The National Medical Commission (NMC) has introduced stricter norms for faculty members in medical colleges through its latest amendment to the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations (PGMSR) 2023. The revised guidelines focus on ensuring discipline, accountability, and improved quality in postgraduate medical education across India.
New Rules Under PGMSR Amendment 2026
The updated regulations were issued by the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB), a key board under the NMC. As per a public notice released on March 11, 2026, the amended norms came into effect from February 20, 2026, and are now mandatory for all medical colleges and institutions offering postgraduate (PG) courses.
These rules outline minimum standards required to start and run PG medical programmes, including infrastructure, faculty strength, clinical workload, and departmental requirements.
75% Attendance Now Compulsory for Faculty
One of the major highlights of the amendment is the introduction of a strict attendance policy. Faculty members must now maintain at least 75% attendance in a calendar year.
The NMC has fixed 300 working days annually for this calculation. This means faculty must be present for a minimum of 225 days in a year to meet compliance requirements.
No Private Practice During Working Hours
The Commission has also imposed strict restrictions on private practice. Faculty members are required to work full-time and are not allowed to engage in private practice during official college working hours, including lunch or any other breaks.
However, an exception has been made for government doctors in states where private practice is permitted. In such cases, they can only engage in private practice after official working hours, not during duty time.
Replacement Rule for Mid-Year Faculty Exit
The amendment also addresses situations where a faculty member leaves mid-year. In such cases, institutions must appoint a replacement promptly. The attendance of both the outgoing and incoming faculty will be combined to meet the required 75% threshold.
Aim: Strengthening PG Medical Education Standards
The revised PGMSR norms also cover:
- Minimum requirements to start PG courses
- Faculty-to-student ratio
- Clinical workload and investigation standards
- Bed strength in hospital units
- Mandatory functional departments
With these changes, the NMC aims to bring greater transparency, consistency, and quality control in postgraduate medical education across the country.
