BCMET Mandatory for Faculty promotions, Training must before LOP applications: NMC

New Delhi: Stating that medical college faculties must complete the Basic Course in Medical Education Technology (BCMET) to be promoted to the posts of Associate Professors and Professors, the National Medical Commission (NMC) recently notified the States/UTs about the completion of the timeline for BCMET for the appointed faculties.

Writing to the principal secretaries of Medical Education of all States/UTs and the Directors of Directorate of Medical Education of all States/UTs, the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) of NMC informed that where faculty posts have already been sanctioned and the appointments have been made at the last moment, the Board has decided that an Affidavit must be obtained from the Principal Secretary of Medical Education and Government of the respective State/UT, confirming that the appointed faculty would complete the BCMET training within the next academic year.

The Commission further clarified that such training must have to be completed before applications are invited for Letter of Permissions (LoPs) for the academic year 2026-2027.

"As per the Public Notice issued by the National Medical Commission, vide No. NMC/MCI-23(1)/2021-MED dated 25.07.2022, Paragraph 6 of the Teachers Eligibility Qualification in Medical Institutions Regulations, 2022 stipulates norms for faculty appointments and promotions in Broad Specialties (MD/MS) and Super Specialties (DM/M.Ch.) in permitted/recognized medical colleges/institutions. It mandates that for promotion to the post of Associate Professor and Professor, faculty members must complete the Basic Course in Medical Education Technology (BCMET) from institutions designated by the National Medical Commission (NMC)," the PGMEB mentioned in its communication.

"In respect of appointment of faculty in Government Medical Colleges, where posts have been sanctioned and appointments thereto made at the last moment, the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) has decided that in such cases, an Affidavit must be obtained from the Principal Secretary, Medical Education, Government of the respective State/UT, confirming that the appointed faculty will complete the BCMET training within the next academic year. The training must be completed before the call for applications for Letter of Permission (LOP) for the academic year 2026–27, which is expected to be around October 2025," it further added.

Accordingly, the Commission asked all State/UT Medical Education Departments to take necessary action and ensure the submission of the required Affidavit from the competent authority at the earliest.

Sharing the copy of the PG Board's notice with the Principal Secretary/Secretary, Medical Education of all States/UTs, Directors of Directorate of Medical Education of all States/UTs, the NMC Secretary, Dr. Raghav Langer mentioned in a communication dated 01.04.2025, "Principal Secretary/ Secretary, Medical Education of all States/ UTs 2. Director, Directorate of Medical Education of all States/ UTs Reference is cited to letter no. NMC/MCI-23(1)/2021-MED dated 20 th March, 2025 issued by the Post Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) to all medical education institutions and Directorates of Medical Education in all States/ UTs, regarding completion of timeline for Basic Course in Medical Education Technology (BCMET) for appointed faculties. All concerned stakeholders are requested to kindly take note of the same & ensure needful action."

The Medical Council of India, by the MCI Regulations on Graduate Medical Education, 1997, made it mandatory for all medical colleges to establish Medical Education Units (MEUs) or departments in order to enable faculty members to avail modern education technology for teaching. In order to boost this activity, Basic Course Workshops in Medical Education Technologies have been conducted by the medical regulator since 2009 through selected Regional and Nodal Centres (Nodal Centres are upgraded regional Centres) located at medical colleges with required infrastructural and trained manpower.

Back in 2023, issuing a circular, NMC had confirmed that all the Faculty Development Programme (FDP) Workshops conducted under the names of Basic Course in Medical Education (BCME), Revised Basic Course Workshops (rBCw), or Basic Course in Medical Education Technologies (BCMET) are all considered at par.

To view the NMC Communication, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/nmc-01042025-281420.pdf

Also Read:All Faculty Development Program Workshops Considered at par: NMC