NMC forms panel to examine inclusion of 3 new feeder qualifications for DM courses
New Delhi: The Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has set up a sub-committee to examine the possibility of expanding the eligibility qualifications for DM (Doctorate of Medicine) courses.
If approved, the broad-speciality MD Biochemistry may be considered as a feeder qualification for DM Endocrinology, MD Emergency Medicine for DM Neurology and DM Cardiology, and MD Tropical Medicine for DM Gastroenterology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology, Critical Care, Nephrology, and Haematology.
In an office order dated 22 July 2026, NMC PG Board announced the constitution of a sub-committee for this purpose and mentioned, "As approved by the Competent Authority, a Sub-committee of National Medical Commission (NMC) is hereby constituted to examine and recommend the inclusion of following Broad-speciality (MD) feeder qualifications as eligibility for Super-speciality [Doctorate of Medicine (DM)] qualifications:
S.No. | Feeder Broad Speciality Qualification | Area of specialization |
1 | M.D. (Biochemistry) | D.M. (Endocrinology) |
2 | M.D. (Emergency Medicine) | D.M. (Neurology) |
3 | M.D. (Topical Medicine) | D.M. (Gastroenterology) |
According to the NMC order, the sub-committee will include the following experts or professors-
i) Dr. Princi Jain- Professor, Lady Hardinge Medical College & SSKH
ii) Dr. Ajay Chauhan- Director & Professor, ABVIMS, Dr R M L Hospital
iii) Dr Paras Kathuria- Professor, Deptt. of Medicine
Meanwhile, this proposal has received mixed responses from the medical fraternity.
Commenting on the matter, the National Spokesperson of Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors Network (IMA-JDN), and a Public Health Expert, Dr Dhruv Chauhan told Medical Dialogues, "This proposal is very controversial. If MD Tropical Medicine is allowed to do DM in critical branches like Nephro and Rheumatology, then tomorrow MS Anatomy will ask for MCh in Neurosurgery and MD Physio in DM cardio, as both have knowledge in the field. But what is lacking is the clinical exposure, which is of paramount importance. Therefore, this criterion should be reviewed."
The National Vice President of AIMSA-FMSW and AFA, Dr. Samar Kumar, wrote on X "If this proposal is implemented without careful deliberation, it could fundamentally change the pathway to super-speciality training in India. MD Medicine doctors are understandably questioning how branches with limited overlap can become feeder qualifications for multiple DM courses. Before any decision is made,@NMC_BHARAT should ensure transparent discussions with speciality societies, medical colleges, and resident doctors. Patient care and training standards must remain the priority."
Also Read: NEET SS 2025: Know the feeder qualification for DM, DrNB Medical Oncology
