ICMR revises rules, MBBS, BDS graduates having PhD can now apply for Scientist posts

Nagpur: Bringing good news to the medical graduates who wish to pursue their career in medical research, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has amended its recruitment rules and allowed medical and dental graduates having a Ph.D. degree to apply for positions of scientist E, F, G, H, director, and DG (Director General) at the facility.

With these changes in the existing rules, now candidates with an MBBS+PhD and BDS+PhD degree will be eligible for the posts of scientists and assistant directors-general of ICMR.

Previously, only those candidates who have obtained a Ph.D degree after completing a traditional postgraduate degree in science (MSc) were eligible for the senior posts at ICMR. Taking the academic standards into account, an MBBS degree is considered to be equivalent to an MSc or Masters-level qualification.

Back in December 2020, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar National Students Federation, an organization formed by Medicos, had claimed that medical students with a Ph.D. degree should be considered for the post of ICMR scientists. The organisation had raised its voice against the advertisement that had clearly mentioned that only MS/MD degree holders could apply for those posts. Clearly, the MBBS + Ph.D. holders had been excluded from it.

Medical Dialogues had reported back in 2021 that paying heed to the objections made by medicos, ICMR had set up a committee for considering the aspect of including MBBS + PhD holders for the posts of scientists in grade E, F, G, H, director and Director General (DG) of the apex body.

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The eight-member panel, chaired by Dr. VM Katoch, former DG of ICMR, was looking into the scopes of revising the existing rules and amend the health research scientist cadre rules, 2007.

ICMR has finally amended the rules and the revised education qualification required for direct recruitment to senior-level scientist positions and the post of assistant DG at ICMR mentions, “MBBS or an equivalent degree recognized by the Medical Council of India or National Medical Council, with a PhD from a recognized university in specified subjects.”

Further, the specified subjects include various medical disciplines including internal medicine, community medicine, surgery, OBGY (obstetrics and gynecology), and pediatrics, along with a clear mention of “any relevant subject in medical/biomedical sciences.”

While commenting on the matter, Dr Siddhant Bharne from Nagpur, who has been actively involved with the issue and the demands of students, told the Times of India, “This is a significant victory for us and a progressive policy decision. We express our gratitude to the ICMR DG and the team for taking such forward-looking steps to support the MBBS graduates interested in research work in the field of medical science.”

“We have been advocating for this change since 2020. Through continuous follow-up, submitting memorandums, filing grievances and submitting RTI applications, we kept building pressure, which has finally resulted in this positive decision that will be implemented from this year,” he further added.

Mentioning how several doctors pursue PhD research and then wish to pursue further career in research in life sciences at ICMR, Dr. Bharne further added, “We need more doctors involved in medical research. The decision will provide them with a pathway, ultimately benefiting the people.”

To view the revised rules, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/icmr-scientist-210531.pdf

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