G.M.M.C. Diploma of the Madras Medical College, 1847–1863

The Report of Proceedings at the Madras Medical College for the Purpose of Granting Diplomas to Native Candidates for Graduation published by the Medical College in Madras in 1852 provides fascinating details of the diploma programme 'Graduate of the Madras-Medical College' (G.M.M.C.), which should have been launched in 1847. With the birth of the University of Madras in 1867, and the Faculty of Medicine within it, the G.M.M.C. programme was replaced with a new M.B.C.M. degree programme (equivalent to the modern day M.B.B.S.) in 1863. The five-year long G.M.M.C. programme offered comprehensive training in medicine, surgery, and midwifery, further to other relevant medical subjects, such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacy, and medical jurisprudence. The 1852 Report includes the questions posed to the examinees in the final examination. That the Royal College of Surgeons of London recognized the G.M.M.C. diploma in 1855-1857 appears a milestone development, which enabled the Madras Medical-College diploma holders to sit for the membership examinations of the Royal College of Surgeons (M.R.C.S.) in London. The 1852