NMC Grants Eligible MBBS Students One Extra Attempt to Clear First Professional Exam; 10-Year Course Limit Remains
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has granted a one-time additional attempt to eligible Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students admitted from the 2019–20 academic year onwards to clear the First Professional MBBS Examination. The decision provides temporary relief to students who have struggled to pass the examination within the prescribed number of attempts. However, the overall maximum period allowed to complete the MBBS course remains unchanged at 10 years from the date of admission.
Maximum Number of Attempts Increased to Five
Under the latest decision, eligible students can receive one additional attempt beyond the four attempts ordinarily permitted for passing the First Professional MBBS Examination. This increases the maximum number of attempts to five, subject to the conditions specified by the NMC.
The Commission considered the matter following representations from students, universities and other stakeholders. These representations highlighted exceptional circumstances, including disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, health-related issues and personal difficulties that affected students’ academic progress.
The decision was approved at the NMC’s 18th meeting held on September 23, 2026. The Undergraduate Medical Education Board subsequently issued a public notice dated October 15, 2026, setting out the conditions for the additional attempt.
The measure is described as a one-time exceptional transitional relaxation for eligible pending cases. It is not a permanent amendment that automatically grants an extra attempt to every MBBS student.
Who Is Eligible for the Additional Attempt?
The relaxation applies to eligible students admitted to the MBBS course from the 2019–20 academic year onwards. Students must satisfy the conditions specified in the official NMC notice before they can use the additional opportunity.
The notice also allows eligible students to receive the extra attempt even if they have crossed the prescribed four-year period for completing the First Professional MBBS course. However, their admission must continue to be valid and must not have been cancelled by the concerned university or medical college.
Students should not assume that the additional attempt is available automatically in every case. Their academic records, admission status and previous attempts may affect eligibility. They should therefore contact their college or university examination department to confirm whether they qualify and to obtain instructions on the applicable procedure.
Students Who Have Already Used Five Attempts Cannot Get a Sixth
The NMC has also clarified that the latest decision does not provide another attempt to students who have already exhausted five attempts, including an earlier mercy attempt granted under a previous Commission decision or a court direction.
Such students will not be entitled to a sixth attempt under the latest relaxation. The additional opportunity is intended to address eligible pending cases rather than provide unlimited attempts to clear the examination.
Students must carefully review their examination history and the terms of the public notice before seeking relief. Universities and medical colleges are expected to consider eligible cases in accordance with the stated conditions.
Ten-Year MBBS Completion Limit Remains Unchanged
Although the NMC has allowed an additional attempt in eligible cases, it has not extended the maximum overall duration permitted for completing the MBBS course.
The total course-completion period must not exceed 10 years from the date of admission. This limit includes the applicable period of Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI).
The Commission has specifically clarified that the mercy attempt does not extend or relax this 10-year limit. Therefore, students who receive the additional opportunity must still complete the required academic programme and internship within the permitted overall duration.
This distinction is important because permission to take another examination is not the same as permission to remain enrolled beyond the maximum course-completion period.
What Students Should Do Next
Eligible students should read the latest notice published on the official National Medical Commission website and contact their respective medical colleges or universities for confirmation of their eligibility.
They should verify whether their admission remains valid, whether they have already exhausted the maximum permitted attempts and how the institution will process the additional opportunity. Students should also check official institutional announcements for the examination schedule, registration procedure and any deadlines.
No examination date or application deadline should be assumed unless it has been officially announced by the relevant authority or institution.
The latest decision offers a limited opportunity for qualifying students to clear the First Professional MBBS Examination. However, the relief remains subject to specific eligibility conditions and does not change the 10-year maximum duration for completing the course, including the applicable compulsory internship.
Students are advised to rely on official NMC communications and instructions issued by their universities or colleges for the final determination of their eligibility.
