Introduction to Draft TEQ Regulations
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released the Draft Teachers Eligibility Qualifications (TEQ) Regulations, 2024, aimed at establishing eligibility standards for faculty appointments in medical institutions. These regulations will be applicable to medical colleges and institutes under the NMC’s purview and cover guidelines for recruitment, faculty promotions, research qualifications, and more.
General Norms for Faculty Appointment
- Qualifications for Faculty
The qualifications for faculty appointments, including senior residents, tutors, and demonstrators, must comply with the standards outlined in the Draft TEQ Regulations. These guidelines also address the qualifications required for non-medical teachers in medical institutes. - Relaxation for Non-Medical Consultants
Non-medical consultants or specialists working in government hospitals can benefit from relaxation in norms. For instance, those working in government hospitals can be eligible for faculty roles in medical colleges under certain conditions. - Diploma Holders as Senior Residents
The regulations allow relaxation for diploma holders working as senior residents in medical colleges or as specialists/medical officers in government medical colleges. Specific criteria are set for those appointed before June 8, 2017.
Research Publication Norms and Eligibility
- Research Publications
The Draft TEQ Regulations specify that only original papers, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and case series published in reputed journals indexed in Medline, PubMed, Scopus, and others will be considered for academic qualifications. - PG Guide Eligibility
Faculty with five years of experience in broad specialties and three years in super-specialties can be recognized as postgraduate guides, provided their departments are approved for postgraduate courses.
Age and Tenure Limits for Appointments
- Maximum Age for Faculty Appointments
The Draft specifies that faculty appointments, including for the roles of Dean, Director, Principal, and Medical Superintendent, shall be limited to a maximum age of 70 years. - Tenure of Senior Residents
Senior Residents are appointed for a maximum tenure of 3 years. This rule ensures that postgraduates in medical education are regularly rotated.
Special Provisions for Faculty Appointment in Defense Services
- Teaching Designations for Armed Forces Specialists
The regulations include provisions for consultants and specialists in the Armed Forces. For example, Armed Forces medical officers with a minimum of eight years of teaching experience can be considered for appointment as professors.
Transition Period Norms
The regulations outline provisions for a “transition period” where non-ideal faculty, due to a lack of qualified personnel, can be appointed with related qualifications. This period will allow medical institutes to meet faculty requirements until suitable candidates with specialized qualifications are available.
Conclusion
The NMC’s Draft TEQ Regulations 2024 are aimed at standardizing the qualifications and experience required for faculty appointments in medical institutions. These regulations address various aspects, including age limits, research requirements, and specific provisions for military medical personnel, among others. Public objections and suggestions are invited within seven days from the release of the draft, with the possibility of further amendments before the finalization of the regulations.
