KHARAGPUR, November 12, 2026: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has become the first IIT in India to introduce postgraduate medical degree programmes approved by the National Medical Commission (NMC), opening 12 Doctor of Medicine (MD) seats across six specialisations for the 2026-27 academic session.
The institute announced the development on Thursday, marking a significant expansion of the IIT system into clinical medical education.
The programmes will be offered through IIT Kharagpur's Dr B C Roy Multi-Speciality Medical Research Centre, with admissions conducted through NEET-PG 2026 counselling.
Eligible medical graduates will be able to consider the newly introduced courses during the second round of counselling conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).
The initiative aims to bring medical education closer to engineering, artificial intelligence, biomedical sciences and advanced healthcare research.
IIT Kharagpur Becomes First IIT to Offer NMC-Approved MD Courses
IIT Kharagpur, established in 1951 as India's first Indian Institute of Technology, has achieved another milestone in its 75th year.
The institute has received regulatory permission to introduce six postgraduate medical programmes for the academic session 2026-27.
According to IIT Kharagpur Director Professor Suman Chakraborty, the institute began the formal regulatory process with the National Medical Commission in March 2026.
The process involved applications, documentation of academic and clinical infrastructure, and compliance with the applicable medical education requirements.
Following the regulatory review, permission was granted for six MD programmes.
The development is significant because IITs have traditionally focused on engineering, technology, sciences and interdisciplinary research.
With the introduction of clinical postgraduate medical courses, IIT Kharagpur is seeking to establish a model that combines specialist medical training with technological innovation.
IIT Kharagpur MD Courses 2026: Complete List of 12 Seats
The institute will initially admit 12 postgraduate medical students across six disciplines.
Each specialisation has been allocated two seats.
The approved courses are:
- MD General Medicine: 2 seats
- MD Radiology: 2 seats
- MD Physiology: 2 seats
- MD Pathology: 2 seats
- MD Community Medicine: 2 seats
- MD Biochemistry: 2 seats
Total intake: 12 MD seats across six specialisations.
The first batch will begin during the 2026-27 academic session.
Although the initial intake is limited, the institute considers the programmes an important step towards developing a broader medical education and research ecosystem.
Any future expansion will depend on institutional planning and applicable regulatory approvals.
IIT Kharagpur MD Admission Through NEET-PG 2026 Round 2
Admissions to the newly introduced postgraduate medical courses will be conducted through the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate, commonly known as NEET-PG.
The Medical Counselling Committee will manage the relevant online counselling process.
Candidates who qualify for NEET-PG 2026 and meet the applicable eligibility requirements can consider IIT Kharagpur's MD programmes during Round 2.
The courses are expected to appear under the institution's medical centre listing in the official counselling system.
How to Apply for IIT Kharagpur MD Admission
Eligible candidates should follow the official MCC counselling process.
- Visit the Medical Counselling Committee website at https://mcc.nic.in/.
- Open the NEET-PG 2026 counselling section.
- Check the latest Round 2 schedule and eligibility instructions.
- Review the updated seat matrix for IIT Kharagpur's MD courses.
- Complete registration or the required participation steps, wherever applicable.
- Select the relevant MD specialisation during choice filling.
- Follow the official instructions for choice locking and seat allotment.
- Complete document verification and admission formalities if allotted a seat.
Candidates should verify the exact institution name, course code and seat availability on the MCC portal before submitting their choices.
Admission is not guaranteed merely by qualifying for NEET-PG. Allotment depends on rank, eligibility, available seats and the applicable counselling rules.
NEET-PG 2026 Counselling: Important Details
The MCC has published its Round 2 counselling schedule and updated seat information for the 2026 session.
As of November 12, the official portal indicates that Round 2 choice filling is available.
The counselling process includes newly added postgraduate medical seats, making the updated seat matrix particularly important for applicants considering IIT Kharagpur.
Candidates should check the following documents:
- Round 2 counselling schedule dated November 7, 2026.
- Newly added seats for Round 2.
- Updated vacancy and seat allocation information.
- PG counselling information bulletin.
- Official instructions for registration, choice filling and allotment.
The exact deadlines and applicable requirements should be checked directly on the MCC website, as counselling schedules may be revised.
Where Will IIT Kharagpur MD Students Receive Clinical Training?
The new programmes will operate through the Dr B C Roy Multi-Speciality Medical Research Centre at IIT Kharagpur.
Clinical training will be supported by the institute's medical infrastructure, including the Dr Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Superspeciality Hospital.
IIT Kharagpur has also highlighted its established institutional partnership with South Eastern Railway Hospital, Kharagpur.
