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9. Mr. Singhdev categorically stated that the PGDMCH course, offered by IGNOU, was never a qualification recognized by the Medical Council of India [hereinafter, "MCI"], or its successor, the NMC. He submitted that, in fact, no medical qualification offered by IGNOU has ever been recognized by NMC, so as to entitle the petitioner to the relief sought in this petition. Mr. Singhdev distinguished the judgment of the Supreme Court in Suresh Pal5 on this ground.

16. The petitioner's case boils down to this: he undertook the PGDMCH qualification at IGNOU, which was admittedly not recognized by MCI/NMC, in the belief that it would qualify him for admission to the DNB-FM (Secondary) course. By this method, he would obtain the DNB qualification without having to take the NEET- PG examination and with a saving of one year. The petitioner suggests that the withdrawal of this benefit ought not to apply to him, as he joined the PGDMCH course prior to such withdrawal. The petitioner's alternative prayer is that he be admitted to a Secondary Course (two years, Post-Diploma) in any other specialization, or to the Primary course in Family Medicine (three years, Post-MBBS) without taking the NEET examination. By way of the additional affidavit dated 26.07.2022, the petitioner seeks yet another relief that he be admitted to a Sponsored seat in the Post MBBS DNB in Family Medicine.

20. The petitioner's reliance upon Suresh Pal11, to argue to the contrary, is misplaced. The Supreme Court was concerned with qualification for the purpose of employment as Physical Training Instructors. The qualification of the petitioner therein was recognized at the time when he took admission into the course. There was no question of requirement of a qualification recognized by a professional regulatory body such as the MCI/NMC. The recognition in question was only by the prospective employer for the purposes of the job. The case of a regulated profession, such as medicine, is entirely different. The PGDMCH course of IGNOU was never recognized as a qualification by the MCI/NMC, and to compel NBE to confer a benefit on the basis of such a qualification by reducing the period of training for DNB would, in my view, propagate a benefit being granted for a course which the regulator does not recognize. When seen in the context of regulation of professions and professional education, such a course does not commend to me, and also provides a significant distinction from the factual situation in the judgment in Suresh Pal12.