The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued new guidelines as part of the Graduate Medical Education Regulations 2023. These guidelines aim to bring uniformity to MBBS courses by introducing a standardised academic calendar. According to the regulations, the admission procedures for MBBS courses must be completed by the end of August. Additionally, the NMC has made changes by discontinuing supplementary batches for students who fail their annual examinations.

In the latest notice, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has declared that all previous notifications, circulars, and clarifications regarding MBBS admissions are no longer valid. These have been replaced by the new guidelines outlined in the Graduate Medical Education Regulations 2023. The new guidelines will be applicable to all admissions in MBBS courses across medical colleges for the academic year 2023-24. These guidelines have been approved by the competent authority in the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the National Medical Commission.

According to the new regulations, supplementary examinations and the announcement of results will be conducted within 3-6 weeks after the main examination results are declared for each professional year of the MBBS course. In case a candidate fails the supplementary examination for the first year of MBBS, they will be required to join the batch of the following academic/subsequent year. The provision for supplementary batches will no longer exist.

The 83-page guidelines also suggest that the admission process for undergraduate medical courses must commence on August 1 and conclude by August 30, without exceptions. Universities are strictly instructed not to register any students admitted beyond this specified date. Additionally, the guidelines include a meticulously crafted academic calendar that outlines the commencement of each course component and the scheduled examination dates.

This strategic approach aims to synchronise the timelines of undergraduate medical courses nationwide, promoting consistency and uniformity.NMC has introduced significant modifications to promote the integration of Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) in line with the defined objectives. These changes have been implemented to enhance the educational framework and ensure that medical students acquire the essential competencies and skills necessary for their professional growth.

The modifications aim to optimize the curriculum and learning processes to align with the principles of CBME, thereby providing students with a comprehensive and practical medical education.