The Telangana government has decided to relax panel-year eligibility norms as a one-time measure to facilitate the promotion of 319 associate professors as professors working under the Directorate of Medical Education (DME).The order was issued by Health Secretary Christina Z. Chongthu on Tuesday, following a proposal submitted by the Director of Medical Education. The relaxation covers Associate Professors in clinical, non-clinical and super-speciality disciplines.Under the existing Medical Education Service Rules, associate professors become eligible for promotion to the post of professor after completing three years of teaching service in the feeder category. The DME sought relaxation of the panel-year restriction in view of the expansion of government medical education in the State and the consequent requirement for additional faculty.With this, associate professors who fall within the zone of consideration for the panel years 2026-27 and 2027-28 can now be considered for promotion during the current panel year, 2025-26. The relaxation has been granted as a one-time measure.The DME pointed out that maintaining adequate faculty strength was necessary to uphold academic standards and comply with faculty norms prescribed by the National Medical Commission (NMC).The government established eight new government medical colleges during the 2024-25 academic year, while the Government Medical College at Kodangal commenced operations during 2025-26. The expansion was accompanied by a significant increase in undergraduate and postgraduate medical seats, necessitating additional faculty to meet staffing requirements, the order said. Published - August 04, 2026 07:56 pm IST