Updated: October 09, 2023, 11:27 AM IST
NMC releases Public Notice for MBBS Passing Mark: In a recent public notice, the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) clarified that the amendment introduced to the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) Curriculum regarding the passing criteria for MBBS exams will not have any retrospective effect.
The clarification comes after some confusion arose following the amendment’s introduction on September 1, 2023. The amendment reduced the minimum passing criteria to 40% for subjects having two papers, but it was not clear whether this change would apply to exams held before the amendment’s issuance.
MBBS Passing Marks: Modification in Rules
As per the modified rules, the students will have to obtain 50% marks in aggregate and 60:40 (minimum) or 40:60 (minimum) in university-conducted examinations separately in theory and practical (practical includes practical/clinical and viva voce) in order to be declared as passed in that subject.
MBBS Passing Marks: Prior amendments
Prior to the amendment, the CBME Curriculum Guidelines, published on August 1, 2023, required students to secure a minimum of 50% of marks in aggregate for both papers in subjects with two papers. The criteria for passing a subject also mandated obtaining 50% marks in University-conducted examinations separately in Theory and practical.
The NMC UGMEB’s amendment, however, introduced a change stating, “In subjects that have two papers, the learner must secure a minimum of 40% of marks in aggregate (both papers together) to pass in the said subject.” It also modified the criteria for passing a subject to require students to obtain 50% marks.
To clear up the confusion, the Director of NMC UG Medical Education Board, Shambhu Sharan Kumar, issued a Public Notice on October 3, 2023, emphasizing that the amendment would not have a retrospective effect. In other words, the modified passing criteria would only apply to exams held after the amendment was introduced on September 1, 2023.
MBBS Passing Marks: What are the actual changes?
While some media reports claimed that NMC had withdrawn the amendment, this is not the case. The clarification means that the amended rules will not be applicable to exams conducted before the amendment’s implementation.
In essence, students pursuing the MBBS course will benefit from the modified passing criteria if their exams are held after the amendment’s introduction on September 1, 2023. The NMC’s decision aims to provide clarity regarding the application of the new passing criteria and ensure fairness for all students affected by the changes.
