Candidates must possess a medical qualification included in the first or second schedule or Part II of the third schedule to the Indian Medical Council Act of 1956. This typically implies an MBBS degree. Additionally, a postgraduate qualification in the relevant specialty is mandatory, which includes:
- MD / MS in various medical specialties (e.g., Anaesthesia, Biochemistry, Dermatology, ENT, General Medicine, General Surgery, Hospital Administration, Microbiology, Forensic Med/Toxicology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, Paediatrics, Pathology, Psychiatry, Pharmacology, Physiology, Pulmonary Medicine, Radiology, Radiotherapy, Transfusion Medicine & Blood Banking).
- DM / M.Ch in super specialties (e.g., Burns & Plastic Surgery, Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Gastroenterology, Medical Oncology, Neonatology, Nephrology, Neurosurgery, Nuclear Medicine, Paediatric Surgery, Surgical Gastroenterology, Surgical Oncology, Urology).
- For Non-Medical Candidates: A Master's Degree (e.g., M.Sc Microbiology, M.Sc Medical Biochemistry, M.Sc Pharmacology/Drug Assay/Chemistry/Biochemistry/Zoology, M.Sc Physiology) and/or a Doctorate Degree (Ph.D) from a recognized university in the concerned discipline.
- Candidates must be registered with the State Medical Council/MCI/NMC.
Specific course durations (e.g., 2, 3, 5, or 6 years after MBBS for DM/M.Ch) are mentioned, with varying experience requirements post-qualification.