The National Medical Council (NMC) has announced that the academic year 2026-27 will be the last year of admissions to postgraduate diploma medical courses, laying the foundation for a nationwide transition to degree-based specialist training.In a notification issued on June 22, the committee directed medical colleges offering postgraduate diploma courses to start converting these seats into corresponding Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Master of Surgery (MS) seats.
Diploma admissions will cease after 2026-27
Earlier, the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) issued an announcement that admissions to postgraduate diploma courses would no longer be allowed from the academic year 2027-28. Thereafter, the existing diploma courses will cease to function.The committee said that several institutions currently offer both diploma and degree courses in the same profession, while others continue to offer only diploma courses. According to the regulator, many of these colleges already have the infrastructure, faculty and clinical resources required for degree programmes.“All graduate diploma programs will be phased out and converted to graduate broad professional degree programs (MD/MS),” the announcement said.
University requirements to apply for conversion
Medical colleges intending to convert diploma seats to degree seats have to apply to the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) through a dedicated online portal launched by the board. Detailed timetable and application procedures will be released separately.The NMC said approval of the conversion will be subject to the institution’s compliance with the standards and requirements specified by the Commission from time to time.
Why change?
The regulator said the decision was aimed at standardizing postgraduate medical education, increasing recognition of specialist training and aligning qualifications with current educational standards. It also expects the move to better leverage existing institutional capabilities.This notice has been distributed to all medical schools affiliated with the National Medical Association, national medical education departments and colleges and universities. Please comply with it.
