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: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued new regulations outlining exemptions from the mandatory Basic Course in Medical Education (BCME) for certain categories of medical faculty, according to the Medical Institutions (Qualifications of Faculty) Regulations, 2025, published in the official Gazette on June 30, 2025.
Under the new rules, the following faculty members are exempt from the requirement to complete the BCME:
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Faculty serving in super-speciality departments or in broad speciality subjects not included in the undergraduate curriculum
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Faculty serving in Institutes of National Importance (INIs)
However, the regulations specify that faculty in INIs must complete the BCME within two years if they are appointed to a recognized medical institution that falls under the NMC’s purview.
The NMC’s decision comes after clarifications were sought regarding the eligibility of INI faculty for faculty positions in other institutions. Previously, there was confusion over whether certifications like the Basic Course in Medical Education Technology (BCMET) or the Basic Course in Biomedical Research (BCBR) were mandatory for faculty at INIs such as AIIMS. The NMC clarified that since INIs do not fall under its jurisdiction, these courses are not mandatory for their faculty.
The issue gained prominence following a case where a faculty member from AIIMS Gorakhpur was deemed ineligible for a professor position at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences due to the absence of BCMET or BCBR certificates. The NMC’s appeal committee reiterated that INI faculty are not required to complete BCMET, but if they join a recognized medical institution under the NMC, they must complete the course within two years.
For faculty at government medical colleges (GMCs) where appointments are made close to deadlines, the NMC has allowed the completion of BCMET within the next academic year, provided an affidavit is submitted by the relevant state or UT authority.
Implications for Faculty Promotions
The NMC has also clarified that for promotions to Associate Professor or Professor in medical colleges under its jurisdiction, completion of BCMET and BCBR remains a requirement. However, the timelines for completion may be relaxed in certain cases, as outlined above.
“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)”.
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This article is based on information available as of July 10, 2025, and reflects the latest official notifications and clarifications from the National Medical Commission. Readers are advised to consult the official NMC Gazette and institutional notifications for the most current and detailed guidance.
