Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations 2000

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MEDICAL COUNCIL OF INDIA SALIENT FEATURES OF POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION REGULATIONS, 2000 SHORT TITLE AND COMMENCEMENT:- These regulations may be called "The Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations 2000. They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the official Gazette. GENERAL CONDITIONS TO BE OBSERVED BY POSTGRADUATE TEACHING INSTITUTIONS: Postgraduate Medical Education in broad specialities shall be of three years duration in the case of degree course and two years in the case of Diploma course after MBBS and in the case of super specialities the duration shall be of three years after MD/MS with the exceptions wherever indicated. Postgraduate curriculum shall be competency based. Learning in postgraduate programme shall be essentially autonomous and self directed. A combination of both formative and summative assessment is vital for the successful completion of the PG programme. A modular approach to the course curriculum is essential for achieving a systematic exposure to the various sub-specialities concerned with a discipline. The training of PG students shall involve learning experience ‘derived from’ or ‘targeted to’ the needs of the community. It shall, therefore, be necessary to expose the students to community based activities. GOALS AND GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME TO BE OBSERVED BY POSTGRADUATE TEACHING INSTITUTION. 3.1 GOAL The goal of postgraduate medical education shall be to produce competent specialists and/or Medical teachers. who shall recognize the health needs of the community, and carry out professional obligations ethically and in keeping with the objectives of the national health policy who shall have mastered most of the competencies, pertaining to the speciality, that are required to be practiced at the secondary and the tertiary levels of the health care delivery system; who shall be aware of the contemporary advance and developments in the discipline concerned; who shall have acquired a spirit of scientific inquiry and is oriented to the principles of research methodology and epidemiology; and who shall have acquired the basic skills in teaching of the medical and paramedical professionals; 3.2 GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF POST-GRADUATE TRAINING EXPECTED FROM STUDENTS AT THE END OF POST-GRADUATE TRAINING At the end of the postgraduate training in the discipline concerned the student shall be able to; Recognize the importance to the concerned speciality in the context of the health needs of the community and the national priorities in the health section. Practice the speciality concerned ethically and in step with the principles of primary health care. Demonstrate sufficient understanding of the basic sciences relevant to the concerned speciality. Identify social, economic, environmental, biological and emotional determinants of health in a given case, and take them into account while planning therapeutic, rehabilitative, preventive and primitive measure/strategies. Diagnose and manage majority of the conditions in the speciality concerned on the basis of clinical assessment, and appropriately selected and conducted investigations. Plan and advise measures for the prevention and rehabilitation of patients suffering from disease and disability related to the speciality. Demonstrate skills in documentation of individual case details as well as morbidity and mortality rate relevant to the assigned situation. Demonstrate empathy and humane approach towards patients and their families and exhibit interpersonal behaviour in accordance with the societal norms and expectations. Play the assigned role in the implementation of national health programme, effectively and responsibly. Organize and supervise the chosen/assigned health care services demonstrating adequate managerial skills in the clinic/hospital or the field situation. Develop skills as a self-directed learner, recognize continuing education needs; select and use appropriate learning resources. Demonstrate competence in basic concepts of research methodology and epidemiology, and be able to critically analyze relevant published research literature. Develop skills in using educational methods and techniques as applicable to the teaching of medical/nursing students, general physicians and paramedical health workers. Function as an effective leader of a health team engaged in health care, research or training. STATEMENT OF THE COMPETENCIES : Keeping in view the general objectives of postgraduate training, each discipline shall aim at development of specific competencies which shall be defined and spelt out in clear terms. Each department shall produce a statement and bring it to the notice of the trainees in the beginning of the programme so that he or she can direct the efforts towards the attainment of these competencies. COMPONENTS OF THE POSTGRADUATE CURRICULUM : The major components of the Postgraduate curriculum shall be : Theoretical knowledge Practical and clinical skills Thesis skills. Attitudes including communication skills. Training in research methodology. STARTING OF POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL COURSES AND THEIR RECOGNITION. (1) An institution intending to start a Postgraduate Medical Education course or to increase the admission capacity shall obtain permission of the Central Government under Section 10A of the Act. (2) The institution shall apply for recognition of the Postgraduate medical qualification to the Central Government through the affiliating university. NOMENCLATURE OF POSTGRADUATE COURSES. The nomenclature of postgraduate medical courses shall be as provided in the Schedule annexed to these Regulation : Provided that in the case of postgraduate medical degree and diploma courses instituted prior to the commencement of these Regulations with the approval of the Medical Council of India and which have not been included in these regulations, the institutions concerned shall continue such course till the students admitted complete the said courses. GENERAL (1) The institutions recognised by the Medical Council of India for running Postgraduate courses prior to the commencement of the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Act,1993 and those medical colleges recognised for running Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) course or institutions established by the Central Government for the purpose of imparting postgraduate medical education shall be eligible for starting any postgraduate degree or diploma and higher specialty course. (1A) The Central Government shall exempt any such existing/proposed non-teaching institutions or specialist institution or autonomous body owned and managed by the Central Government/State Government from fulfilling the prescribed provision of having an undergraduate teaching facility, and allow starting Postgraduate medical course. (2) The maximum number of students for a postgraduate medical course, who can be registered in any recognised department, for training for the award of postgraduate degree or diploma by the affiliating university, shall be determined by the facilities available in the department in terms of infrastructure, teaching staff and clinical teaching material. (3) Every student, selected for admission to postgraduate medical course in any of the medical institutions in the country, shall possess recognised MBBS degree or equivalent qualification and should have obtained permanent Registration with the Medical Council of India, or any of the State Medical Councils or should obtain the same within on month from the date of his admission, failing which the admission of the candidate shall be cancelled; Provided that in the case of a foreign national, the Medical Council of India may, on payment of the prescribed fee for registration, grant temporary Registration for the duration of the postgraduate training restricted to the medical college/institution to which he is admitted for the time being exclusively for postgraduate studies; Provided further that temporary registration to such foreign national shall be subject to the condition 5that such person is duly registered as medical practitioner in his own country from which he has obtained his basic medical qualification and that his degree is recognised by the corresponding Medical Council or concerned authority. (4) The students undergoing postgraduate courses shall be exposed to the following :- Basics of statistics to understand and critically evaluate published research paper. Few lectures or other type of exposure to human behavior studies. Basic understanding of pharmaco-economics. Introduction to the non-linear mathematics. SELECTION OF POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS. Students for Postgraduate medical courses shall be selected strictly on the basis of their academic merit. For determining the academic merit, the university/institution may adopt any one of the following procedures both for degree and diploma courses :- On the basis of merit as determined by the competitive test conducted by the State Government or by the competent authority appointed by the State Government or by the university/group of universities in the same state; or On the basis of merit as determined by a centralized competitive test held at the national level; or On the basis of the individual cumulative performance at the first, second and their MBBS examination, if such examination have been passed from the same university; or Combination of (i) and (iii): Provided that wherever entrance test for Postgraduate admission is held by the State Government or a university or any other authorized examining body, the minimum percentage of marks for eligibility for admission to postgraduate medical courses shall be fifty per cent for general category candidates and 40 per cent for the candidate belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward classes. Provided further that in non-Governmental institutions fifty percent of the total seats shall be filled by the competent authority and the remaining fifty per cent by the management of the institution on the basis of merit. PERIOD OF TRAINING The period of training for the award of various postgraduate degrees or diplomas shall be as follows: (1) Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) / Master of Surgery (M.S.) The period of training for obtaining these degrees shall be three completed years including the period of examination.   Provided that in the case of students having a recognised two year postgraduate diploma course in the same subject, the period of training, including the period of examination, shall be two year. (2) Doctor of Medicine (D.M.) / Master Chirurgiae (M.Ch.) The period of training for obtaining these degrees shall be three completed year (including the examination period) after obtaining M.D./M.S. degrees, or equivalent recognised qualification in the required subject; Provided that where an institution on the date of commencement for these Regulation, is imparting five year training in Neurology and Neuro-Surgery, such institution shall continue to have five year training course. (3) Diplomas The period of training for obtaining a postgraduate Diploma shall be two completed years including the examination period. Migration/transfer of postgraduate student from one medical college or institution to another. Migration/transfer of students undergoing any postgraduate course – degree /diploma shall not be permitted by any university or any authority. EXAMINATIONS The examinations shall be organised on the basis of grading or marking system to evaluate and certify candidate’s level of knowledge, skill and competence at the end of the training and obtaining a minimum of 50% marks in theory as well as practical separately shall be mandatory for passing the whole examination. The examination for M.S., M.D., D.M., M.Ch., shall be held at the end of 3 academic years (six academic terms) and for diploma at the end of 2 academic years (four academic terms). The academic terms shall mean six months training period. For other details please refer to Regulations. EXAMINATIONS The examinations shall be organised on the basis of grading or marking system to evaluate and certify candidate’s level of knowledge, skill and competence at the end of the training and obtaining a minimum of 50% marks in theory as well as practical separately shall be mandatory for passing the whole examination. The examination for M.S., M.D., D.M., M.Ch., shall be held at the end of 3 academic years (six academic terms) and for diploma at the end of 2 academic years (four academic terms). The academic terms shall mean six months training period. For other details please refer to Regulations.  11    Departmental training Facilities:- A department having an independent academic entity of a teaching institution, consisting of one or more units, each having the prescribed minimum strength of faculty, staff and beds shall be recognised for Post Graduate training.  