The northern Indian state of Nagaland is getting ready to launch its first medical school since becoming a state in 1963. The Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences & Research (NIMSR), a division of Nagaland University, has been given permission by the National Medical Commission (NMC), the supreme medical authority in India, to open 100 MBBS seats in the academic year 2023–2024.

The NMC’s Medical Assessment & Rating Board (NMC, MARB) approved the 100 MBBS seats for the medical college on Tuesday, according to P Paiwang Konyak, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Department, who made the announcement during a joint news conference held at the medical college’s location in Kohima. The decision marks a key turning point for medical education in the state of Nagaland. The medical college has long been a dream of the people of Nagaland.

In addition, Konyak said the department would send a letter of acceptance to the NMC. The agency anticipates receiving a “Letter of Permission” from the MARB for the 100 medical seats within a week. The college’s civil construction is already complete, and the medical college’s academic year is scheduled to start in June or July 2023.

The remaining 15 of the 100 seats would be open to candidates from other states, with 85 of the seats reserved for students from Nagaland. The state has attracted the brightest professors from throughout the nation, and the hiring process for the medical college’s personnel is already under way.

Before approving, the NMC’s MARB considered a number of aspects, including the availability of infrastructure facilities including labs, libraries, dormitories, and hospitals as well as the qualifications and publications of the professors. On March 27, 2023, the board conducted a physical verification surprise assessment to determine the readiness of the college.

According to NMC standards, the NIMSR will seek to correct any problems by May 31, 2023. For the purpose of obtaining the Letter of Permission to start raising the number of seats for the academic year 2023–2024, it has been requested of the state that it supply the appropriate undertakings and crucial documents.

The opening of a medical college in Nagaland is anticipated to improve the state’s healthcare delivery system, which has frequently struggled with a physician shortage. The people of Nagaland have hailed the decision and are hopeful that the institution would generate a new generation of medical experts who can benefit the state and the nation.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has recently received a request for clarification from the Gujarat Medical Council about a matter involving MBBS graduates from the Philippines. Even though they attended the same universities and countries as the June 2022 batch, who received their permanent registration numbers after finishing their degrees in the Philippines and returning to India, the December 2022 batch of students has not yet received one from the NMC.

The Gujarat State Medical Council has written to the NMC to request an explanation in light of this circumstance. Sources claim that MBBS graduates from the Philippines who graduate before November 18, 2021, are exempt from the requirement to complete a one-year internship upon returning to India. Students who returned in 2022 are not subject to this restriction, though.

The National Medical Commission (Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate) Regulations, 2021, which went into force on November 18, 2021, were previously issued by the National Medical Commission. All admissions made after that date must comply with these rules, which mandate that foreign medical graduates be given temporary registration for at least a year while they complete a supervised internship in India.

The Gujarat Medical Council has received complaints from Filipino MBBS graduates about the delay in acquiring their permanent registration numbers from the NMC. They are unable to enroll for postgraduate exams without these numbers, which is very upsetting and worrying. The Council has referred to this scenario as a discrepancy and is looking for a quick fix.

The Gujarat Medical Council has asked the Commission for explanation after hearing that the NMC guidelines are the cause of the discrepancy. The Council will be able to provide impacted foreign medical graduates with permanent registration numbers once they hear back from the NMC.

This circumstance emphasizes the difficulties international medical graduates have in India and the requirement for increased transparency and clarity in the registration procedure. Hopefully, a suitable resolution may be reached for all parties involved with the help of the Gujarat Medical Council and the NMC.

The National Board of Examinations for Medical Sciences (NBE) recently announced the results of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Postgraduate (NEET-PG) for 2023. The exam was conducted as scheduled despite widespread protests by aspirants and doctors’ associations asking for a postponement. Despite the challenges, this year’s exam saw a higher cutoff and a significant number of students scoring over 700 out of 800.

What led to these tumultuous changes in the status quo, enabling so many students to score at a much higher level despite an increase in the cut-off? Why are medical aspirants these days just unwilling to settle for an MBBS degree and have ambitions to pursue at least a speciality degree, if not a super-specialty degree? 

Experts have said that this year’s NEET PG exam was moderately difficult. The major portion of the paper was based on clinical inquiries, covering around 60% of the questions. Approximately 15-20% of the questions were based on one-line answers. Due to the inclusion of more than 35 image-based questions, the paper was also brief in nature.

