SUBHASH MISHRA
Ranchi, Jan 27: The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has strongly objected to the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) recent notification making diploma-holder doctors eligible for the post of Assistant Professor in medical colleges.
FAIMA President Suvrankar Datta expressed serious concerns in a letter to the NMC, stating that allowing diploma-holder doctors, as well as M.Sc. and Ph.D. holders without substantial academic or research experience, to serve as Assistant Professors and guide MD/MS/DM/M.Ch. students would degrade academic standards.
Also Read: RIMS management lifts Saraswati puja ban after JDA protest
NMC issued notification on Jan 17
On January 17, the NMC issued a notification introducing a new draft of the Teachers’ Eligibility Qualification (TEQ). According to this draft, diploma-holder doctors or medical officers who have been working in medical colleges since before June 8, 2017, will now be eligible for the post of Assistant Professor.
12 objections to NMC’s TEQ draft
Dr. Jaideep Kumar Choudhary, FAIMA’s national executive member from Jharkhand, shared this information, adding that the national body has raised 12 objections to the NMC’s TEQ draft. He emphasized that diploma holders and non-medical Ph.D. holders, who typically have limited exposure to research and advanced medical academics, may not be adequately prepared for the role of Assistant Professor.
“Postgraduate students, residents, and MD/MS/DM/M.Sc. students are expected to develop critical thinking, research skills, and clinical expertise. If their mentors lack experience in these areas, it will negatively impact education and the quality of future medical professionals,” said Dr. Jaideep Choudhary.
The FAIMA also pointed out that allowing less-qualified faculty to teach students could tarnish the reputation of medical colleges, especially if their graduates fail to meet global standards of excellence.
Policy to benefit private medical colleges
“There is speculation within the medical fraternity that the NMC has introduced this policy to benefit private medical colleges struggling to recruit qualified faculty members. If implemented, this policy could prioritize quantity over quality in medical education,” FAIMA stated in its letter.
FAIMA further highlighted that diploma-holder doctors often do not possess the merit required to qualify for MD programs. They are aware that their degree does not meet the criteria for regular faculty positions, and this provision could serve as a “backdoor entry” for them to become Assistant Professors.
“FAIMA demands that the NMC ensure only professionals with adequate qualifications and experience are allowed to guide MD/MS/DM and M.Sc. students. Measures should be taken to bridge the gap for diploma holders interested in teaching, along with strict monitoring of institutions to ensure compliance with teaching standards,” the letter concluded.