11.1     Staff – Faculty (a)             A clinical department or its unit training candidates for broad or super specialities, shall have a minimum of three full time faculty members belonging to the concerned disciplines of whom one shall be a Professor, one Associate Professor/ Reader/ and one Astt. Professor/ Lecturer, possessing the qualification and experience prescribed by the Medical Council of India; Provided that the second or subsequent additional unit may be headed by an Associate professor.  Of these faculty members only those who possess a total of eight years teaching experience, out of which at least five years teaching experience as Assistant Professor/Lecturer gained after obtaining Post Graduate degree, shall be recognised as Post Graduate teachers.  (b)            In each department, training candidates for super specialities, there shall be a minimum of three faculty members with requisite Post Graduate qualification and experience  - One Professor, One Associate Professor / Reader and one Assistant Professor / Lecturer, with atleast two of them holding the degree of D.M./M.Ch. in the concerned discipline.  Of these faculty members only those who possess eight years teaching experience out of which at least five years teaching experience as Assistant Professor / Lecturer gained after obtaining the higher speciality degree shall be recognised as Post Graduate teachers;              Provided that in the case of super speciality courses which are being newly instituted relaxation of qualification and experience of Post Graduate teachers may be granted by the Medical Council of India for sufficient cause.      (c)        In addition to the faculty staff, the strength of Residents / Registrars / Tutors / Demonstrators, as well as technical and other para medical staff shall be as per the staff strength prescribed for 50 or 100 or 150 students in the “Minimum Requirements for 50/100/150 MBBS Admissions Annually Regulations.’  11.2            Minimum requirements for a Post Graduate institution :  (a)                         An institution conducting both undergraduate and Post Graduate teaching shall satisfy the minimum requirement for undergraduate training as prescribed by the Medical Council of India and shall also fulfil additional requirements for Post Graduate training depending on the type of work being carried out in the department. The extra staff required to be provided in various departments shall be as given in Appendix-I.  (b)                        A Department imparting only Post Graduate training shall:- (i)                           Provide facilities consistent with the all round training including training in basic medical science and other departments related to the subject of training as recommended by the Medical Council of India. (ii)                         have as many autopsies, biopsies and cytopsies as possible for teaching purposes; and (iii)                        make available facilities of ancillary department for coordination of Training.  11.3     Bed Strength in Clinical Departments  A department to be recognised for training of Post Graduate students, shall have not less than 60 (Sixty) beds each of General Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 30 (thirty) beds each for others incase of M.D/M.S. and diploma and 20 (twenty) beds each in case of D.M./M.Ch  Explaination: - A unit shall consist of 30 beds for MD/MS and 20 beds for DM/M.Ch. respectively. 11.4     Out – patient departments  There shall be adequate space and sufficient number of examination cubicles available in the out – patient Department.  Besides the general outpatient services, Speciality Clinics shall also be available for the training of post-graduate students in the relevant broad and super speciality;  To determine the number of students who may be admitted for training, outpatient attendance, work turnover and ambulatory care also have to be taken into consideration. 11.5            Laboratory Facilities The institution shall have adequate laboratory facilities for the training of the Post Graduate students, and such laboratories shall provide all the investigative facilities required and shall be regularly updated keeping in view the advancement of knowledge and technology and research requirements, and for training of students in non-clinical departments, proper and contemporary laboratory facilities shall be made available. 11.6            Equipment  The department shall have adequate number of all equipments including the latest ones necessary for training and as may be prescribed by the Council for each speciality from time to time.  12.            Number of Post Graduate Students to be admitted.  (1)       The ratio of recognised Post Graduate teacher to number of students to be admitted for the degree and diploma courses shall be 1:1 each for degree and diploma courses in each unit per year, to the extent that in no circumstances more than two students for degree and one for Diploma shall be registered in a unit in one academic year.  (2)       In case the institution is having only Post Graduate diploma courses in any subject then it shall have a unit of 30 beds with three full time teachers.  The ratio of number of students and recognised Post Graduate teachers shall be 1:1 and in no circumstances more than three students can be admitted in a unit per year.  (3)       The requirement of units and beds shall not apply in the case of Post Graduate degree or diploma courses in Basic and para-clinical departments.  The ratio of recognised Post Graduate teacher to students shall, however be maintained at 1:1 both at degree as well as diploma level. (4)       The number of students to be admitted in case of Post Graduate degree (Super speciality) courses shall be one student per year per recognised Post Graduate teacher in a department having a minimum of three faculty members (one Professor, one Associate Professor/Reader & one Asstt. Professor/Lecturer) and twenty beds.  If the number of Post Graduate teachers in the unit is more than one then the number of students may be increased proportionately but not more than two in a unit per year in any circumstances.  For this purpose one student should associate with one Post Graduate teacher:           Provided that no Post Graduate seats left unfilled in an academic year, shall be carried forward to the next or subsequent academic years, being from 1st January to 31st December of any calendar year. 13.    TRAINING PROGRAMME 13.1             The training given with due care to the Post Graduate students in the recognised institutions for the award of various Post Graduate medical degrees / diplomas shall determine the expertise of the specialist and / or medical teachers produced as a result of the educational programme during the period of stay in the institution. 13.2             All candidates joining the Post Graduate training programme shall work as full time residents during the period of training, attending not less than 80% (Eighty percent) of the training during each calendar year, and given full time responsibility, assignments and participation in all facets of the educational process. 13.3             The Post Graduate students of the institutions which are located in various States / Union Territories shall be paid remuneration at par with the remuneration being paid to the Post Graduate students of State Government medical institutions / Central Government Medical Institutions, in the State/Union Territory in which the institution is located.  Similar procedure shall be followed in the matter of grant of leave to Post Graduate students. 13.4        (a)  Every institution undertaking Post Graduate training programme shall set up an Academic cell or a curriculum committee, under the chairmanship of a senior faculty member, which shall work out the details of the training programme in each speciality in consultation with other department faculty staff and also coordinate and monitor the implementation of these training Programmes. (b)     The training programmes shall be updated as and when required.  The structured training programme shall be written up and strictly followed, to enable the examiners to determine the training undergone by the candidates and the Medical Council of India inspectors to assess the same at the time of inspection.  (c)           Post Graduate students shall maintain a record (log) book of the work carried out by them and the training programme undergone during the period of training including details of surgical operations assisted or done independently by M.S./M.Ch. candidates.  (d)       The record books shall be checked and assessed by the faculty members imparting the training.  13.5    During the training for Degree / Diploma to be awarded in clinical disciplines, there shall be proper training in basic medical sciences related to the disciplines concerned; during the training for the degree to be awarded in basic medical sciences, there shall be training in applied aspects of the subject; and there shall be training in allied subjects related to the disciplines concerned.  In all Post Graduate training programmes, both clinical and basic medical sciences, emphasis is to be laid on preventive and social aspects and emergency care facilities for autopsies, biopsies, cytopsies, endoscopic and imaging etc. also be made available for training purposes.  13.6        The Post Graduate students shall be required to participate in the teaching and training programme of undergraduate students and interns. 13.7        Training in Medical Audit, Management, Health Economics, Health Information System, basics of statistics, exposure to human behaviour studies, knowledge of pharmaco – economics and introduction to non- linar mathematics shall be imparted to the Post Graduate students. 13.8    Implementation of the training programmes for the award of various Post Graduate degree and diplomas shall include the following:-  (a)    Doctor of Medical (M.D.) / Master of surgery (M.S.)     (i) Basic Medical Sciences Lectures, Seminars, Journal Clubs, Group Discussions, Participation in laboratory and experimental work, and involvement in research studies in the concerned speciality and exposure to the applied aspects of the subject relevant to clinical specialities.       (ii) Clinical disciplines In service training, with the students being given graded responsibility in the management and treatment of patients entrusted to their care; participation in Seminars, Journal clubs, Group Discussions, Clinical Meetings, Grand rounds, and Clinico - Pathological Conferences; practical training in Diagnosis and medical and Surgical treatment; training in the Basic Medical Sciences, as well as in allied clinical specialitites.  (b) Doctor of Medicine (D.M.) / Magister Chirurgiae (M.Ch.) The training programme shall be on the same pattern as for M.D. / M.S. in clinical disciplines; practical training including advanced Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Laboratory techniques, relevant to the subject of specialisation. For M.Ch. Candidates, there shall be participation in surgical operations. (c)       Diplomas In – service training, with students being given graded clinical responsibility; Lectures, Seminars, Journal Clubs, Group Discussions and participation in clinical and Clinico-Pathological Conferences, practical training to manage independently common problems in the speciality; and training in the Basic Medical Sciences.  14.  EXAMINATIONS The examinations shall be organised on the basis of grading or marking system to evaluate and certify candidates level of knowledge, skill and competence at the end of the training and obtaining a minimum of 50% marks in theory as well as practical separately shall be mandatory for passing the whole examination.  The examination for M.S., M.D, M.Ch shall be held at the end of 3 academic years (six academic terms) and for diploma at the end of 2 academic years (four academic terms).  The academic terms shall mean six months training period.  (1) EXAMINERS (a)          All the Post Graduate Examiners shall be recognised Post Graduate Teachers holding recognised Post Graduate qualifications in the subject concerned.  (b)         For all Post Graduate Examinations, the minimum number of Examiners shall be four, out of which at least two (50%) shall be External Examiners, who shall be invited from other recognised universities from outside the State.  Two sets of internal examiners may be appointed one for M.D./M.S. and one for diploma. (c)          Under exceptional circumstances, examinations may be held with 3 (three) examiners provided two of them are external and Medical Council of India is intimated the justification of such action prior to publication of result for approval.  Under no circumstances, result shall be published in such cases without the approval of Medical Council of India. (d)         In the event of there being more than one centre in one city, the external examiners at all the centres in that city shall be the same.  