degrees.

Treated at par with MBBS doctors despite their two years of specialisation course, these doctors have now written to the MCI Board of Governors to draw a bridge so that they also can attain MD/MS degrees after a certain number of additional years of study as well as submission of thesis

Read Also: Promotion of Diploma Doctors at Medical Colleges: Health Ministry asks MCI Board of Governors to decide