Four-attempt cap in MBBS exam includes regular, supplementary exams: Kerala High Court

Both regular and supplementary examinations count toward the ‘four attempts within four years’ rule to clear the First Professional MBBS Degree examination, the Kerala High Court recently held.Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas found that a candidate could avail only four attempts, whether regular or supplementary examinations, and no further opportunity could be granted once those attempts were made. This was evident from the Graduate Medical Education Regulation, 2023, and the guidelines prescribed by the National Medical Commission (NMC), the court stated.The court reasoned that regulations framed by academic bodies should not be subjected to judicial interference casually, especially when the issue concerned medical students, who ultimately cater to society’s health requirements and whose competence directly affects public health and safety.Petitioner’s contentionThe petitioner, a first-year medical student from Kollam, contended that the four attempts prescribed within the rules must be interpreted as regular exams and should not include supplementary exams. She had not cleared the course, failing in three subjects and using up the four attempts. She had sought directions to write the next First Professional MBBS Degree examination, either as a mercy chance or as a chance available to her within the four years.The State government, the Kerala University of Health Sciences, the University Grants Commission, and the NMC objected to granting any leniency or permission to the petitioner, based on the regulations.The NMC’s guidelines specify that “no more than four attempts shall be allowed for a candidate to pass the Phase I Examination. The total period for successful completion of the Phase I course shall not exceed four years.” It mentions that if a student fails in the supplementary exam in Phase I of MBBS, they will go to the junior batch and that there will not be any supplementary batches; if a candidate has not appeared for the exam, it shall not be counted as an attempt, but partial attendance will count. Published - August 30, 2026 08:47 pm IST