NMC to Phase Out PG Diploma Courses, Shift All Seats to MD/MS Programmes from 2027-28

In a major reform aimed at standardising postgraduate medical education in India, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has announced that all postgraduate diploma medical courses will be phased out and replaced with broad-specialty degree programmes such as MD and MS .

In a communication issued to medical colleges and institutions across the country, the NMC stated that the 2026-27 academic year will be the last year for admissions to postgraduate diploma courses . From the 2027-28 academic session onwards, no admissions will be permitted , effectively discontinuing all PG diploma programmes.

The decision was conveyed through a public notice issued by the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) on June 19. According to the board, the move is intended to standardise postgraduate medical training, improve the quality and recognition of specialist education, align qualifications with contemporary educational standards, and make better use of institutional resources.

The NMC noted that several medical colleges currently offer both diploma and MD/MS courses in the same specialty, while some institutions continue to run diploma programmes despite possessing adequate infrastructure, faculty and clinical facilities to conduct degree courses.

"All Postgraduate Diploma courses shall be phased out and converted to Post Graduate Broad Specialty Degree courses (MD/MS)," the commission said.

The transition follows provisions under the Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations (PGMER), 2023 , which allow institutions to apply for the conversion of diploma seats into degree seats. Medical colleges seeking such conversion will be required to submit applications to the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) through a dedicated online portal.

The regulator also clarified that no new applications to start postgraduate diploma courses or increase existing diploma seats will be entertained . Detailed guidelines regarding the conversion process and timelines are expected to be issued separately by MARB.

Permission for conversion will be granted only after institutions meet the standards and requirements prescribed by the NMC. The reform is expected to impact hundreds of postgraduate diploma seats across various medical specialties and is aimed at creating a more uniform and globally recognised framework for specialist medical education in India.