NMC Issues PGMER FAQs; Know Annual Leaves Allowed, DRP and Evaluation Details

NMC issued clarifications/faq on Post Graduate Medical Education Regulation 2023 concerning the number of leaves allowed for PG medical students, DRP and evaluation. The authorities notified that PG students from the 2023-24 batch will maintain the log book digitally. Further, A student will require 80% attendance of working days to appear for the examination.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a clarification on Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations (PGMER) 2023 on the official website. The notification contains frequently asked questions concerning annual leaves for PG students, the district residency programme, the dissertation evaluation process and more. 

The clarification was made after analysing queries raised by stakeholders and point-wise clarification was made through FAQs. 

“National Medical Commission (NMC) had notified the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations-2023 (PGMER-23), which was published in the official Gazette on 01.01.2024. Post Graduate Medical Education Board, NMC has received requests from stakeholders seeking clarifications on some of the provisions of PGMER-23. Accordingly, the doubts/ queries raised by the various stakeholders have been duly examined and point-wise clarifications are enclosed as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs),” The official notification reads. 

NMC FAQs on PGMER 2023 

1. How many leaves are allowed for Postgraduate students?
   Weekly one-day off (subject to exigencies of work) along with twenty days of Paid Casual Leave is permitted and Five days of Academic Leave per year. Thus, a student is entitled to 52 weekly offs and 20 Paid Casual Leave per year.

2. If a post-graduate student avails of long leave, when can they complete the course? When can they appear in the examination?
   For Three-Year Course: The total days in a three-year programme is 1095 days. That totals the working days being 939 days after deducting weekly offs (52 x 3 years = 156 days). Thus, a student will require 80 per cent attendance of working days to appear in the examination. For Two-Year Course: The total days in a two-year course are 730 days. That makes a total working days of 626 days after subtracting weekly offs (52 x 2 years = 104 days). A student will require 80 per cent attendance of working days to appear in the examination. 
3. Where can students be posted during the District Residency Programme (DRP)?
   PG students would be assigned to Public Sector/Government-funded District Hospitals, Community Health centres (CHCs), Sub-Health Centre, Urban Health Centre, Primary Health Centre (PHCs), and Community Outreach Systems. Note that, posting in super specialty hospitals is not permitted.

4. Can PG students be posted in ESIC hospitals under DRP?
   Yes, PG students are likely to get assigned to those ESIC hospitals which are not running any PG medical institute or super speciality hospital.

5. Is there any chance of students getting placed in other States/UTs under the DRP?
   Yes, In case all the PG Residents of a State/UT are not placed within the state/UT, they can be posted to other States/Union Territories.

6. What is the dissertation evaluation and viva voce examination process?
   Five per cent (20 marks) of the total marks of Clinical/Practical and Viva Voce marks will be for the dissertation/thesis and it will be part of the clinical/practical examination (Clinical/Practical -280 marks; Dissertation/Thesis — 20 marks; Viva Voce — 100 marks). An external examiner (not from the state) will be appointed to evaluate the dissertation/ thesis and take viva voce. 

7. How the PG students should prepare and maintain their logbooks?
   PG students of 2023-24 batch shall maintain the log book digitally.

8. Is it mandatory for all PG students to complete course in Ethics and in Cardiac Life Support Skills?
   Yes, PG students admitted on or after 2021 shall complete the course before appearing in the examination.

9. Who will conduct the courses in Ethics and in Cardiac Life Support Skills?
   The Academic Cell of the respective medical college/institution will conduct the courses in Ethics and Cardiac Life Support Skills.

10. When will PGMER be applicable for starting the PG courses/increase of the PG seats?
    The PG seats application received in NMC from January 16, 2024, onwards be applicable. 

11. Is the college required to apply for recognition of PG seats?
    Medical colleges/institutions need not apply for recognition of PG courses separately. However, Colleges/institutions shall submit an Annual Self-Declaration as per the requirement of MSMER-2023 regulations.

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