Doctors' body demands additional exam mercy attempt for MBBS 2021 batch

Jaipur: Citing the academic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a doctors' body in Rajasthan has urged the State Medical Education Department to grant one additional Mercy Attempt to MBBS students from the 2021 batch to clear their First Professional Examination.

The Rajasthan Chapter of United Doctors Front (UDF) highlighted that students under the MBBS curriculum are currently given a maximum of four attempts to pass the First Professional Year. However, the students of Batch 2021 went through extraordinary and adverse circumstances, which were different from normal academic sessions.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the association stated regular classes were disrupted, there were technical difficulties in online teaching, and many families faced health-related crises during the year 2020–21. These circumstances directly affected the academic preparation and performance of students, as a result of which many students could not pass the First Professional Year.

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Writing to the Principal Secretary, Department of Medical Education, Rajasthan, the association referred to an incident at AIIMS Gorakhpur, which granted a “Mercy Attempt” to MBBS Batch 2021 students on similar grounds, which provided them another opportunity to continue their studies.

According to an RTI reply issued by AIIMS Gorakhpur on January 20, 2026, the institute informed that the issue of MBBS students who had exhausted the maximum permitted examination attempts was examined by its Standing Academic Committee (SAC) in its 8th meeting held on August 23, 2025. The matter was taken up after representations were received from affected students and their parents.

A proposal was placed before the competent authority to grant one final mercy attempt as a one-time measure, subject to a written undertaking from the student and parent/guardian stating that it would be treated as the last attempt. The students involved belonged to MBBS batches 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, including one student from the Second Professional MBBS.

Demanding the same, UDF stated that denying these students an additional opportunity would not only jeopardise their medical careers but also lead to the loss of valuable future healthcare professionals for the state. A single missed year can permanently affect their academic progression, financial stability, and mental well-being, said the association.

Subsequently, UDF requested that the Department of Medical Education, Rajasthan, also approve one additional “Mercy Attempt” for the MBBS Batch 2021, so that deserving and talented students do not lose their careers solely due to adverse circumstances.

"These students are the future doctors of our country and have themselves endured many hardships during the pandemic. In such a situation, from both humanitarian and academic perspectives, granting an additional opportunity would be a fair, sensitive, and student-friendly decision. Therefore, we once again request you to kindly consider this matter sympathetically and approve a Mercy Attempt for Batch 2021," mentioned the letter.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr Bharat Pareek, State President, UDF Rajasthan, said, "This is not a favour, but a matter of fairness. Students should not be punished for circumstances beyond their control. A Mercy Attempt will protect their careers and strengthen the future healthcare workforce of Rajasthan. UDF Rajasthan sincerely appeals to the Government to take an immediate and student-friendly decision in the upcoming academic session."

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