IIT Madras plans to set up School of Medical Sciences, proposes MBBS, MD and PhD courses

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras is planning to establish a School of Medical Sciences to expand its efforts in interdisciplinary education and healthcare research fields. According to a post on X, IIT Madras said that the proposed school could offer courses like Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Doctor of Medicine (MD), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

IIT Madras has already established its Department of Medical Sciences and Technology in 2023 to encourage collaboration between medical sciences, engineering, and technology. This department offers a four-year undergraduate degree that gives graduates knowledge in multiple disciplines. This new school will be an addition to advancing research across the above-mentioned areas.

V Kamakoti, IIT Madras director, said the institute is planning to offer medical degrees of its own, and also confirmed that the institute is focused on launching the school, and explained that the initiative is a major step in expanding IIT Madras’ educational offerings.

IIT Madras medical school requires NMC approval

The suggested School of Medical Sciences at IIT Madras will have to meet the regulatory requirements for medical education in India before offering an MBBS. In a post on X, IIT Madras mentioned, “The proposed medical school will require necessary regulatory approvals and infrastructure, including a teaching hospital, as per National Medical Commission requirements.”

IIT Kharagpur, among others, is an example of this kind of initiative, and already owns its hospital, which has received approval to start an MD course. However, the instiitute’s to offer an MBBS is still dependent on the availability of the required infrastructure.

IIT Madras similarly needs to develop the necessary facilities and abide by the NMC’s regulatory requirements before launching its proposed MBBS, MD and PhD programmes. The process will involve both infrastructure development and regulatory approval to start successfully.