The National Medical Commission (NMC) has announced the extension of the duration for recognised postgraduate qualifications, including recognition of or against increased intake or renewal of recognition for the academic year 2020-21, while granting provisional recognition to PG qualifications for another year. Dr. MK Ramesh, President of the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB), wrote to Principals, Deans, and Vice-Chancellors of all medical institutes and universities across the country on September 15 regarding the extension of duration for recognised postgraduate qualifications that were completed under the following inspection types:
- Recognition of PG-Course
- Recognition against increased intake of PG Course, and
- Renewal of Recognition of PG Course.
As per para 6(2) of the Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000, “The Institution shall apply for recognition of the Post Graduate Medical qualification to the Central Government through the affiliating University when the first admitted batch shall be due to appear for the examinationto be conducted by the affiliating University”.
The President recently notified all institutions that the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) has decided that recognised PG Courses will be extended for another one (01) year when those are granted by their specific University (in which the PG Course is running under or granted) for the academic year 2020-21 and will all be valid for a period of one year or as notified by the National Medical Council.
“Failure to seek timely renewal of recognition as required shall invariably result in a stoppage of admission to the Postgraduate course.” the President had warned the colleges.
The regulator noted that in view of the COVID Pandemic, some medical colleges were inspected physically, some by virtual mode, and the rest have submitted sworn affidavits. Therefore, the process of inspection and recognition of PG medical Courses has not been uniform and the recognition of new PG medical seats or those that have been increased has not been completed. In these circumstances, the National Medical Commission has now allowed provisional recognition of all PG medical courses for a period of one more year.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has been constituted by an act of Parliament known as the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 which came into force on 25.9.2020 by gazette notification dated 24.9.2020. The Board of Governors in supersession of Medical Council of India constituted under section 3A of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 stands dissolved thereafter.
