All permitted seats will be considered as recognised seats: NMC clarifies

New Delhi: While answering the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations (PGMER) 2023, the National Medical Commission (NMC) recently clarified that once permitted, the concerned postgraduate medical course shall be considered as recognised and therefore, the "seats permitted will be considered as recognised seats for registration of the degree awarded."

Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) of the NMC stated this while providing clarification regarding the doubts and queries raised by various stakeholders regarding the PGMER 2023.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported about the final Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023 (PGMER 2023), which laid down the rules and regulations regarding admission, counselling, and other details related to the postgraduate medical courses.

Answering the question of whether the college is required to apply for recognition of PG seats, the Commission clarified, "As per PGMER-2023, once permitted, the course for the qualification will be considered recognised and seats permitted will be considered as recognised seats for registration of the degree awarded. Medical colleges/institutions running such courses will be considered as accredited medical colleges/institutions for the said course of qualification. And all permitted seats will be considered as recognised seats." 

Also Read: How many leaves allowed for PG medical students? NMC specifies in PGMER FAQs

"Therefore, medical colleges/institutions need not apply for recognition of PG course. Colleges/institutions shall submit an Annual Self-Declaration as per the requirement of MSMER-2023 regulations. For the current year, the Post-graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) will soon issue a public notice for the medical colleges/institutions to submit their Annual Self-Declaration for the year 2023 (01.01.2023 to 31.12.2023)," it further mentioned.

Addressing the issue of permission and recognition, Chapter III of PGMER 2023 mentions, "Once permitted, the course for the qualification will be considered recognised and seats permitted will be considered as recognised seats for registration of the degree awarded. Medical colleges/Institutions running such courses will be considered as Accredited Medical colleges/Institutions for the said course of qualification."

The requirement for getting recognised by NMC is no longer applicable for the undergraduate medical seats as well. Releasing the Minimum Standard Requirements (MSR) 2023 regulations for UG medical courses, NMC removed the concept of permitted vs recognised medical seats. Therefore, as per the existing rules, degrees obtained by MBBS students after completion of their medical courses shall automatically be considered to be recognised.

Medical Dialogues had been reporting about the troubles faced by students across the country with the pending recognition from the NMC. The absence of recognition for the permitted seats used to cause trouble for the MBBS graduates, who would face problems in obtaining permanent registration in the absence of recognition for their respective batches. They were unable to initiate their medical practice or participate in the counselling process for postgraduate medical education as well.  In the case of PG medical students, lack of recognition used to create trouble for the doctors to get their additional qualifications registered.

To view the FAQs issued on PGMER 2023, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/faqs-on-pgmer-2023-236046.pdf

Also Read: PGMER 2023: PG Medicos must Fulfill these Conditions to Appear in Final Exam, Details