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New Delhi, May 17, 2025:
In a significant clarification for medical educators across India, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has stated that the Basic Course in Medical Education Technology (BCMET) is not mandatory for faculty members at Institutes of National Importance (INIs), such as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). This decision comes after a faculty member from AIIMS Gorakhpur was deemed ineligible for a professorship at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Lucknow, due to the absence of BCMET and Basic Course in Biomedical Research (BCBR) certificates.
Background of the Case
The issue surfaced when the AIIMS Gorakhpur faculty member challenged the eligibility criteria for recruitment at Dr. RMLIMS, especially the requirement for BCMET certification. The faculty member argued that such requirements should not apply to INIs, as these institutions do not fall under the NMC’s purview. The matter was initially taken to the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court, which, while not granting immediate relief due to the timing of the plea, allowed the petitioner to represent the case before the NMC.
NMC’s Consideration and Decision
The NMC’s appeal committee, comprising Dr. B N Gangadhar, Dr. M K Ramesh, and Dr. Vijaya Laxmi Nag, reviewed the case. The petitioner highlighted his academic and professional credentials and expressed willingness to complete the BCMET course within two years if appointed at RMLIMS. He also noted completion of the BCBR course, albeit without the certificate at the time of application.
RMLIMS had also sought exemption for INI faculty from the BCMET and BCBR requirements, proposing that selected candidates could complete these certifications post-appointment within a stipulated timeframe.
After reviewing the Teachers Eligibility Qualifications in Medical Institutions Regulations, 2022, and recent NMC notifications, the committee clarified:
“The BCMET course is not available to faculty members of INIs, nor is it mandatory for them, as INIs do not fall under the purview of the National Medical Commission (NMC).”
However, the BCBR certificate remains a mandatory requirement for appointments to Associate Professor and Professor posts, as per the 2022 regulations.
Implications for Medical Faculty Recruitment
This clarification is expected to streamline faculty recruitment at INIs and address concerns about eligibility criteria that may have previously excluded qualified candidates. For government medical colleges (GMCs), the NMC reiterated that BCMET remains mandatory, with certain relaxations for last-minute appointments, provided the training is completed within the next academic year.
What’s Next?
RMLIMS and similar institutions have been advised to consider applications from INI faculty as per the newly clarified criteria. The NMC’s stance is likely to influence future recruitment and promotion processes across the country’s top medical institutes.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information reported by Medical Dialogues as of May 17, 2025. The content is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute official policy or legal advice. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, readers are advised to consult the official notifications and guidelines issued by the National Medical Commission and respective institutions.