One of the main reasons why medical aspirants are keen to pursue higher degrees is the increasing demand for specialized healthcare services. The healthcare industry is evolving rapidly, and specialized healthcare professionals are in high demand. Specialized healthcare professionals are required in various fields such as cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, and more. These fields require specialized knowledge and expertise, which can only be gained through higher education.

Another reason for the increased interest in specialized medical degrees is the higher earning potential. Specialized medical professionals earn more than those with an MBBS degree. Super-speciality degrees such as DM or MCh can lead to even higher salaries.

The NEET PG exam is a critical step towards pursuing a specialized medical degree. Aspirants who score well in the NEET PG exam can apply for various postgraduate medical courses in India. The NEET PG exam is also an important factor in securing a good position in the medical industry.

The NEET PG exam for 2023 has brought many surprises, including a higher cutoff and a significant number of students scoring over 700 out of 800. Medical aspirants are increasingly keen to pursue higher degrees due to the demand for specialized healthcare services and the higher earning potential. The NEET PG exam is a critical step towards achieving these goals.

Higher Cut-off Despite of Difficult Exam

NEET PG 2023 exam was a tough nut to crack, but the students’ hard work and the availability of online resources helped them score better. Despite the uncertainties about the NEXT exam, students are still aspiring to pursue master’s degrees, rather than settling for MBBS degrees.

Despite the difficult exam, students were better prepared this year, with more online resources available, and the COVID-19 pandemic changing the way students prepare for the exams. This year’s NEET PG exam covered 19 subjects, and the candidates have been preparing for it differently from previous years.

According to the Union Health Ministry’s recent submission in the Parliament, around 50,468 PG seats are available in government and private colleges, excluding the Diplomate of the National Board (DNB)/Fellowship of the National Board (FNB) and the College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPS) PG seats.

Dr Dinesh Jandu, Medical Officer, Nagaur, Rajasthan, believes that one reason why students scored better on merit this year is the abundance of online resources available. Students have been able to study during intermissions while doing their internships, which was not possible earlier. The pandemic has changed the way students used to prepare by travelling long distances on weekends to take coaching classes.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued draft guidelines introducing the National Exit Test (NExT) PG exam, which comprises two distinct tests. It is anticipated that the NEXT will be conducted from December 2023 onwards. Students are still unsure about how this regime change will affect how they prepare for the PG exam, and this uncertainty is another factor why they worked harder this year, according to Dr Jandu.

Need for Speciality and Super-speciality Doctors in India is on the rise

The demand for speciality and super-speciality courses in the medical field has witnessed a sharp rise in recent years. This can be attributed to various factors, such as the need for specialised doctors in the healthcare system, rising competition, and a preference for higher earning potential.

According to a study conducted in 2012, clinical specialities such as medicine, surgery, OBG, and paediatrics were the most preferred choices for medical undergraduate students. However, due to the high fee structure of private medical colleges, many students have to take loans to pursue their education. This often leads to a preference for clinical science subjects in post-graduate schools and the pursuit of private practice to repay the loans.

The healthcare system across the country is undergoing a massive change, and with technological breakthroughs and the emergence of new kinds of diseases due to lifestyle modifications, there is a need for specialised doctors to precisely treat patients. This has led to an increase in the number of candidates pursuing advanced levels of medical education.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also played a significant role in increasing medical awareness among the general public. As a result, students are preparing for a long haul and are no longer satisfied with confining themselves to medical practice alone. They want to pursue higher studies side by side to gain a competitive edge and become distinctive in their field.

The number of candidates taking the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE) has increased threefold over the last five years, leading to rising competition in the field. Indian medical students who graduated from foreign universities and took the test in 2021 were about 41,349, of which 24.05 per cent cleared the exam. This has further increased the demand for higher education among medical students.

However, the increasing number of FMGE candidates has also led to a decrease in the monetary perks that MBBS graduates used to receive at private hospitals in urban areas. This has made it difficult for them to sustain a quality lifestyle, and many have to move to cities for better opportunities. People in cities have become more educated and want only specialised doctors for treatment, further contributing to the demand for higher education in the medical field.

Rural doctors face tough job prospects in India’s urban areas

The urban-rural divide in healthcare infrastructure and the shortage of doctors in rural areas is a persistent problem in India. According to a survey conducted by KPMG and the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) in 2016, the majority of hospitals, dispensaries, and doctors are located in urban areas, leaving rural areas underserved.

To address this issue, the government is making efforts to encourage doctors to work in rural areas. However, the challenge remains as doctors are drawn to cities for better income opportunities and more advanced medical facilities.

