Government to make it easier to offer PG medical courses

In a significant step to fix problems that limit the expansion of postgraduate medical education in the country, the government is considering to allow medical institutions to start postgraduate medical courses even if they do not offer undergraduate courses or MBBS. At present the institutions are allowed to start PG courses only after they complete five years in providing MBBS. The government is now contemplating amendments in the Indian Medical Council (IMC) Act to relax norms to start postgraduate medical courses.

The move, officials expect, will solve the problem of shortage of medical specialists in the country too. “The gap between the undergraduate capacity (UG) and postgraduate capacity (PG) is huge and is growing. Due to the mismatch between the demand and supply, the cost of post graduation has become higher, and is even resulting in shortage of specialists in the country,” said a senior official in the health ministry.

The health ministry has recently sent its recommendations to the Medical Council of India (MCI), suggesting amendments in the IMC Act to relax the framework for starting PG courses without MBBS for private institutions.

At present institutions can apply for starting/increasing of seats in postgraduate medical courses when the first batch appears for the final examination. The approval is given only after the institution conducting both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching satisfy the minimum requirement for undergraduate training as prescribed by the MCI and also fulfil requirements for postgraduate training depending on the type of work being carried out in the department.