Where there is more than one centre of examination, the University shall appoint a Supervisor to coordinate the examination on its behalf. (e)          The examining authorities may follow the guidelines regarding appointment of examiners given in Appendix-II.  (2)       Number of candidates The maximum number of candidates to be examined in Clinical / practical and Oral on any day shall not exceed eight for M.D./M.S. degree, eight for diploma and three for D.M./M/Ch examinations.  (3)       Number of examinations The university shall conduct not more than two examinations in a year, for any subject, with an interval of not less than 4 and not more than 6 months between the two examinations.  (4)        Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)/Master of Surgery (M.S.) M.D./M.S. examinations, in any subject shall consist of Thesis, Theory Papers, and clinical/Practical and Oral examinations.  (a)             Thesis Every candidate shall carry out work on an assigned research project under the guidance of a recognised Post Graduate Teacher, the result of which shall be written up and submitted in the form of a Thesis.  Work for writing the Thesis is aimed at contributing to the development of a spirit of enquiry, besides exposing the candidate to the techniques of research, critical analysis, acquaintance with the latest advances in medical science and the manner of identifying and consulting available literature.  Thesis shall be submitted at least six months before the theoretical and clinical / practical examination.  The thesis shall be examined by a minimum of three examiners; one internal and two external examiners, who shall not be the examiners for Theory and Clinical; and on the acceptance of the thesis by two examiners, the candidate shall appear for the final examination. (b)             Theory (i)         There shall be four theory papers. (ii)        Out of these one shall be of Basic Medical Sciences and one shall be of recent advances.  (iii)      The theory examinations shall be held sufficiently earlier than the Clinical and Practical examination, so that the answer books can be assessed and evaluated before the start of the Clinical/Practical and Oral examination.         Provided that after five years from the commencement of these regulations, there shall be one theory paper of ‘multiple choice questions’; unless any institution wants to have such paper earlier.  (c)       Clinical / Practical and Oral (i)            Clinical examination for the subjects in Clinical Sciences shall be conducted to test the knowledge and competence of the candidates for undertaking independent work as a specialist/Teacher, for which candidates shall examine a minimum one long case and two short cases. (ii)          Practical examination for the subjects in Basic Medical Sciences shall be conducted to test the knowledge and competence of the candidates for making valid and relevant observations based on the experimental/Laboratory studies and his ability to perform such studies as are relevant to his subject.  (iii)         The Oral examination shall be thorough and shall aim at assessing the candidate knowledge and competence about the subject, investigative procedures, therapeutic technique and other aspects of the speciality, which form a part of the examination.                      A candidate shall secure not less than 50% marks in each head of passing which shall include (1) Theory, (2) Practical including clinical and viva voce examination.       II.    Doctor of Medicine (D.M.)/Magister of Chirurgiae (M,Ch.)  The examination shall consist of: Theory and Clinical/Practical and Oral.  (a)   Theory There shall be four theory papers, one paper out of these shall be on Basic Medical Sciences, and another paper on Recent Advances. The theory examination will be held sufficiently earlier than the Clinical and Practical examination, so that the answer books can be assessed and evaluated before the start of the clinical/Practical and Oral examination. (b)     Clinical / Practical and Oral Practical examination shall consist of carrying out special investigative techniques for Diagnosis and Therapy. M.Ch candidates shall also be examined in surgical procedures. Oral examination shall be comprehensive to test the candidate’s overall knowledge of the subject. A candidate shall secure not less than 50% marks in each head of passing which shall include (1) Theory (2) Practical including clinical and viva voce examination.   III  Post Graduate Diploma Diploma examination in any subject shall consist of Theory, Clinical and Oral. (a)   Theory There shall be three theory papers. One paper out of these shall be on Basic Medical Sciences. The examination shall be held sufficiently earlier than the clinical examination, so that the answer books can be assessed before the start of the clinical examination.  (b)   Clinical and Oral Clinical examination for the subject in clinical Science shall be conducted to test /aimed at assessing the knowledge and competence of the candidate for undertaking independent work as a Specialist / Teacher for which a candidate shall examine a minimum of one long case and two short cases.  The oral examination shall be thorough and shall aim at assessing the candidate’s knowledge and competence about the subject, investigative procedures, therapeutic technique and other aspects of the speciality, which shall from a part of the examination. The candidate shall secure not less than 50% marks in each head of passing which shall include (1) Theory (2) Practical including clinical and viva voce examinations. APPENDIX-I  POST GRADUATE  EXAMINATION  GUIDELINES ON APPOINTMENT OF POST GRADUATE EXAMINERS  1.                  No person shall be appointed as an examiner in any subject unless he fulfils the minimum requirements for recognition as a Post Graduate teacher as laid down by the Medical Council of India and has teaching experience of 8 (Eight) years as a Lecturer / Asstt. Professor out of which he has not less than 5 (Five) years teaching experience after obtaining Post Graduate degree.  For external examiners, he should have minimum three years experience of examinership for Post Graduate diploma in the concerned subject.  Out of internal examiners, one examiner shall be a professor and Head of Department or Head of Department.  2.                  There shall be at least four examiners in each subject at an examination out of which at least 50% (Fifty percent) shall be external examiners.  The external examiner who fulfils the condition laid down in clause – 1 above shall ordinarily be invited from another recognised university, from outside the State: provided that in exceptional circumstances examinations may be held with 3 (three) examiners if two of them are external and Medical council of India is intimated whit the justification of such examination and the result shall be published in such a case with the approval of Medical council of India.  3.                  An external examiner may be ordinarily been appointed for not more than three years consecutively.  Thereafter he may be reappointed after an interval of two years.  4.                  The internal examiner in a subject shall not accept external examinership for a college from which external examiner is appointed in his subject.  5.                  The same set of examiners shall ordinarily be responsible for the written, practical or part of examination.  6.                  In the event of there being more than one centre in one city, the external examiners at all the centres in the city shall be the same.  7.                  There shall be a Chairman of the Board of paper – setters who shall be an external examiner and shall moderate the question papers.  8.                  Where there is more than one centre of examination, there shall be Co-ordinator appointed by the University who shall supervise and Co-ordinate the examination on behalf of the University with independent authority.  9.                  The Head of the Department of the institution concerned shall ordinarily be one of the internal examiners and second internal examiner shall rotate after every two year. SCHEDULE Specialities / Subjects in which Postgraduate Degree and Diploma can be awarded by the Indian Universities and the eligibility requirements of candidates for registration for the same. M.D. (DOCTOR OF MEDICINE) for which candidates must possess recognised degree of MBBS (or its equivalent recognised degree) Anesthesiology Aviation Medicine Anatomy Biochemistry Biophysics Community Medicine Dermatology, Venerology and Leprosy Family Medicine Forensic Medicine General Medicine Geriatrics Health Administration Hospital Administration Immuno Haematology and Blood Transfusion Medical Genetics Microbiology Nuclear Medicine Pathology Paediatrics Pharmacology Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Physiology Psychiatry Radio-diagnosis Radio-therapy Rheumatology Sports Medicine Tropical Medicine Tuberculosis & Respiratory Medicine or Pulmonary Medicine. M.S. (MASTER OF SURGERY) for which candidates must possess recognised degree of MBBS (or its equivalent recognised degree). Otorhinolaryngology General Surgery Ophthalmology Orthopedics Obstetrics & Gynecology D.M. (DOCTOR OF MEDICINE) for which candidates must possess recognised degree of M.D. (or its equivalent recognised degree) in the subject shown against them.   Sl. No. Area of Specialisation Prior Requirement 1. Cardiology MD (Medicine) MD (Paediatrics) 2. Clinical Hematology MD (Medicine) MD (Pathology) MD (Paediatrics) MD (Biochemistry) 3. Clinical Pharmacology MD (Pharmacology) 4. Endocrinology MD (Medicine) MD (Paediatrics) MD (Biochemistry) 5. Immunology MD (Medicine) MD (Pathology) MD (Microbiology) MD (Paediatrics) MD (Biochemistry) MD (Physiology) 6. Medical Gastroenterology MD (Medicine) MD (Paediatrics) 7. Medical Genetics MD/MS in any subject 8. Medical Oncology MD (Medicine) MS (Radiotherapy) MD (Paediatrics) 9. Neonatology MD (Paediatrics) 10. Nephrology MD (Medicine) MD (Paediatrics) 11. Neurology MD (Medicine) MD (Paediatrics) 12. Neuro-radiology MD (Radio-Diag.) M.Ch. (MASTER OF CHIRURGIE) for which candidates must possess recognised degree of M.S. (or its equivalent recognised degree) in the subjects shown against them. Sl. No. Area of Specialisation Prior Requirement 1. Cardio vascular & Thoracic Surgery MS (Surgery) 2. Urology MS (Surgery) 3. Neuro-Surgery MS (Surgery) 4. Paediatrics Surgery. MS (Surgery) 5. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery MS (Surgery) 6. Surgical Gastroenterology MS (Surgery) 7. Surgical Oncology MS (Surgery)    MS (ENT)    MS (Orthopaedics) MD (Obst. & Gynae.) 8. Endocrine Surgery MS (General Surgery) 9. Gynecological Oncology MD/MS (Obst. & Gynae) 10. Vascular Surgery MS (Surgery) Ph.D. (DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY) Ph.D. Degree may be instituted in all subjects wherever recognised postgraduate qualification in medical subjects are awarded by the concerned Universities subject to fulfillment of the following guidelines : Ph.D. shall be awarded only upon completion of M.D. or M.S. or P.G. Diploma or M.Sc. in medical subjects. The period of training for Ph.D. shall be two years for candidates who possess M.D./M.S/P.G./ diploma in three years for candidates with M.Sc. (medical subjects). For starting Ph.D. course, the institution concerned shall have the following facilities namely :- Adequate facilities for experimental medicine and experimental surgery ; Ancillary Departments, adequately equipped and well staffed as prescribed for Postgraduate departments; Adequate facilities for advanced research work and laboratory investigations in the departments of Biochemistry, Physiology, Microbiology, Histopathology, Radio-diagnosis etc. A guide for the Ph.D. degree shall have not less than fifteen year’s teaching and research experience after obtaining his postgraduate qualification and shall also have not less than ten years postgraduate teaching experience as an faculty member DIPLOMAS for which candidates must possess recognised degree of MBBS (or its equivalent recognised degree). Anesthesiology (D.A.) Clinical Pathology (D.C.P.) Community Medicine (D.C.M.) Dermatology, Venerology and Leprosy (DDVL) Forensic Medicine (D.F.M.) Health Education (D.H.E.) Health Administration (D.H.A.) Immuno-Haematology & Blood Transfusion (D.I.H.B.T.) Marine Medicine (Dip. M.M.) Microbiology (D.Micro) Nutrition (D.N.) Obstetrics & Gynecology (D.G.O.) Occupational Health (D.O.H.) Ophthalmology (D.O.) Orthopedics (D.Ortho.) Oto-Rhino0Laryngology(D.L.O.) Paediatrics( D.C.H.) Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (D.Phy. Med. & R.) Psychiatry (D.P.M.) Public Health (D.P.H.) Radio-diagnosis (D.M.R.D.) Radio-therapy (D.M.R.T.) Radiological Physics (D.R.P.) Sport Medicine (D.S.M.) Tropical Medicine & Health (D.T.M. & H.) Tuberculosis & Chest Diseases (D.T.C.D.) Virology (D.Vir.) Radiation Medicine (D.R.M.) DIPLOMAS for which candidates must possess recognised postgraduate degree (or its equivalent recognised degree). Neuro-pathology (DNP) (with the prior requirement of M.D. (Pathology)

