DNB equivalent to MD, but not in Teaching: Parliamentary panel on NMC Bill

New Delhi: Putting forward its recommendations on the changes to be made in the proposed National Medical Commission Bill, the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare has put forward the recommendation stating that with the coming of National Medical Commission, DNB qualification which is awarded by NBE shall be equal in all respects to the post-graduate qualification and the super-specialty qualification, respectively, as granted under this Act with the exception in teaching in medical colleges as they do not take DNB education in a medical college.

It is reported Clause 36 of the National Medical Council Bill provides for recognition of medical qualifications granted by statutory or other bodies in India which are covered by the categories listed in the Schedule. The clause was met with a demand from the DNB candidates across the country demanding the equivalence be granted to the degree in all respects to MD/MS degrees.The central government came out in support of existence of DNB degrees adding that -"DNB course, on account of its design, allows post-graduate education in comparatively smaller towns which may not have medical colleges. This would help in improving the geographical location of PG seats. Moreover, there is a severe shortage of faculty for medical colleges. To meet the expanded demand for faculty, we need to recognise DNB as equivalent to specialist."The committee after going through the submissions made by all the stakeholders concluded

The Committee notes that India has two parallel systems of Post Graduate Medical Education i.e. MD and DNB. The Committee recommends that the Diplomate of National Board, granted by the National Board of Examinations, in broad specialty course and super-specialty course shall be equal in all respects to the post-graduate qualification and the super-specialty qualification, respectively, as granted under this Act with the exception in teaching in medical colleges as they do not take DNB education in a medical college.

The Rajya Sabha Committee also observed that post the Commission, the DNB and other degrees awarded by National Board of Examinations would be brought under the Commission for award of Common Degrees. This is indeed in contrast to the current system, where the degrees are awarded by National Board of Examinations, and are given recognition by inclusion in the Schedule 1 of the Indian Medical Council Act

With the coming into force of this Act, all the post-graduate education programmes being conducted by the National Board of Examinations will be brought under the purview of the Commission for award of common degrees.