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Bhopal/Jabalpur, May 15, 2025:
In a significant development, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued notices to the National Medical Commission (NMC) and Madhya Pradesh Medical Science University following a plea by an MBBS student seeking a ‘mercy attempt’ to clear his first-year examination. The court has sought responses from both institutions regarding the student’s request for an additional opportunity to pass the exam after exhausting the standard number of attempts.
Background of the Case
The petitioner, a student from Morena, had cleared the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) in 2022 and subsequently enrolled at Bundelkhand Medical College, Sagar. Despite four attempts-the maximum allowed under current regulations-the student was unable to pass the first-year MBBS examination, falling short by just nine marks in his final attempt.
According to the student’s counsel, senior advocate Aditya Sanghi, the petitioner faced significant psychological challenges, including depression, which affected his academic performance. The counsel argued that denying a ‘mercy attempt’ would not only derail the student’s aspirations but also cause undue hardship to his financially constrained family, who hoped he would become a doctor and serve society.
Precedents and Legal Arguments
The petitioner’s legal team referenced previous instances during the COVID-19 pandemic when the NMC granted additional attempts to students affected by disruptions in medical education. Specifically, MBBS students from the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 batches were given a one-time relaxation, allowing a fifth attempt to clear their first-year exams.
However, it is important to note that the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court have previously upheld Regulation 7.7 of the NMC’s Graduate Medical Education (Amendment), 2019, which limits the number of examination attempts. Despite this, the petitioner’s counsel argued that the unique circumstances of the case merit special consideration.
Next Steps
The division bench, comprising Justices Sanjeev Sachdeva and Vinay Saraf, has taken cognizance of the petition and directed the NMC and Madhya Pradesh Medical Science University to respond. The outcome of this case could have broader implications for students facing similar challenges across the country.
Disclaimer
This article is based on information reported by Medical Dialogues and other publicly available sources as of May 15, 2025. The legal proceedings are ongoing, and the final decision by the court is awaited. Readers are advised to consult official notifications and legal counsel for the most current and accurate information.
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