I am writing this petition from a personal standpoint, but it reverberates with many in the medical academia, especially within India. I have three years of experience as a Senior Resident/Tutor after completing my MD in Medical Physiology. The current National Medical Commission (NMC) criteria state that only one year of experience as a Senior Resident/Tutor is required to join as an Assistant Professor in medical colleges. However, due to different institutional requirements, many of us are required to complete a three-year residency before being eligible for an Assistant Professor position.

This results in a delay in career progression, as the NMC requires an additional four years of experience as an Assistant Professor to be promoted to Associate Professor. By the time we are eligible for promotion, those extra years served as residents become a burden rather than an advantage, effectively delaying our promotion by two years compared to others.

The rigid structure of NMC's criteria does not consider the diverse pathways that medical professionals have to go through based on different institutional regulations. This directly impacts our career advancement and motivation, leaving us feeling stuck and undervalued.

To rectify this disparity, I am urging the NMC to modify its existing criteria to accommodate those with additional residency experience by allowing them to be promoted as Associate Professor after 2 years of experience as Assistant Professor. By recognizing the extensive experience gained during these extra years, the NMC can foster a fairer and more equitable work environment for promising medical professionals.

This change would not only benefit individuals like myself but would also contribute positively to the academic medical landscape in India. It would allow for a more balanced and fair promotional pathway and help retain talent within the country’s medical education system.

I am reaching out for support to make this important change a reality. Please sign this petition to urge the NMC to consider modifying their criteria, helping many dedicated medical professionals advance in their careers without unnecessary delays.