Amid massive protests from doctors and the general public, the then principal of RG Kar Medical College, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, resigned on August 12. He was replaced by Dr. Surhita Paul on the same day, who, again, had to be transferred to the Barasat Medical College and Hospital as the new principal as a result of student protest. Late at night on August 21, Professor Manas Kumar Bandopadhyay, the former principal of Barasat Medical College, was brought over to RG Kar Medical College in the same role.
Notably, Dr. Sandip Ghosh was reinstated as the principal of the Calcutta National Medical College & Hospital within hours of his resignation at RG Kar on August 12. However, his appointment was cancelled after a directive of the Calcutta High Court.
NMC Norms for Appointment as Principal to Medical Colleges
The appointment and promotion of faculty in medical colleges, covering both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, must follow the rules set by the National Medical Commission. These appointments are made on the basis of specified qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the “Teachers Eligibility Qualifications in Medical Institutions Regulations, 2022.”
Age limit for appointment: Individuals can be appointed, granted an extension, or re-employed in positions such as Teacher, Medical Superintendent, Dean, Principal, or Director in any medical college up until they reach the age of 70. This applies to roles that must be filled according to the standards set by the National Medical Commission for both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education.
Qualifications for leadership roles: Only individuals with a medical background can be appointed as Dean, Director, Principal, Medical Superintendent, or Head of Department in a medical college. However, in the Departments of Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry, individuals without a medical degree but holding a relevant M.Sc. and PhD from a recognised medical college or institution, obtained through a regular on-campus course, can be appointed as Assistant Professors.
Experience required for the role of a principal: To be eligible for the position of dean, director, or principal of a medical college or institution, a candidate must hold a recognized postgraduate medical degree and have at least ten years of teaching experience in a medical college or institution. Out of these ten years, at least five years must have been spent as a Professor in a department.
Basis of appointment: Appointments to the roles of Dean, Director, or Principal should be made based on a combination of seniority and merit. Additionally, the individual holding the position of dean, director, or principal should not simultaneously serve as the head of any department.
