Complete Reference Guide · Updated 2025
NMC Publication Criteria:
Complete History & Evolution (2009–2025)
Every gazette-notified change in MCI/NMC publication criteria — from the first mandatory rules in 2009 to the latest 2025 update — in one comprehensive reference.
8 Gazette Periods
7 Approved Databases
4 Accepted Article Types
Updated 30 Jun 2025
Latest Gazette · 30 June 2025
Current NMC Publication Criteria
As per Gazette F.No. N-P051(12)/18/2024-PGMEB NMC dated 30 June 2025 — the rules currently in force for all medical faculty promotions.
At a Glance: What Counts Now
Eligible Authorship
1st, 2nd & 3rd Authors only
Corresponding author alone no longer counts
Corresponding author alone no longer counts
Accepted Article Types
Original Research · Meta-Analysis · Systematic Reviews · Case Series
Case reports & review articles: NOT accepted
Case reports & review articles: NOT accepted
Approved Databases
MEDLINE · PubMed Central · Citation Index · SCIE · EMBASE · Scopus · DOAJ
Mandatory Courses
BCME (Basic Course in Medical Education)
BCBR (Basic Course in Biomedical Research)
BCBR (Basic Course in Biomedical Research)
Publication Requirement: Rank-Wise Breakdown
🎓 Assistant Professor → Associate Professor
- 2 publications as Assistant Professor
- In an NMC-approved indexed journal
- Must be 1st, 2nd, or 3rd author
- BCME & BCBR completion mandatory
🏆 Associate Professor → Professor
- 2 more publications as Associate Professor
- Total: 4 cumulative across both ranks
- Rank quotas are separate — cannot be swapped
- Govt. Specialists: may complete within 2 yrs of appointment
✅ Approved Indexing Databases (2025)
- MEDLINE
- PubMed Central (PMC)
- Citation Index (Web of Science)
- Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE)
- EMBASE / Excerpta Medica
- Scopus
- DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals)
📄 Accepted Article Types
- Original Research Papers
- Meta-Analysis
- Systematic Reviews
- Case Series
❌ NOT Accepted (Current Rules)
- Individual Case Reports
- Narrative Review Articles
- Non-indexed journal publications
- 4th author onwards (no promotion benefit)
💡 Key Points to Remember
- No minimum Impact Factor prescribed by NMC
- Online-only journals are acceptable
- Print journals are NOT mandatory
- Actual publication required — not just acceptance
3Eligible Authors
4Article Types
7Approved Indexes
2+2Publications Required
30 Jun 25Latest Gazette
Every Gazette Period
How NMC/MCI Publication Criteria Changed Over Time
Click any era below to see the exact rules that applied during that period. Useful if your publications span multiple years.
●
▼
Eligible Authorship
Any Author
Article Types
- Research Paper
- Case Series
- Case Reports
- Review Article
Indexing Requirement
None — Indexed or National journals both acceptable
Publications Required
Not mandatory for promotion
Publications were mentioned in teacher eligibility criteria as a desirable/additional component — not compulsory until the 2009 gazette.
1
▼
Eligible Authorship
First Author Only
Article Types
- Research Paper
- Case Series
- Case Reports
- Review Article
Indexing Requirement
Indexed / National (no specific agencies named)
Publications Required
Associate Professor: 2
Professor: 4
Professor: 4
Transitory period: 5 years for Associate Professor (cutoff: 23 July 2014) and 4 years for Professor (cutoff: 23 July 2013). Publications made mandatory for the first time in Indian medical education.
2
▼
Eligible Authorship
First or Second Author
Article Types
- Research Paper
- Case Series
- Case Reports
- Review Article
Approved Databases NEW
- Scopus
- PubMed
- MEDLINE
- EMBASE / Excerpta Medica
- Index Medicus
- Index Copernicus
Publications Required
Associate Professor: 2
Professor: 4
Professor: 4
Key change: Specific indexing agencies named for the first time. Second authorship now eligible. Index Copernicus included (later removed in subsequent gazettes).
3
▼
Eligible Authorship
First or Second Author
Article Types CHANGED
- Research Paper / Article only
Approved Databases
- Scopus · PubMed · MEDLINE
- EMBASE / Excerpta Medica
- Index Medicus · Index Copernicus
Publications Required
Associate Professor: 2
Professor: 4
Professor: 4
Key change: Case reports, case series, and review articles were removed. Only research papers/articles counted. This was a significant restriction on acceptable publication types.
4
▼
Eligible Authorship CHANGED
First or Corresponding Author
Corresponding author added for the first time
Corresponding author added for the first time
Article Types
- Research Paper / Article
Approved Databases
- Scopus · PubMed · MEDLINE
- EMBASE / Excerpta Medica
- Index Medicus · Index Copernicus
Publications Required
Associate Professor: 2
Professor: 4
Professor: 4
Key change: Corresponding Author eligibility introduced. 2-year transition period where both old and new criteria could be used. BCMET & BCBR options with/without were available during transition.
