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New Delhi, June 2025 – In a significant move aimed at fostering transparency and equitable leadership within medical education institutions, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has proposed a three-year rotatory headship system for departments in medical colleges across India. The new draft amendment, published in the Gazette of India on May 30, 2025, is part of the ongoing revisions to the Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations (PGMER) 2023.
Under the current PGMER 2023, each department is headed by a Professor. However, the recent amendment seeks to change this by introducing a rotation policy: the post of Head of Department (HoD) will be rotated every three years among Professors and Associate Professors who are eligible to become Professors, based on seniority within the department.
The NMC has clarified that only those holding a medical postgraduate degree and meeting eligibility criteria will be considered for the rotating headship. This move is expected to encourage broader participation in leadership roles and reduce the concentration of power within departments.
Key Changes in Super Speciality Eligibility
In addition to the headship amendment, the NMC has included M.S. (Traumatology and Surgery) as a feeder broad speciality qualification for candidates aspiring to pursue super speciality courses such as M.Ch. Neurosurgery, M.Ch. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and M.Ch. Vascular Surgery. This is a notable expansion from the previous regulations, which only recognized M.S./DNB (General Surgery) and M.S./DNB (Otorhinolaryngology) as feeder qualifications for these super specialities.
Stakeholder Consultation and Next Steps
The NMC has invited feedback from stakeholders, including medical professionals, colleges, and associations, on the draft amendment. The deadline for submitting comments and suggestions is 30 days from the date the Gazette notification was made available to the public. Stakeholders are required to send their feedback in a prescribed format to the Director (PGMEB), NMC, via the official email address provided.
The Commission has emphasized that only suggestions sent to the specified email address will be considered; submissions through other means will not be entertained. The final implementation of the amendments will be subject to the approval of the draft regulations after considering all stakeholder feedback.
Summary Table: Feeder Broad Speciality Qualifications for Super Speciality Courses
| Sl. No. | Super Speciality Course | Feeder Broad Speciality Qualification(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | M.Ch. (Neurosurgery) | M.S./DNB (General Surgery), M.S./DNB (Otorhinolaryngology), M.S. (Traumatology and Surgery) |
| 10 | M.Ch. (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery) | M.S./DNB (General Surgery), M.S./DNB (Otorhinolaryngology), M.S. (Traumatology and Surgery) |
| 15 | M.Ch. (Vascular Surgery) | M.S./DNB (General Surgery), M.S. (Traumatology and Surgery) |
Stakeholders Urged to Participate
Medical professionals and institutions are encouraged to review the draft amendment and submit their feedback within the stipulated period. The NMC aims to ensure that the new regulations reflect the collective wisdom of the medical education community and address the evolving needs of the sector.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available information and draft regulations published by the National Medical Commission (NMC) as of June 2025. The final regulations may undergo changes based on stakeholder feedback and official approvals. Readers are advised to refer to the official NMC notifications for the most accurate and updated information.
