Major NMC Decision: Medical Colleges to Handle Faculty Appointments and Promotions Themselves

Medical colleges and universities will now independently make decisions regarding faculty appointments, promotions, and designations. The NMC will no longer issue eligibility certificates for routine matters.

NMC New Rules: The NMC has introduced significant changes to the faculty appointment and promotion process in medical colleges across the country. Medical colleges, universities, and other appointing authorities will now independently handle decisions concerning faculty appointments, promotions, and designations. The NMC will no longer issue eligibility certificates for routine cases, nor will it routinely intervene in such matters. According to a public notice issued by the NMC’s Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB), this decision was taken because a large number of cases regarding eligibility—which could have been resolved by the institutions themselves under existing rules—were being referred to the NMC by medical colleges, universities, faculty members, and NBEMS-accredited hospitals.

Greater Responsibility Entrusted to Medical Colleges

The NMC clarified that all criteria regarding the required academic qualifications, teaching experience, research publications, and training for faculty positions are already established in the ‘Medical Institutions Qualification of Faculty Regulations 2025’ (MI-QFR 2025). Consequently, the responsibility for determining a candidate’s eligibility for appointment, promotion, or designation lies with the respective medical college, university, or appointing authority. Therefore, the PGMEB will no longer consider cases that can be decided directly based on these regulations.

In Which Cases Will the NMC Intervene?

According to the NMC, it will only consider cases involving ambiguity in the interpretation of rules, questions regarding the equivalence of qualifications, transition-related provisions, or the need for coordination with other regulatory norms. Such cases must be submitted through the Dean, Director, Principal, or Registrar of the concerned institution. Applications must clearly specify which provision of the MI-QFR 2025 is causing confusion and must be accompanied by the necessary supporting documents.

Submission Required with a Fee of ₹25,000

For such special cases, a processing fee of ₹25,000 plus the applicable 18% GST must be deposited along with every application submitted to the NMC. This amount is non-refundable. The NMC has also clarified that applications sent directly to the Commission by an individual will neither be accepted nor processed. However, if a medical college or university fails to forward a genuine case to the NMC within 60 days of receiving the application, the concerned candidate may apply directly to the PGMIB. To do so, the candidate must submit a signed declaration, proof of the institution’s failure to act within the stipulated timeframe, all necessary documents, and the fee of ₹25,000 plus GST. In such a scenario, if the institution had previously collected the fee, it must refund the amount to the candidate.

When Will the Rules Come into Effect?

The NMC has stated that this system has come into effect immediately. However, applications received prior to July 16 will be processed under the old rules, whereas all applications received thereafter will be handled in accordance with the new procedure.