SC dismisses doctors’ plea to postpone DNB, DrNB theory exam to be held in December 2021

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has today dismissed a petition filed by four doctors to postpone the DNB/ DrNB final theory exam 2021. As per the exam calendar released by the NBEMS, the DNB/DrNB final theory examinations for the December 2021 session is scheduled to be held from December 16 to 19, 2021.

The court observed that the postponement of the exam is entirely the function of the exam conducting authority- National Board of Examinations in Medical Science (NBEMS) - and that there were no extraordinary circumstances for the top court to intervene, the Live Law reported.

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The petition further sought direction to put on hold the examination schedule till the MBBS and diploma candidates selected in NEET PG 2021 joined their affiliated colleges.

Appearing for the petitioners, Senior Advocate Sanjay Hegde said that they were asking for some “breathing space” as they worked throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, Justice DY Chandrachud said, “How can we postpone exams? There would be thousands of other students who would have prepared,” the report added.

The apex court that heard a petition on Monday allowed a a female candidate who took 308 days' maternity leave during the residency training for DNB in Obstetrics and Gynaecology to take the theory exam in December 2021.

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As per the Live Law report, The court noted that “Since the petitioner would have completed 3 years 8 months and 13 days of DNB tenure by the cut-off date of 30 June 2022, even excluding the extra leave, she has clearly fulfilled the requirement of a three year duration.