Published in part – III section -4 of the Gazette of India on 16th March, 2005.  In exercise of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 (102 of 1956), the Medical Council of India, with the previous sanction of the Central Government hereby makes the following regulations further to amend the Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000, namely:-  1.         (i) These regulations may be called the Postgraduate Medical Education (Amendment) Regulations, 2005. (ii) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.   2.         In the Postgraduate Medical Education Regulation, 2000 (hereinafter referred to as the principal Regulation). (i) In regulation 11.1 relating to ‘staff – Faculty’, after clause (c), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:- “(d) Consultants of specialists who have the experience of working for a period of not less than 18 years and 10 years in the teaching and other general departments in the institution or hospitals, not attached to any medical college, where with the affiliation from any university, postgraduate teaching is being imparted as contemplated under sub-regulation (1A) of regulation 8, shall respectively be eligible to be equated as Professor and Associate Professor in the department concerned. The requisite department of the said institution or hospitals as Professor and Associate Professor shall respectively be 16 years and 8 years. Consultants or specialists having postgraduate degree qualification, working in such an institution or hospital, who do not have the said period of experience, shall be eligible to be equated as Assistant Professor in the department concerned.”  (ii) In regulation 11.2 relating to ‘Minimum requirement for a post graduate institution’, after clause (b), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:- (c) An institution eligible to start postgraduate course(s) under sub-regulation (1A) of regulation 8 may enter into a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding with an ongoing recognized medical college, located within a reasonable distance from it as would not disrupt the smooth running of the said course(s), for the purpose of availing the facilities of the basic medical sciences departments of the college concerned; or it shall create the requisite facilities in its own set-up as per the guidelines indicated in Appendix-III. In addition, such an institution shall set up full-fledged departments of Pathology, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Radiology”.   3.         In the principal Regulation, after Appendix-II, the following appendix shall be inserted, namely:-  “Appendix-III [see regulation 11.2(c)]   Criteria to be fulfilled by institutions eligible to start postgraduate course(s) under sub-regulation (1A) of regulation 8, which are required to create their own facilities for setting up departments in basic medical sciences:   A.        The basic subjects identified for the purpose of creation of facilities shall be:             i)       Anatomy             ii)      Physiology             iii)     Pharmacology iv)       Community Medicine with Forensic Medicine being optional.   B.        Staff requirements: (1)The minimum staff required in each of the departments of Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology and Community Medicine shall be:             1.            Professor or Associate Professor                   One             2.            Assistant Professor                                    Two Provided that the department of Community Medicine shall also have: a)     Epidemiologist-cum-Lecturer b)     Statistician-cum-Lecturer c)     Health Educator-cum-Lecturer Provided further that the person in charge of a Unit shall not be below the rank of Associate Professor. (2)       The required strength of the teaching personnel shall be in proportion to the number of postgraduate courses started by the institution in a manner that the ultimate upper limit of the requirement shall be on a par with the requirement indicated in the Regulation of the Council titled ‘Minimum Requirements for Establishment of Medical College for Annual Intake Capacity of 50’.   C.              Infrastructural requirements: 1) The infrastructural requirements in terms of lecture theatres and demonstration rooms could be common. 2) The research laboratories shall be well-equipped so that the teachers in the departments concerned shall be able to work on solicited research projects. 3) Department of Anatomy: Apart from the common facilities, there shall be placed for dissection with adequate accommodation, along with an embalming room, cold room and also a museum: Provided that Histology and Research laboratory may be clubbed together. 4) Department of Physiology: There shall be clinical, experimental and animal physiology laboratories along with a museum. 5) Department of Pharmacology: The facilities could be common except for research laboratory, which shall be separate. 6) Department of Community Medicine: There shall be a museum alongwith a well-equipped Rural/Urban Health Centre with necessary staff.”   LT. COL. (DR.) A.R.N. SETALVAD (RETD.), SECY. MEDICAL COUNCIL OF INDIA  NOTIFICATION    New Delhi, the 23rd March, 2006   No.MCI-18(1)/2006-Med./27395. - In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 33 of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 (102 of 1956), the Medical Council of India with the previous approval of the Central Government hereby makes the following regulations to amend the Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000, namely:-   1.         These Regulations may be called the “Postgraduate Medical Education (Amendment) Regulations, 2006”. 2.         In the Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000 in Regulation 9, after sub-regulation (2), the following sub-regulation shall be inserted: 3.         (i) The Universities and other authorities concerned shall organize admission process in such a way that teaching in postgraduate courses starts by 2nd May and by 1st August for super speciality courses each year. For this purpose, they shall follow the time schedule indicated in Appendix-III.             (ii) There shall be no admission of students in respect of any academic session beyond 31st May for postgraduate courses and 30th September for super speciality courses under any circumstances. They Universities shall not register any student admitted beyond the said date.             (iii) The Medical Council of India may direct, that any student identified as having obtained admission after the last date for closure of admission be discharged from the course of study, or any medical qualification granted to such a student shall not be a recognized qualification for the purpose of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956.  The institution which grants admission to any student after the last date specified for the same shall also be liable to face such action as may be prescribed by MCI including surrender of seats equivalent to the extent of such admission made from its sanctioned intake capacity for the succeeding academic year.”   LT. COL. (DR.) A.R.N. SETALVAD (RETD.), SECY. [ADVT-III/IV/100/2005-Exty.] Foot Note. – The Principal Regulations namely, “Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000” was published in Part-III Section 4 of the Gazette of India on 7th October,2000 and amended vide MCI notification dated 16th February,2001, 6thOctober,2001 and 16th March,2005, published in Part-III, Section 4 of the Gazette of India on 3rd March,2001; 6thOctober,2001 and 16th March, 2005 respectively.

