NMC gives MBBS students admitted since 2019-20 a fifth shot at the first-year exam, but the 10-year limit stays

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has granted one additional attempt, which it calls a mercy attempt, at the First Professional MBBS examination to students admitted to MBBS from the 2019-20 academic year onwards. The public notice from NMC’s Undergraduate Medical Education Board is dated 15 October 2026. For eligible students it lifts the cap from the prescribed four attempts to five, as a one-time relaxation.

Why now

The Commission took the decision at its 18th meeting on 23 September 2026. It says students, universities and others had asked for an extra attempt because of exceptional circumstances: disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, health problems and personal difficulties. It also cites its own earlier decisions that gave a one-time mercy attempt to students admitted in 2019-20 and 2020-21.

Who gets the extra attempt

Students admitted to MBBS from 2019-20 onwards can take a fifth attempt at the First Professional examination, provided that:

• their admission is still valid, and
• it has not been cancelled by their university or college.

The attempt is available even if you have crossed the four-year period normally allowed to complete the First Professional course.

Who does not

If you were admitted from 2019-20 onwards and have already used a mercy attempt under an earlier NMC decision or a court order, so that you have had five attempts in all, this notice gives you nothing more. NMC states plainly that it does not open a sixth attempt.

The 10-year ceiling does not move

The whole MBBS course, including the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship, must still be completed within 10 years of the date of admission. NMC says the extra attempt does not extend or relax that limit. A student who joined in 2019 has until the same date in 2029 to finish everything, internship included, so check that a fifth attempt still leaves enough time for the later phases.

A one-off, not a new rule

NMC calls this a one-time, exceptional, transitional measure for eligible pending cases. It is not a retrospective change to the rule on the number of attempts, and it is not a precedent for later batches. The Commission has asked universities and medical colleges to deal with eligible cases on this basis and has copied the notice to the medical education departments of every state and union territory.

What to do now

1. Count your attempts at First Professional MBBS. If you have used four and no mercy attempt, this notice is for you.
2. Get written confirmation from your college that your admission is valid and has not been cancelled.
3. Ask your university’s examination section when the next First Professional exam will be held and how to apply under this notice. The notice itself does not fix an exam date.
4. Work out your 10-year deadline from your admission date before you plan the rest of the course.

For how the MBBS course is structured, phase by phase, see our MBBS course guide.

CareerBox News Desk, reporting on the National Medical Commission’s Undergraduate Medical Education Board public notice No. N-U013(21)/1/2026-UGMEB-NMC of 15 October 2026 granting one additional (mercy) attempt at the First Professional MBBS examination. Official portal: nmc.org.in. Dates and eligibility change; confirm them on the official portal before you act.