The National Medical Commission has introduced the Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations 2023, mandating all post-graduate students to serve as full-time resident doctors within reasonable working hours. This initiative replaces the 2018 Amendment Regulation and grants students adequate rest periods during their daily schedules.
Under these new guidelines, students are entitled to twenty casual leave days and five academic days annually, though they may only avail themselves of one weekly holiday. Any excess leave taken will extend the course duration accordingly. However, students must maintain a minimum attendance of 80% to be eligible for examinations. Furthermore, specialised courses in research methodology, ethics, and cardiac life support skills are now compulsory.
Colleges are now obligated to provide residential accommodation for post-graduate students, although residing in this accommodation remains optional. These regulations will persist until the National Exit Test (NExT) is implemented for post-graduation admission. Additionally, student migration between medical institutions remains prohibited, and seat reservations in medical colleges will align with state and Union Territory laws. The 5% reservation for candidates with benchmark disabilities will also continue.
These regulations were formulated after thoroughly considering feedback from various stakeholders and extensive internal discussions by the National Medical Commission. The primary goal of the Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations 2023 is to promote quality, ethical practices, and inclusivity within the medical field. These reforms aim to elevate education and training standards across the nation.