Research paper, poster publication in any National, State IMA conference can be considered for University exams: NMC

New Delhi: A Research paper or poster publication presented by students in any National or State Indian Medical Association conference, in their specialty allotted session, will be considered eligible for university examination, the Chairperson of the National Medical Commission, Dr. Abhijat Sheth, recently clarified.

The NMC Chief offered this clarification in response to the query raised in this regard by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) regarding the restriction clause in Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023, for presentation of research papers/posters, etc.

Writing to the NMC Chairman on August 5, the Gujarat State branch of IMA raised the issue of Post Graduate Students' eligibility criteria for appearing in the University Examination.

In the letter addressed to Dr. Sheth, IMA Gujarat pointed out that IMA and its state branches regularly organize conferences where thousands of delegates and hundreds of faculty members participate. According to the association, it could be a big platform for medical students and Junior Doctors to present their research works compared to the speciality conferences, "So, they could be the finest platforms for PG students to present paper / posters."

According to the association, even though the erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI) considered the students' paper and poster presented at IMA and its state conference valid for eligibility in university examination, the clauses in the Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations (PGMER) 2023, released by NMC, restrict the students from presenting their research work on such platforms.

"While the previous clause of MEDICAL COUNCIL OF INDIA NOTIFICATION dated 9th December, 2009 considered the students’ paper & poster presented in IMA & its state conference valid to become eligible for university examination," IMA mentioned in the letter, further adding, "But, the following clause restricts them to present their research work on such platform."

In this regard, IMA Gujarat referred to the PGMER 2023 published via NMC notification dated 29th December, 2023. Clause 5.2 of PGMER 2023 states the following:

“A post-graduate student of a degree course in broad specialty/super specialty will do at least one of the following to make him/her eligible to appear in his/her final examination:

a. Poster presentation at a National/Zonal/State conference of his/her speciality;

b. Podium presentation at a National/Zonal/State conference of his/her speciality;

c. Have one research paper published/accepted for publication in journal of his/her speciality as first author.”

Accordingly, urging the apex medical commission to consider recognising paper and poster presentations at IMA-organised state and national conferences as valid academic contributions, IMA Gujarat mentioned in the letter, "So, we respectfully appeal for your kind consideration in recognising paper and poster presentations at IMA-organised state and national conferences as valid academic contributions. We request that these be accepted toward fulfilling the eligibility requirements for University examinations."

Response from NMC:

NMC Chairman Dr. Sheth has now responded to the matter. Addressing the President of IMA Gujarat, Dr. Mehul. J. Shah, NMC Chief, Dr. Abhijat Sheth referred to the letter dated August 5, 2025 and clarified that as per the PGMER-2023 of NMC, the amendment is only speciality-specific and not organisation-specific and therefore, presenting a research paper or poster in any National/State IMA conference will be considered eligible for university examination.

"Your request was examined in the concerned Board in the National Medical Commission and it has been clarified that as per the PGMER-2023 of NMC, the amendment is only specialty specific and not organization specific. Hence, if a student presents a research paper or poster publication in any National IMA/State IMA conference annually in their specialty allotted session then they will be considered eligible for university examination," Dr. Abhijat Sheth mentioned in the letter dated 27.08.2025.

Also Read: PGMER 2023: PG Medicos must Fulfill these Conditions to Appear in Final Exam, Details