APPENDIX-III  TIME SCHEDULE FOR COMPLETION OF ADMISSION PROCESS FOR POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL COURSES  Schedule for admission Postgraduate Courses Super-Speciality Courses All India Quota State Quota Conduct of entrance examination 2nd Sunday of January Mid-January to End January May-June Declaration of result of qualifying examination/ entrance examination 2nd week of February By 14th Feb. By 15th June 1st round of counseling/ admissions 1st March to 15thMarch To be over by 10thApril To be over by 10th July Last date for joining the allotted college and course 31st March @@ 17th April 17th July 2nd round of counseling for allotment of seats from waiting list By 7th April By 24th April By 24th July Last date for joining for candidates allotted seats in 2ndround of counseling. 14th April 30th April 31st July Commencement of academic session 2nd May 2nd May 1st August Last date upto which students can be admitted against vacancies arising due to any reason from the waiting list 31st May 31st May 30th September  NOTE:- @@ Head of the Colleges should intimate the vacancies existing after the last date for joining the course by the candidate concerned in respect of the All India Quota of seats to the DGHS within seven days and latest by 6th April for postgraduate courses and 23rd July for super-speciality courses.

MEDICAL COUNCIL OF INDIA  AMMENDMENT NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 20th October, 2008 No. MCI.18(1)/2008-Med./29544. - In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 33 of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956(102 of 1956), the Medical Council of India with the previous approval of the Central Government hereby makes the following regulations to further amend the “Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000”, namely:-  1.         These Regulations may be called the “Postgraduate Medical Education (Amendment) Regulations, 2008”.  2.         In the “Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000”, the following additions / modifications / deletions / substitutions, shall be as indicated therein:-    3.        (i)            In Clause 2(i) after the sentence “duration shall be of three years after MD/MS”, the words “with the exception wherever indicated” shall be deleted.              (ii)             In Clause 2(v) the words “various sub-specialties concerned with a discipline” shall be substituted by “various areas concerned with the discipline”.            4.         In Clause 5 the words “Thesis skills” shall be substituted by “Writing Thesis/Research articles” and the words “Training in research methodology”shall be substituted by “Training in Research Methodology, Medical Ethics and Medicolegal aspects”  5.   (i)  In Clause 8(3) the sentence “Every student, selected for admission to a Post Graduate medical course in any of the medical institutions in the country shall possess recognized MBBS degree or equivalent qualification and should have obtained permanent registration with the Medical Council of India, or any of the State Medical Councils or should obtain the same within one month from the date of his admission, failing which the admission of the candidate shall be cancelled;”shall be substituted by “Every student, selected for admission to a Post Graduate medical course in any of the medical institutions on acquiring MBBS Degree or an equivalent qualification thereto shall have obtained permanent registration with the Medical Council of India, or any of the State Medical Council(s) or shall obtain the same within a period of one month from the date of his/her admission, failing which his/her admission shall stand cancelled;”  (ii)            In para –2 of Clause 8(3) the sentence “training restricted to the medical college/institution to which he is admitted for the time being exclusively for Post Graduate studies” shall be substituted by “course limited to the Medical College/Institution to which he/she is admitted for the time being exclusively for pursuing the Post Graduate studies”  (iii)            In para –3 of Clause 8(3) the sentence “as medical practitioner in his own country from which he has obtained his basic medical qualification and that his degree is recognized by the corresponding medical council or concerned authority” shall be substituted by “with appropriate registering authority in his own country wherefrom he has obtained his Basic Medical qualification, and is duly recognized by the corresponding Medical Council or concerned authority”  (iv)            In Clause 8(4) (b) “Few lectures or other type of exposure to human behaviour studies” shall be substituted by ‘Exposure to Human Behaviour studies’               (v)            Clause 8(4) – sub clause (c) & (d) shall be deleted.  6                (i)         In Clause 10(1) the word “having” shall be substituted by ‘possessing’  (ii)                In Clause 10(2) the sentence “The period of training for obtaining these degrees shall be three completed years (including the examination period) after obtaining M.D. / M.S. degrees, or equivalent recognised qualification in the required subject:” shall be substituted by “The period of training for obtaining these Degrees shall be three completed years including the examination period.”  (iii)              In Clause 10 (iii) the paragraph “Migration/transfer of Post Graduate students from one medical college or institution to another. Migration/transfer of students undergoing any Post Graduate course-degree/diploma shall not be permitted by any university or any author” shall be substituted by: “MIGRATION Under no circumstance, Migration/transfer of student undergoing any Post Graduate Degree/ Diploma / Super Specialty course shall be permitted by any University/ Authority”  7      (i)             In Clause 11 the para “A department having an independent academic entity of a teaching institution, consisting of one or more units, each having the prescribed minimum strength of faculty, staff and beds shall be recognised for Post Graduate training” shall be substituted by “A department having an independent academic identity in a teaching institution, comprising of one or more units, having prescribed strength of faculty, staff and teaching beds shall be recognised for Post Graduate training.”  (ii)                Clause 11.1  shall be substituted by the following:   “11.1   Staff – Faculty (a) A clinical department or its unit training candidates for Broad or Super Specialities, shall have a minimum of three full time faculty members belonging to the concerned disciplines of whom one shall be a Professor, one Associate Professor/ Reader and one Astt. Professor/ Lecturer, possessing requisite qualification and teaching experience prescribed by the Medical Council of India.  Provided that the second or subsequent unit may be headed by an Associate Professor alongwith two Assistant Professors/Lecturers.    Of these faculty members only those who possess a total of eight years teaching experience, of which at least five years teaching experience is as Assistant Professor gained after obtaining Post Graduate Degree, shall be recognised as Post Graduate teachers.  (b)  In a Department, training candidates for Super Speciality, there shall be a minimum of three faculty members with requisite Post Graduate qualification and experience, one shall be Professor, One Associate Professor / Reader and one Assistant Professor / Lecturer.           Provided that the second or subsequent unit may be headed by an Associate Professor along with two Assistant     Professor s /Lecturers.  Of these only those faculty members who possess eight years teaching experience of which at least five years teaching experience is asAssistant Professor or above gained after obtaining the Post Graduate degree shall be recognised as Post Graduate teachers :        Provided that in the case of super speciality courses which are newly instituted,  relaxation of qualification and experience for recognition as Post Graduate teachers, may be granted by the Medical Council of India for sufficient cause.”  (iii)              Clause 11.2 (a) shall be substituted by the following:  “(a) An institution conducting both Undergraduate and Post Graduate teaching shall fulfill the prescribed minimum requirements for undergraduate training and also additional requirements for Post Graduate training depending on the type of work being carried out in the Department. The additional staff required to be provided in following Departments shall be as under :-  1)      Department of Pathology  i)Associate Professor/Reader    -1, ii) Assistant Professor/Lecturer - 1 iii) Tutor/Demonstrator - 1                         2)  Department of Radio-diagnosis i) Associate Professor/Reader    -1, ii) Assistant Professor/Lecturer - 1 iii) Tutor/Demonstrator - 1                         3)  Department of Anaesthesiology                         i)  Associate Professor/Reader    -1, ii) Assistant Professor/Lecturer - 1 iii) Tutor/Demonstrator – 1” (iv)              Appendix I shall be deleted.  (v)               Clause 11.3  shall be substituted by the following:  “11.3 Bed Strength in Clinical Departments  A Department to be recognised for training of Post Graduate students, shall have at least 60 (Sixty) beds each of General Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology and 30 (thirty) beds each for others specialties for Degree and Diploma courses, and 20 (twenty) beds each in case of Super Specialty courses.   