Tamil Nadu: MBBS Students Demand Relaxed Marking Scheme in Exams

Chennai: Highlighting an alleged delay by the universities to implement the relaxed passing criteria introduced by the National Medical Commission, dozens of MBBS students have demanded immediate action in this regard.

The students alleged that despite a High Court order favouring the students, the universities have not yet implemented the new set of relaxed guidelines for the academic assessment proposed by the Apex Medical Education Regulatory Body, NMC.

Among the students who approached the Madras HC bench, a large section of students were those who were declared failed under the previous rules. However, the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) Curriculum guidelines were published by the Commission on August 01, 2023, and they came into effect on the same day.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that 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).

Later, through a Public Notice dated October 03, 2023, NMC clarified that the modifications introduced to the MBBS exam passing criteria will not have a retrospective effect. 

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

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

As per the latest media report by the Sunday Guardian Live, the students who filed a plea before the Madras High Court argued that since the new norms came into effect from August 1 and some of their exams were conducted after this date, they should get the benefit of the relaxed assessment criteria.

The medicos, who were declared as failed and whose promotions to the next semester was withheld as per the old rules, approached the Pondicherry University urging the authorities to revise their results based on the new guidelines. Since, they were denied relief, the students approached the High Court and were granted relief from the Court.

However, the students have now claimed that the matter has come to a halt as the University has not yet granted any relief to them. This is the situation even though the High Court had issued the directions in this regard around two months ago.

Therefore, the aggrieved students, including some of the medicos belonging to the government-run Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, have now started complaining that the University has not yet revised their results in compliance with the new NMC norms.

It was highlighted by the students that the High Court had specifically mentioned in the order that the NMC had released the new CBME guidelines that revoked the earlier CBME guidelines. Therefore the students who obtained 50% marks in aggregate and 60:40 (minimum) or 40:60 (minimum) in the University conducted theory and practical papers should be declared as passed.

Further, the HC bench observed that the guidelines are effective only from 01.08.2023 and therefore would apply to a block of exams that were held after that day. However, the new guidelines do not make any distinction between individual papers and block of examinations. These guidelines would have only prospective application. 

The Court also observed that there is no quarrel in this regard as even the Frequently Asked Questions issued by the Commission stated that the guidelines are applicable on and from the date of application i.e. from August 01, 2023.

However, the students are yet to get relief. Commenting on the matter, a student told the Daily, "Even after the court order, the Pondicherry University has not revised the result of students on whom the revised guidelines are applicable."

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