‘Not possible’: NMC reverses decision to change MBBS passing marks to 40%

NEW DELHI: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has withdrawn its decision to drop passing marks for MBBS subjects having two papers to 40 percent. The commission said that the amendment to Curriculum Based Medical Education (CBME) guidelines is “not possible”.

NMC had notified the amendment in CBME guidelines in September. According to the amendment, the MBBS passing marks had been reduced from 50% to 40%. In subjects that have two papers, the learner must secure minimum 50% of marks in aggregate (both papers together) to pass in the said subject.

"There is no change in stand of Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB). Earlier, passing marks for theory and practical were 50% and 50%. But, now it can be 40% in one but aggregate has to be 50%,"a NMC official said.

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Referring to this new amendment, the commission has now stated, “After thorough consideration of the subject matter, it has been decided that retrospective effect in this connection is not possible.” This means that rule of minimum passing criteria to 40% in subjects having two papers will only be applicable on those students who will appear in the examinations after the amendment that was issued on September 1, 2023.

The criteria for passing marks was notified as follows:

NMC notified the CBME guidelines 2023 on August 1. The regulations include new rules on MBBS curriculum, admission process, academic calendar and more.

Clarification: Previous version of the story said "in subjects that have two papers, the learner must secure minimum 40% of marks in aggregate (both papers together) to pass in the said subject". It has now changed to "in subjects that have two papers, the learner must secure minimum 50% of marks in aggregate (both papers together) to pass in the said subject" after clarification from a NMC official.