Hyderabad: The Directorate of Medical Education (DME) in Telangana has expanded eligibility for promotion to the post of professor in government medical colleges by including associate professors from the 2023 and 2024 batches along with those in the regular promotion panel. The move is expected to increase the number of professors and strengthen undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in the state. According to the Telangana Teaching Government Doctors Association (TTGDA), 30 associate professors from the regular panel, 99 under panel exemption and 217 under panel and year exemption will now be considered for promotion. The association said the decision would help address the shortage of professors, improve faculty strength and enhance medical education and patient care across government medical colleges. • 3 categories of eligible associate professors.