Competency based training programme aims to produce a post-graduate student who after undergoing the required training should be able to deal effectively with the needs of the community and should be competent to handle all problems related to his/her specialty including recent advances. He/She should also acquire skill in teaching of medical / para-medical students in the subject that he/she has received his/her training. He/She should be aware of his/her limitations.

The purpose of preparing these Guidelines is to standardize Microbiology teaching at Post Graduate level throughout the country so that it will achieve uniformity in undergraduate teaching as well

The specialty of Marine Medicine deals with prevention and treatment of morbidity amongst seafarers, prevention and cure of illnesses due to exposure to environments with elevated ambient pressure, and the therapeutic use of high environmental oxygen pressure. The scope of the specialty emphasizes occupational, environmental, safety, and clinical aspects of maritime health, diving, hyperbaric chamber operations and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Older Indians carry a large burden of disease and disability and pose a tremendous challenge for the health sector as well as also social and economic infrastructure. Several initiatives of Government of India namely: National Policy on Older Persons (1999), National Health Policy (2015 draft), National Population Policy (2015), Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, (2007) and the National Program for Health Care of the Elderly (2011, 2014), have emphasized the need for provision of quality and specialized health care of the older population.

This programme is meant to standardize and strengthen Forensic Medicine teaching at the post graduate level throughout the country so that it will benefit the judiciary and the legal system of the country in providing justice which will ultimately benefit the community at large. It will also help in achieving uniformity in undergraduate teaching.

Transfusion medicine is a unique multi-dimensional speciality that incorporates elements of blood banking, immunohematology, coagulation, and hematologyand integrates science technology, medicine, public health administration and the community as a whole. Because transfusion therapy has strong interrelationship with several other disciplines, particularly haematology and immunology, training programmes in transfusion medicine must include appropriate knowledge and skills in these subjects.

Oncology is a highly specialized and technical discipline in clinical medicine comprising treatment with ionizing radiations and cytotoxic agents as major arms in non-surgical management and treatment of cancer. With a view to update, by inclusion of newer topics, and to provide a uniform syllabus and course contents in Indian universities and teaching medical institutions, the proposed guidelines provide course outlines based on recent developments in clinical medicine and other disciplines related to oncology.

With the awareness of fitness among the youth in our country indulgence in various sporting activities is on the rise. Also participation of Indian sportsmen and athletes in various sporting events at a national and International level has increased in the last decade. Sports, whether competitive or recreational, has become fitness oriented and has led to an increase in the number of injuries due to sports.

The Goal of this program is to impart training in conventional and modern radiology and imaging techniques so that the post graduate student becomes well versed and competent to practice, teach and conduct research in the discipline of radiology. The student should also acquire basic knowledge in the various sub-specialities of radiology. These Guidelines also would also help to standardize Radiodiagnosis teaching at post graduate diploma (DMRD) level throughout the country so that it will benefit in achieving competent radiologist with appropriate expertise.

The Indian health care scenario is very complex and heterogeneous covering a range from world-class private tertiary care facilities to deplorably inadequate public services at all levels, including primary disease care. A system to provide affordable, accessible and effective health care and disease care to all the citizens of the nation is an urgent requirement of the country and should be based on a strong foundation of primary care and Family Medicine/ General Practice.