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The National Medical Commission (NMC) has recently published a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) pertaining to the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum. These FAQs aim to provide clear and accessible explanations for the general public. Following the initial draft release in June 2023, the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of NMC officially released the final Competency-Based Medical Education Regulations for 2023 on August 1st of the same year.
The released FAQs cover a range of important topics, including the effective date of these guidelines, which MBBS batch will be subject to them, and whether a student with insufficient attendance in annual exams can sit for supplementary examinations. Additionally, inquiries such as the possibility for a student to advance to the next academic year after completing annual exams, the permissible duration for MBBS training, the calculation of attempts for first-year MBBS students, consequences of failing to complete the MBBS course and internship within the allotted time, and the allocation of marks for MCQs in annual exams have been addressed.
Furthermore, NMC has provided responses to questions regarding the required marks in theory papers to pass annual examinations in cases where there are two papers for a given subject. They have also addressed inquiries concerning grace marks in university exams, the number of examiners for annual exams, queries related to external examiners, questions about non-medical faculty members serving as examiners, the implementation of family adoption programs, and student migration between colleges.
It’s important to note that while these FAQs offer valuable information, the NMC emphasizes that they do not carry legal weight in a court of law. For matters of legal validity, it is recommended to consult the relevant official guidelines provided by the NMC. The following are the frequently asked questions that have been addressed by the NMC:
Q1. Since when will these guidelines be applicable?
These guidelines are applicable since the date of publication i.e. from 1st August, 2023.
Q2. To whom are these guidelines applicable?
These guidelines are applicable for all stake holders, i.e. for every student of every batch admitted to MBBS course since 2019, presently pursuing MBBS course in a medical college/institution which is under the jurisdiction of NMC.
Q3. Whether a student can appear in the supplementary examination, if the attendance is inadequate at the time of annual examination?
No, if the student’s attendance is less than 75% for theory and less than 80% for practical/ clinical training, the student cannot appear in supplementary examination following the regular annual examination. Such student is required to take classes with junior batch commencing in the next academic year to compensate for his attendance deficit, especially the course, he has missed. He will be eligible to appear in the examination in the next academic year only.
However, before the commencement of annual examination, the college authorities may arrange for additional classes to compensate for attendance deficit. It shall be at the discretion and purview of the college authorities to arrange for making up deficiencies.
Q4. Can a student be allowed to join the classes of the next academic year after appearing for the annual examination?
For 1st MBBS examination: Second MBBS classes/ clinical or practical training shall not start till the results of 1st MBBS are declared. Student shall only be allowed to join 2nd MBBS if he has successfully passed in all subjects in annual/ supplementary examination of 1st MBBS.
For 2nd MBBS: A candidate, who fails in the second Professional examination, shall be allowed to join the third Professional Part I training, however he shall not be allowed to appear for the examination unless he has passed second professional examination.
For Final MBBS: A candidate who fails in the third Professional (Part I) examination shall be allowed to join third Professional part II training, however he shall not be allowed to appear for the final examination/NExT unless he has passed final first professional examination.
Q6. What is the total course duration permitted for MBBS training?
Every student is required to undergo a minimum period of study extending over 4 ½ academic years, divided into four professional years from the date of commencement of course to the date of completion of examination which shall be followed by one year of compulsory rotating medical internship.
The maximum total duration of MBBS course permitted to complete the MBBS course, is ten (10) years including the period of Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI).
Maximum permitted duration for completion of Internship is 2 years. This is applicable for all MBBS students admitted in 2019 and thereafter.
Q7. How are the 4 attempts/4 years counted for first year MBBS students?
No student shall be allowed more than four (04) attempts for first year (First Professional MBBS). In these four years, the maximum number of attempts permitted shall be four (4) which include supplementary examination also.
Q8. What if a candidate fails complete MBBS Course or mandatory Internship (CRMI) within a stipulated time limit?
If a candidate fails to qualify/complete the course / internship in prescribed time limit, he shall not be allowed to continue the MBBS Course under any circumstances.
Q9. How many marks have to be allotted for MCQ in the annual examination?
The maximum marks to be allotted for MCQ in the annual examination shall be 20. It shall be at the discretion of the University to work out the details.
Q10. What will be the marks required for theory examination for passing in the annual examination if there are two papers for a given subject?
The aggregate or sum-total of theory and practicals for a given subject shall be at least 50% to declare a student as having successfully cleared a subject, i.e. passed in a subject. However, the minimum score in theory/ practical examination shall be at least 40% of the allotted marks.
E.g., if the maximum allotted marks are 100, the student shall have to score at least 40 marks out of 100. When there are two papers of 100 marks each, the sum total of two papers shall be 40%, which means that a student has to score a sum-total of 80 marks in both papers out of 200, to be declared as having passed in the subject; provided he scores at least 60% in practical examination. Vice versa shall also be applicable.
Q11. Will there be any grace marks in university examination?
There shall be no grace marks in the university examination.
Q12. How many examiners shall be required to be appointed for annual examination?
Each student shall be examined by a set of four examiners, 2 internal and 2 external. Thus even if a supplementary examination is to be conducted for small number of students, 4 examiners are mandatorily required for the student’s evaluation/ performance.
Q13. Do the external examiners have to be from outside the university or can they be appointed even if they are from the same university?
Any faculty who is not from the college where the students are to be examined, shall be treated as external, even if he is from the same university. However, if possible, examiners from outside the university and preferably from outside the state may be appointed as external examiners. This shall widen the horizons of students and examiners and students across the whole country shall be evaluated more equitably.
Q14. Whether the non-medico faculty members (without MBBS/MD/MS Qualifications) can be appointed as examiners?
No. Only MBBS faculty with required qualifications mentioned in guidelines shall be eligible to be appointed as examiners for UG examination at all stages, i.e. both internal examination and final university examinations.
Q15. From which batch is the family adoption program mandatory?
Family adoption program through village outreach is mandatory from MBBS batch admitted in the year 2023-24. Those batches who have introduced FAP shall assess the students as per the assessment module displayed on the website. It is mandatory for all colleges to follow the guidelines mentioned in family adoption program.
Q16. Whether a student can take transfer/migration from one medical college to another medical college?
No student once designated to a Medical Institution shall be allowed to seek transfer/migration to any other Medical Institution under any circumstances.
