Complete MBBS in 9 years or quit: MCI

The Medical Council of India (MCI) has drafted the 'Regulations for Graduate Medical Education 2012' which brings about certain significant changes to the current scenario of medical education.

MCI has set an upper limit to the number of attempts for passing the MBBS course. Now MBBS students must clear their professional exam within nine years’ duration from the date of admission. The step will help medical institutions deal with the problem of chronic failures. MCI’s regulatory action got triggered by the action of a group of students from Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University (CSMMU), who misused the issue of caste discrimination to justify consistent failure in examinations, reported the Times of India.

According to the report, these CSMMU students made false accusations against the medical university for discrimination and approached the National Commission for Scheduled Castes for support. Following which, an annoyed CSMMU's VC wrote to MCI suggesting the changes, which was later approved by the members of the council in March 2012.

Other cases of caste discrimination in medical colleges have been reported earlier. The latest case was that of Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC), where minority students struggle to advance to the next academic year. (Read more)

MCI has also reduced the number of attempts to four for clearing the first university professional examinations which means the first professional course must be completed within four years of admission. Moreover, it will be considered as an attempt even if a student has partial attendance in an exam in any subject.

Copies of the 'Regulations for Graduate Medical Education 2012’ have been sent out to various medical institutions. According to the new regulations, students of the new MBBS batch will be introduced to a two-month long compulsory foundation course. It will acquaint students with the required orientation and the required knowledge, communication (including electronic), technical and language skills required. (Read more)

Another change made by the MCI is the duration of the professional exams. As per the new rules, the first professional exam for medical students would be conducted after 12 months instead of 18 months (which was the case earlier). The duration of the part-1 and 2 of the third professional has been increased by one month and will be conducted after 13 months. Students must now clear two electives (or posting in various departments of the medical college) of two months each in the third professional term, so that they make an informed choice when choosing their medical stream. Students will not be allowed to sit for the phase III part 2 examinations if they don’t have 75% attendance in the electives.

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