PG training, teaching experience from unrecognised departments Invalid: NMC

New Delhi: Observing that in some cases, teaching experience certificates and postgraduate training were being claimed from unrecognised departments, the Post Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has reiterated that such experience will neither be considered valid nor counted for academic or professional purposes.

The Apex Medical Regulatory body stressed that postgraduate medical education and training must strictly follow its notified regulations, including the Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023 and the Medical Institutions (Qualifications of Faculty) Regulations, 2025.

According to the Commission, these regulations clearly stipulate that teaching experience for appointment to faculty positions or for recognition as a postgraduate teacher must be obtained only from recognized medical colleges and duly recognized teaching departments with approved infrastructure, faculty strength, and permitted postgraduate seats as per NMC records.

Writing to the Vice-Chancellors, DGHS officials, heads of medical colleges and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the PGMEB clarified that any teaching or training experience gained in departments or units not recognized by the Commission will not be counted for academic or professional purposes.

This comes after the Commission noted that some faculty members were submitting experience certificates based on departments that are not approved for postgraduate medical education. It made it clear that such practices are not valid under existing regulations.

"The National Medical Commission (NMC) has observed, in certain instances, that teaching experience certificates and postgraduate training experience are being claimed by the faculty or certified by the universities/institutions on the basis of departments or units that are not recognized or permitted by the Commission for conducting postgraduate medical education.

It is reiterated that postgraduate medical education and training must strictly conform to the provisions of the regulations notified by the Commission from time to time, including the Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023 and the Medical Institutions (Qualifications of Faculty) Regulations, 2025. These regulations clearly stipulate that teaching experience for appointment to faculty positions or for recognition as a postgraduate teacher must be obtained only from recognized medical colleges and duly recognized teaching departments with approved infrastructure, faculty strength, and permitted postgraduate seats as per NMC records," the letter read. 

In light of the above, NMC has issued the following clarifications for strict compliance:

(i) Non-counting of training/experience

Any postgraduate training or teaching experience obtained in a department or unit, that is not recognized or approved by the National Medical Commission for conducting postgraduate medical education, shall not be counted for the purpose of:

a. Eligibility for appearing in postgraduate examinations;

b. Recognition as a postgraduate teacher/guide;

c. Appointment or promotion to faculty positions;

d. Determination of teaching experience for regulatory, academic, or administrative purposes.

(ii) Invalidation of experience certificates

Any teaching experience certificate issued on the basis of service rendered in an unrecognized department/unit shall be treated as invalid for determining eligibility, appointment, promotion, or recognition under the applicable regulations of the Commission.

(iii) Responsibility of Universities and Institutions

All Medical Colleges/Institutions and affiliating Universities shall ensure that:

a. Teaching experience certificates are issued only after verification of the recognition status of the concerned department/unit as per NMC records;

b. No teaching experience certificate is issued for experience gained in departments/units not recognized or permitted by the Commission .

"All concerned are requested to ensure strict compliance with the above directions and disseminate this advisory to all affiliated institutions and departments under their jurisdiction," it added.

Referring to the PGMEB letter, the NMC secretary, Dr Raghav Langer, wrote to the concerned stakeholders informing them that postgraduate training or teaching experience obtained from unrecognized departments will not be counted, and any experience certificates issued on such basis will be treated as invalid.

"Please find enclosed herewith an Advisory No. NMC-23(1)(161)/2022/Med/PG dated 09-04-2026 on the subject matter as issued by Post Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) of National Medical Commission being self- explanatory and reiterating that teaching experience for appointment to faculty positions or for recognition as a postgraduate teacher must be obtained only from recognized medical colleges and duly recognized teaching departments with approved infrastructure, faculty strength, and permitted postgraduate seats as per NMC records in due conformity with various regulations as notified by the National Medical Commission. The Advisory inter-alia provides certain instructions and clarifications and all concerned are requested to take note of and ensure strict compliance of the same," mentioned the notice. 

To view the notice, click on the link below:

Also read- Teaching experience before medical college's recognition not valid for faculty appointment eligibility: HC