Final PGMER 2023 Regulations released in Gazette, details

New Delhi: Around four months after the Draft was released, the final Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023 (PGMER 2023) have now been published. These Regulations, which have come into force from the date of their publication in the official gazette i.e. 29.12.2023, lay down the rules and regulations regarding admission, counselling, and other details related to the postgraduate medical courses.

"These Regulations shall come into force from the date of their publication in the official gazette. Provided the National Medical Commission may publish different dates for different Regulations stated hereunder," mentioned the Gazette notification.

At the very first, the new regulations specified the focus and goal of the PG medical courses stating that the goal "shall be to produce competent specialist and medical teachers recognised by the fraternity as the graduating scholars, building upon their undergraduate education and skills". A PG medical graduate should be able to recognise the health needs of the community and carry out professional obligations ethically keeping in mind the objectives of the national health policy.

Further, a PG Medical Graduate should have mastered most of the competencies in respect of his/her speciality, be aware of the contemporary advancements in the respective discipline, have acquired a spirit of scientific inquiry, have acquired the basic skills to teach medical and paramedical professionals, acquire basic management skills in human resources, resource/hospital management, etc., developed personal characteristics including personal integrity, and others.

List of PG Medical Qualifications and Durations: 

After specifying the definitions of different terms, the regulations further discussed about different kinds of qualifications and the duration of the courses. According to the regulations, Courses for Postgraduate broad speciality qualifications can be 2-3 years long depending on whether the student has a PG diploma degree in the same subject or not.

"The period of training, including the period of examination, shall be two years for the students, who possess a recognized two-year post-graduate diploma course in the same subject," it mentioned.

The duration for the PG Diploma Course is 2 years, while Post-Doctoral Certificate Courses (PDCC) are only 1 year long. However, the duration for the Post-Doctoral Fellowship Courses is 2 years and DM/M.Ch is a 6-year long course.

"Medical colleges/institutions may apply to Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) for converting diploma seats to degree seats. No more new applications will be entertained for permission to start or increase in number of diploma seats," mentioned the regulations. 

Graduate Medical Courses and Maintenance of Standard of Medical Education: 

Permission and Recognition: 

These new regulations clarified that to start any PG medical course, a medical institute needs to get permission from the National Medical Commission (NMC) of such Board or Boards as indicated by the NMC.

"Without prejudice to sub-section (i) above, permission to start the post-graduate course in a medical college/institution running the undergraduate course and determination of number of seats to be permitted shall be as per the Establishment of New Medical Institutions, Starting of New Medical Courses, Increase of Seats for Existing Courses and Assessment and Rating Regulations,2023, Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023, Teachers Eligibility Qualifications in Medical Institutions Regulations,2022, MSR(s) notified by UGMEB and PGMEB, Curriculum requirements of respective Speciality as notified/informed from time to time on website or by other methods by Post-Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB), other relevant regulations, explanatory notes, circulars and advisories etc., issued from time to time," read the regulations.

Some relevant points to note in this regard:

 The medical institute can apply to start a PG medical course one year after the medical college/institution has obtained permission to start an undergraduate course.

 Existing or proposed non-teaching hospitals, owned and managed by the government, can start PG medical courses without having undergraduate college, if they the norms and procedures prescribed in the Establishment of New Medical Institution, Starting of New Medical Courses, Increase of Seats for Existing Courses and Assessment and Rating Regulations,2023, Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023, Teachers Eligibility Qualifications in Medical Institutions Regulations, 2022, MSR notified by PGMEB (PGMSR-23), Curriculum requirements of respective Speciality as notified/informed from time to time on website or by other methods by Post-Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB)

Increase of Seats:

If an already recognised (accredited) post-graduate course gets permission for an increase of seats, it shall be deemed to be recognized post-graduate seats for the purpose of registration of the students.

Monitoring of Standards of Medical Education: 

As per the regulations, the standards of the Medical Education shall be monitored as per the Maintenance of Standards of Medical Education Regulations, 2023. 

Medical college/institution shall pay Annual Fee, as may be prescribed by the National Medical Commission from time to time, for the purpose of annual evaluation and affiliation etc. It further mentioned that the PG Medical Education Board may also conduct assessments of medical colleges/institutions at regular intervals or randomly as it desires to increase the standard of their offerings.

Minimum Standards of Requirements (MSR): 

The regulations mentioned that PGMEB shall notify the PGMSR-2023 and the medical institutes shall satisfy the conditions regarding the physical infrastructure, teaching staff, clinical material and hospital as detailed in the MSR document.

It further added that the PGMEB shall also notify the modifications or amendments in the MSR from time to time, which shall have to be mandatorily followed by the medical colleges/institutions.

Admission, Counselling, Etc.:

Eligibility Criteria: 

The PGMER 2023 mentioned that the eligibility to pursue a PG Broad-speciality course in Medicine shall be as per "NMC, National Exit Test Regulations, 2023" provided that until the first batch based on NExT becomes eligible for admission in broad-speciality courses, the existing system of admission shall be in compliance with the Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulation, 2000 and through the National Eligibility0cum-Entrance Test-Postgraduate (NEET-PG). The manner, modalities etc, of conducting NEET-PG for broad-speciality courses may be determined by the PG Medical Education Board, mentioned the new regulations.

