Modified Passing Criteria Applicable for MBBS Exams Held only After September 1, 2023: NMC clarification

New Delhi: Issuing a recent public notice, the Under Graduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has clarified that the amendment introduced to the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) Curriculum regarding the passing criteria for MBBS exams will not have any retrospective effect.

This means that the new rule that reduced the minimum passing criteria to 40% in subjects having two papers will only be applicable for those who will appear in the exams after the amendment was issued on September 01, 2023.

As per the modified rules, the students will have to obtain 50% marks in aggregate and 60:40 (minimum) or 40:60 (minimum) in University conducted examination separately in Theory and in Practical (practical includes; practical/clinical and viva voce) in order to be declared as passed in that subject.

What did CBME Curriculum Guidelines say?

The final CBME Curriculum Guidelines were published by NMC on August 01, 2023. In the curriculum, it was mentioned that in order to pass the subjects that have two papers, a student was required to secure a minimum of 50% of marks in aggregate (both papers together).

As per the CBME Curriculum Guidelines, the criteria for passing a subject was that- A candidate shall obtain 50% marks in University conducted examination separately in Theory and in Practical (practical includes; practical/clinical and viva voce) in order to be declared as passed in that subject.

Also Read: NMC releases final regulations on MBBS Curriculum

What did the NMC Amendment Specify?

However, by issuing a corrigendum on September 01, 2023, the NMC UG Board introduced an amendment to the passing criteria for MBBS exams. Modifying the passing criteria, the Commission mentioned, "In subjects that have two papers, the learner must secure minimum 40% of marks in aggregate (both papers together) to pass in the said subject."

The Criteria for passing in a subject was also modified and the Commission stated in this regard that "A candidate shall obtain 50% marks in aggregate and 60:40 (minimum) or 40:60 (minimum) in University conducted examination separately in Theory and in Practical (practical includes; practical/clinical and viva voce) in order to be declared as passed in that subject."

No Retrospective Effect, says NMC:

The Director of NMC UG Medical Education Board, Shambhu Sharan Kumar issued a Public Notice on October 03, 2023 and clarified that the modifications introduced to the MBBS exam passing criteria will not have retrospective effect.

"This is in continuation to new Amendment in GBME Guidelines issued through "Corrigendum" bearing No.F.No.U/14021/8/2023-UGMEB dated 01.09.2023 where a new amendment was introduced to the CBME Guidelines vide page number -58," the notice issued by the Commission stated.

"After thorough consideration of the subject matter, it has been decided that retrospective effect in this connection is not possible," further clarified the Commission.

Fact Check- What Does it Mean? 

Several media reports are claiming that NMC has withdrawn the amendment. However, this is not true since the Commission has said that the amendment will not have a retrospective effect.

Sources in the NMC explained to Medical Dialogues that the notice means that the amended rules regarding the passing criteria will not be applicable for the exams that were held before the amendment was introduced.

The students from all the batches pursuing the MBBS course will be able to avail the benefit of the modified passing criteria only if their exams are held after the amendment was introduced i.e. on September 01, 2023.

To view the NMC notice, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/nmc-public-notice-222068.pdf

Also Read: NMC Revises CBME Guidelines, Modifies MBBS Exam Passing Criteria