Explanation: - A unit shall consist of not less than 30 and more than 40 beds for Degree/Diploma courses and not less than 20 and more than 30 beds for Super Specialty courses respectively.”              (vi)             Clause 11.6 shall be substituted by the following:                          “11.6             Equipment The department shall have adequate number of all such equipments including the latest ones necessary for training and as may be prescribed by the Council for each speciality from time to time.”  8       (i)            Clause 13.2  shall be substituted by the following:  “All the candidates joining the  Post Graduate training programme shall work as ‘Full Time Residents’ during the period of training and shall attend not less than 80% (Eighty percent) of the imparted training during each academic year including assignments, assessed full time responsibilities and participation in all facets of the educational process.”  (ii)                Clause 13.3  shall be substituted by the following:  “The Post Graduate students undergoing Post Graduate Degree/Diploma/Super-Specialty course shall be paid stipend on par with the stipend being paid to the Post Graduate students of State Government Medical Institutions / Central Government Medical Institutions, in the State/Union Territory where the institution is located.  Similarly, the matter of grant of leave to Post Graduate students shall be regulated as per the respective State Government rules.” (iii)              Clause 13.4 (d) shall be substituted by the following:  "The Record (Log) Books shall be checked and assessed periodically by the faculty members imparting the training.”  (iv)              Clause 13.5 shall be substituted by the following:  “During the training for award of Degree / Superspecialty/Diploma in clinical disciplines, there shall be proper training in Basic medical sciences related to the disciplines concerned; so also in the applied aspects of the subject; and allied subjects related to the disciplines concerned.  In the Post Graduate training programmes including both Clinical and Basic medical sciences, emphasis has to be laid on Preventive and Social aspects.  Emergency care, facilities for Autopsies, Biopsies, Cytopsies, Endoscopy and Imaging etc. shall also be made available for training purposes.”  (v)               Clause 13.8 shall be substituted by the following:  “Implementation of the training programmes for the award of various Post Graduate Degree and Diplomas shall include the following:-  (a)     Doctor of Medical (M.D.) / Master of surgery   (M.S.) (i)                   Basic Medical Sciences – The teaching and training of the students shall be through Lectures, Seminars, Journal Clubs, Group Discussions, Participation in laboratory and experimental work, and involvement in Research Studies in the concerned speciality and exposure to the ‘Applied aspects’ of the subject relevant to clinical specialities.  (ii)               Clinical disciplines The teaching and training of the students shall include graded responsibility in the management and treatment of patients entrusted to their care; participation in Seminars, Journal Clubs, Group Discussions, Clinical Meetings, Grand Rounds, and Clinico-Pathological Conferences; practical training in Diagnosis and Medical and Surgical treatment; training in the Basic Medical Sciences, as well as in allied clinical specialitites.  (b) Doctor of Medicine (D.M.) / Magister Chirurgiae (M.Ch.) The training programme shall be on the same pattern as for M.D. / M.S. in clinical disciplines; with practical training including advanced Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Laboratory techniques, relevant to the subject of specialization.  Postgraduate Degree/Diploma/Superspecialty Residents in Surgical Specialties shall participate in Surgical operations as well.      (c) Diplomas The teaching and training of the students shall include graded clinical responsibility; Lectures, Seminars, Journal Clubs, Group Discussions and participation in Clinical and Clinico-Pathological Conferences, practical training to manage independently common problems in the specialty; and training in the Basic Medical Sciences”  9.      (i)            Clause 14 shall be substituted by the following:                “EXAMINATIONS The examinations shall be organised on the basis of ‘Grading’ or ‘Marking system’ to evaluate and to certify candidate's level of knowledge, skill and competence at the end of the training.  Obtaining a minimum of 50%  marks in ‘Theory’ as well as ‘Practical’ separately shall be mandatory for passing examination as a whole.  The examination for M.D./ MS, D.M., M.Ch shall be held at the end of 3rd academic year  and for Diploma at the end of 2nd academic year.  An academic term shall mean six month's training period.”  (ii)                Clause 14.1 (d) shall be deleted.  (iii)              Clause 14(4) (a) the sentence in second para “Thesis shall be submitted at least six months before the theoretical and clinical / practical examination” shall be substituted by “Thesis shall be submitted at least six months before the Theory and Clinical / Practical examination”  Further, para 3 of clause 14(4)(a) shall be substituted by “The thesis shall be examined by a minimum of three examiners; one internal and two external examiners, who shall not be the examiners for Theory and Clinical examination. A candidate shall be allowed to appear for the Theory and Practical/Clinical examination only after the acceptance of the Thesis by the examiners.”  (iv)              Clause 14(4) (b) (ii), the words “Basic Medical Sciences” shall be substituted by ‘Basic Medical Sciences’.  Further, in clause 14(4)(b) (iii) the words “sufficiently earlier than” shall be substituted by “well in advance before”, the word “start”shall be substituted by “commencement”   Further last para of clause 14(4) (b) i.e. “Provided that after five years from the commencement of these regulations, there shall be one theory paper of ‘multiple choice questions’; unless any institution wants to have such paper earlier.” shall be deleted  (v)               In Clause 14 (II), the sentence “The examination shall consist of: Theory and Clinical/Practical and Oral” shall be substituted by “The Examination consists of: (i) Theory and (ii) Clinical/Practical and Oral”  In clause 14 (II) (a) para under heading ‘Theory’ shall be substituted by the following: “There shall be four theory papers, one paper out of these shall be on ‘Basic Medical Sciences’, and another paper on ‘Recent Advances’. The theory examination shall be held in advance before the Clinical and Practical examination, so that the answer books can be assessed and evaluated before the commencement of the clinical/Practical and Oral examination.”  In clause 14(II) (b) the word “shall” shall be substituted by “may”, the word “comprehensive” shall be substituted by “‘comprehensive’ enough” and the sentence “clinical viva voce examination” shall be substituted by “Clinical and Viva Voce examination”  (vi)              Clause 14(III) under heading Post Graduate Diploma, the sentence “Theory, Clinical and Oral” shall be substituted by “Theory, Practical / Clinical and Oral”  Further, in Clause 14(III)(a) the para under heading “Theory” shall be substituted by the following”  “There shall be three ‘Theory’ papers, one paper out of these shall be on 'Basic Medical Sciences'. The theory of examination will be held well in advance before the Clinical examination, so that the answer books can be assessed before the commencement of the Practical / Clinical and Viva-Voce examination.”  10        (i)         In Appendix (II), point no. 1, under the heading “GUIDELINES ON APPOINTMENT OF POSTGRADUATE EXAMINERS” shall be substituted by the following:  ‘No person shall be appointed as an internal  examiner in any subject unless he/she has three years  experience as recognized PG teacher  in the concerned subject.  For external examiners, he/she should have minimum six years of experience  as recognized PG teacher in the concerned subject.’  (ii)                In Appendix (II), last sentence of para 2 i.e. “and the result shall be published in such a case with the approval of Medical council of India” shall be substituted by “The result in such a case shall be published with the approval of Medical Council of India”  (iii)              In Appendix (II), Para 3 shall be substituted by the following:  “An examiner shall ordinarily be appointed for not more than two consecutive terms”  (iv)              In Appendix (II), Para 5 and 6 shall be deleted.  (v)               In Appendix (II), Para 8, shall be substituted by the following:  “Where there is more than one centre of examination, there shall be Co-ordinator/Convenor/Chairman who shall be the Seniormost internal Examiner, appointed by the University & shall supervise and Co-ordinate the examination on behalf of the University with independent authority”  (vi)              In Appendix (II), Para 9 shall be deleted.  Foot Note :     The Principal Regulations namely, “Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000” were published in Part – III, Section (4) of the Gazette of India on the 7th October, 2000, and amended vide MCI notification dated 03.03.2001, 06.10.2001, 16.03.2005 & 23.03.2006.     [Lt. Col.(Retd.) Dr. A.R.N. Setalvad] Secretary Medical Council of India

