NMC Revises CBME Guidelines, Modifies MBBS Exam Passing Criteria
New Delhi: Introducing amendment to the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) Curriculum, the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has now modified the criteria for passing the MBBS examination.
In the final CBME Curriculum Guidelines that were published by the Apex Medical Commission on August 01, 2023, 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).
However, modifying this rule, NMC has reduced the minimum passing percentage to 40% and 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."
Modifications have been introduced in the criteria for passing in a subject as well. Previously, the Guidelines stated that the candidates will be required to 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.
Introducing amendment to the Guidelines, NMC has clarified that the candidates are only required 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.
Issuing a corrigendum in this regard on September 01, 2023, NMC UG Board notified about the previous rules and the new modified rules for passing a subject in the MBBS course and mentioned,
"Kindly refer to the communication of even no. dated 01st August, 2023 on the above mentioned subject and to inform that provisions at page 58 of CBME is amended as under :
| Page 58 of CBME Guidelines | Amended page 58 of CBME Guidelines |
| In subjects that have two papers, the learner must secure minimum 50% of marks in aggregate (both papers together) to pass in the said subject. | 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. |
| Criteria for passing in a subject : 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. | Criteria for passing in a subject : 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." |
The final CBME curriculum for the MBBS course includes objectives of the Indian Graduate Medical Training Programme, National Goals in respect of the Indian Medical Graduates, Institutional Goals, Goals for the Learner, Competency Based Training Programme of the Indian Medical Graduate, Lifelong learner committed to continuous improvement of skills and knowledge.
Apart from these, the Curriculum at length has discussed about the competencies, broad subject specific objectives, skills, integration in respect of 1st professional year subjects including Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, 2nd professional year subjects including Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, 3rd professional year subjects such as Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Community Medicine, Oto-rhinolaryngology (ENT), Ophthalmology, 3rd professional year part II subjects including General Medicine, Pediatrics, Dermatology, Psychiatry, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Orthopedics (including Trauma), Anaesthesiology, and Radiodiagnosis.
Further, the final CBME Curriculum has also discussed the phase-wise training and time distribution for professional development. It includes training period and time distribution, the distribution of 4.5 years period, phase-wise distribution of teaching hours. It also discussed the new teaching/learning elements including the foundation course, early clinical exposure, electives, Professional Development including Attitude, Ethics and Communication Module (AETCOM), Learner-doctor method of clinical training (Clinical Clerkship), Assessment etc.
The duration of 4.5 years of the MBBS course has been divided into three phases. The tenure of Phase I or the First Professional phase is 12 months including a Foundation Course of one week and university exams. Similarly, the 12 months long Phase II or Second Professional phase includes university examinations. In the case of Phase III, the tenure is 30 months long and it is divided in Third Professional Part I and Part II. Among these, Third Professional Part I is 12 months long and it includes university exams. In the case of Third Professional Part II, it is 18 months long including the University exams.
Regarding the Assessment and eligibility to appear for Professional examinations, the new CBME curriculum discussed attendance, internal assessment, university examinations, appointment of examiners etc.
The regulations also include AETCOM competencies for first, second and third-year (part I and part II) MBBS. Tables specifying time distribution of MBBS programme & examination schedule, distribution of subjects in each Professional Phase, Foundation Course, Distribution of subject-wise teaching hours of MBBS 1st, 2nd and final year MBBS, clinical posting schedules in weeks, learner-doctor programme, marks distribution for various subjects for University annual examinations, etc. It also includes subject-wise formats for marking the students in theory and practical examinations.
The new regulations also include the curriculum for the Family Adoption Programme. The curriculum discussed in detail about targets to be achieved by the MBBS students in their first, second, and third professional year of the course. Further, the curriculum lists down the competencies that the students should be able to acquire, objectives, suggested teaching-learning methods, suggested assessment methods, and teaching hours.
Further, the Family Adoption Programme curriculum also includes the log book for Family Adoption, which shall include the name of the college, university, address details, name of the students, roll number, village name, Tehsil/District, State/Union Territory, name of the mentor, status of the mentor, name and address and experience of Asha worker, etc.
The regulations also include the guidelines for manpower requirement for research facilities in a medical college, and the guidelines regarding admission of students with "specified disabilities" under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 with respect to admission in MBBS course.
To view the NMC Corrigendum, click on the link below:
https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/nmc-cbme-curriculum-218058.pdf
Also Read: NMC releases final regulations on MBBS Curriculum
