According to reports, the decision was approved by the institute’s Standing Committee during a recent meeting. The additional attempt will reportedly be granted on compassionate grounds through a mercy petition mechanism, aimed at helping students who struggle to clear the demanding MBBS examinations within the previously prescribed limit.

Under the earlier rules followed by AIIMS institutions and aligned with the Graduate Medical Education Regulations (GMER) issued by the National Medical Commission, MBBS students were permitted only four attempts to clear the First Professional MBBS examination. Students unable to pass within the permitted attempts were barred from continuing the undergraduate medical course.

Reports stated that the administration of AIIMS Gorakhpur chose to adopt a humanitarian approach while considering the academic future of students. Executive Director and CEO Major General (Retd.) Dr. Vibha Dutta reportedly clarified that while one additional attempt would now be provided on compassionate grounds, no further opportunity would be granted if a student failed even after the fifth attempt.

The move comes amid growing discussions over the strict nature of MBBS examination regulations in India. The NMC’s GMER 2023 regulations had clearly stated that students would not be allowed more than four attempts for the First Professional MBBS examination and that no undergraduate medical student could continue the course beyond nine years from the date of admission.

Interestingly, the issue had earlier drawn national attention during the COVID-19 period. In 2023, the NMC granted a one-time additional attempt to MBBS students of the 2019-20 batch who could not clear their first professional examination within the standard four attempts, citing the extraordinary disruptions caused by the pandemic.

The latest decision by AIIMS Gorakhpur also aligns with recommendations made by the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare. In its 172nd report, the parliamentary panel observed that restricting students to only four attempts could be excessively harsh considering the rigorous and stressful nature of medical education. The committee reportedly suggested increasing the permissible limit to six attempts while recommending that students complete the MBBS programme within a maximum period of ten years from admission.

Medical education experts believe the revised policy could reduce academic pressure on struggling students while maintaining the integrity of professional medical training. The decision is also expected to generate wider discussions across medical institutions regarding flexibility in examination policies and student welfare measures.

At present, AIIMS Gorakhpur’s decision is being seen as a major academic relief for MBBS aspirants and students, particularly those facing difficulty in clearing professional examinations within the stipulated timeframe.