The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh has raised the upper age limit for senior resident doctors from 37 to 40 years from the next academic session.

The governing body approved the proposal for increasing the upper age limit for the appointment of senior resident doctors from 37 to 40 years after due deliberation. 

The governing body of the institute also approved the proposal to reserve 10% seats for economically weaker sections. Further the age limit is relaxable by five years in case of scheduled caste and scheduled tribe candidates as per an order issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in March, officials said. 

“Subject to approval by the Ministry of Finance, the department of expenditure’s approval has been given to the students from economically weaker section category,” they added. 

The officials also said that the extra seats in various disciplines and courses offered at the institute will be created to adjust the students. They also added that the requirement of additional faculty to maintain the student-teacher ratio will be assessed by the institute and placed before appropriate bodies for approval.

The new move will help the doctors, who go to serve in rural areas and are not able to complete their higher education, officials said. “We realised that it is the need of the hour to give some more time to the doctors to pursue MD or MS courses before going for residency. The decision has been taken keeping in view the norms set by the health ministry and other medical institutes,” Dr Jagat Ram, director of PGIMER said. 

Source: Hindustan Times. 

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