NMC MBBS Fifth Attempt 2026: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved one additional attempt for eligible MBBS students to pass their First Professional MBBS Examination. Under this decision, students admitted to the MBBS course from the academic year 2019–20 onwards may receive up to five attempts instead of the prescribed four, subject to the conditions specified in the official notification.
The NMC issued the public notice on October 15, 2026, following the Commission’s 18th meeting held on September 23, 2026. The decision provides one-time transitional relief to eligible students who have been unable to clear their first-year MBBS examinations because of exceptional circumstances.
However, the additional attempt is not available to every MBBS student unconditionally. Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements mentioned in the notification.
NMC MBBS Fifth Attempt 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Authority | National Medical Commission (NMC) |
| Concerned board | Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) |
| Notification date | October 15, 2026 |
| Examination | First Professional MBBS Examination |
| Eligible admission years | Academic year 2019–20 onwards |
| Prescribed attempts | Four attempts |
| Additional attempt | One mercy attempt |
| Maximum permitted attempts | Five, subject to eligibility |
| Nature of relaxation | One-time exceptional transitional measure |
| Maximum overall course duration | 10 years from the date of admission |
| Official notification | NMC Public Notice dated October 15, 2026 |
Why Has NMC Allowed an Additional NMC MBBS Fifth Attempt 2026?
According to the NMC public notice, the Commission considered representations from students, universities, and other stakeholders requesting an additional opportunity to pass the First Professional MBBS Examination.
The representations highlighted several difficulties, including:
- Disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Health-related issues.
- Other personal difficulties faced by students.
- Earlier Commission decisions granting one-time mercy attempts to students admitted in the academic years 2019–20 and 2020–21.
After considering these representations, the NMC approved a one-time exceptional transitional relaxation for eligible students.
The decision is intended to provide relief to students in pending cases. It does not establish a permanent fifth-attempt rule for all future MBBS batches.
Who Is Eligible for the NMC MBBS Fifth Attempt 2026?
Students admitted to the MBBS course from the academic year 2019–20 onwards may be considered for the additional attempt, subject to the conditions specified by the NMC.
The following conditions are particularly important.
1. Students Must Have Valid Admission
The student’s admission to the MBBS course must continue to remain valid.
2. Admission Must Not Have Been Cancelled
Students whose admission has been cancelled by the concerned university or medical college are not covered by this relaxation.
3. Students Who Have Completed Four Attempts May Also Be Eligible
The notice provides one additional attempt over and above the prescribed four attempts. Therefore, eligible students may receive a maximum of five attempts to pass the First Professional MBBS Examination.
The notice also clarifies that the additional attempt may be available even if a student has crossed the prescribed four-year period for completing the First Professional MBBS Course.
However, all the other conditions in the notification continue to apply.
Who Cannot Get Another MBBS Attempt?
The NMC MBBS Fifth Attempt 2026 has specifically clarified that students who have already used a mercy attempt under an earlier Commission decision, thereby exhausting a total of five attempts, will not receive another opportunity under the present decision.
For example:
| Student’s situation | Eligibility under the new relaxation |
|---|---|
| Student has exhausted four prescribed attempts and has not previously used a mercy attempt | May be eligible for one additional attempt, subject to all conditions |
| Student has already used a mercy attempt and exhausted five attempts | Not eligible for another attempt |
| Student’s admission remains valid | Meets one of the specified conditions |
| Student’s admission has been cancelled by the university or college | Not eligible under the stated condition |
| Student has crossed the four years for completing the First Professional MBBS Course | May still receive the additional attempt, subject to the notification |
| Student has exceeded the maximum overall course duration | The additional attempt does not extend the maximum duration |
Important: Eligibility depends on the student’s complete academic and admission record. Students should obtain confirmation from their respective universities or medical colleges before relying on the additional attempt.
Is the Fifth Attempt Available After Four Years?
Yes. The NMC notice specifically states that the additional attempt may be available even when a student has crossed the prescribed four-year period for completing the First Professional MBBS Course.
