NMC grants mercy attempt to eligible MBBS students to clear first professional exam

As per the conditions stipulated in the notice issued by the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the NMC, the additional attempt will be available even to students who have crossed the prescribed four-year period for completing the First Professional MBBS course, provided their admission remains valid and has not been cancelled by the concerned university or college.

Students who have already used an additional mercy attempt and exhausted a total of five attempts under an earlier NMC decision or a court direction will not be eligible for another attempt under the latest relaxation.

Besides, the ten-year limit for completing MBBS remains unchanged.

The apex Medical Commission, in its 18th NMC meeting held on 23.09.2026, considered granting an additional mercy attempt to MBBS students for passing the First Professional MBBS Examination, subject to conditions as specified in the Public Notice issued by the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the NMC.

“The matter was examined in view of the representations received from students, universities and other stakeholders seeking an additional attempt on account of exceptional circumstances, including disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, health-related issues and other personal difficulties, as well as the Commission's earlier decisions granting a one-time mercy attempt to students admitted in Academic Years (AY) 2019–20 and 2020-21,” the NMC mentioned.

Upon consideration of the matter, the apex medical regulator has approved a one-time exceptional transitional relaxation for eligible students, subject to the following conditions:

Grant of one additional attempt

Students admitted to the MBBS course from AY 2019-20 AND ONWARDS, shall be permitted one additional attempt over and above the prescribed 4 attempts (i.e., total 5 attempts) for passing the First Professional MBBS Examination thereby allowing a maximum of five attempts (including the prescribed 4 attempts), subject to the conditions specified herein.

a. The additional attempt shall be available even where the student has crossed the prescribed four-year period for completion of the First Professional MBBS Course.

b. provided that the student's admission continues to remain valid; and

c. has not been cancelled by the concerned University/College.

Students who have already availed a Mercy Attempt

Students admitted in MBBS Course from AY 2019-20 and onwards who have already availed one additional mercy attempt, thereby exhausting a total of five attempts, pursuant to an earlier decision of the Commission or any directions of a Court, as the case may be, shall not be entitled to any further mercy attempt under the present decision.

Accordingly, the present relaxation shall not entitle any such student to a sixth attempt.

Maximum overall duration for completion of the MBBS course

The overall duration for completion of the MBBS course, including the applicable period of Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI), shall not exceed ten years from the date of admission.

Grant of the additional attempt shall not be construed as extending or relaxing the aforesaid maximum overall duration.

Nature and scope of the relaxation

The aforesaid relaxation is a one-time exceptional transitional measure intended to provide relief in eligible pending cases before the Commission. The relaxation shall not be construed as retrospective application of the amended regulatory provision concerning the permissible number of attempts, nor shall it be treated as a precedent for subsequent academic batches.

"All concerned Universities, Medical Colleges and other stakeholders are advised to take note of the above decision and deal with eligible cases accordingly," the NMC directed.

To view the NMC notice, click here