The candidates who have attempted the First Professional MBBS Examination but failed can take an extra attempt as per the decision taken by the National Medical Commission (NMC) in the one-time attempt. The announcement, made in a notice on 15 October 2026, extended the relief to the students who have completed the four attempts, but failed to pass the first year MBBS exams.
The decision is especially significant for students whose medical education has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, medical issues, or other unusual personal situations. It is, however, subject to certain eligibility criteria and it does not imply that all MBBS students can attempt as many times as they want.
Students who are not succeeding in passing out their First Professional MBBS Exam should keep in mind the new rules set by the NMC and reach out to their respective medical college or university for confirmation.
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Get the NMC Extra Attempt for First Professional MBBS latest news 2026 here.Here is the latest news for the NMC Extra Attempt for First Professional MBBS for 2026.
Eligible students who were admitted to MBBS from 2019-20 onwards will be allowed to appear once more in the First Professional MBBS Examination after the four attempts.
This will allow eligible students to take five attempts instead of four, subject to conditions outlined in the Commission.
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The decision was made in the 18th meeting of the NMC, which was held on 23 September 2026. It’s a one-time transitional relaxation to deal with pending examination cases and not a permanent relaxation of the examination rules.
Students should not take for granted that the relaxation extends to all candidates that failed the first year exam. Students’ eligibility shall be determined from the official notification and their academic record.
The notification of NMC: Read the notice on the National Medical Commission website.
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What Is the NMC Mercy Attempt for MBBS Students?
Mercy Attempts – also known as Additional Attempts – are exceptional opportunities to sit an examination after a student has made the maximum number of examinations allowed.
As per the applicable First Professional MBBS Examination Rules, the student could take a maximum of four attempts to pass the first professional course. This most recent NMC ruling provides an extra chance for those who are qualified and require additional time.
The intent of this relief is to enable eligible students who are requiring to undertake First Professional MBBS exams to continue this phase of their medical education.
But this extra time is not a blanket waiver of the MBBS exam rules. Students have to meet the relevant conditions and the relaxation does not extend the overall time limit to complete the MBBS course.
What are the qualifications for the NMC Extra Attempt 2026?
Below are the key eligibility criteria set out by the NMC.
1. Students accepted starting 2019–20 school year
Eligible students, who have been admitted to MBBS course from 2019-20 onwards will receive this notification. The extra attempt is designed for those candidates who have not passed FPMBBSE after 4 attempts.
Not all students who are admitted are eligible. The other conditions mentioned in the notification must also be fulfilled by the students.
2. Students who have used their four attempts
Under this one time relaxation, students who have used all 4 attempts of ordinarily are allowed to be considered for the additional attempt of the First Professional MBBS Examination.
Before processing the case, the concerned university or medical college should verify the candidate’s examination history.
3. Students who have transgressed the Allotted 4-year period
The NMC has also given an amnesty to eligible students who have missed the time limit of four years for the completion of the 1st professional MBBS course.
These students may be considered for admission if their admission is not cancelled by the college/university in which they are currently attending.
This relaxation therefore does not preclude a person from still being eligible after the four-year period. The remaining conditions will require students to still satisfy.
4. Students who have not previously used one mercy attempt.
A further opportunity is not provided to students who have taken advantage of a mercy attempt and have used five attempts in accordance with a previous NMC decision, or a court direction.
This is not the sixth time for the relaxation as per the latest notification.
A student who has been assigned to take an additional test in accordance with an earlier order should therefore be careful to review his/her records before deciding to be eligible for yet another test.
The Additional MBBS Attempt is not for all students.The Additional MBBS Attempt is not applicable to all students.
This is not an unlimited third shot to all those who failed First professional MBBS for the latest NMC decision.
In the following cases, special care must be taken:
Under the latest decision, Students who have used 5 times (including a mercy attempt earlier) are not entitled to take a mercy attempt again.
This relaxation will not be considered as a basis for claiming eligibility for students whose admissions have been cancelled by the concerned medical college/ university.
The students who do not meet the respective conditions of the notification may not be eligible.
Students should not take it for granted that the notice means that they will have a right to more chances in later academic batches.
The final eligibility should be decided as per the official notification of the NMC and Examination Rules applicable.
Does the NMC Extra Attempt change the Four Year Rule?
The decision now offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to all students who have done the First Professional MBBS course and have passed the four-year period, and whose admission is still valid and has not been cancelled.
This is a key difference. It does not mean that a general change of the four-year rule is being made, but that pending cases, that may be eligible for the relaxation, are now considered for a second attempt.
Pupils should check with their University on how the relaxation applies to their individual academic and examination history.
Has there been any change in the maximum duration for completion of MBBS?
No. The latest NMC decision does not increase the maximum duration for the completion of the MBBS course along with the applicable duration of Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI).
Students should remember that there is a separate attempt for the First Professional MBBS Exam and a total of time for completion of the medical course.
Having allowed another first year to sit for exams does not give additional time for the remaining examination or internship period in the MBBS course.
It is important for students who are near the overall completion date to get any clarifications they may need in writing before using the relaxation.
Students need to take a morning or afternoon break of 30 minutes for the NMC Mercy Attempt.
Eligible students should contact their medical college and university examination department as soon as possible. They should not presume that the second shot has been granted for their personal situation without checking.
Students can be helped to understand and follow up their eligibility by the following steps:
The first step is to find out which year you were admitted to MBBS.First, see which year you have been admitted to MBBS.
State the academic year of your admission into the MBBS course. The current notification is for the students from the academic year 2019–20 onwards who got admitted.
Check the section on your examination history.Look at the part of your examination history.
