Register additional qualifications of PG medicos against permitted seats: NMC reiterates directive for State Medical Councils

New Delhi: Once again reiterating its decree, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed all state medical councils to register additional qualifications of the first four batches of PG degree (MD, MS) and three batches of PG diploma courses against permitted seats.

This is the second time the apex medical regulator has reiterated its directive for the state medical councils after being repeatedly moved by the grievances of PG medicos who are been facing trouble with the registration of their qualifications with respective medical councils post-COVID pandemic era.

Last year in June, in response to the queries of PG medical students, NMC directed all the State Medical Councils to register additional qualifications of the concerned batches against permitted seats. This came soon after the NMC received several representations from State Medical Councils for knowing the status of recognition of seats shown as permitted on the NMC's website as they require the same for registering the additional qualifications.

Hence, in a bid to address the concerns raised by numerous students, the PG Medical Education Board of the NMC (PGMEB) has once again emphasized the need for State Medical Councils to register additional qualifications for students passing postgraduate (PG) degrees and diploma courses.

“This directive follows the Board's communication dated 23.6.2022 and reiterated during a meeting held on 15.6.2023, urging registration for specific batches under certain criteria,” the commission said.

Issuing a notification, Dr Yogender Malik, Member of the Ethics and Medical Registration Board of the NMC (EMRB) and Head Media Division called for streamlining registration of additional qualifications for Post Graduate medical students and stated,

“Despite earlier instructions, the Board continues to receive grievances from students as their additional qualifications are not being registered due to seat classifications on the NMC website. Even though these students fall within the criteria outlined for registration, their seats have been categorised differently on the NMC's platform.”

Hence, taking serious cognizance of the hardships faced by numerous PG medicos across the country, the apex medical commission has once again directed:

“In response to these ongoing challenges faced by students, the PGMEB once again urges all State Medical Councils to promptly register the first four batches of PG degree courses and three batches of PG diploma courses admitted against the seats listed as permitted on the NMC's website.”

Background:

In October 2021, the NMC announced provisional recognition of one more year to PG medical qualifications for the 2020-21 academic session.

As per para 6(2) of the Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000, "The Institution shall apply for recognition of the Post Graduate Medical qualification to the Central Government through the affiliating University when the first admitted batch shall be due to appear for the examination to be conducted by the affiliating University".

Given the COVID-19 pandemic, some medical colleges were inspected physically, some by virtual mode, and the rest had submitted sworn affidavits.

Therefore, the apex medical regulator had noted that the system of physical inspection at the time of examination could not be followed as prescribed by the regulation and therefore, the process of recognition of new PG courses, recognition against the increased intake of PG courses and renewal of recognition of PG courses could not be completed.

In these circumstances, the National Medical Commission had allowed provisional recognition of all PG medical courses for a period of one year. It had additionally extended the duration for recognized postgraduate qualifications including recognition of or against increased intake or renewal of recognition of the academic year 2020-21.

At that time, the apex medical regulator had also directed the state medical councils to register all the PG courses which are shown as Permitted on the National Medical Commission (NMC) website and, PG students have passed during the academic year 2020-21.

However, after the NMC came in receipt of several requests from State Medical Councils to know the status of recognition of seats which are shown as permitted on the NMC's website as mandated, last year it directed them to register additional qualifications of the first four batches of PG degree courses and three batches of PG diploma courses admitted against the permitted seats.

NMC’s PGMEB:

Post Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) at the National Medical Commission (NMC) is committed to providing a medical education system that improves access to quality and affordable medical education, ensures the availability of adequate and high-quality medical professionals in all parts of the country; that promotes equitable and universal healthcare that encourages community health perspective and makes services of medical professionals accessible to all the citizens.

To view the official NMC notification, Click here