NMC’s 10-year MBBS limit debate: Experts say counselling and support matter more than timelines
मुख्य बातें
- •NMC proposes extending MBBS completion limit from 9 to 10 years; experts say counselling and support matter more than timelines.
- •First Professional examination is the biggest hurdle—students cannot progress if even one subject remains uncleared.
- •NMC allows only four attempts to clear First Prof, giving students roughly two years; the 10-year extension does not change this rule.
- •Students struggle due to lack of interest, parental pressure, financial hardship, family crises, or mental health challenges.
- •Dr. M. M. A. Faridi advocates early counselling, mentoring, and institutional support to help struggling students before academic problems become irreversible.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has reignited debate across medical colleges by proposing to extend the maximum duration for completing the MBBS course from nine years to ten years. While the change may seem minor, it has opened broader discussions about student support, academic pressure, and the real barriers faced by medical aspirants in India. Senior medical educator Dr. M. M. A. Faridi, a distinguished pediatrician and neonatologist with decades of experience, argues that the focus should shift from time limits to understanding why students struggle and strengthening institutional support systems.
