IIT Kharagpur Awaits NMC Nod to Launch MD Programme

IIT Kharagpur is poised to launch a Doctor of Medicine (MD) programme, combining engineering expertise with medical practice. The launch is contingent upon final approval from the National Medical Commission (NMC). The institute has, however, put its earlier plan for an MBBS degree on hold due to infrastructure limitations. Visit: www.iitkgp.ac.in

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, a pioneering institution in engineering and technology, is on the cusp of making a significant foray into advanced medical education with the planned launch of a Doctor of Medicine (MD) programme. This move is a strategic decision to merge the institute's technological prowess with clinical medicine, a combination anticipated to redefine advanced medical research and practice in India. The final and crucial step is securing the necessary approval from the National Medical Commission (NMC).

The institute recently presented the comprehensive plan to its Board of Governors and has completed all essential paperwork. IIT Kharagpur Director Suman Chakraborty confirmed that the application for approval will be submitted to the NMC as soon as the commission's portal for applications opens. This push for a postgraduate program is a calculated choice, leveraging the institute's existing and highly qualified pool of human resources, including doctors, medical experts, and specialists in medical technology research.

Focus on Advanced Technology-Empowered Medical Studies

Director Chakraborty emphasized that a postgraduate (PG) medical program is the most appropriate starting point for IIT Kharagpur, believing it will "give a new direction for technology-empowered advanced medical studies and research." The MD program is currently envisioned to offer a limited number of seats, ranging from 10 to 20, ensuring a focused and high-quality learning environment centered on research and technological integration.

The practical training and clinical rotations for the MD students will be conducted at the adjacent Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (SPMSH). While the hospital operates as an independent legal entity, its activities have been significantly ramped up to meet the requirements of a medical education program. Initially functioning primarily as an Outpatient Department (OPD), the SPMSH has now undergone a "significant transition" by establishing an operational Inpatient Department (IPD).

This enhancement in infrastructure is already yielding results. The hospital recently achieved a milestone by successfully conducting its first surgery in the newly operational superspeciality operation theatre. The hospital is rapidly scaling up its capacity with the goal of reaching a 220-bed mission-mode inpatient department, thereby expanding its surgical and specialized care capabilities—all essential prerequisites for hosting a postgraduate medical program.

MBBS Plan Put on Hold Due to Infrastructure Constraints

While the MD program moves forward, a senior IIT official has confirmed that the institute's much-discussed plan to launch an undergraduate MBBS programme has been put on hold. The primary reason cited for this decision is the lack of adequate infrastructure required to run a full-fledged undergraduate medical college, which typically requires a larger setup and a higher number of beds than a PG-only program.

For now, the focus remains squarely on the Doctor of Medicine program. Once the NMC evaluation is complete, IIT Kharagpur is ready to launch the course, which promises to train a new generation of doctors who are proficient in advanced technology and medical research. This development holds immense potential for medical aspirants interested in a career at the intersection of medicine and technology.

For regular updates on college admissions and any modifications in the medical course curriculum, follow Only Education News. Further information on Medical stream courses can be found at https://www.onlyeducation.in/course-list/medical.