SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, July 7: In a significant move to address the faculty shortage in medical colleges across the country, the Government of India has issued a Gazette notification allowing diploma-holding Senior Residents (SRs) and Tutors to be promoted as Assistant Professors. The decision was made following recommendations from the National Medical Commission (NMC).
According to the new NMC regulations, medical professionals with a postgraduate diploma who have served as Senior Residents in the same government medical college for a continuous period of six years are now eligible for the post of Assistant Professor.
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Addressing Faculty Shortages Across India
Despite resistance from certain quarters, the decision has been taken to fill the growing gap in faculty positions and to strengthen the teaching infrastructure in medical institutions.
The implementation of this regulation is expected to benefit several colleges across India currently struggling with a severe shortage of faculty in various departments.
In Jharkhand, five state-run medical colleges— Shaheed Nirmal Mahto Medical College Hospital (SNMMCH) in Dhanbad, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College Hospital (MGMMCH) in Jamshedpur, Medinirai Medical College Hospital (MMCH) in Palamu, Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College Hospital (SBMCH) in Hazaribagh, and Phulo Jhano Medical College Hospital (PJMCH) in Dumka—are facing acute faculty shortages. The promotion of diploma-holding SRs and Tutors is expected to provide much-needed relief.
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Implementation Depends on State Govt
However, the adoption of the new rule is not automatic for all states. A senior official in Jharkhand’s Medical Education Department noted that while the Centre has issued the Gazette notification, it is up to the respective state governments to decide whether to implement it in their jurisdictions.
Hope and Relief Among Diploma Holders
The decision has brought joy to many diploma-holding Senior Residents. One SR from SNMMCH Dhanbad remarked, “This is a great day for us. Our years of dedication and hard work have finally paid off. A new chapter has begun in our professional lives.”
The resident further stated that the move is not against those who had opposed it, but rather one that will ultimately benefit institutions struggling with staffing challenges.