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The Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has outlined the process for evaluating answer scripts. This applies to all health universities and institutes offering postgraduate medical courses. According to the recently released Draft Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations (PGMER) 2023, digital evaluation is now mandatory.
Chapter VIII of the Draft Regulations provides a comprehensive overview of postgraduate examinations, covering aspects such as examiner selection, valuation methods, frequency of examinations, and the approach for both theory and practical components of broad specialty MD/MS examinations, super specialty DM/MCh examinations, as well as PG Diploma exams.
The NMC Draft emphasizes that the medical college or institute will oversee Formative Assessment examinations, while the University will be responsible for conducting the Summative Assessment. The latter will encompass both theory and practical components.
Regarding the pass criteria, the Draft stipulates that candidates must achieve a minimum of 40% in each theory paper and not less than 50% aggregate across all four papers for degree examinations in broad specialty and super specialty subjects. Additionally, securing 50% marks in the practical examination is mandatory for overall success. This requirement applies to theory, practical, including clinical, Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), and viva voce examination.
Five percent of practical marks will be allocated for the dissertation. An external examiner from outside the state will evaluate the dissertation thesis and conduct a viva on it. Marks will be awarded based on the quality of the dissertation and performance in the viva voce examination. No grace marks are permitted in postgraduate examinations, whether for theory or practical components.
The selection of examiners is outlined as follows: a. Examiners for postgraduate examinations in Broad and Super Specialties must possess a minimum of three years’ experience as recognized Postgraduate Guides in their respective subjects. b. A minimum of four examiners are required for postgraduate examinations. Out of these, at least two must be external examiners, and at least one of them must be from a university outside the state. c. An examiner may not be appointed for more than two consecutive regular examinations at the same institution.
Valuation procedures are detailed as follows: a. All eligible teachers from other colleges within the concerned University or from other Universities, who are qualified to be postgraduate examiners, can participate in answer script valuation. b. All answer scripts must undergo two valuations by the concerned University. The average of the total marks assigned by the two valuators for the paper will be considered for result computation. Any answer script with a difference of 15% or more in total marks between the two valuations will undergo a third valuation. The average of the best two total marks awarded by the three evaluators for the paper will be rounded off and considered for the final result calculation. c. After the results have been computed and declared, revaluation is not permitted under any circumstances.
Furthermore, the Draft emphasizes that all Health Universities and Institutions offering postgraduate courses must implement digital valuation.
Regarding the number of examinations, the university is limited to conducting a maximum of two examinations per year for any subject, with an interval of no less than 4 and no more than 6 months between the two examinations.
Methodology for various categories of examinations is outlined as follows:
A. Broad Specialties (MD/MS):
- Theory examination may be of descriptive theory paper type or Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) type, with equal exam durations. There will be four theory papers, covering basic medical sciences and recent advances.
- Clinical/practical and oral examinations will assess candidates’ knowledge and competence through cases and relevant observations.
B. Super Specialties (DM/M.Ch.):
- Four theory papers, including basic medical sciences and recent advances, will be administered.
- Clinical/practical and oral examinations will evaluate candidates’ proficiency in their respective specialties.
C. Postgraduate Diploma:
- Examinations will consist of three theory papers, including basic medical sciences.
- Clinical and oral examinations will assess candidates’ competency in their chosen specialty.
These regulations provide a structured framework for postgraduate medical education and examination processes.
