NMC Extra Attempt First Professional MBBS: Students Admitted From 2019-20 Get One More Chance

NMC Extra Attempt First Professional MBBS: Students admitted from 2019-20 get a fifth attempt to clear the first-year MBBS exam. Check eligibility, rules and the 10-year course completion limit.

MBBS Students Admitted From 2019-20 Get Extra Attempt To Clear First-Year Exam

MBBS First Professional Exam: National Medical Commission has granted a one-time relaxation to eligible MBBS students admitted from 2019-20 academic year onwards. This will allow them one additional attempt to clear First Professional MBBS Examination. With this decision, now maximum number of attempts permitted to clear first-year MBBS examination has increased from four to five for eligible students.

As per Commission, this decision was approved during its 18th meeting held on September 23. The matter was considered following representations from students, universities and other stakeholders willing to get additional opportunities for candidates who could not clear MBBS exam within specified attempts. NMC considered exceptional circumstances like disruptions caused by COVID-19 pandemic, health-related problems and other personal difficulties, while approving one-time relaxation.

Who is eligible for NMC Extra Attempt First Professional MBBS?

Under this decision, eligible students admitted to MBBS course from 2019-20 academic session onwards can avail themselves of one additional attempt beyond existing limit of four attempts to pass First Professional MBBS Examination. This relaxation also covers eligible students who have exceeded the prescribed four-year period for completing first professional MBBS course. However, their admission must remain valid and must not have been cancelled by the concerned university or medical college.

NMC has also clarified that students who have already received an additional mercy attempt and exhausted all five attempts under an earlier NMC decision or a court direction will not be eligible for another opportunity. The latest decision does not permit a sixth attempt.

MBBS Course Completion: 10-Year Limit Remains Unchanged

When allowing additional attempt, NMC has retained existing maximum duration for completing MBBS course. Students must complete entire course, including applicable Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI), within 10 years from date of admission. This additional attempt will not extend this overall completion period. So, students must meet applicable course completion requirements even if they become eligible for the fifth attempt under new relaxation.

NMC Calls It a One-Time Exceptional Measure

NMC has described this decision as a one-time exceptional transitional measure intended to provide relief in eligible pending cases. It has clarified that relaxation does not amount to retrospective application of amended regulations governing the permissible number of exam attempts.

The decision will also not establish a precedent for subsequent academic batches. This means additional opportunity should be understood as a specific relaxation for eligible students rather than a permanent change in the examination rules for all future MBBS batches. NMC has advised universities, medical colleges and other concerned stakeholders to take note of this decision and process eligible cases. Students willing to benefit from NMC extra attempt for First Professional MBBS Examination should check their eligibility and admission status with their respective institutions before proceeding.