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NEW DELHI — The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued an urgent advisory to medical institutions across India, calling for immediate cooperation to facilitate the practical examinations of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS). The directive, released by the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) on May 8, 2026, highlights a growing strain on the country’s medical examination infrastructure as candidate numbers surge.
The advisory comes at a pivotal moment for thousands of postgraduate medical students. As the NBEMS prepares to conclude the practical cycle for the December 2025 session and initiates the April 2026 Super Specialty exams, the shortage of qualified examiners and dedicated centers threatens to delay the entry of new specialists into India’s healthcare workforce.
Critical Bottlenecks in Specialist Certification
The NMC’s notice (N-P050(20)/71/2026-PGMEB-NMC) identifies several logistical hurdles currently stalling the examination process. Central to the crisis is the “non-relieving of eligible faculty members for examiner duties” and a lack of available examination centers.
The Commission has specifically directed Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) to:
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Facilitate host centers for NBEMS practical exams based on administrative feasibility.
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Ensure infrastructure availability, including specialized wards, laboratories, and clinical material (patients) necessary for hands-on assessment.
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Relieve nominated faculty in a timely manner to serve as examiners.
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Coordinate directly with NBEMS to streamline the assessment of candidates.
The Numbers Behind the Surge
The demand for postgraduate and postdoctoral qualifications, such as the Diplomate of National Board (DNB), has hit record highs. The DNB qualification is considered equivalent to MD/MS degrees, making it a vital pathway for specialization.
Recent data highlights the scale of the challenge:
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Faculty Vacancies: According to RTI data from earlier this year, nearly 39% of sanctioned faculty posts across 11 AIIMS institutions remain vacant.
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Candidate Volume: The December 2025 session saw staggered practicals from late February through May 2026 across dozens of specialties, including General Medicine, Orthopedics, and Psychiatry.
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Specialty Strain: High-demand fields like Anaesthesiology and Pediatrics are seeing the highest ratio of candidates to available senior faculty.
Expert Perspectives: A Public Health Imperative
Medical education experts warn that these administrative delays have real-world consequences for patient care.
“The examiner shortage isn’t just an academic inconvenience; it’s a public health bottleneck,” says Dr. Priya Sharma, a Delhi-based medical education consultant. “When we delay the certification of 2,000 or 3,000 specialists by even six months, we are effectively withholding thousands of hours of specialized care from a system that is already overstretched.”
The sentiment is echoed by faculty on the ground. A senior professor at a northern GMC, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that the rigid eligibility criteria—requiring examiners to have at least four years of teaching experience as an Assistant Professor—often leaves departments with only one or two eligible individuals who are also managing heavy clinical loads.
Historical Context and Structural Challenges
This is not the first time the NMC has intervened to prevent an examination standstill. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, the commission authorized virtual invigilation and eased “external examiner” norms to allow faculty from the same state to fill gaps.
However, the 2026 crisis appears more structural than situational. Experts point to two primary factors:
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Recruitment Gaps: Many state-run colleges rely on short-term contractual staff who may not meet the NMC’s “permanent faculty” teaching experience requirements for examiners.
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Infrastructure Lag: While India has rapidly increased the number of medical seats, investment in simulation labs and teaching hospital infrastructure has not always kept pace.
“If India wants safe, skilled and confident doctors, it must invest in teachers and mentorship with the same urgency as seat expansion,” says Dr. Sabine Kapasi, a global health strategist.
Implications for Students
For the students currently caught in the transition, the advisory offers a mix of relief and continued uncertainty. While the NMC is pushing colleges to comply, students are advised to:
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Monitor the Online Exit Examination Portal (OEEP) daily for admit cards and center allocations.
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Be prepared for potential travel, as the shortage of local centers may require candidates to appear for exams in neighboring states.
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Understand that while the NMC compensates centers for expenses, the final schedule depends on the availability of peer examiners in their specific sub-specialty.
Looking Ahead: The National Assessor Pool
In an effort to create a more sustainable solution, the NMC recently extended the timeline for faculty to join a National Assessor Pool. This initiative aims to create a centralized database of qualified professionals who can be deployed for inspections and examinations nationwide, reducing the reliance on local college “willingness.”
As the April 2026 Super Specialty theory exams conclude and transition into the practical phase, the success of this advisory will be measured by how quickly the “Specialist in Limbo” backlog is cleared.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.
References
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National Medical Commission (NMC). “Public Notice regarding advisory to extend necessary cooperation and support to NBEMS.” Ref No: N-P050(20)/71/2026-PGMEB-NMC. Dated: May 8, 2026. [nmc.org.in]
