NMC Grants Fifth 'Mercy Attempt' for MBBS First Professional Exam to Students Admitted from 2019-20 Session

1At a glance

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has granted a one-time 'mercy attempt' for the First Professional MBBS exam to students admitted from the 2019-20 academic session onwards. This provides a fifth attempt to eligible students who have already exhausted four attempts, primarily citing disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and other difficulties.

Extra Attempt Granted
NMC provides a one-time fifth 'mercy attempt' for the MBBS First Professional exam to batches from 2019-20.
COVID-19 Disruption Relief
The decision is a relief measure for students whose studies and exams were disrupted by the pandemic.
Conditional Benefit
Students who have already been granted a fifth attempt by universities or courts are not eligible for this new relief.

2Facts to remember

Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.

3Detailed analysis

Context / Background

The National Medical Commission (NMC) replaced the Medical Council of India (MCI) in 2020 as the apex regulatory body for medical education. The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted the academic calendar, examinations, and mental well-being of students nationwide, leading to demands for compensatory measures from various stakeholders, including medical colleges and universities.

Core Analysis & Implications

This policy is a targeted regulatory intervention to address academic setbacks. By limiting the benefit to students who have not received similar relief before, NMC aims to prevent double-dipping and maintain standard integrity. It impacts hundreds of medical students, allowing them to continue their education without losing an academic year due to factors beyond their control, thereby also addressing potential future shortages of medical professionals.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Medical colleges and universities, particularly in Uttar Pradesh as mentioned, must now implement these guidelines. The NMC may need to monitor the implementation to ensure uniformity. This sets a precedent for future crisis-responsive adjustments in rigid academic structures, highlighting the need for built-in flexibility in professional course regulations.

4Background GK

Textbook concepts you need to understand this news

National Medical Commission (NMC): The apex regulatory body for medical education and professionals in India, established in 2020 by the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, replacing the Medical Council of India (MCI).
Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB): One of the four autonomous boards under the NMC, responsible for setting standards for undergraduate medical education, curriculum, and assessment.

5How exams will ask this

Data: Eligible batch is from academic session 2019-20 onwards.
Nodal Body: National Medical Commission (NMC) and its Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB).
Exclusion: Benefit NOT for students who already got a fifth attempt via university/court.

Don't make this mistake!

They may ask which batch is eligible and give options like 2020-21 or 2018-19 as distractors. They might also swap 'NMC' with the old body 'Medical Council of India (MCI)'.

Write these in mains answers

Regulatory flexibilityCrisis-responsive governanceBalancing standards with equity

6Practice questions

Pick an answer, then read the explanation.

Q1Easy
The 'mercy attempt' for MBBS students, as per the news, is granted by which regulatory body?
Explanation: The article clearly states that the decision to grant a fifth 'mercy attempt' was taken by the National Medical Commission (NMC). NMC is the current apex regulator for medical education, having replaced the Medical Council of India (MCI).
Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the NMC's decision on MBBS exam attempts:
1. 1.It grants a one-time fifth attempt for the First Professional MBBS exam.
2. 2.The benefit is applicable to all MBBS students irrespective of their year of admission.
3. 3.Students who have already received a fifth attempt through a court order are not eligible for this new relief.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as the article mentions a one-time 'mercy attempt' (fifth attempt). Statement 2 is incorrect because the benefit is specifically for students admitted from the 2019-20 academic session onwards, not all students. Statement 3 is correct as the article explicitly excludes students who have already been granted a fifth chance by a university or court.
Q3Medium
From which academic session onwards are MBBS students eligible for the one-time 'mercy attempt' as per the NMC's recent decision?
Explanation: The article specifically states that the benefit is for students admitted in the academic session 2019-20 and later. The 2019-20 batch was among the first to experience significant COVID-19 pandemic disruptions during their course.
Q4Medium
What was the primary rationale cited by the NMC for granting an extra attempt to MBBS students?
Explanation: The article mentions that the decision was made considering the difficulties faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, including disruptions in studies and exams, along with other health-related problems. The other options, while may be general goals, are not the stated primary reason for this specific relief measure.

7All sources

Original27 October 2026 · Read story