The National Medical Council (NMC) has introduced new guidance to expand career opportunities for aspiring doctors in a major review. According to the notification issued by the NMC, people who have successfully cleared the 10+2 examination with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as their main subject will now be eligible to pursue a career in the medical field.

The main requirement is to pass the examination in Biology/Biotechnology and other subjects at  10+2 level from a recognized board. As per the revised guidelines, candidates who have studied Engineering, Chemistry and Biology/Biotechnology with English as an additional subject after passing Class XII are now eligible to appear for the NEET-UG exam. This exam is a form of admission to MBBS and BDS courses in India. Applicants will also be considered for the presentation of an admission certificate. This certificate, issued by the NMC, serves as legal proof of the applicant's eligibility to pursue a postgraduate medical course abroad.

Earlier, to qualify for MBBS or BDS, there were high requirements requiring two years of full-time/continuous/part-time study in Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology of classes XI and XII and completing the training and English. Also, the study should be completed in mainstream schools rather than open or private schools. candidate

The recent decision by NMCand marks a departure from the past and opens new avenues for those who want to pursue a medical degree even if Biology/Biotechnology is not a core subject for classes XI-XII. The earlier rules said that biology/biotechnology or any other subject cannot be taken as an additional subject after passing class XII. The new power of NMC will change these restrictions and provide opportunities for those who are passionate about medicine.