The four attempts in the MBBS examination include regular, supplementary examinations: Kerala High Court

Both the regular and supplementary exams count towards the ‘four attempts in four years’ rule for qualifying the First Professional MBBS Degree exam, which was decided by the Kerala High Court recently.

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas found that a candidate could take advantage of only four attempts, either regular or supplementary examinations, and no further opportunity could be given after these attempts. This was evident from the Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations 2023 and the guidelines prescribed by the National Medical Commission (NMC), the court said.

The court reasoned that regulations created by academic bodies should not be subject to judicial intervention at random, especially when the issue concerns medical students who ultimately satisfy the health demands of society and whose competence directly affects public health and safety.

Petitioner’s contention

The petitioner, a first-year medical student from Kollam, contended that the four attempts prescribed in the rules must be construed as regular examinations and should not include supplementary examinations. She failed the course, failed three subjects and exhausted four attempts. She was looking for guidance on how to write the next First Professional MBBS Degree exam, either as an opportunity for grace or as an opportunity available to her in four years.

The State Government, Kerala University of Health Sciences, University Grants Commission and NMC have objected to the grant of any leniency or permission to the petitioner under the regulations.

The NMC guidelines specify that “a candidate is not permitted more than four attempts to pass the Phase I examination. The total time for successful completion of the Phase I course shall not exceed four years.” It states that if a student fails in MBBS Phase-I supplementary examination, he/she will be promoted to junior batch and that there will be no supplementary batches; if the candidate does not appear for the exam, it is not counted as an attempt but partial attendance is counted.

Published – 30 Aug 2026 20:47 IST