NMC grants one-time mercy attempt for MBBS students to clear first-year exam
The National Medical Commission allows a fifth chance for students admitted from 2019-20 onwards while maintaining the strict 10-year degree limit.
The National Medical Commission has granted a one-time additional mercy attempt to eligible medical students admitted from the 2019-20 academic year onwards to clear their First Professional MBBS Examination. Under a public notice issued by its Undergraduate Medical Education Board, eligible candidates can now take up to five attempts to pass their first-year exams, expanding the standard cap of four.
The apex medical body reached the decision during its 18th meeting following representations from students, colleges, and university authorities highlighting severe difficulties over recent years, including academic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, medical emergencies, and personal setbacks.
Rules and eligibility for the mercy attempt
The policy offers immediate relief to eligible pending cases across medical institutions without relaxing baseline academic standards.
| Parameter | Rule Under NMC Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Total attempts allowed | Up to 5 attempts (4 standard + 1 mercy attempt) |
| Eligible batches | MBBS students admitted from AY 2019-20 onwards |
| First-year duration cap | Extended if admission remains valid |
| Sixth attempt eligibility | Strictly prohibited |
| Overall MBBS completion limit | Fixed at 10 years including internship |
Students who have passed the four-year mark for completing the First Professional course remain eligible for this extra attempt, provided their admission has not been revoked or cancelled by their respective university or medical college.
However, the regulator made clear that candidates who have already exhausted five attempts through earlier NMC decisions or court orders will not receive a sixth attempt.
Maintaining standards in medical education
While addressing the grievances of students affected by unprecedented disruptions, the NMC emphasized that the overarching timeframe to complete the medical degree remains strictly guarded. The maximum duration allowed for completing the MBBS course, including the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship, stays capped at ten years from the date of admission.
The Commission specified that this decision represents a single transitional measure to settle pending cases and does not constitute a permanent regulatory change or a precedent for upcoming academic batches.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total exam attempts allowed | 5 attempts (1 mercy attempt beyond 4 standard attempts) | Undergraduate Medical Education Board notice |
| Eligible academic batches | MBBS students admitted from academic year 2019-20 onwards | National Medical Commission |
| Maximum overall MBBS duration | 10 years including internship | National Medical Commission |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| National Medical Commission | Apex medical education regulator in India that granted the extra attempt. |
| Undergraduate Medical Education Board | Board within the NMC that issued the official notification. |
