NEET PG 2024: NBEMS issues advisory on leave rules for trainees

NEW DELHI : The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has issued an advisory on leave rules applicable to all trainees enrolled in NBEMS-accredited institutions. As per the official notice, the guidelines aim to streamline the leave management process and ensure compliance with training requirements necessary for eligibility to appear in the Exit Examination. These rules are effective immediately and supersede all previously published leave policies.

As per the NBEMS official notice, trainees are entitled to a maximum of 30 days of leave per year of training, referred to as “eligible leave.” In addition, a candidate is entitled to a weekly, duty off during his or her training. However, any weekly/duty offs falling during a leave period will be counted as part of the leave.

The NBEMS official notice states, “When a candidate is on leave, the weekly, duty off will be included in the leave taken by the candidate. For eg: If a candidate has taken leave for 30 days, the weekly / duty off during these 30 days will be included as a part of the leave taken by the candidate. The candidate will not be entitled to deduct the weekly / duty offs during the said period and count them either towards training or towards leave in addition to the 30 days.”

Maternity, paternity leave

As per the official notice, female trainees are eligible for maternity leave as per Central or State Government policies applicable to their institution. The leave can be availed from two months prior to the Expected Date of Delivery (EDD) to six months post-Delivery Date (DoD), where applicable.

Male trainees are entitled to paternity leave for a maximum of two weeks. Maternity or paternity leave does not exempt trainees from the mandatory training period, and any leave exceeding the eligible period will result in training extension.

No CCL and study leave

There is no provision for Child Care Leave (CCL) or study leave. Trainees can utilize their eligible leave for any personal purpose but are prohibited from employment or enrollment in other academic courses during this period.

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Extension of training

Any leave exceeding the eligible 30 days will result in an extension of the training period. The extension will equal the number of excess leave days availed. As per NBEMS, the extended training period cannot be compensated by extra working hours or holidays. Unused leave from one year cannot be carried forward to the next, except under exceptional circumstances approved by NBEMS.

The official notice states that days spent attending NBEMS final theory and practical examinations or formative assessment tests are counted as part of the training period, not as leave. Stipends will be paid for the training period, including eligible leave, but not beyond the program’s duration if extended due to excess leave.

Leave application procedure

Eligible leave is sanctioned by the training institution. For additional leave beyond the eligible 30 days, trainees are required to submit an application through the NBEMS portal, supported by relevant documents. NBEMS states that such applications are required to be submitted in advance, as post-facto approvals will not be entertained.

Compliance and enforcement

Trainees are required to avoid exceeding the total allowable leave of one year, which will result in cancellation of candidature and disqualification from the NBEMS programme. Unauthorized absences of more than seven days may lead to cancellation of registration and discontinuation of training. According to NBEMS, leave extending the training period beyond the final examination cut-off date will make trainees ineligible to appear for the exam.