5
▼
Eligible Authorship CHANGED
1st, 2nd, 3rd, or Corresponding Author
Article Types CHANGED
- Original Research Papers
- Meta-Analysis
- Systematic Reviews
- Case Series
Approved Databases CHANGED
- MEDLINE · PubMed Central
- Citation Index · SCIE
- EMBASE · Scopus · DOAJ
Publications Required
Associate Professor: 2
Professor: 4
Professor: 4
Major overhaul: DOAJ and SCIE added. Broader authorship. Meta-analysis and systematic reviews added as valid article types. Index Medicus and Index Copernicus removed. Case series returned.
6
▼
Eligible Authorship
Not specifically mentioned in this gazette
Article Types
- Original Research Papers
- Meta-Analysis
- Systematic Reviews
- Case Series
Approved Databases
- MEDLINE · PubMed Central
- Citation Index · SCIE
- EMBASE · Scopus · DOAJ
Publications Required
Associate Professor: 2
Professor: 4
Professor: 4
Key change: BCMET & BCBR made mandatory (exemption given until 31 December 2022). Authorship position was not explicitly specified in this gazette notification.
★
▼
Eligible Authorship CHANGED
1st, 2nd & 3rd Authors Only
Corresponding author alone no longer counts
Corresponding author alone no longer counts
Article Types
- Original Research Papers
- Meta-Analysis
- Systematic Reviews
- Case Series
Approved Databases
- MEDLINE · PubMed Central
- Citation Index · SCIE
- EMBASE · Scopus · DOAJ
Publications Required CHANGED
Assoc. Prof.: 2 as Asst. Prof. + 2 as Assoc. Prof.
Professor: 4 cumulative
Rank quotas are now separate
Professor: 4 cumulative
Rank quotas are now separate
Key changes: Only first 3 authors benefit. Publication quota split by rank — 2 as Assistant Professor + 2 as Associate Professor. BCME & BCBR mandatory. Government Specialists/MOs may complete within 2 years of direct appointment.
Quick Reference
Complete NMC/MCI Publication Criteria — All Periods at a Glance
Comprehensive comparison table covering every gazette period from 2009 to 2025.
| Time Period | Gazette Reference | Eligible Authorship | Accepted Article Types | Approved Index Databases | Assoc. Prof. | Professor | Key Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before 24 Jul 2009 | — | Any Author | Research Paper · Case Series · Case Reports · Review Article | No indexing requirement | Not mandatory | Not mandatory | Desirable but not compulsory |
| 24 Jul 2009 – 02 Nov 2010 | MCI-12(2)/2009-MED-22654 | First Author Only | Research Paper · Case Series · Case Reports · Review Article | Indexed / National (no specific agency) | 2 | 4 | Transitory: 5 yrs Assoc. Prof., 4 yrs Professor |
| 03 Nov 2010 – 02 Sep 2015 | MCI-12(2)/2010-Med.-Misc./33038 | First / Second Author | Research Paper · Case Series · Case Reports · Review Article | Scopus · PubMed · MEDLINE · EMBASE · Index Medicus · Index Copernicus | 2 | 4 | Specific databases named for first time |
| 03 Sep 2015 – 07 Jun 2017 | MCI-12(1)/2015-TEQ/131880 | First / Second Author | Research Paper / Article ONLY (case reports removed) | Scopus · PubMed · MEDLINE · EMBASE · Index Medicus · Index Copernicus | 2 | 4 | Case reports no longer accepted |
| 08 Jun 2017 – 11 Feb 2020 | MCI-12(1)/2017-Med.Misc./115698 | First / Corresponding Author | Research Paper / Article | Scopus · PubMed · MEDLINE · EMBASE · Index Medicus · Index Copernicus | 2 | 4 | Corresponding Author added; 2-yr transition |
| 12 Feb 2020 – 21 Feb 2022 | MCI-12(2)/2019-Med.Misc./189334 | 1st / 2nd / 3rd / Corresponding | Original Research · Meta-Analysis · Systematic Reviews · Case Series | MEDLINE · PMC · Citation Index · SCIE · EMBASE · Scopus · DOAJ | 2 | 4 | DOAJ & SCIE added; broader authorship |
| 22 Feb 2022 – 29 Jun 2025 | NMC/MCI23(I)/2021-MED | Not specified in gazette | Original Research · Meta-Analysis · Systematic Reviews · Case Series | MEDLINE · PMC · Citation Index · SCIE · EMBASE · Scopus · DOAJ | 2 | 4 | BCME & BCBR mandatory; exemption till Dec 2022 |
| 30 Jun 2025 Onwards | N-P051(12)/18/2024-PGMEB NMC | 1st, 2nd & 3rd Authors Only | Original Research · Meta-Analysis · Systematic Reviews · Case Series | MEDLINE · PMC · Citation Index · SCIE · EMBASE · Scopus · DOAJ | 2 (as Asst.) + 2 (as Assoc.) | 4 cumulative | BCME & BCBR mandatory. Govt. Specialists: 2 yrs from appointment |
★ Row highlighted in orange = currently applicable rules as of 30 June 2025.