No parallel PG courses in public hospitals!

Views of Dr.Asha Paidhungat.

Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 7:18 pm Post subject: No parallel PG courses in public hospitals!
Friends,

Today's Times of India, Mumbai Edition, has given about this latest MCI regulation of not conducting parallel PG courses like FCPS & DNB in public hospitals which are conducting MD/MS & DM/MCh courses!

By now, everyone knows that all CPS courses(Diplomas & Degrees) are recommended for derecognition by MCI!So if anyone does a CPS course, which was recognized by MCI &/or by MOHFW, he/she can't practice out of Maharashtra!

So now CPS has disallowed their students from doing their terms in public hospitals! Its a sad development, because not only are UG & PG teachers badly required in teaching hospitals, but PG students are also required to run clinical services in all departments where the workload is tremendous!

When will this discord between MCI & other bodies like NBE/CPS be sorted out amicably, in the interest of our country, since 80% of our population resides in rural areas & when so many people can't afford costly treatment in private hospitals?

After all, the vast experience that one gets in a public hospital, where thousands of poor patients come for treatment, is very different from that obtained in a private hospital, which is visited by more affluent people!

Dr.Asha Paidhungat.

Government Letter Permitting Contract Medical Officers and Contract Medical Consultants

Case against Contract Period

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

(SPECIAL ORIGINAL JURISDICTION)

W.P.No. 4016 of 2008

1. Dr. Shyam Sundar Singh,
29, Thalavai Amman Koil Street,
Samathanapuram, Palayamkottai,
Tirunelveli – 627 002.

2. Dr. V. Sundarajan,
No.5 Yadava Street,
Udayar Patti,
Thirunelveli 627 001

3. Dr. V. Karthikeyan,
Plot No. 8, Bell Amorces Colony II,
Opposite to Court, Palayamkottai,
Thirunelveli – 627 002

4. Dr.K. Prakash Bose,
No. 8, Puladi Ramasamy Iyer Street,
South Gate, Madurai – 625 001. ..Petitioners


Vs.

1. The Government of Tamil Nadu,
Rep. by its Secretary to the Government,
Health and Family Welfare (B2) Department.
Fort St.George,
Chennai – 600 009.

2. The Director of Public Heath and Preventive Medicine,
1st Floor, DMS Building,
No.359, Anna Salai, Teynampet,
Chennai – 600 006.

3. Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association,
Rep. by the State Secretary,
No.208, Government Rajaji Hospital,
Madurai-625 020 …Respondents

A. By GO 302 dated 20-11-2006 the government, in exercise of the powers conferred under rule 48 of the General rules contained in part II TN state and subordinate Service Rules in Vol I of the TN Service Manual relaxed rule 10 (a ) (1) of General Rules for TN state and subordinate Services to enable the government to appoint 153 contract medical officers and 1352 Contract medical Consultants temporarily as Assistant Surgeons without any exams being conducted, in the TN Medical Service pending passing of Special qualifying exam proposed to be conducted by the TNPSC for regularizing their services. This appointment was not done through the appointing Authority (Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Chennai). However it is pertinent to note that the some doctors who were not even registered in Employment Exchange were given postings. Moreover a doctor who had registered later in one district was given posting before another doctor who had registered earlier in another district as appointments were made district wise. 

B. By GO No. 302 dated 20-11-2006 they were permitted to appear for the special TNPSC and they were appointed as Assistant Surgeons temporarily in the TN Medical Service in relaxation of rule 10(a) (1) of the General Rules. when the services of the contract doctors were regularized and they joined as permanent Assistant Surgeons in Tamil Nadu Medical Service. The Petitioners have no objection in the regularization of the services of the 153 contract medical officers and 1352 Contract medical Consultants . However even before GO No. 302 dated 20-11-2006, 213 contract doctors passed the TNPSC exam and pursuant thereto they were appointed as Assistant surgeons w.e.f from 29-06-2006.

C. But the Petitioners are aggrieved by the GO 95 dated 05-02-2008 by which the period prior to their appointment as Assistant Surgeon on 29-06-2006 after passing the TNPSC exam (excluding their leave period ) it has been stated that their services as contract doctors shall be taken into consideration in order only to apply for Post Graduate course as service candidates to fulfil the mandatory service of 3 years as on 31.03.2008. As already mentioned there are 213 such Assistant surgeons who fall under this category and will get the benefit of this GO. It has to be noted that the same GO states that medical officer should not claim the period prior to 29-06-2006 for retrospective regularisation of their services in the post of Assistant Surgeon. Thus while the working as contract medical officers during the period prior to 29-06-2006 is not taken note of for regularisation with retrospective effect it is arbitrary to take note of the period while they worked as contract medical officers prior to their regularisation of service ie 29-06-2006 (excluding their leave period) shall be taken into consideration in order only to apply for Post Graduate course as service candidates to fulfil the mandatory service of 3 years as on 31.03.2008. There is no rationale for giving the benefit of mandatory 3 year period to contract medical officers even before their services were regularised after qualifying in the TNPSC exam. The Petitioners qualified in the TNPSC exam much before the said Contract Medical Officers & Consultants and they cannot be asked to compete with persons who have not put in mandatory service of 3 years after qualifying in the TNPSC Exam. The petitioners are MBBS doctors who have been regularly appointed as Assistant Surgeons in the Tamil Nadu Medical Service after passing the TNPSC exam even in the year 2000. Thus permitting Assistant Surgeons appointed on 29-06-2006 and who have not put in 3 years of regular service after passing the TNPSC as on 2008 to write the PG entrance test along with Assistant Surgeons who passed the TNPSC in the year 2000 and got regularly appointed as Assistant Surgeons in the Tamil Nadu Medical Service in the year 2000 satisfying the 3 year mandatory requirement amounts to treating unequals as equals and thus violating article 14 of the Constitution. The GO 95 dated 05-02-2008 is liable to be set aside as violative of article 14 of the constitution.

D. The prospectus for the Post Graduate exams for 2008-2009 which is proposed to be conducted on 24.02.2008 has laid down a number of eligibility criteria among which doctors who are in Service and who have less than 3 years mandatory service after being selected by regular TNPSC would not be qualified as service candidates (CLAUSE 23). Besides that Clause 55 of the said Prospectus also lays down that Medical Officers selected by the TNPSC and appointed in Tamil Nadu Medical service on regular basis who have put in a minimum of 3 years continuous service as 31.03.2008 will be treated as Service candidates . The number of PG seats available for service candidates is approximately 250. Therefore it will highly prejudicial to the petitioners and similarly placed service candidates if around 213 contract doctors who do not have the mandatory 3 year after passing the TNPSC are being allowed to be considered as service candidates under the impugned G.O to compete with the Petitioners for the PG seats reserved for service candidates it will affect the chances of the petitioners in getting admission to PG Course. GO 95 dated 05-02-2008 is illegal in so far as it allows the said 213 contract medical doctors to write the PG exam as service candidate.