In respect of the Super-Speciality courses, the eligibility to pursue such a programme in Medicine shall be by securing the minimum eligible score at the NEET-SS exam conducted either by the National Medical Commission or caused to have been conducted by the National Medical Commission.

The regulations, also includes a list of feeder broad Speciality qualifications required to pursue a super-speciality course of recognised super-speciality qualification. Further, it also specified other details regarding NEET-SS exam.

"An all-India merit list as well as a State-wise merit list of the eligible candidates shall be prepared based on the marks obtained in NExT or NEET-PG and candidates shall be admitted to post-graduate courses from the said merit lists only," it added.

Common Counselling: There shall be a common counselling for admission to PG courses in medicine for all medical institutes in India solely based on the merit list of respective exams. The common counselling may have multiple rounds, mentioned the regulations. 

All rounds of counselling for all seats will be held on online mode by state or central counselling authority and no medical college/ institution will admit any candidate themselves. While entering details in seat matrix, medical colleges shall mention the amount of fees for each course, failing which seat will not be counted. PGMEB of NMC shall publish guidelines and time schedule for the conduct of examination, common counselling, admission, joining and commencement of academic session and the designated authority appointed by the Government shall conduct common counselling.

Designated Authority for Common Counselling: As per the regulations, the Central Government or its designated authority shall be the counseling agency for the All-India Quota seats and in respect of the State Quota seats, the concerned Government/U.T administration shall be the counselling agency. 

However, for the Super-speciality courses, the Central Government or its designated authority shall be the counselling agency for all the seats.

No Admission in any way other than Counselling: 

PGMER 2023 clarified that no medical institute shall admit any candidate to the PG Medical Education courses (including super-speciality medical courses) in contravention of these regulations.

If any institute grants admission to any student in contravention of these regulations, they shall be fined Rupees one crore per seat for non-compliance, mentioned the regulations. 

"For any subsequent non-compliance or continued contravention, the medical institution shall be barred from granting admissions to any student in the subject for minimum two academic years from the next academic year. Provided further that such Student admitted in contravention of this mandate shall be discharged from the Medical College and double the number of seats shall be reduced for one or more years," the new regulations further stated.

Submission of the Final List: 

The new regulations mentioned that the respective designated authorities, in charge of conducting the common counselling, shall submit the final list of students in the prescribed form to the PGMEB within one week of the completion of the common counselling and the list shall ultimately be published in the NMC website.

"Provided each institution shall also submit the final list of students admitted, in the prescribed form to the PGMEB within one week of the last date of the joining course, declared by the PGMEB. Provided only those medical institutions that were permitted to start the post-graduate medical course prior to the date of notification of Common Counselling are allowed to admit students; and those medical institutions, who get requisite permission after the date of notification of Common Counselling shall participate in the next academic year’s common counselling to admit students," mentioned the regulations.

Requisite permission shall also shall also apply mutatis mutandis for increase of seat strength in medical institutions already established, the PGMER 2023 added.

Student Migration: 

The PGMER 2023 mentioned that no student finally be designated to a medical institution, shall be allowed to migrate to any other institute.

Reservation of Seats: 

As per the new regulations, the reservation of seats in medical colleges/institutions for respective categories shall be as per applicable laws prevailing in States/Union Territories. Provided further that 5% seats of annual sanctioned intake capacity in Government or government-aided higher educational institutions shall be filled up by candidates with benchmark disabilities by the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 based on the merit list of NExT or NEET-PG for admission to postgraduate medical courses.

If the seats reserved for the persons with disabilities in a particular category remain unfilled on account of unavailability of candidates, the seats should be included in the annual sanctioned seats for the respective category, the regulations further mentioned.

Feeder Broad Speciality Qualifications for Super Speciality Courses: 

 PGMER 2023 defined feeder broad speciality qualifications for the super speciality courses by mentioning that the prior requirement of broad-speciality degree qualification to pursue super-speciality course for qualification will be called the Feeder Course.

Training Programme: 

 As per the new regulations the Post-graduate training shall consist of training of the students through lectures, seminars, journal clubs, group discussions, participation in laboratory and experimental work, involvement in research, clinical meetings, grand rounds, clinicopathological conferences, practical training in the diagnosis and medical and surgical treatment, training in the basic medical sciences as well as in allied clinical specialties, etc. as per the requirement of Speciality training. Specialities where patient treatment is involved the teaching and training of the students, shall include graded responsibility in the management and treatment of patients entrusted to their care.

 It further mentioned that all PG students will work as full-time resident doctors and "They will work for reasonable working hours and will be provided reasonable time for rest in a day."

 A thesis is mandatory for all broad speciality and super-speciality students. It added that all the institutes undertaking PG training programme shall set up an academic cell to monitor the implementation of the training programmes.

