The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a clarification regarding the mandatory submission of dissertations/ theses for postgraduate medical students. The clarification addresses concerns raised by students and institutions regarding the requirement to submit the dissertation before appearing in the final examination. This clarification was dated September 7, 2024.
It may be recalled that the NMC had issued a reminder dated June 13, 2024, to all universities to follow the established schedule for completing the academic curriculum and conducting exams for PG broad specialty degree students admitted in 2021 by December 31, 2024.
Subsequently, in a meeting dated July 31, 2024, the several universities raised concerns regarding the mandatory submission of dissertations/ theses for PG broad specialty batch of 2021. Thereafter, other stakeholders have also raised queries on this matter.
Therefore, the NMC has issued the present clarification. The NMC has referred to the regulations outlined in the PGMER-23, published on January 1, 2024. This regulation mandates that all broad specialty and super specialty students undertake thesis-related research and submit a dissertation.
It further specifies that the dissertation/ thesis will contribute 5% to the total marks of the clinical/practical and viva voce examinations. This amounts to 20 marks out of the total marks allotted for these components are reserved for dissertation.
The dissertation will be evaluated by an external examiner from outside the state, who will also conduct the viva voce.
Students must submit their dissertations to the university through their Head of Department (HoD) and Dean. However, students will not be barred from appearing in the final examination if they have not obtained the HoD’s approval for their dissertation.
Pertinently, the NMC has also published FAQs on the on PGMER-2023 detailing examination of dissertations and process for viva-voce.
The NMC’s clarification aims to provide clarity to postgraduate medical students and institutions regarding the dissertation/thesis submission requirements and their impact on the final examination.