E. Even while the Contract doctors were appointed as medical officers and consultants they were clearly informed in G.O.No.197 dated 07-06-2004 and GO 31 dated 03-03-2005 that the contract appointee shall not claim any rights as a full time member of service since it was purely a contract appointment and the contract period shall not give entitlement to claim eligibility for admission to a post graduate course as a service candidate and that the contract appointee shall not be entitled to probationary or any other rights. Hence it is unreasonable to suddenly change the policy and take the period of contract employment for the purpose of the 3 year mandatory government service and make them eligible for the PG seats reserved for Service candidates having 3 years mandatory service while the 213 contract doctors passed theTNPSC  exam only in 2006 and got regularly appointed as Assistant Surgeon in Tamil Nadu Medical service only on 29-06-2006.Any change in policy should be informed by reason. No reason has been assigned to permit the 213 contract doctors to have the benefit of the contract period for reckoning the 3 year mandatory requirement of service except to state that the impugned G.O. has been passed based on the representation of the 3rd Respondent Association and the recommendation of the 2nd Respondent. The Impugned G.O is arbitrary and is liable to be set aside. 

Ruling on admission to medical colleges under all India quota

From http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/15/stories/2008121558780900.htm

Ruling on admission to medical colleges under all India quota

Special Correspondent

Respondents directed to return petitioners’ certificates

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has said that PG medical degree/diploma holders who applied for the courses through all India entrance examination for selection to seats under all India quota and were admitted to government medical colleges in the State in 2005-06 are not bound by the terms and conditions issued by the Tamil Nadu Government authorities in their prospectus.

In his order on a batch of petitions, Justice N. Paul Vasanthakumar said even if any candidate had executed bond, it would have no effect since they had not applied for admission under the impugned prospectus.

The Judge said candidates admitted under the State quota under the non-service category were bound by the terms of the bond executed by them pursuant to the prospectus. On completion of their course, they were bound to serve in government colleges/hospitals according to the availability of posts for three years, failing which it was open to the State government authorities to recover Rs. 2 lakh/Rs. 3 lakh as the case may be as per the bond conditions.

The court directed the respondents to return all the petitioners’ certificates within two weeks.

Super-speciality course

Mr. Justice Paul Vasanthakumar said no PG/Diploma holder, who completed their course or joined in government service temporarily as per the bond, should be denied opportunity of applying for super-speciality course. If they were selected, they should be permitted to undergo the course subject to the condition that the remaining period of service should be served in government institutions by the persons concerned after completion of their respective super speciality course. If not, it was open to the respondents to recover the bond amount with proportionate amount.

The case of the petitioners who were admitted under the all India quota was that they did not apply for admission to PG degree/diploma course before the respondents (State government authorities) as per the prospectus issued by the respondents for admission for 2005-06.

They appeared for all India entrance test in respect of all India seats. Based on their marks in the entrance examination and as per their choice of the course/colleges, they were selected and admitted to medical colleges in Tamil Nadu.

The candidates contended that the prospectus, particularly a Tamil Nadu G.O. issued in June last year as well as the circular issued by the Director of Medical Education of April this year were not applicable to candidates admitted on the basis of selection made under the all India quota.

Contract Period Not Eligible for Service Eligibility

GO.Ms.No 197 dated 07.06.2004 can be seen at http://www.doctorsandlaw.com/2004/06/go-ms-no197-dated-762004-upgraded.html

That is the GO regarding appointment of CMO (contract medical officers)

The point is
6. The Medical Officers working on contract are not eligible to apply for Post Graduate course as a Service candidate.

GO.Ms.No 31 dated 03.03.2005 can be seen at http://www.doctorsandlaw.com/2005/03/godno31-health-and-family-welfare.html

That is the GO regarding appointment of CMC (contract medical consultants)

6. The Contract Medical Consultant is not eligible to apply for Post Graduate course as a service candidate

These were the original GOs

However there was a GO (D) No 95 dated 05.02.2005 in which CMOs/CMCs who had cleared regular TNPSC 2005 were permitted to appear for TNPG 2008 as Service Candidates if they had completed 3 years of Service

The GO is available at http://www.targetpg.com/exams/tnpg/2008/

Target Your PG Seat: TNPG 2009 Notification Issued. Last Date 30-01-2009 More info at www.targetpg.net

Target Your PG Seat: TNPG 2009 Notification Issued. Last Date 30-01-2009 More info at www.targetpg.net

Final hearing in quota case on January 23

http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/13/stories/2009011350070100.htm

J. Venkatesan
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday posted for final hearing on January 23 a batch of appeals against a Kerala High Court judgment directing the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) to follow the rules of reservation in appointments in the State and subordinate services in the ratio of 50:50 for merit and quota candidates, taking 20 vacancies as a unit.

A Bench of Justice R.V. Raveendran and Justice J.M. Panchal, while fixing the appeals filed by the PSC, Nair Service Society (NSS) and others for final hearing on January 23, asked the Kerala government to file its response to the appeals seeking stay of the impugned judgment dated May 23, 2008. Senior counsel K.K. Venugopal appeared for NSS, senior counsel, T.L. Viswanatha Iyer for the PSC and senior counsel P.P. Rao for the State government.

In its appeal, the PSC submitted that the Constitutional validity of Rule 14(a) and (c) had not been challenged before the High Court in the writ proceedings.

Target Your PG Seat: Special TNPSC 2007 (for Contract Medical Consultants and Contract Medical Officers Selection List Released. See www.targetpg.net

Target Your PG Seat: Special TNPSC 2007 (for Contract Medical Consultants and Contract Medical Officers Selection List Released. See www.targetpg.net for more information

Court: abortion without husband’s knowledge is ground for divorce

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/09/stories/2008110960841200.htm

New Delhi: Abortion by a woman without her husband’s knowledge and consent will amount to mental cruelty and a ground for divorce, the Supreme Court has held.

“Mental cruelty is a state of mind. The feeling of deep anguish, disappointment, frustration in one spouse caused by the conduct of the other for a long time may lead to mental cruelty. A sustained course of abusive and humiliating treatment calculated to torture, discommode or render life miserable for the spouse,” said a Bench consisting of Justices C.K. Thakker and D.K. Jain.

Writing the judgment, Justice Thakker said: “The treatment complained of and the resultant danger or apprehension must be very grave, substantial and weighty. Sustained reprehensible conduct, studied neglect, indifference or total departure from the normal standard of conjugal kindness, causing injury to mental health or deriving sadistic pleasure, can also amount to mental cruelty.”

The conduct must be much more than jealousy, selfishness, possessiveness, which caused unhappiness and dissatisfaction and emotional upset but might not be a reason for grant of divorce on the ground of mental cruelty.

Absence of intention
The Bench said: “To establish legal cruelty, it is not necessary that physical violence should be used. Continuous cessation of marital intercourse or total indifference on the part of the husband towards marital obligations would lead to legal cruelty. In such cases, the cruelty will be established if the conduct itself is proved or admitted. The absence of intention should not make any difference in the case, if by ordinary sense in human affairs the act complained of could otherwise be regarded as cruelty. Mens rea is not a necessary element in cruelty. The relief to the party cannot be denied on the ground that there has been no deliberate or wilful ill treatment.”

The court said: “Mere coldness or lack of affection cannot amount to cruelty; frequent rudeness of language, petulance of manner, indifference and neglect may reach such a degree that it makes the married life for the other spouse absolutely intolerable.”

In the instant case, Suman Kapur was aggrieved at the decree of divorce granted against her by a trial court and confirmed by the Delhi High Court. Both courts gave a finding that her three abortions without the knowledge and consent of her husband, Sudhir Kapur, was a valid ground for divorce. Disposing of the appeal, the Bench noted that Sudhir Kapur got remarried on March 5, 2007 before the expiry of the period of 90 days for filing appeal before this court and a child was born from the second marriage.

“Since, we are confirming the decree of divorce on the ground of mental cruelty as held by both courts, i.e. the trial court as well as the High Court, no relief can be granted so far as the reversal of decree of the courts below is concerned. At the same time, however, in our opinion, the respondent-husband should not have remarried before the expiry of period stipulated for filing appeal. Ends of justice would be met if we direct the respondent to pay Rs. 5 lakh to the appellant.”