
New Delhi: – The National Medical Commission (NMC) has stirred controversy with its latest draft regulations, Teachers Eligibility Qualifications in Medical Institutions Regulations, 2024 (TEQ-2024), which allows non-medical faculty (MSc/PhD holders) to hold teaching positions in anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology during a transitional period. The move has been met with strong opposition from the medical fraternity, which fears it will compromise education standards and limit employment opportunities for Doctors of Medicine (MDs).
Key Provisions of TEQ-2024
- Non-medical faculty appointments: MSc/PhD holders can teach pre-clinical subjects if MD-qualified faculty are unavailable, limited to 15% of total posts in these departments.
- “Transition period” clause: The policy remains in place until enough MD-qualified faculty are available.
- Resource crunch justification: NMC cites a shortage of MD candidates as the rationale for including non-medical faculty.
- Faculty hiring ratio: 1 non-medical faculty per 5 faculty members, ensuring MD-qualified faculty remain the majority.
- Diploma holders eligible for promotions: Doctors with medical diplomas can now become assistant professors, provided they have six years of government service experience.
Medical Fraternity’s Opposition
Doctors’ associations argue that this undermines the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum, which emphasizes early clinical exposure and integration between basic and clinical sciences.
- Dr. Lakshya Mittal, President, United Doctors Front (UDF):
“Pre-clinical subjects form the foundation of medical education. Non-medical teachers lack clinical exposure, which could compromise future doctors’ competency and patient safety.” - Dr. KM Abul Hasan, Chairman, IMA Junior Doctors Network:
“This move will increase unemployment among MDs. The faculty shortage is due to low pay and poor recognition, not a lack of medical graduates.”
NMC’s Justification
- Historical precedent: NMC cites the 1993 Medical Council of India (MCI) regulations, which allowed 30% non-medical faculty in these subjects.
- Global practice: Many countries permit non-medical faculty in basic sciences.
- Temporary solution: The measure will be phased out once there is a sufficient number of MD-qualified faculty.
Way Forward
- Stakeholder consultations: Final decisions will be based on feedback from medical professionals and institutions.
- Review of incentives for MDs: Addressing low salaries and job security could encourage more students to take up teaching roles.
- Clarifications on implementation: More transparency is needed on how long the “transition period” will last.
With mounting pressure from doctors’ associations, the future of TEQ-2024 remains uncertain, as medical professionals continue to push for a revision in policy to safeguard the quality of medical education.