Specialty training in India
Formal specialty training, built in India.
We are building credentialed specialty training in India: structured, supervised training in a named specialty, delivered inside working hospitals by board-certified specialists. Places are offered only through partner institutions.
The term
What a specialist is
A veterinary specialist has completed a veterinary degree, a rotating internship, a supervised residency of at least three years in one discipline, and the examination of a recognised specialty college. The title describes that training. It is not a declaration of interest, and it is not conferred by experience alone.
01
Veterinary degree
Registration to practise. The starting point, not the destination.
02
Rotating internship
A year across the services of a hospital, under supervision, before choosing a discipline.
03
Residency
Three or more years in one specialty, with a defined caseload, teaching, research and assessment against published competencies.
04
Board examination
Set by the college. Passing it confers the title of Diplomate, which is what the word specialist refers to.
The programme
One continuous route, from foundation to specialty
Training follows the care each hospital delivers every day. Trainees progress by demonstrating competence, not by time served alone.
01 · Open now
Foundation
Core clinical skills on the hospital floor, taught on daily rounds.
02 · Opening soon
Rotations
Structured blocks in emergency and critical care, medicine, surgery, anaesthesia and imaging.
03 · In set-up
Specialty training
A supervised programme in one specialty, led by a programme director.
04 · In set-up
Assessment and boards
Competency-based assessment, with boards being established so that specialists can qualify in India.
Who teaches
Board-certified specialists, sharing the teaching
Several specialists teach each group. Programme directors have joined across anaesthesia, cardiology, emergency and critical care, internal medicine, neurology, orthopaedic surgery, radiology and soft tissue surgery.
Anaesthesia
Cardiology
Internal medicine
Neurology
Orthopaedic surgery
Radiology
Soft tissue surgery
Once enrolled
What a trainee has
Their institution’s group
A private training group that belongs to the institution. The teams supporting the training are in it with them.
Their mentors
The specialists teaching and mentoring them are in those spaces with them. Mentors are matched through the member area.
Defined access
Trainees see the spaces that belong to their training, and nothing else. The wider member area is for members.
The people around a trainee
Who does what
The people involved in the training programme, and what each of them does.
Lead and design
Clinical Lead
Designs and runs the programme: its structure, curriculum, clinical training and professional development. Supervises and signs off training.
Who
Hamsini Yagneswar
You see them
On site, and at reviews and key points in your training
Founding board
Set the certification standard for the specialty: the framework, competency gates and exam. Appoint the assessors and the faculty as separate teams, and work towards recognition by the international colleges and the Veterinary Council of India.
Who
At least three specialists per specialty, separate from the programme directors
You see them
Mostly in the background; mostly remote
Teach and supervise
Programme directors
Set the standard of care and protocols for their service. Lead practical teaching and rounds, supervise cases and sign off skills. Supervise up to 3 residents; in emergency and critical care, anaesthesia, surgery and imaging they also train up to 6 Advanced Practitioner trainees.
Who
A board-certified specialist for each service
You see them
On site full time or in regular blocks, with remote supervision in between
Clinical instructors
Run the service on the floor with the team. Teach and supervise up to 2 trainees on a shift, sign off skills up to their own level, and escalate cases to the programme director.
Who
Vets with a postgraduate certificate, on site from the start
You see them
Every shift
Faculty
Deliver the online teaching for their specialty, review cases and take part in training assessments. Some teach practical sessions on site.
Who
Specialists, mostly online
You see them
Online sessions through the year
Assess and certify
Assessors
Review every trainee’s progress every six months against the milestones, and decide every award.
Who
Appointed by the founding board, separate from the people who teach
You see them
At your six-monthly reviews; on site once or twice a year
Support and organise
Education and Careers Lead
The main contact for applicants and trainees. Explains the programme, helps you choose your pathway and specialty, helps you understand your assessments and catch up if you fall behind, and supports your wellbeing. Does not assess or sign off.
Who
A board-certified specialist, mostly remote
You see them
Whenever you need them, online or on site visits
Named mentor
A monthly development conversation on your progress, goals and wellbeing, which feeds into your six-monthly review.
Who
Every trainee has one
You see them
Once a month
Clinical Training
Your timetable, rotas, deadlines and training records. Picks up early when someone is falling behind.
Who
The clinical training team
You see them
For anything about your schedule or records
HR
Recruitment, contracts and employment.
Who
The HR team
You see them
For anything about your contract or employment
Who signs off and who assesses
Signs off skills on shift: Clinical instructors (up to their own level) and programme directors
Reviews progress every six months and decides awards: Assessors
Sets the certification standard: Founding board
Supports you, but does not assess: Education and Careers Lead and Clinical Training
How a place is offered
Through a partner institution, not through this site
Trainees are enrolled by VHI partner institutions once a place is confirmed. If you are training at one, or want to, speak to the institution. A specialist may also put a name forward. Hospitals and institutions that wish to host training can write to us.
Partner institutions
Top Dog Hospital
First training site. Further partners are being established.