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In the recently issued Guidelines for Undergraduate Courses as part of the Establishment of New Medical Institutions, Initiation of New Medical Courses, Seat Expansion for Existing Courses & Assessment and Rating Regulations in 2023, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has introduced a new requirement. It stipulates that candidates seeking appointment as Demonstrators in medical colleges must hold a PhD degree in addition to having an MSc postgraduate qualification.
The guidelines, officially published in the Gazette on August 16, 2023, and applicable from the same date, detail certain qualifications for specific roles within medical colleges. According to the NMC’s provisions, Senior Resident Doctors (SRs) must be postgraduates in the relevant specialty or department. Tutors should possess an MBBS degree, while Demonstrators need to have postgraduate qualifications along with a PhD in the relevant subject for the appointment. Candidates without an MBBS qualification are eligible for the role of Demonstrator.
Regarding the appointment of non-medical educators in medical colleges, the new guidelines highlight that non-medical teachers can be appointed in departments such as Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry, accounting for up to 15% of the total number of positions in each department. This is contingent upon the unavailability of medical teachers. These non-medical educators and the Statistician in the Department of Community Medicine must have qualifications in their respective subjects from recognized universities, following the prerequisites outlined in the Teacher Eligibility Qualification Regulations.
Dr. Ayan Das, the General Secretary of the National M.Sc Medical Teachers’ Association (NMMTA), expressed concern over these new regulations, terming them as discriminatory. He pointed out that the requirement for a PhD degree even to become a Demonstrator seems to downgrade the significance of holding the highest academic degree, equating it with an undergraduate degree.
Dr. Das further remarked that while an MBBS degree holder can become a Tutor, individuals without an MBBS background now need a PhD to become a Demonstrator. He criticized the move, stating that previously, it wasn’t obligatory for non-medical candidates to possess a PhD to serve as Demonstrators. He also mentioned that even according to University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines, a PhD isn’t currently mandatory for the position of an assistant professor. He believes that these changes might make it more challenging for the upcoming generations to join medical colleges, terming it an attempt to discourage potential candidates.
