How to Register CPS Diploma Degrees Not Recognised by NMC? 20,000 Specialist Doctors in Dilemma

New Delhi: More than 20,000 specialist doctors, who are practising in nine States with diploma degrees awarded by the College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPS), are in dilemma over the process of registering their degrees in the National Medical Register.

They are unsure about the process of registering their additional qualifications as the PG specialty degrees awarded to them by CPS, Mumbai are not recognised by the National Medical Commission.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the National Medical Commission (NMC) announced the formation of a National Medical Register back in May, 2023 in the gazette notification titled "Registration of Medical Practitioners and Licence to Practice Medicine Regulations, 2023".

Referring to the process of registration of additional qualifications, the Regulations mentioned, "As and when a Registered Medical practitioner, obtains additional medical qualification recognized under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 shall apply to the concerned State Medical Council for entering additional medical qualification against his/her name in the State Register/National Register."

However, in the case of the CPS Diploma holders, the problem is that their specialist degrees are recognised only in a handful of States. Apart from Karnataka, other big States that recognise the CPS courses include Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh.

Also Read: Finally, NMC Announces A Common National Medical Register for All Doctors

As per the latest media report by Deccan Chronicle, due to this, more than 20,000 CPS diploma holders who are working as specialists in nine States across the country are facing uncertainty regarding their future after the publication of the new registration rules by the apex medical commission.

Referring to the issue, a Pune-based radiologist who completed his speciality training from one of the CPS-affiliated institutions told DH, “The careers and futures of dedicated doctors hang in the balance.”

Established in 1912, CPS Mumbai is an autonomous body that imparts Postgraduate medical education and offers fellowship, diploma, and certificate courses for medical professionals. For the Diploma courses, the tenure is two years; in case of Fellowship, the tenure is three years. After obtaining the qualification granted by CPS Mumbai, the practitioners become allowed to register themselves as specialists in the concerned specialty.

Therefore, CPS offers a third route to medical students for post-graduate studies apart from MD/MS courses and the Diplomate of the National Board offered by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).

Even though some of the CPS courses were recognised as medical qualifications under the Indian Medical Council Act, of 1956, recently the quality of such courses has come under inspection. 

Back in the year 2017, the Union Health Ministry released a gazette notification recognising 39 CPS courses. But later, the Ministery published another notification and recognised 36 out of the 39 courses. Currently, NMC only approves three CPS diplomas in paediatrics, gynaecology and pathology.

However, the CPS courses are currently facing a major controversy referring to significant gaps in the standards of institutes offering CPS courses, the medical education department of Maharashtra recently wrote to the Union Health Ministry asking for its opinion on whether counselling can be conducted for around 1,100 CPS seats.

Writing to the Centre, the department referred to the inspection of the Maharashtra Medical Council conducted last year and how during the inspection, MMC had found "severe deficiencies" in several institutes.

Taking cognisance of the letter by Maharashtra Medical Education Department, the Central Government had earlier set up an eight-member committee to look into the matter.

This recommendation has been given by the NMC Board after discussing the issue meeting held on 12.04.2023. NMC PG Board expressed its disagreement with the Ministry for providing equivalence to the CPS courses and pointed out that such courses do not come under the purview of NMC.

Commenting on the CPS Diploma courses, Gautam Sen, professor emeritus in surgery at Grant Medical College, University of Mumbai told Deccan Herald, "With its excellent reputation, the CPS provided an alternative avenue for those seeking higher training and not getting admission in normal NMC (earlier MCI) recognised colleges due to various reasons including reservations."