NO more PG Diploma admissions from 2027-28: NMC directs medical colleges to apply for conversion to MD, MS seats

Issuing a communication to all medical colleges and institutions on June 22, the NMC informed that the academic year 2026-27 will be the last year for admissions to PG Diploma programmes. No admissions will be permitted to these courses from the academic year 2027-28, following which the diploma courses will cease to function.

The directive follows a notice issued by the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB), calling upon medical colleges currently offering PG Diploma courses to apply for conversion of such seats into corresponding MD/MS degree seats through the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB).

Decision Based on PGMER 2023 Provisions:

In its public notice, the PGMEB referred to the footnote under Regulation 2.1 of the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations (PGMER), 2023, which permits medical colleges and institutions to seek approval from MARB for conversion of diploma seats into degree seats while prohibiting any new applications for starting or increasing diploma seats.

The notice read:

The Commission noted that several medical colleges presently conduct both PG Diploma and MD/MS courses in the same speciality, while some institutions offer only diploma programmes in certain disciplines. According to the notice, "In many such cases, the institutions may already possess the requisite infrastructure, faculty, clinical material, and other resources that may facilitate conversion of Diploma courses to Degree courses, subject to fulfilment of applicable regulatory requirements."

Explaining the rationale behind the move, the NMC stated that the decision has been taken "to standardize postgraduate medical education".

"In order to standardize postgraduate medical education, enhance the quality and recognition of specialist training, align postgraduate qualifications with contemporary educational standards, and optimize utilization of existing institutional capacity, the Commission has decided that all Post Graduate Diploma courses shall be phased out, and converted to Post Graduate Broad Specialty Degree courses (MD/MS)," the NMC stated.

2026-27 last academic year for admission to PG Diploma courses:

The NMC has directed that no admissions shall be allowed to PG Diploma courses from the academic year 2027-28 onwards and that such courses will no longer remain operational thereafter.

"Accordingly, the Academic Year 2026-27 shall be the last academic year for admission to Post Graduate Diploma courses. No admissions shall be permitted to PG Diploma courses from Academic Year 2027-28 onwards, and such courses shall cease to be functional thereafter."

Medical Colleges told to Apply for Conversion:

Medical colleges and institutions intending to convert their diploma courses into degree programmes have been directed to submit applications to MARB through a dedicated online portal.

The apex medical regulator further clarified that permission for conversion of diploma seats into degree seats will be granted only upon fulfilment of the standards and requirements prescribed by the NMC from time to time.

"All the medical colleges/institutions presently conducting PG Diploma courses and intending to convert such courses to corresponding PG Degree courses (MD/MS) may submit applications to the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) in the prescribed format through the online portal. A dedicated application window/module for this purpose shall be made operational by MARB on the NMC portal, and detailed instructions regarding the application process and timelines shall be released separately by MARB. Grant of permission for conversion of Diploma seats to Degree seats shall be subject to fulfillment of the requirements and standards specified by the NMC from time-to-time," the NMC notice stated.

In a separate communication issued by NMC Secretary Dr Raghav Langer, all medical colleges, institutions and universities have been directed to take note of the public notice and ensure compliance with the prescribed procedure for conversion of seats.

"Reference is invited to Public Notice dated 19-06-2026 as issued by the Post-Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) ... requesting all the medical colleges/institutions presently conducting PG Diploma courses and intending to convert such courses to corresponding PG Degree courses (MD/MS) to submit applications to the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) in the prescribed format through the dedicated online portal, as to be made operational by MARB. The detailed instructions regarding the application process and timelines shall be released separately by MARB. As intimated by MARB, the Academic Year 2026-27 shall be the last academic year for admission to Post Graduate Diploma Courses. All concerned Medical colleges/institutions, universities are hereby accordingly directed to comply with the procedure and take note of related information/directions as indicated," the notice added.

To view the official NMC notification, click here