The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a clarification regarding the interstate posting of post-graduate medical students under the District Residency Program (DRP). This clarification was published on February 13, 2025.
Mandatory District Rotations
The clarification emphasizes adherence to the Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations (PGMER-2023). PGMER-2023 mandates a three-month compulsory residential rotation in District Hospitals/District Health Systems for all post-graduate students pursuing MD/MS in broad specialties. The definitions of “District Hospital” and “District Health System” are outlined in Section 5.2 III and IV of the regulations.
Training Options for Non-Direct Patient Care Specialties
Post-graduate students in specialties not directly involved in patient care will be trained by District Health System/District Hospital teams within available avenues. Training can include:
- diagnostic/laboratory services,
- pharmacy services,
- forensic services,
- general clinical duties,
- managerial roles,
- public health programs, and more.
Postings in research units/facilities, laboratories, and field sites of the Indian Council of Medical Research and other national research organizations are also possible.
Interstate Postings Require NMC Approval
The NMC emphasizes that there are wide-ranging options for student postings within each state. Therefore, requests for interstate postings should be rare and occur only in extraordinary circumstances. If a state deems such a posting necessary, prior approval from the NMC’s Post-Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) must be obtained.
FAQ Clarification
This policy is clarified in Question No. 5 of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) issued via Public Notice dated April 10, 2024. The FAQ states that if post-graduate residents from a State/UT cannot be absorbed within their respective State/UT, they may be posted to another State/UT, but this is subject to mutual agreement between the respective governments and approval from the NMC’s PGMEB.
Strict Adherence to Norms Required
The NMC has observed that No Objection Certificates (NOCs) are sometimes issued by Deans/Principals and Directorates of Medical Education without adhering to these prescribed norms. The NMC has now directed all concerned parties to strictly follow the procedures outlined in the PGMER-2023 Regulations. This emphasizes the need for proper justification and NMC approval for any interstate postings under the DRP.
