New Delhi: Revisiting faculty norms in medical education, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has reinstated the 30 per cent appointment quota for non-medical faculty — MSc/PhD degree holders — in non-clinical departments such as Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Pharmacology.
In its latest gazette notification, the country’s apex regulatory body for medical education stated, “In the departments of Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Pharmacology, non-medical teachers may be appointed to the extent of 30 per cent of the total number of posts in the department, subject to the non-availability of medical teachers.”
This marks a reversal of the earlier move under the 2020 Minimum Standard Requirements (MSR) guidelines, where the ceiling for non-medical faculty had been reduced to 15 per cent, triggering concern and legal challenges from affected professionals.
Dr Arjun Maitra, President of the National Medical M.Sc. Teachers’ Association (NMMTA), welcomed the move, stating, “The ministry has stood by the principles of fairness and meritocracy. This reform brings relief to hundreds of highly qualified MSc/PhD faculty members who were unfairly sidelined.”
Although NMMTA’s legal petition against the previous guidelines is still pending, Dr Maitra said the Ministry’s decision to resolve the issue through policy reflects a commitment to justice and inclusivity. “We see this as a milestone in our long and difficult journey toward recognition and respect,” he added.
Previously, the NMC had also restricted such faculty to teaching only during a “transitional period” — without defining its duration — and did not clarify the scope of applicability. The lack of specificity led to confusion and anxiety among educators.
Dr Ayan Das, Secretary of NMMTA, stressed the need for further clarity. “To avoid ambiguity and alleviate concern among current faculty, the body must now clearly define the ‘transition period’ and correct misinterpretations around UGC norms — particularly the misconception that part-time PhDs earned in-service are invalid. Only distance-mode PhDs are not recognised.”
The reinstatement is being seen as a significant step toward equity in academic appointments, especially in the backdrop of a growing demand for quality educators in India’s expanding network of medical colleges.
