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The National Medical Commission’s (NMC) latest faculty regulations have been met with cautious optimism by the National MSc Medical Teachers’ Association (NMMTA), which hailed the reinstatement of the 30% appointment cap for MSc/PhD faculty in five non-clinical subjects as a “decisive and inclusive policy change”. This move, formalized in the Medical Institutions (Qualifications of Faculty) Regulations, 2025, reverses restrictions imposed by the MSR-2020 guidelines and is seen by the association as a long-awaited correction for non-medical educators in India’s medical colleges.
A Step Towards Inclusion and Fairness
The NMMTA praised the government and the NMC for upholding “fairness and meritocracy” in the face of persistent opposition from some medical fraternity members. Dr Sridhar Rao, a founding member of the NMMTA, emphasized that non-medical educators are equally qualified, having completed the same postgraduate curriculum as their medical counterparts. The new regulations are also aligned with the government’s broader plan to address faculty shortages and expand medical education, supporting the addition of 75,000 new medical seats over the next five years.
Four Major Loopholes Highlighted
Despite welcoming the reforms, the NMMTA identified four unresolved issues:
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: The regulations mention a “transition period” but lack specifics. Dr Rao expressed concern that non-medical teachers might be treated as temporary hires, potentially dismissed when medical faculty become available. He called for clear guidelines to prevent non-medical faculty from being used as a “stopgap arrangement”.
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Qualification Disparity for Non-Teaching Roles: Tutors with MBBS degrees require only a graduate qualification, while Demonstrators (MSc/PhD holders) must have postgraduate or doctoral degrees for similar roles. Dr Rao described this as “humiliating” and unfair, arguing that a graduate degree is deemed sufficient for doctors but not for non-medical professionals, whose doctoral qualifications are still not considered adequate for the same positions.
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: The NMC’s insistence on “on-campus” PhDs disqualifies part-time doctoral degrees, even though such degrees are valid under University Grants Commission (UGC) rules. Dr Rao clarified that “part-time” often means pursuing a PhD while employed elsewhere, and excluding these candidates contradicts national academic guidelines.
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: MSc/PhD faculty are barred from becoming Heads of Department (HoD), a restriction Dr Rao attributes to “pride and prejudice.” He argued that experienced professors should be eligible for administrative roles and noted that this issue is currently before the Supreme Court. The association also called for a permanent “saving clause” to protect in-service faculty from future policy changes.
Broader Reactions and Ongoing Debates
While the NMMTA and other stakeholders recognize the reforms as a positive step, concerns about the quality of medical education and the lack of robust monitoring mechanisms persist among experts. Dr Maheshwari, an education expert, stressed the importance of teaching skills and the need for strict checks and balances to maintain educational standards.
“To teach students, you need patience, proper training… How you have to pass on that knowledge is also an art. There can be no loopholes here,” Dr Maheshwari stated, highlighting the ongoing debate over the balance between expanding access and maintaining quality.
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This article is based on information available as of July 8, 2025, and summarizes the perspectives of the National MSc Medical Teachers’ Association and other experts in response to the NMC’s new faculty regulations. The situation is evolving, and further clarifications or policy changes may follow. Readers are advised to consult official NMC notifications and government releases for the most current details.