 Further, the PG Broad speciality and super speciality degree course students shall have to maintain a dynamic e-log book which needs to be updated on a weekly basis about the work being carried out by them and the training programme undergone during the period of training. In case of M.S/M.Ch students, it is mandatory to enter details of surgical procedures.

 Such e-Log books shall be assessed and authenticated by the Post-graduate guide imparting the training and the PG students shall essentially be required to participate in the tracking and training programme of UG students and interns.

 Further, the regulations mentioned that "During the training for award of Degree/Diploma, there shall be proper training in basic medical sciences related to the disciplines concerned. During the training programmes emphasis has to be laid on preventive and social aspects. All post-graduate medical college/institution shall have facilities for teaching the basic science subjects as per guidelines."

 Apart from this, the regulations specified that a PG student of a degree course in broad speciality/super speciality wither have to do a poster presentation at a National/Zonal/State conference of his/her speciality, or have to do a podium presentation at a National/Zonal/State conference of his/her speciality, or have one research paper published/accepted for publication in journal of his/her speciality as first author. This is mandatory to be eligible to appear in the final examination.

 Further, the PG medical students shall have to complete an online course in Research Methodology, a course in Ethics, and a course in Cardiac Life Support Skills. 

 "Institutions may arrange training in any other courses like awareness in medical audit, medical law, exposure to human behaviour studies, finance, accounts, etc, which are beneficial to the postgraduate students," the regulations further mentioned.

District Residency Programme (DRP): 

To train the doctors in diverse settings, District Health System / District Hospitals, it is mandatory for the PG MD/MS students admitted with effect from the academic session 2021 to undergo the District Residency Programme (DRP).

PGMER 2023 discussed in detail the objectives of DRP, the definition of District Hospital, the definition of District Health System, training and responsibilities of the District Residents, stipend and leave for the district residents, training during DRP and certification, responsibilities of medical institutes, responsibilities of the States/UTs, and the responsibilities of NMC.

Further, it mentioned details regarding the constitution of National/State oversight mechanisms, applications for proportionate enhancement of PG medical seats, and the launch of the District Residency Programme.

Curriculum: The Post-graduate Medical Education Board shall publish the model curriculum and the outcome objectives of the same from time to time on the NMC website, which shall be implemented by the colleges/institutions.

Stipend to PG students: 

PGMER 2023 mentioned that the PG medical students undergoing post-graduate Degree/Diploma/Super-speciality courses in all the institutions shall be paid a stipend at par with the stipend being paid to the post-graduate students of State Government medical institutions/Central Government medical institutions, in the State/Union Territory where the institution is located.

Leave Rules: 

As per the regulations, every PG student shall be given a minimum of 20 days of paid leave (casual leave) every year. Further, subject to exigencies of work, they shall be allowed one weekly holiday.

Female and male post-graduate students shall be allowed maternity and paternity leave respectively as per existing Government rules and regulations. Apart from the paid leave for 20 days, the candidates shall be allowed academic paid leave of 5 days per year. 

"If candidate avails leave in excess of the permitted number of days, his/her term of course shall be extended by the same number of days to complete the training period. However, one shall be able to appear in the examination if one has 80% (eighty per cent) of the attendance," clarified the regulations.

Accommodation for Post-graduate Students: 

PGMER 2023 stated that it will be mandatory for the college to provide appropriate residential accommodation to post-graduate students. However, it will not be mandatory for the post-graduate students to stay in the hostel.

Apart from these, the new regulations also discussed about the role of the universities, details of departments, units, faculty and senior residents. 

Examinations: 

As per the new regulations, the medical college/institution will conduct the Formative Assessment (examination) and the University will conduct the Summative Assessment (examination). Both Formative Assessment (examination) and Summative Assessment (examination). shall consist of Theory, Clinical/Practical and Viva Voce.

The university shall conduct not more than two examinations in a year, for any subject, with an interval of not less than 4 and not more than 8 months betweenthe two examinations, it added.

Further, the new regulations also provided the details regarding the examiners, methodology for broad specialities, super-specialities, and Post-graduation Diploma (including theory and clinical/practical and viva voce).

Valuation: 

PGMER 2023 mentioned that all the teachers of the other colleges of the concerned University or other Universities, who are eligible to be post-graduate examiners, can perform the valuation of the answerscripts.

It added that all the answer scripts shall be subjected for two valuations by the concerned University. The average of the total marks awarded by the two valuators for the paper, which is rounded off to the nearest integer (whole number), shall be considered for computation of the results.

Further, as per the regulations, all the answer scripts, where the difference between two valuations is 15% and more of the total marks prescribed for the paper, shall be subjected to third valuation. "The average of the best two total marks, awarded by the three evaluators for the paper, rounded off to the nearest integer (whole number), shall be considered for final computation of the results," it added.

It further mentioned that after the computation and declaration of the results, under no circumstances, revaluation is permitted. "All the Health Universities/Institutions imparting post-graduate courses shall implement digital valuation," it added.

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF M.S./M.D./M.Ch./DM COURSES

To view the regulations, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/pgmer-2023-229326.pdf

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