The National Medical Commission (NMC) has granted a one-time additional attempt to eligible MBBS students admitted from the 2019-20 academic session onwards to clear the First Professional MBBS examination. The decision will provide relief to 82 students from government and private medical colleges in Chhattisgarh. The relaxation increases the maximum number of attempts from four to five, enabling eligible students who have exhausted their prescribed attempts to get another opportunity to clear the examination. Passing the examination is essential for progressing through the MBBS course and eventually qualifying for medical practice and postgraduate studies.

 

According to a notice issued by NMC Secretary Dr Raghav Langer, the decision was taken in response to representations from students, universities and other stakeholders seeking an additional attempt in view of exceptional circumstances, including disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, health issues and personal difficulties. The decision was approved at the Commission’s 18th meeting held on September 23. The one-time transitional relaxation applies to eligible students admitted to MBBS from the 2019-20 academic session onwards.

 

It will be available even to those who have exceeded 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. However, the Commission has clarified that the overall duration for completing the MBBS course, including the applicable period of Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI), must not exceed 10 years from the date of admission. The additional attempt will not extend or relax this maximum time limit. Dr AK Choudhari, Dean of Pt Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Medical College, Raipur, said the decision was a one-time exceptional transitional measure intended to provide relief to eligible students with pending cases. Medical academician Dr PK Patra said that the additional attempt would give students another opportunity to clear the examination and continue their medical education, bringing relief to those who had exhausted the earlier limit of four attempts.