IIT Kharagpur moves to launch its first postgraduate medical course, awaits NMC nod

The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur has applied to the National Medical Commission for approval to launch a postgraduate medical programme, marking a significant step towards expanding into the healthcare education sector.

If approved, IIT Kharagpur would become the first IIT in India to offer a postgraduate Doctor of Medicine (MD) course, signalling a shift from its traditional engineering-focused academic model to interdisciplinary education.

According to institute director Suman Chakraborty, the application process has already been initiated ahead of the March 31 deadline set by the regulator. He said the proposal has received backing from the Ministry of Education, though the final decision will depend on the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, making it an inter-ministerial matter.

The proposed MD programme is expected to begin with an intake of 20 seats, and the institute has already recruited around 20 doctors to serve as faculty members for the course.

Students enrolled in the programme will receive academic and clinical training at the institute’s medical facilities, including the Dr B.C. Roy Multi-Speciality Medical Research Centre and the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Super Speciality Hospital located on or near the campus.

Admissions to the course are likely to be conducted through the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), in line with existing norms for postgraduate medical education in India.

Officials said the proposal was first placed before the institute’s Board of Governors in September 2025, where it received approval to proceed. An inspection by the National Medical Commission is expected before any final clearance is granted.

The move reflects IIT Kharagpur’s broader vision of integrating technology with medical science, with plans to develop a “technology-empowered” medical curriculum. The institute is also expanding its healthcare infrastructure, including upgrading its hospital into a larger in-patient facility.

However, plans to introduce an undergraduate MBBS programme have been put on hold for now, with officials citing infrastructure constraints.

If approved, the programme could set a precedent for other IITs to explore similar ventures, potentially reshaping the landscape of technical and medical education in the country.