NMC weighs 5-year tenure for medical college HoDs

New Delhi: Proposed Changes to Medical College Head Roles

The National Medical Commission (NMC) is considering a revised plan regarding the tenure of Heads of Departments (HoDs) in medical colleges. According to ThePrint, the proposed changes could see a five-year tenure for these positions, a longer duration than the previously discussed three years.

Restricting the HoD Position

The revised proposal would also limit the HoD role to professors, excluding associate professors. M.K. Ramesh, president of NMC’s Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB), stated that the commission is revisiting its initial three-year term plan following feedback received.

Rotational Headship – Initial Concerns

The original draft amendment to Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023, had proposed rotating the HoD post every three years among eligible professors and associate professors based on seniority. However, this proposal faced objections regarding whether appointments should be solely based on seniority or also consider academic performance, research, and departmental needs.

Revised Timeline and Next Steps

NMC will restart the process with a fresh proposal, expected to be moved within six weeks of initiation. Currently, the senior-most eligible professor typically continues as HoD until retirement or resignation.

Differing Opinions on Selection Criteria

Dr Anche Narayana Rao Dattatri, head of pharmacology at Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), argued that appointments should follow a selection process rather than automatic rotation. He believes a merit-cum-seniority approach, with clearly announced criteria and sufficient preparation time, would be more appropriate.

Concerns Regarding Government Institutions

A senior doctor at a central government hospital questioned the applicability of a uniform rotational-headship policy across government medical institutions, noting that many follow different administrative arrangements. The doctor pointed out that even in Delhi, several medical colleges and hospitals do not currently practice rotational headship, citing differing service rules.

Previous Stakeholder Feedback

Initial consultations revealed negative responses to the mandatory rotation proposal, with 249 opposing it and 172 supporting it. A Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) review note, dated June 2025, recommended reconsidering automatic rotation and allowing appointments to be guided by merit and seniority, with some institutional discretion.

Faculty Association Perspectives

Dr Amarinder Singh Malhi, president of the Faculty Association of AIIMS (FAIMS), suggested a three-year tenure would be a balanced approach. He argued that a five-year term could delay opportunities for other faculty members and limit institutional renewal. According to Malhi, 78 percent of faculty members at AIIMS New Delhi and PGIMER, Chandigarh, supported rotational headship, as evidenced by a V.K. Paul Committee report from April 2023.

Ongoing Implementation Challenges

Despite the report, rotational headship remains unimplemented at AIIMS New Delhi and PGIMER, with a collegium system serving as an interim arrangement for one year. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare must now make a clear, time-bound decision and ensure implementation.

Source: ThePrint. Featured image credit: ThePrint.