In Rajasthan, a state in northern India, Dr Sachin Jangid, a Medical Officer with the state government, shared that an MBBS graduate practicing privately in rural areas can earn four to five lakh rupees as a monthly income, whereas a super-speciality degree holder would earn the same in the state’s capital, Jaipur. This income gap makes it challenging for rural doctors to compete with their urban counterparts.

Moreover, people in rural areas also strive for better healthcare. However, limited resources and a concentration of a poor population make it challenging for rural areas to offer high-quality medical facilities. As a result, people in rural areas have to settle for suboptimal care, which adds to the burden of healthcare costs.

A study conducted in China, Malaysia, India, and regions of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) found that only 4.8% of medical students hail from rural backgrounds. This suggests that people living in urban cities have more access to medical education, private tuition, and facilities. As a result, students from cosmopolitan areas do not fancy villages to practice medicine.

The urban-rural divide in healthcare infrastructure and the shortage of doctors in rural areas continue to be a major challenge in India. While the government is making efforts to address this issue, the gap remains wide. It is essential to address this issue to ensure that people in rural areas have access to high-quality medical facilities and doctors are encouraged to practice medicine in underserved areas.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has granted approval for the second-year MBBS program at Konni Government Medical College and Idukki Medical College in Kerala, providing a positive development for medical students in the region. Idukki Medical College initially admitted 50 MBBS students under the previous Congress-UDF government.

During the LDF government’s administration, the Medical Council of India (MCI) withdrew its recognition of Idukki Medical College in 2016, citing insufficient resources such as inadequate beds, academic buildings, staff, and housing facilities for students and employees. Subsequently, students enrolled at the college were relocated to Alappuzha Medical College.

In 2020, Dr. RK Vats, the secretary-general of the MCI Board of Governors, sent a letter to Idukki Medical College outlining seven issues and discrepancies in the college’s management, such as low resident numbers (58%), low bed occupancy rates (29.3%), inadequate faculty numbers (18%), and deficiencies in the hospital’s clinical laboratory and radiology services. Eventually, in the previous year, the NMC authorized Idukki Medical College to admit 100 MBBS students.

GMC Konni had also been seeking NMC approval for several years. In 2021, the Medical Education Department of Kerala requested the Apex Medical Commission’s permission to commence MBBS admissions at GMC Konni. Last year, the NMC finally granted approval for GMC Konni to admit 100 MBBS students.

According to a recent report by the Times of India, the NMC has authorized Konni and Idukki medical colleges to admit students into their second-year MBBS program. The report further states that since taking office, the LDF government has invested approximately Rs 250 crore in the development of these two medical colleges.

Union MoS Health, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, has revealed that Kerala has a total of 33 medical colleges with a capacity to admit 4605 MBBS students. Out of these, 12 government medical colleges offer 1755 MBBS seats, while the remaining 2850 MBBS seats are available at 21 medical colleges managed by private institutions.

The Indian government is reportedly considering the implementation of a common counseling process for all MBBS and PG medical seats in the country. This move comes in the wake of the draft Graduate Medical Education Regulations 2023 proposed by the National Medical Commission (NMC), which aims to standardize medical education and improve the quality of healthcare in India. If implemented, the common counseling process would streamline the admissions process for medical students and ensure that deserving candidates are selected for the available seats. This article will explore the possible implications and challenges of this proposed initiative and analyze its potential impact on the medical education landscape in India.

Presently, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) manages counselling exclusively for 15% of all-India MBBS seats and 50% of PG medical seats, but this may change soon. According to the proposal, the central government will take charge of allotment while the policies and reservation quotas of individual states will remain unaltered. Therefore, the proposed initiative would not modify the existing policies and reservations of states and would only involve the central government as the allotment authority.

According to a Health Ministry official, the common counselling process may be introduced from this year onward if the states consent to participate. In this scenario, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) will be responsible for conducting the common counselling. The official emphasized that while the NMC has proposed the idea of common counselling, it can only be implemented with the voluntary participation of all the states. Therefore, the success of this initiative would depend on the willingness of states to collaborate with the central government.

The draft of the Undergraduate Medical Education Board’s Graduate Medical Education Regulations 2023 also includes a proposal for common Counselling. The NMC made this proposal public on February 27, 2023, and requested comments from the public and stakeholders within 30 days. As previously reported, the draft aims to enhance medical education standards and improve the quality of healthcare in India. The proposal for common Counselling is a part of this initiative and aims to streamline the admission process for medical students across the country.

