Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/A/2010/901011
Dated : August 20, 2010
Name of the Applicant : Dr. Surender N. Gupta
Name of the Public Authority : Medical Council of India, New Delhi
Background
1. The RTI application was filed by the Applicant on 23.12.08 with the JS, Medical Council of India, New
Delhi stating that he had been posted as an epidemiologist in RHFWT Cente, Kangra since 2.2.2008.
He stated that he had passed MAEFETP from National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai in 2008
(From Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute for Medical Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala) and that he had done his MBBS Degree in 1982 from Govt. Medical College, Amritsar with
two paid house jobs in the Deptt. of ENT and Psychiatry from GND hospital, Amritsar. He wanted to
opt for adjustment as Epidemiologist cum Asst. Professor in the Deptt. of Community Medicine and
wanted to know if he is eligible for the post on the basis of degree of MAEFETP and Equivalence of
MAEFETP to MD etc. The JS, MCI replied on 27.1.09 stating that MD (Epidemiology) is not
prescribed in the PG Medical Education Regulations 2000 and for the post of Epidemiologist, the
Minimum qualifications prescribed for Teachers in Medical Institutions Regulations, 1998 is MBBS
and that he is eligible to be appointed as Epidemiologist. Not satisfied with this reply, the Applicant
filed an appeal with the Commission on 15.5.2010 stating that contradictory and misleading
information has been provided by the Additional Secretary, MCI in his response dated 7.3.09 to his
appeal. The Appellate Authority had replied as follows:
“it has been observed by me that the information sought by you vide your email dated 25.12.2008
and application dated 6.2.2009 was duly replied by the PIO, MCI, vide its letter dated 27.01.09 and
25.02.09 as per Statutory Regulations and Provisions of RTI Act, 2005. It is further informed to you
that the qualification MAEFETP (Epidemiology) done at National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai
is not recognized by the MCI.”
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the hearing for August 20,
2010.
3. Shri Ashish Kumar, Advocate represented the Public Authority.
4. The Applicant was heard by audio conferencing.
Decision
5. The Appellant sought further clarification regarding the recognition status of the degree from National
Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai and whether MAEFETP was equivalent to MD (Epidemiology).
The Commission brought to the attention of the Appellant the fact that the Appellate Authority had
already provided the required clarification in his reply. Since complete information has been provided
the appeal is accordingly disposed of by the Commission and the case closed at the Commission’s
end.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy
(G.Subramanian)
Deputy Registrar
Cc:
1. Dr. Surender N. Gupta
Regional Health & F.W. Training Centre
CHHEB, Kangra,
Himachal Pradesn 176001
2. The PIO
Medical Council of India
Pocket14, Sector8
Dwarka Phase1
New Delhi
3. The Appellate Authority
Medical Council of India
Pocket14, Sector8
Dwarka Phase1
New Delhi
4. Officer Incharge, NIC