Mumbai: NMC advises universities to conduct final-year PG medical exams at the earliest

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued an advisory to all medical colleges and universities to conduct final-year postgraduate (PG) medical examinations at the earliest convenient time depending on the situation of the pandemic locally. Also, the commission has allowed universities to conduct the internal valuation of theory answer scripts considering the COVID-19 limitations.

NMC, postgraduate medical education board (PGMEB), issued an advisory dated June 22, 2021, stating, "Fortunately, COVID-19 has started showing a retreating trend. In this background, universities and institutions are advised to hold examinations for final-year postgraduate (PG) board specialty and super specialty students at the earliest convenient time depending upon the local situation."

In addition, NMC said, "Universities may, as per their discretion, adopt the internal valuation of theory answer scripts by the institution themselves." Last week, the Supreme Court (SC) declined to pass a sweeping order to postpone the final examination of postgraduate medical courses in universities across the country. The court refused to direct medical universities and institutions to postpone final-year PG medical examinations on the grounds that a general order could not be passed for all universities as the state of the pandemic is different in each state and union territory of India.

Prior to that, on June 11, the court refused a plea by students to waive the final-year PG medical examinations. The dates for final-year PG medical examinations have not been declared yet by major universities and institutions.