Gather the previous results of your First Professional MBBS exam and check how many attempts have been made in the university.
Check to ensure that a previous mercy attempt was not granted or made.
To verify that your admission is still current.
If the student has passed the maximum 4 years as specified above, the student must specifically request from the university to confirm whether his/her admission is still considered valid or has been cancelled.
Write a request to the college or university to notify them of your intent to withdraw from a course.Write a college/university letter of request for withdrawal from a course.
Please reach out to the principal, dean or examination controller to apply for an eligibility assessment according to NMC notification dated 15 October 2026.
Attach appropriate admission/examination information and keep a copy of the request and reply.
Ask when the exams will be and how they will be conducted.
The one-time relaxation has been announced by the NMC, but students have to get directions from their university for the examination. Check the application process, examination dates, application forms, and any university guidelines regarding the applications directly with the competent authority.
Students should use official university communication and not unofficial messages sharing on social media.
Students should have the following documents ready to present:
The following records are to be kept on file with the student, for verification as needed:
Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
To confirm academic year of admission, MBBS admission letter or MBBS admission record. | |
To check examination results, candidates are supposed to refer to their previous examination marksheet of First Professional Degree MBBS. | |
A record of ability to make attempts to do an examination | |
Students’ ID card | Identity of student |
To verify academic record | |
Previous Mercy Attempt Approval (if any) | To find out if a previous mercy attempt was approved |
Relevant College/University correspondence | To support the eligibility review |
This is a preparation list—it doesn’t include the official document checklist. Students must check with their university the specific requirements.
Why is the NMC decision of vital importance to MBBS Students?Why is the NMC decision important to MBBS students?
First Professional MBBS Examination is one of the important examinations in medical science. If students are not able to pass it within the regular number of attempts, they could experience substantial academic uncertainty.
In the new decision, students who are eligible will have a brief chance to complete outstanding first-year examination tasks. It also specifies that student may be considered if the four-year period has been exceeded in qualifying cases, where the admission is still valid.
Meanwhile, the Commission has kept in place a ban on multiple mercy attempts and the combined period of time that a student may be allowed to complete a course. It should thus be regarded as a particular and temporary relaxation and should not be considered a radical change in the MBBS examination system.
Here are the key points of the NMC extra attempt for the first professional MBBS 2026 exam in a nutshell.In the nutshell, here are some key points about the NMC extra attempt for the first professional MBBS 2026 exam.
Particular | Details |
|---|---|
Regulatory body | National Medical Commission (NMC) |
Notice date | 15 October 2026 |
Program/Year of study | First Professional MBBS Examination |
From 2019–20 onwards, the number of students who are eligible for admission: | |
No. of attempts allowed (normal) | 4 |
Additional opportunity | One additional chance for qualified students |
Maximum attempts for relaxation is 5 – subject to eligibility | |
Students who had already tried mercy once in previous year | Not eligible for mercy in this year |
If the student’s admission has not been withdrawn, he/she may qualify if there is no cancellation. | |
Maximum overall period to complete MBBS | This decision has no extension |
Physical relaxation | Transitional measure, but once only |
Questions and answers about the course.Common tasks and responses for the course.
1. Has the NMC given a second chance to first-time MBBS professionals in 2026?
Yes. One more attempt to be given to eligible candidates of MBBS Course from 2019-20 academic year and onwards for passing out the First Professional MBBS Examination by the NMC on 15 October 2026.
2. Do students have to pass the 1st-year exam 5 times if they fail to pass?
Under the one time relaxation, eligible students will be provided with a maximum of 5 attempts. The extra attempt will be subject to the conditions contained in the notification, and not be available to all pupils automatically.
3. Is the NMC extra attempt applicable to the 2019–20 MBBS batch?
The notification is for eligible students who have been admitted from the 2019–20 academic year. Students in this batch are subject to the respective eligibility requirements as well.
4. Do students who are admitted after 2020–21 have the option of another attempt?
The new notification includes those who have been admitted to eligible courses in 2019–20. Students of subsequent batches who have availed of the earlier relaxations due to COVID-19 should ensure their eligibility based on the fresh notice instead of the previous COVID-related relaxations.
5. May a student who has attempted 5 times, obtain a 6th?
No. The new ruling does not allow for a sixth attempt for students who have already used up five attempts (including a mercy shot awarded in a previous NMC ruling or court order).
6. Can a student who has completed 4 years come to take the First Professional MBBS?
If the candidate is able to cross the specified time limit period of four years, he/she may be considered in the new relaxation even if admission is not cancelled by the college/university. The other conditions have to be fulfilled, too.
7. Did NMC extend the tenure of MBBS course for 10 years?
No. The extra attempt does not add to the maximum duration of MBBS course with the corresponding duration of CRMI.
8. How to apply for the NMC mercy attempt?
Please reach out to your college or university examination department, submit your admission and examination documents and inquire for an evaluation of eligibility according to the notification of NMC (issued on 15 October 2026). Adhere to official guidelines set forth by the competent authority.
9. What is the official notification of NMC?
The notice can be obtained from the official NMC website.
Conclusion
NMC extra attempt for First Professional MBBS 2026 is an opportunity given to the students who have failed to pass the part of the exam 4 times in a row. The ruling applies to students admitted in the 2019–20 school year or after, and applies to qualifying cases where the four-year period has been surpassed but the admissions are still active.
The relaxation is not allowed to attempt 6th time for students who have already tried once in the mercy and also not for extending the maximum period for completing MBBS and applicable internship.
Students are advised to read the official notification carefully, check their exam records and take confirmation from their medical college/ university before taking further actions.
