Introducing DNB exam for foreign PG Medical Graduates: MCI Board of Governors mull proposal

New Delhi: In order to provide a level playing field to medical practitioners who complete their post-graduation and specialisations from various countries outside India, the Medical Council of India Board of Governors are now mulling over a proposal to consider introducing DNB examination for candidates qualifying PG degree from foreign nations other than five English speaking countries.

PG Medical Degrees from 5 English speaking countries including the  US, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada are considered equivalent to MD/MS degrees in India. However, the same is not true for PG medical qualifications from other countries apart from these 5, with no benchmark on how these degrees are to be considered in India. In absence of regulations, these PG medical degrees from countries apart from those recognised by MCI have no value in India

The issue was recently taken up by the MCI Board of Governors in their December 2018 meeting, where the BOG mulled on the idea of equating these degrees to DNB

The BoG considered the issue relating to shortage of specialist in the Country and decided in-principle that Indian/OCI PG doctors planning to return/wish to render their services to the Country may be allowed to enter in the mainstream by facilitating registration of their PG qualification by equating it to DNB.

The matter was considered in the meeting and BOG has decide to consider introducing DNB examination for candidates qualifying PG degree from foreign nations other than five English speaking countries

In view of the foregoing the BoG decided to nominate Dr Randeep Guleria, Dr Nikhil Tandon and Dr S Venkatesh, BoG Members, who are also NBE members, to workout detailed modalities in consultation with NBE leadership for allowing the Indian OCI Doctors who possess foreign PG qualification to take DNB examination without undergoing three years DNB training at NBE accreditated hospital India.

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