The National Medical Commission (NMC) has introduced new regulations to enhance the quality of clinical research thesis in postgraduate medical education. Effective immediately, the viva (oral examinations) will be mandatory for clinical-practical subjects. 

The viva will have a weightage of 20 marks, constituting 5% of the overall examination marks.

To ensure objectivity, external examiners from outside the state will now conduct the viva. This change aims to minimise potential biases and promote rigorous evaluation.

Despite the new requirement, students who have not yet submitted their thesis will still be allowed to take their exams, but they must submit their research thesis at a later date.

The NMC’s Postgraduate Medical Education Board has clarified that the new guidelines apply to all students who enrolled in 2021 and beyond. Previously, research thesis were mandatory only for non-clinical subjects, but this requirement has now been extended to clinical subjects as well.

Universities are now obligated to have external examiners from outside the state evaluate dissertations. Students must submit their dissertations to both the university dean and the Head of Department (HOD) for approval. Additionally, only research signatures from postgraduate teachers will be recognised as valid.

The NMC emphasised that these new guidelines are intended to elevate the quality of research work associated with thesis. The introduction of viva is a significant step in this direction. Students are expected to invest more effort in their research dissertations to meet the higher standards. 

Furthermore, the Commission has directed universities to complete final exams by December 2024.

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