However, this provision must be read alongside the separate restriction on the maximum overall duration of the MBBS course. The NMC MBBS Fifth Attempt 2026 does not extend the maximum permissible duration for completing the course.
What Is the Maximum Duration for Completing MBBS?
The NMC has retained the maximum overall duration of 10 years from the date of admission for completion of the MBBS course, including the applicable period of Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI).
The notice clearly states that granting the additional attempt does not extend or relax this maximum duration.
Therefore, students should check both their remaining examination attempts and their overall course-completion deadline.
Does the Fifth Attempt Apply to All Future MBBS Students?
No. The NMC MBBS Fifth Attempt 2026 has described this decision as a one-time exceptional transitional measure intended to provide relief in eligible pending cases.
The notice also states that this relaxation should not be interpreted as a retrospective application of amended regulatory provisions concerning the permissible number of attempts. Nor should it be treated as a precedent for subsequent academic batches.
Students admitted in later academic years should not assume that they will automatically receive a fifth attempt under this decision.
What Should Eligible MBBS Students Do Next?
Students who believe they qualify for the additional attempt should take the following steps:
- Check their admission year: Confirm the academic year in which they were admitted to the MBBS course.
- Review their examination history: Verify the number of attempts already used, including any earlier mercy attempt.
- Confirm admission validity: Ensure that their admission has not been cancelled by their university or medical college.
- Check the course-completion deadline: Calculate whether they remain within the maximum overall duration of 10 years from admission.
- Contact the college administration: Ask the examination section to verify their eligibility under the NMC notice.
- Follow university instructions: Check for any subsequent communication from the university or college concerning the examination and the process for availing the additional attempt.
The public notice establishes the conditions for the relaxation but does not itself specify a common examination date or a uniform application deadline for all universities.
NMC Official Notice for MBBS Fifth Attempt 2026
The National Medical Commission issued the public notice under reference number N-U013(21)/1/2026-UGMEB-NMC (E-8429927) on October 15, 2026.
The notice was issued by the Undergraduate Medical Education Board of the NMC and approved by the competent authority.
Students should refer to the official notice for the complete terms and conditions. They should also check subsequent instructions issued by their respective universities or medical colleges.
Official website: National Medical Commission
Conclusion
The NMC’s decision to allow one additional attempt offers relief to eligible MBBS students who have been unable to pass their First Professional Examination within the prescribed attempts. Under the October 15, 2026, notice, eligible students may receive up to five attempts, provided their admission remains valid and they meet the other specified conditions.
Students who have already exhausted five attempts cannot claim a sixth attempt under this relaxation. The 10-year maximum duration for completing the MBBS course also remains unchanged.
Students should review the official NMC MBBS Fifth Attempt 2026 notification carefully and contact their universities to confirm eligibility before planning their next exam attempt.
Also read: TS EAPCET 2027 B.Pharma.
FAQs
1. Has NMC approved five attempts for first-year MBBS students?
Yes. The NMC has approved one additional mercy attempt for eligible students admitted from the academic year 2019–20 onwards to pass the First Professional MBBS Examination. The maximum permitted number of attempts under this relaxation is five.
2. When did NMC issue the fifth-attempt notification?
The NMC issued the public notice on October 15, 2026.
3. Can a student who has already used five attempts apply for a sixth attempt?
No. Students who have already exhausted five attempts, including an earlier mercy attempt, are not entitled to another attempt under this decision.
4. Can students who crossed four years of MBBS receive the additional attempt?
The notice permits the additional attempt even if the student has crossed the prescribed four-year period for completing the First Professional MBBS Course. All other eligibility conditions and the maximum overall course duration still apply.
5. What is the maximum duration for completing MBBS?
The maximum overall duration is 10 years from the date of admission, including the applicable period of Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship.
6. Is the fifth attempt a permanent rule for future MBBS batches?
No. The NMC describes the decision as a one-time exceptional transitional measure. It should not be treated as a permanent rule for subsequent academic batches.