Plan to fill medical teaching posts with retired army, railways docs

Amid a shortage of medical faculty in medical colleges, the National Medical Commission (NMC) plans to fill the vacant positions with retired doctors from the army and railways.

- Priyanka Sharma

This move by India's apex medical education regulator comes in the backdrop of Economic Survey highlighting faculty shortages, which are affecting the quality of medical training.

The plan aims to fill at least 700 such positions across government institutions. As per the plan, appointment of these teaching faculty is being planned for postgraduate courses to teach specialized curriculum by the retired doctors from the armed forces, railways, and the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).

As part of the plan, the NMC has floated a draft Teachers Eligibility Qualifications (TEQ) in the Medical Institutions Regulations, 2024, for consideration by stakeholders.

"TEQ will benefit at least 600-700 seats across government institutions. This will improve patient care and recruit meritorious faculty."