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NEW DELHI: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a significant clarification regarding promotion requirements for teaching faculty in medical colleges, offering relief to those facing delays in completing the mandatory Basic Course in Medical Education and Training (BCMET).
In a communication dated April 12, 2025, the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) of the NMC addressed concerns raised by faculty members about difficulties in securing timely slots for the BCMET course. Faculty had reported delayed availability of training positions at designated institutes and noted that medical colleges often lacked clear norms or seniority criteria for nominating candidates to the limited course openings. These delays were hindering due promotions.
Addressing these concerns, the PGMEB clarified the promotion process for faculty who complete the BCMET after their promotion eligibility date. “In view of the requirement of the BCMET course for promotion, it is clarified that if a faculty member completes the BCMET course after the due date of promotion and submits the completion certificate, then he should be promoted from the due date of promotion,” the board stated.
This means that promotions will be granted retroactively from the original eligibility date, provided the faculty member eventually completes the mandatory BCMET course and submits proof of completion.
The requirement for training in medical education technology dates back to the former Medical Council of India (MCI) Regulations on Graduate Medical Education, 1997. These regulations mandated all medical colleges establish Medical Education Units (MEUs) or departments to help faculty utilize modern teaching methods. To facilitate this, the NMC has been organizing BCMET workshops since 2009 through designated regional and nodal centres possessing the necessary infrastructure and trained personnel.
The clarification was formally sent to the senior secretaries and secretaries of Health, as well as the Directorates of Medical Education (DME), across all States and Union Territories. This move is expected to resolve promotion backlogs caused by the logistical challenges of completing the BCMET course.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on the information provided. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy based on the source text, readers are advised to refer to official NMC communications for definitive details.
