The NMC will no longer issue certificates of eligibility to doctors seeking teaching posts in normal cases

The National Medical Commission (NMC) will no longer process “routine” applications from faculty members and medical schools seeking to determine the eligibility of candidates for appointment, promotion or appointment to teaching positions, according to a public notice issued by the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB). More complex cases must be referred through the institution and accompanied by a fee of ₹25,000 plus tax.

Shifting the responsibility primarily to the appointing authority, health facility, university or any other competent authority, the PGMEB insisted that the NMC would no longer issue certificates of eligibility or clarifications in ordinary cases where eligibility can be determined directly using the provisions of the Medical Facilities (Qualification of Faculty) Regulations, 2025 (MIQFR).

The MIQFR is in effect from 30 June 2025 and already prescribes in detail the qualifications, teaching experience, research publication requirements and training required for various faculty positions. The competent appointing authority, medical institution or university is responsible for determining eligibility, it said.

Ambiguous cases

“The Board will further consider references only in cases involving ambiguity or difficulties in the interpretation of regulatory provisions, equivalency of qualifications, transitional provisions or matters requiring clarification in connection with other regulations,” the notice said.

These references, he added, will have to be forwarded only through the Dean, Principal, Director or Registrar of the concerned institution or university and must clearly specify the provision of MIQFR-2025 that is unclear, along with supporting documents and justification.

A non-refundable processing fee of ₹25,000 plus applicable GST of 18% will be payable for each reference. The notice states that references sent directly by the individual will not be accepted or acknowledged and the fee is non-refundable in such cases.

Institutional responsibility

A notice issued earlier this week said a large number of requests for certificates of eligibility or explanations for appointments and promotions to teaching positions have been received from individual faculty members, medical schools, universities, NBEMS-accredited hospitals and other stakeholders.

The commission said the measure is aimed at promoting institutional accountability in the appointment and promotion of faculty, reducing re-processing of routine eligibility applications and minimizing the administrative burden on PGMEB arising from public complaints, RTI applications and litigation.

Complaint Redressal Options

However, the notification takes into account applicants whose institutions do not refer their case to the NMC even 60 days after submission.

In such cases, the applicant can submit the statement directly to PGMEB along with a signed undertaking confirming the correctness of the facts, written proof that the institution has not transferred the case, complete supporting documents, proof of fee already paid to the institution and an additional payment of ₹25,000 plus GST to NMC.

The competent authority concerned will have to refund the fee collected earlier for not processing the application within 60 days, the notification said.

A separate provision allows applicants who are not satisfied with the decision taken by their institution to apply to the NMC for a review within 30 days of the decision on payment of ₹25,000 plus GST along with the original application, institution order and supporting documents.

Immediate effect

The notification says that whether a case is routine or requires interpretation will be decided by the PGMEB/NMC and that the decision will be final. Cases can be decided either by the board of directors itself, or they can be referred to an expert committee, which will be established as needed.

The provisions come into force with immediate effect. Referrals and payments received prior to July 16 will be processed according to the existing process, while all requests and payments received on or after this date will follow the new process, with refunds, where appropriate, issued upon presentation of documentary evidence.

The notification was issued with the approval of the competent authority to all medical faculties and institutions and circulated by the Directorate of Medical Education across the States and Union Territories.

Published – 18 Jul 2026 21:56 IST