Common Questions
FAQs About NMC Publication Criteria
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about NMC criteria for publication — based on official gazette notifications up to 30 June 2025.
1
Is EMBASE and Expanded EMBASE the same for NMC publication criteria?
▼
Yes. For NMC publication criteria purposes, EMBASE and Expanded EMBASE (also listed in earlier gazettes as EMBASE/Excerpta Medica) are the same approved database. EMBASE is Elsevier's flagship biomedical database and Expanded EMBASE simply refers to its extended coverage. Publications indexed in EMBASE are fully valid for NMC faculty promotion applications across all gazette periods.
2
Are subject-specific journals mandatory as per NMC publication rules?
▼
No. NMC gazette notifications do not require publications to be in subject-specific or specialty-specific journals. The only requirement is that the journal must be indexed in one of the 7 approved databases: MEDLINE, PubMed Central, Scopus, EMBASE, SCIE, Citation Index, or DOAJ. While publishing in a specialty-relevant journal is professionally advisable, it is not a formal NMC requirement for promotion.
3
What is the NMC publication criteria for faculty promotion?
▼
As per the current NMC gazette (30 June 2025): a faculty member needs 2 publications as Assistant Professor for promotion to Associate Professor, and 2 more publications as Associate Professor for promotion to Professor — totalling 4 cumulative publications. Publications must be original research, meta-analysis, systematic reviews, or case series, indexed in one of 7 approved databases, and the faculty member must be the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd author.
4
How many authors get promotion benefit from a single NMC publication?
▼
As per the latest NMC gazette dated 30 June 2025, only the first three authors (1st, 2nd, and 3rd position) are eligible for promotion benefit from a single publication. In the 2020–2025 period, the corresponding author was also eligible. Between 2017–2020, only the 1st or corresponding author counted. Faculty must verify their authorship position carefully before claiming a publication for promotion credit.
5
Is an accepted paper considered for NMC promotions, or is actual publication compulsory?
▼
Actual publication — formally published and verifiably indexed in an approved database — is generally required for NMC promotion. A mere acceptance letter or "in-press" status is not sufficient. The paper must be live, indexed, and accessible before submitting for promotion appraisal. Indexing can take weeks to months after publication, so plan accordingly.
6
Are print journals necessary as per NMC rules?
▼
No. Print journals are not mandatory under NMC publication criteria. Online-only peer-reviewed journals that are indexed in approved databases (Scopus, PubMed Central, DOAJ, etc.) are fully acceptable. The NMC does not distinguish between print and online modes of publication — indexing status and article type are the operative criteria.
7
Which indexing services are accepted by the NMC for promotion publications?
▼
As per the current 2025 NMC gazette, the 7 approved indexing databases are: MEDLINE, PubMed Central (PMC), Citation Index (Web of Science), Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE), EMBASE (Excerpta Medica), Scopus, and DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals). A journal must appear in at least one of these databases.
8
Are online journals acceptable under NMC publication guidelines?
▼
Yes, online journals are completely acceptable under NMC publication criteria, provided they are indexed in one of the 7 approved databases. Many high-quality open-access journals indexed in DOAJ or Scopus are exclusively online. The mode of publication — print or online — is not a criterion; what matters is the journal's indexing status and the article type.
9
What is Expanded EMBASE?
▼
Expanded EMBASE is Elsevier's comprehensive biomedical database covering over 8,500 active journals with strong emphasis on pharmacology, clinical medicine, and drug research. For NMC publication criteria, EMBASE and Expanded EMBASE are treated as the same approved indexing source. Publications in EMBASE-indexed journals have been valid for NMC faculty promotion applications since the 2010 gazette.
10
Is Central Science Citation Index and Science Citation Index Expanded the same for NMC?
▼
No, they are not exactly the same — but both are accepted. Science Citation Index (SCI / Central SCI) is the most selective Web of Science database. Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) covers a broader range of journals. The NMC gazette specifically lists SCIE as an approved database. Both SCI and SCIE indexed journals qualify for NMC promotion publications. Note: PubMed Central (PMC) is a separate approved database, not the same as Citation Index.
11
What is the minimum impact factor required for a medical journal under NMC criteria?
▼
The NMC gazette notifications do not prescribe any minimum Impact Factor (IF) for qualifying journals. The sole requirement is that the journal must be indexed in one of the 7 approved databases. However, individual universities or medical institutions may impose their own minimum IF thresholds in their internal promotion policies. Always check both NMC guidelines and your institution's rules before finalising a target journal.
ℹ️ Information on this page is compiled from official MCI/NMC gazette notifications. Always verify with the latest official NMC circular before your promotion application.
See also: Current NMC Criteria for Publication →
Services
For Any Queries You can contact us using following form.
Indexing Services In which We PublishPrograms