The draft regulations for Graduate Medical Education in the Undergraduate Medical Education Board cover several topics, including the admission, counselling, and migration processes for UG medical admissions. These regulations also discuss the eligibility criteria for NEET UG, the tie-breaking criteria for NEET UG marks, the conduct of NEET UG, and the proposed common counselling process. Additionally, the regulations address the issue of student migration.

The draft regulations state that a common counselling process will be implemented for admission to graduate medical courses. The draft specifically states, “Despite any provisions stated in the current or other NMC regulations, a common counselling process will be conducted for admission to graduate medical courses across all medical institutions in India, based on the merit list of the NEET-UG.”

The draft regulations also stipulate that counselling for graduate medical courses will be based on a seat matrix provided by the National Medical Commission. The draft adds that common counselling may be conducted in multiple rounds, as required. According to the regulations, the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) will publish guidelines for the common counselling process, and the designated authority under Section 17 will conduct the counselling in accordance with these guidelines.

The NMC clarified that for the all-India quota seats contributed by the states, the designated authority appointed by the government will be responsible for conducting the common counselling process. Education being a subject on the concurrent list, both the central and state governments are empowered to enact laws in this domain. However, in the past, the introduction of the single entrance test for medical courses, i.e., NEET, was mandated by the judiciary, and several states are still opposing it.

According to a recent article by the Times of India, the Union Government’s proposal for common counselling can only be executed if the State Governments agree to it. The proposal is intended to transfer the allotment authority without altering the policies of the respective states or the reservation quotas.

The Times of India reports that the process of implementing a single exam and single counselling for super-specialty courses is already underway. To ensure that the policies and reservation quotas of the states remain unchanged, the states have been directed to appoint a nodal officer to explain their respective reservation systems and monitor their implementation.

 The Health Ministry official clarified to the Times of India that for the proposed single counselling process, it is necessary for all the states to cooperate and ensure that their respective rules regarding reservation and domicile status are incorporated in the counselling. The official further emphasized that the state quota rules will remain in effect.

The official from the Health Ministry stated that they aim to have representation from each state in the committee to ensure that the quotas of each state are understood and addressed accordingly. The official further mentioned that they plan to implement the process gradually.

The official from the Health Ministry highlighted the benefits of common counselling, stating that currently, a student selects from all-India quota, state quota, and sometimes private colleges, which can result in the blocking of two seats until the final stage of counselling. This may lead to a lower-merit candidate getting selected for the seats.

The official also noted that common counselling brings about the benefit of synchronization. Currently, all states conduct their counselling concurrently, and last year it was delayed by 15 days as some states failed to adhere to the schedule. With a single counselling session, this issue will be resolved, according to the official.

An official from Karnataka who is aware of the matter told TOI that although there are advantages to common counselling, such as providing students with information about courses at deemed universities, there should also be a system in place to verify the credibility of a student’s claimed reservation through a document-verification process held at the state level.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has taken a significant step towards enhancing medical education in Jammu and Kashmir by granting approval for 100 MBBS seats in two medical colleges: Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara and GMC Udhampur. The issuance of a Letter of Intent (LOI) by the NMC for these colleges has brought joy to aspiring medical students in the state.

The decision to approve 100 MBBS seats in each of the two medical colleges, GMC Handwara and GMC Udhampur, will result in an additional 200 MBBS seats in Jammu and Kashmir for the upcoming academic session of 2023-24. This move will create more opportunities for those who aspire to pursue MBBS and establish their careers in the medical field.

On Tuesday, the NMC sent two separate communications to the Government Medical College Handwara and the Government Medical College Baramulla, requesting undertakings. As a result, the NMC issued two separate LOIs for the aforementioned medical colleges.

Bhupinder Kumar, the secretary of the Health and Medical Education Department, has expressed his appreciation for the decision to approve 100 MBBS seats in each of the two medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir. He stated that this move would have a positive impact on the health situation in the region, as reported by Greater Kashmir.

In an official order issued by the Member/President of the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of the NMC, it was stated, “I have been instructed to refer to your application for the establishment of a new medical college at Government Medical College, Handwara, affiliated with the University of Kashmir, with an annual intake of 100 MBBS students under sections 26(1)(a)(b) and 28(1)(2) and section 61(2) of the NMC Act, 2019, for the academic year 2023-24.”

The proposal to approve 100 MBBS seats each in two medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir was sanctioned based on an assurance given by the Secretary of the Health and Medical Education Department, as per the official order. The letter, dated March 21, 2023, with reference number HD/Pian/5/2022-02, stated that the government of Jammu and Kashmir will provide all necessary infrastructure facilities, teaching and non-teaching staff as per the norms specified by the NMC.

