Complete academic curriculum including exams by 31st December 2024 for PG Broad Speciality Students 2021 Batch: NMC tells medical institutes

New Delhi: Issuing a notice on the examination schedule of the PG Broad Speciality students who were admitted in 2021, the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed the medical institutes to complete the academic curriculum including the conduct of the examination of the concerned students by 31st December 2024.

The PG Board of NMC issued the notice after noting that some of the medical Universities were not sticking to the schedule prescribed by the notice dated 11.01.2022.

Through the notice dated 11.01.2022, the NMC PG Board had considered the delay in starting of the Broad Speciality Courses on account of COVID pandemic in the year 2021. Thereafter, the Commission had decided that all academic session for the Broad Speciality courses for the year 2021 would commence from 1st February, 2022.

"The academic Curriculum of the diploma and degree courses shall be completed by 31st Dec 2023 and 31st Dec 2024 respectively. However the postgraduate Degree and Diploma student should complete the required period of 36 and 24 months respectively to complete the course," NMC had mentioned in the notice dated 11.01.2022.

In its recent notice, NMC referred to the Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations-2000 (PGMEB-2000) notified by the erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI). As per the regulations, the academic sessions for Post-Graduate Broad Speciality Courses (both Degree and Diploma courses) commences from 1st May of each year. However, due to the COVID pandemic, this schedule has been modified from time to time.

Referring to its earlier notice issued on 11th January, 2022. the PG Board of NMC mentioned in the recent notice dated 13.06.2024, "The Post-Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB), National Medical Commission (NMC) vide Public Notice dated 11.01.2022 (copy enclosed) had intimated all concerned that the academic session for the Broad Speciality Courses for the year 2021 shall commence from 1st February, 2022. The academic curriculum of the diploma and degree courses shall be completed by 31st December, 2023 and 31st December, 2024 respectively. However, the post-graduate Degree and Diploma students should complete the required period of 36 and 24 months respectively."

The Commission informed that it received representations from some of the Universities which are not sticking to the schedule prescribed by the notice dated 11.01.2022.

Referring to this, the Commission added in the notice, "Representations have been received that some of the Universities are not sticking to the schedule prescribed vide Public Notice dated 11.01.2022. Further, the PGMEB vide Public Notice dated 10.4.2024 had also given clarification regarding the eligibility to appear for examination."

NMC asked the medical colleges to comply with the timeline regarding the academic curriculum and mentioned, "Hence, all the Universities are requested to take note of the aforesaid Public Notices and complete the academic curriculum which includes the conduct of the examination by 31st December, 2024 of PG Broad Speciality degree students who had taken admission in the Academic Year 2021."

Lauding the NMC decision, the National President of the United Doctors' Front Association, Dr. Lakshya Mittal mentioned in an X (formerly Twitter) post, "Commendable initiative by @NMC_INDIA The revised examination schedule for #Batch2021 Post-Graduate Broad Specialty Courses addresses COVID-19 disruptions and ensures timely completion of academic requirements. A significant step towards maintaining high standards in medical education."

To view the notice, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/pgmeb-notice-on-examination-schedule-241492.pdf

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