New PG medical courses or seat increase: NMC allows withdrawal by 10 medical colleges, seeks info on 204 applications

New Delhi: Among the 1010 applications for starting PG medical courses and 665 applications for increasing PG medical seats in existing medical colleges, which the National Medical Commission (NMC) received, a total number of 10 institutes have withdrawn their applications.

Issuing a public notice in this regard today, the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of NMC informed that "...10 Medical Institutions/Colleges had requested for withdrawal of their applications (34) for starting of New PG Medical courses and Increase of seats in PG Medical courses for Academic Year: 2024-25."

After considering their requests, NMC Medical Assessment and Rating Board has granted permission for the same. "Their requests were duly considered in the MARB and the same have been acceded to. The Medical Institutions/Colleges have already been communicated the decision of MARB in this regard through their e-mail IDs. However, a list containing application IDs of each of the aforesaid 34 online applications is also attached with this Public Notice for general information," NMC mentioned in the notice.

Also Read: 1,08,940 MBBS, 70,645 PG Medical Seats in India, Maximum Medical Colleges in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka offers most seats

Further, the Commission informed that it sent communications in respect of 204 online applications for starting or increase of PG medical seats to the concerned medical institutes for information and necessary action by them within the stipulated timeline.

"With reference to applications received from Medical Institutions to start or increase of PG medical courses/seats for the Academic Year: 2024-25, it is informed that communications in respect of 204 online applications have been sent through the email IDs (as mentioned in online applications) to the Medical Institutions/Colleges concerned for information and necessary action by them within the stipulated timeline. A list containing application IDs of each of the aforesaid 204 online applications is attached with this Public Notice for general information," read the notice.

Among these 204 applications, a total number of 154 applications were for starting postgraduate medical courses and the rest of the 50 applications were for increase of PG medical courses.

Also Read: NMC receives 1675 applications for Starting New PG medical, SS courses, Increasing seat intake at medical colleges, finalises process, Details

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that MARB received a total of 1675 applications including 1010 applications for the start of PG courses and 665 applications for the increase of PG seats in existing medical colleges for the AY 2024-25.

Although NMC recognition shall be granted to the institutes only after completion of the inspection process, it is expected that there shall be a significant increase in the number of postgraduate medical courses this year. NMC MARB shall review these applications based on the criteria laid down by the Commission earlier.

Commenting on the matter, a government official informed the Times of India that the process for granting recognition has become stringent this time. The official added, "It all depends on the compliance from colleges and how well they are able to submit their self assessment report."

The Daily adds that last year the Commission granted permission for adding around 6,000 PG medical seats to the seat matrix across the country. Although usually, the inspection process commences in January-February, the process has been delayed for the UG medical courses. However, the NMC is planning to start with the inspection process for the PG medical courses.

Last year, encouraging the States to strengthen postgraduate medical education, NMC had asked the medical colleges to promptly apply for the PG medical seats. The NMC Chairperson had urged the medical colleges in this regard during the Mental Health Conclave as he referred to the need for increasing the number of PG medical seats in the country.

Earlier this year, the Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed the Lok Sabha that India has a total number of 1,08,940 MBBS and 70,645 Postgraduate medical seats.

As per the data provided by the Union Health Minister, when compared with the seat and medical college matrix before 2014, the medical colleges have been increased by 82%, MBBS seats by 112% and the PG medical seats have been increased by 127%.

Among the available PG Medical seats, Karnataka also has the highest i.e. 6449 postgraduate medical seats and most of these PG seats are available in the private medical institutes.