MBBS syllabus removes 'Virginity Test'; calls it unscientific

The National Medical Commission (NMC) on July 7 approved changes to the MBBS curriculum which currently carries the description of signs of virginity (defined as virginity test) and the medico-legal significance of this test.

No virginity test in MBBA syllabus

Medical education in India is witnessing a major change in its curriculum this year. With this upcoming session, MBBS students will be taught that the two-finger virginity test is unscientific and does not help establish the virginity of a woman.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) on July 7 approved changes to the MBBS curriculum which currently carries the description of signs of virginity (defined as virginity test) and the medico-legal significance of this test.

Virginity test unscientific, inhumane and discriminatory

The medical students will not be taught by NMC how the virginity test including the two-finger test of female genitalia is unscientific, inhumane and discriminatory. 

It has decided to teach students how to appraise courts about the unscientific nature of signs of virginity and its test in case the court orders the same in matrimonial disputes, as is rampant currently.

The NMC took the decision on the recommendations of an expert panel constituted by the Commission's undergraduate board president Aruna Vanikar, on the orders of Madras High Court recently, to address issues related to the LGBTQIA+ community in the MBBS curriculum.

review of virginity tests in medical UG syllabus

The panel expanded its ambit to include the review of virginity tests in the medical UG syllabus, according to the Tribune. As per the report, Panel member Indrajit Khandekar, Professor, Forensic Medicine at Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram, Wardha, told that courts across the country order Virginity tests in various matrimonial disputes like nullity of marriage and impotence. On court orders to opine whether the girl is virgin or not, doctors routinely examine girls’ hymen for hymenal opening size or tears. The two-finger test is rampant to assess vaginal laxity.

Khandekar further added that the NMC has now decided to teach doctors about the unscientific nature of these tests so that tomorrow if courts order the same, the doctors can reason scientifically and cite the MBBS course curriculum to make their point. If we do not teach them that the virginity test is unscientific, they would continue to have to perform the same under pressure from the court.

Read More:

• Kerala Plus One admissions 2022 to begin from July 11; Apply by July 18