The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a clarification regarding the submission and approval of dissertations for postgraduate medical students. The recent update from the Post Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) states that students cannot be barred from appearing in their final examinations if they have not obtained dissertation approval from their department head.
According to the official notification dated August 28, 2024, addressed to vice-chancellors of Health Science Universities and Deans/Principals of Medical Colleges, the dissertation or thesis will now account for 5% of the total marks in the clinical/practical and viva voce components. Specifically, 20 marks out of the total marks allocated for these components will be reserved for the dissertation.
The notification also emphasized that the dissertation must be submitted through the Head of Department (HoD) and Dean of the Medical College, but approval from the HoD is not a prerequisite for examination participation.
This change, outlined in the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023 (PGMER-23), which came into effect on January 1, 2024, is aimed at enhancing the quality of thesis-related research. The regulations stipulate that an external examiner from outside the state will evaluate the dissertation and conduct the viva voce.
The guidelines specify that the dissertation will contribute to 5% of the total marks for clinical/practical and viva voce exams, with the intention of improving research quality and maintaining academic standards.
