Grant one Additional Attempt for MBBS 2021 Batch: Medicos urge Health Ministry

New Delhi: Expressing concerns over the rules restricting the total number of attempts for an MBBS student to clear the first-year exam, medicos recently wrote to the Union Health Ministry.

Urging the Ministry to reassess the rule, the All India Medical Students' Association (AIMSA) has requested the Ministry to grant one more attempt to the MBBS students from the 2021 batch. The association has also appealed to the Ministry to contemplate allowing students more opportunities to take the first MBBS exam.

As per the existing rules prescribed by the National Medical Commission (NMC), MBBS students are given altogether four attempts to clear their first professional examination. Last year, the Apex Medical Commission granted one extra attempt to the MBBS batches of 2019 and 2020 to qualify for their first professional exam. NMC took this decision because these batches were affected by COVID. Now, writing to the Health Ministry, AIMSA has prayed for one additional attempt for the MBBS 2021 batch students as well.

In a letter directed to the Union Health Ministry, AIMSA highlighted that MBBS is among the most demanding and rigorous academic courses in India and also argued that the path to becoming a competent physician requires immense dedication, hard work and resilience.

"Nevertheless, the exiting rule places excessive strain on first year MBBS students, who might already be grappling with the challenging transition from high school to college life," AIMSA mentioned in the letter.

Also Read: NMC gives 1 more attempt to MBBS students who could not clear their first prof exam

"Moreover this constraint on the number of the attempts for the first year examination could have detrimental effects on studies , mental wellness failing to pass the exam within the allotted number of attempts may lead to anxiety, depression and other psychological distress among students," it further added.

Referring to the 2021 batch, the association informed that around one thousand students from all over India have got into a career stalemate situation. "We students and parents submitted this application and submitted their prayers to you. We would like to thank you for your kind heart for assessing our situation and granting one more extra attempt to clear MBBS first exam," it mentioned.

"Subsequently the above student community have been pursuing the matter with PS to Minister of Health and Family welfare. The official communication to universities on the grant for the above permission is yet to reach," AIMSA further added in the letter. 

The association pointed out that since the batch 2021 students group need to complete the exam by Aug-Sep 2024 they will reach the four years cap that is another NMC rule imposed and have a danger of leaving the MBBS course altogether.

"Considering these concern as 2019 and 2020 batch granted extra attempt same as batch 2021 consider as same situation and give one more chance to attempt exam (these all batches 2019,2020,2021 are COVID AFFECTED BATCHES)," AIMSA argued in its letter directed to the Health Ministry.

As per the concerned Regulation 7.7 of Regulations on Graduate Medical Education (Amendment), 2019, "No more than four attempts shall be allowed for a candidate to pass the first Professional examination. The total period for successful completion of first Professional course shall not exceed four (4) years. Partial attendance of examination in any subject shall be counted as an attempt."

Earlier, this rule was also upheld by the Delhi High Court. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that last year NMC granted one additional attempt to the MBBS students who had been admitted to the medical colleges during the academic year 2019-2020 and who could not clear their first-year MBBS examination within the first four attempts. NMC took this decision in compliance with the direction issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 02.05.2023. Later this relief was extended to the MBBS 2020-2021 batch as well.

Also Read: NMC Allows Additional Attempts To MBBS Students Of 2020-2021 Academic Year