Consequently, the NMC has mandated that the essential documents and undertakings be submitted for the issuance of a Letter of Permission to begin or increase the number of seats for the academic year 2023-24.

An official order has stated that the applicant who intends to start new medical colleges or increase the number of seats must comply with the infrastructure requirements, including teaching and non-teaching staff, buildings, equipment, and hospital facilities, as per the guidelines specified by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The order further emphasized that no student should be admitted to the aforementioned courses until formal permission is granted by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB).

Similarly, another official order has been issued for the starting of a new medical college at Government Medical College, Handwara, affiliated with the University of Jammu, with an annual intake of 100 MBBS students under sections 26(1)(a)(b) and 28(1)(2) and section 61(2) of the NMC Act, 2019, for the academic year 2023-24.

PRIVATE MEDICAL COLLEGES OF BIHAR

Bihar is a North Indian state known for its rich cultural heritage and diverse history. Bihar has seen a surge in the establishment of private medical colleges in recent years. Out of the eight private medical colleges in Bihar, five have been established in the last three years. This article will provide information about all these private medical colleges and their admission criteria.

Let’s begin with the three oldest private medical colleges in Bihar

These colleges have PG seats and a good patient load.

The first one is Katihar Medical College, which is a Muslim minority college and is the oldest private medical college in Bihar. This college has a good reputation, and students from Bihar prefer it as their first choice in private medical colleges. If you belong to the Muslim minority, you need to score 400 marks in the NEET exam to get admission to this college. For non-Muslim students, the cutoff is 450 marks.

The second-oldest private medical college in Bihar is Mata Gujri Devi Medical College in Kishanganj. It is a Sikh minority medical college established in 1990. This college also has PG seats and a good reputation. If you have scored 400/380 marks in the NEET exam, then you should consider this college as your second choice. Its fees are also less than 10 lacs.

The third-oldest private medical college in Bihar is Gopal Narayan University in Sasaram. This college was established in 2008 and also has PG seats. It is among the three best private medical colleges in Bihar. If you belong to the general category and have scored 350 or more in the NEET exam, you can get admission to this college.

Now let’s move on to the five new private medical colleges that have been established in the last three years.

Lord Buddha Medical College in Saharsa was established in 2019, and Madhubani Medical College in Madhubani and Katihar Medical College in Katihar followed suit. Lord Buddha Medical College has a lower tuition fee of 12 lacs per year, making it an affordable option. The latter is the second Muslim-minority medical college in Bihar.

 In 2020, Netaji Subhash Medical College Beta in Patna opened its doors to students. The college is close to Patna and offers quality education, however, this college has a higher tuition fee of 15.5 lacs per year due to its location in Patna, the capital of Bihar. The demand for this college is high because it is in Patna, and patient load is expected to increase rapidly in the coming years.

The latest addition to this list are Radha Devi Jogeshwari Memorial Medical College in Muzaffarpur and Shri Narayan Medical College in Saharsa which both opened in 2021. These eight medical colleges in Bihar offer great opportunities to medical aspirants and are among the best in the country.

The selection criteria for admission in these colleges vary, however, it is important to note that these colleges provide excellent quality education. The minimum criteria for admission are set at 350+ for general category candidates. However, it is important to note that each college has its own set of criteria and students should check them before applying. 

For those looking to study medicine in Bihar, these private medical colleges are a great opportunity to pursue a career in the field. With quality education and a wide range of options available, these colleges are the perfect choice for aspiring medical professionals. 

Below, we have listed the ranks and the fees of the colleges.

1- Kathihar Medical College, Kathihar.

Tution fee -9.38 lacs per year.

2- Mata Gujri Devi Memorial Medical College, Kishanganj.

Tution fee -8.38 lacs per year.

3- Narayan Medical College & Hospital, Sasaram.

Tution fee -10.38 lacs per year.

4- Netaji Subahash Medical College & Hospital, Bihta, Patna.

Tution fee -15.5 lacs per year

5- Lord Buddha Koshi Medical College & Hospital, Saharsa.

Tution fee -12 lacs per year.

6- Shree Narayan Medical Institute & Hospital, Saharsa.

Tution fee -15 lacs per year.

7- Madhubani Medical College, Madhubani.

Tution fee-13.5 lacs per annum.

8- Radha Devi Jogeshwari Memorial Medical College & Hospital, Muzaffarpur.

Tution fee – 14 lacs per year.

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