PG Medicos can appear in final exams without HoD’s approval on dissertation: NMC clarifies on mandatory thesis requirement
New Delhi: Issuing clarification regarding the mandatory requirement of dissertation/thesis submission to appear in the final postgraduate medical examination, the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has mentioned that the students will not be barred from appearing in the exam if they fail to obtain the approval of dissertation/thesis from the HoD.
Writing to the Vice Chancellors of Health Science Universities in India and the Deans/Principals of the Medical Colleges/Institutions in India, the Commission further added that the dissertation now accounts for 5% of the total marks in the clinical/practical and viva voce components, meaning 20 marks out of the total marks allocated for these components are reserved for the dissertation.
The Apex Medical Commission issued the clarification after taking note of the concerns raised regarding the mandatory submission of the dissertation/thesis as a prerequisite for appearing in the final examination for the PG Broad Speciality batch of 2021.
Earlier, the PG Board of NMC through its public notice dated 13th June 2024 had previously informed all the concerned medical colleges/institutions about the requirement to complete the final examination by 31st December 2024.
An online meeting was held on 31st July 2024 with representatives from various health universities. Referring to this, the NMC PG Board stated “In an online meeting held on 31st July 2024 with representatives from various health universities, concerns were raised regarding the mandatory submission of the dissertation/thesis as a prerequisite for appearing in the final examination for the PG Broad Specialty batch of 2021. It was clarified during this meeting that as the agenda of the meeting was on the scheduling of examinations, therefore, issue of the thesis may be decided according to the provisions of PGMER-2023. Subsequently, the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik, in a letter dated 01-08-2024 and other stakeholders have sought clarification on this matter.”
The PG Board also referred to the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023 (PGMER-23), published in the Official Gazette on 1st January 2024 and mentioned that a public notice provided “point-wise clarification in the form of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) via No. N-106911/2/2023-PGMEB-NMC dated 10th April 2024, specifically addressing the examination of dissertations and the process for the viva voce examination…”
Regulation 5.2 (iii) of the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations 2023 provides that all broad speciality and super speciality students will do thesis related research and will write thesis.
Similarly, NMC PGMEB also referred to relevant provision regarding dissertation/thesis as contained in Regulation 8.4 of the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations 2023, stating “Five per cent of mark of total marks of Clinical/Practical and Viva Voce marks (20 marks) will be of dissertation/thesis and it will be part of clinical/practical examination marks. External examiner outside the state will evaluate dissertation/ thesis and take viva voce on it and marks will be given on quality of dissertation/thesis and performance on its viva voce.”
Clarifying that students will not be barred from appearing on the exam without approval of HoD regarding the dissertation, the Apex Medical Commission added, “Therefore, student will submit the dissertation to the University through HoD and Dean of the Medical College. The student cannot be prevented from appearing in the examination if he has not obtained the approval of dissertation/thesis from the HoD. The dissertation now accounts for 5% of the total marks in the clinical/practical and viva voce components, meaning 20 marks out of the total marks allocated for these components are reserved for the dissertation. This change in the guidelines will help in the quality of thesis related research work.”
“This clarification is being disseminated to all concerned, including postgraduate students, to avoid any confusion,” the Commission added.
To view the notice, click on the link below:
https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/pgmeb-thesis-250183.pdf
Also Read: NBE Extends Thesis Submission Deadline for Post MBBS DNB Broad Specialty 2021 Session
