IIT Kharagpur Becomes First IIT to Offer NMC-Approved PG Medical Courses: Check Specialisations and Seats

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has entered a new phase of higher education by becoming the first IIT in India to introduce postgraduate medical degree programmes approved by the National Medical Commission (NMC).Starting from the 2026–27 academic session, the institute will offer six Doctor of Medicine (MD) specialisations with a total intake of 12 students. The programmes will be conducted at the Dr B. C. Roy Multi-Speciality Medical Research Centre under IIT Kharagpur.

The move marks a significant expansion of the IIT system beyond its traditional focus on engineering, science and technology. It aims to bring medical education closer to emerging fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), biomedical engineering, advanced diagnostics and medical research.According to the institute's announcement on November 12, 2026, the first batch of postgraduate medical students will be admitted through the NEET-PG 2026 counselling process.

IIT Kharagpur PG Medical Courses 2026: Check Specialisations

IIT Kharagpur will initially introduce six MD programmes. Each specialisation will have two seats, taking the total number of available postgraduate medical seats to 12.

The courses are:

These programmes have received NMC approval for the 2026–27 academic session. The institute will use the available medical and research infrastructure to provide postgraduate training across the six disciplines.

How Will Admission to IIT Kharagpur MD Courses Take Place?

Admission to the newly introduced MD programmes will be based on NEET-PG 2026 qualifications and the prescribed online counselling process.Eligible candidates can select IIT Kharagpur's programmes during the second round of NEET-PG 2026 counselling, subject to the applicable eligibility conditions and seat matrix.

The programmes are listed under the Dr B. C. Roy Multi-Speciality Medical Research Centre, Kharagpur, under the aegis of IIT Kharagpur.Candidates should check the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) website for the latest information regarding seat availability, choice filling, counselling schedules and admission requirements.

What Will Change in Medical Education at IIT Kharagpur?

The most significant feature of the new programmes is their interdisciplinary approach. Unlike conventional medical training environments, IIT Kharagpur intends to connect clinical education with its established expertise in engineering, artificial intelligence and scientific research.The institute aims to create opportunities for postgraduate medical students to work on emerging healthcare technologies and research projects.

Some of the key areas include:

• AI-assisted clinical decision-making: Using artificial intelligence to support medical diagnosis and treatment decisions.
• Advanced medical imaging: Exploring technology that can improve the detection and understanding of diseases.
• Computational pathology: Applying computing and AI to analyse medical samples and support disease diagnosis.
• Biomedical devices: Developing innovative medical equipment and healthcare technologies.
• Molecular diagnostics: Using advanced scientific techniques to identify diseases.
• Precision medicine: Exploring personalised approaches to treatment based on individual patient characteristics.
• Population health: Applying research and technology to address broader public health challenges.

The institute believes that combining medical knowledge with technological innovation can help develop doctors who are not only skilled clinicians but also contribute to healthcare research and innovation.

IIT Kharagpur to Integrate Medical Training with Engineering and AI

The postgraduate medical programmes will be supported by IIT Kharagpur's existing research capabilities in microfluidics, bioengineering, healthcare diagnostics, artificial intelligence and computational sciences.

Clinical training will be supported by the institute's expanding healthcare infrastructure, including the Dr Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Super Speciality Hospital and its institutional partnership with the South Eastern Railway Hospital.This arrangement is expected to provide students with opportunities to combine clinical experience with research and technological development.

IIT Kharagpur Director Professor Suman Chakraborty said the objective was to establish an academic environment where medical expertise could work alongside engineering innovation and translational research.The institute also aims to encourage research-oriented learning and international academic exposure for postgraduate students.

What Does This Mean for Medical Aspirants?

The introduction of MD programmes at IIT Kharagpur creates a new option for NEET-PG-qualified medical graduates seeking postgraduate specialisation.For students interested in combining clinical practice with research, artificial intelligence and biomedical technology, the programmes could offer an interdisciplinary academic environment.

However, the initial intake is limited to just 12 seats across six specialisations. Candidates should therefore carefully review the official counselling information before making their choices.

The initiative also reflects a broader shift in India's higher education system, where traditional boundaries between engineering, medicine and scientific research are increasingly becoming less rigid.Established in 1951, IIT Kharagpur is the country's first IIT. Its entry into NMC-approved postgraduate medical education marks an important development in the integration of technology and healthcare.