According to the institute, this arrangement will provide the clinical training environment needed for the approved postgraduate courses.
The combination of hospital-based training and university research facilities is expected to give students opportunities to engage with both patient care and technological research.
The institute has indicated that course fees and postgraduate stipends will be structured along the lines of AIIMS.
However, applicants should verify the final fee schedule, stipend amounts and other financial conditions through official institutional documents before taking admission.
How IIT Kharagpur Plans to Combine Medicine With Artificial Intelligence
One of the main objectives behind the new MD programmes is to create closer collaboration between doctors, engineers and researchers.
Modern healthcare increasingly relies on sophisticated technologies for diagnosis, treatment planning, monitoring and medical research.
IIT Kharagpur already has research capabilities in artificial intelligence, computational sciences, bioengineering, microfluidics and healthcare diagnostics.
The institute plans to connect these strengths with postgraduate medical education.
Students may have opportunities to explore research areas such as:
- AI-assisted clinical decision-making: Developing tools that support doctors in interpreting medical information.
- Advanced medical imaging: Applying computational techniques to improve the analysis of diagnostic scans.
- Computational pathology: Using digital imaging and data analysis to support the study of tissue samples.
- Biomedical devices: Designing technologies for diagnosis, monitoring and treatment.
- Molecular diagnostics: Studying biological markers and methods for disease detection.
- Precision medicine: Exploring approaches to healthcare based on individual patient characteristics.
- Population health: Using research and data to better understand public health challenges.
These areas represent potential opportunities for research and interdisciplinary learning. They are not a guarantee that every MD student will participate in every project.
IIT Kharagpur Director Explains the Vision Behind the New Medical Programmes
Professor Suman Chakraborty said the initiative was intended to achieve more than the training of specialist doctors.
The institute wants to create an academic environment where medical professionals can collaborate with scientists and engineers.
Chakraborty described the initiative as an effort to bring clinical excellence together with technological research.
He also emphasised the need to develop doctors capable of applying scientific discoveries and innovation to real healthcare problems.
The first batch of 12 students will form the initial group of postgraduate medical trainees under this new academic model.
Their experience will help establish the foundation for future teaching, research and clinical collaboration at the institute.
Why This Development Matters for Medical Education in India
The introduction of MD programmes at IIT Kharagpur represents a new approach to interdisciplinary education within the IIT system.
Medical colleges have traditionally provided clinical training, while IITs have focused primarily on engineering and technology.
However, several important healthcare challenges require expertise from both fields.
Developing medical imaging systems, improving diagnostic equipment and creating affordable healthcare devices frequently involves collaboration among doctors, engineers and scientists.
By offering postgraduate medical education within an IIT environment, the institute aims to make such collaboration easier.
The initiative may also create opportunities for research involving medical professionals and departments working in artificial intelligence, electronics, mechanical engineering and biological sciences.
However, the long-term impact will depend on the quality of clinical training, research output, faculty support and patient care infrastructure.
IIT Kharagpur Completes 75 Years Since Its Establishment
IIT Kharagpur was established in 1951, becoming the first institution in what later developed into India's IIT system.
Over the decades, it has expanded its academic and research activities across engineering, science, management and other disciplines.
The introduction of NMC-approved MD programmes comes during the institute's 75th year.
The development also reflects its ambition to address broader national challenges through interdisciplinary research.
Healthcare is one such area, particularly as India seeks to improve diagnostic services, medical technology and access to affordable treatment.
The institute's new postgraduate medical programmes could provide a platform for research addressing these needs.
What Happens Next for IIT Kharagpur's MD Programmes?
The immediate priority will be admitting the first batch of postgraduate medical students through NEET-PG 2026 counselling.
The institute will then begin implementing the approved academic and clinical training arrangements.
The first intake of 12 students is expected to establish the foundation for future postgraduate medical education at IIT Kharagpur.
Applicants should monitor the MCC website for seat allotment updates, reporting instructions and any changes to the counselling schedule.
With six MD specialisations now approved for 2026-27, IIT Kharagpur has taken a significant step towards connecting India's engineering education system with clinical medicine.
The initiative marks the beginning of a new academic approach in which doctors and technology researchers can work together to develop practical solutions to healthcare challenges.
Editorial note: This report is based on IIT Kharagpur's November 12 announcement, PTI reporting, independent education coverage and the Medical Counselling Committee's official NEET-PG 2026 information. All India Story has not independently reviewed the individual NMC permission letters or final institutional fee circular.
Conversation
Be kind and stay on topic. Comments are moderated; abuse, spam and personal attacks are removed. Report a problem