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MBBS Rule Change: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released a notification for the notice of “Graduate Medical Education (Amendment), Regulations 2026”.
proposed a significant amendment to the Graduate Medical Education Regulations (GMER), 2023, that could provide much-needed relief to thousands of MBBS students across India. The draft proposal seeks to restore the maximum course completion period for MBBS students from nine years back to ten years, including the mandatory Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship (CRMI).
The proposal has been introduced through the Draft Graduate Medical Education (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, published in a gazette notification on May 18, 2026. If approved, the revised rule will allow MBBS students up to 10 years from the date of admission to complete their degree, including the mandatory Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship (CRMI).
The proposed change comes after concerns were raised regarding the reduced completion timeline introduced in 2023. If approved, the amendment would offer greater flexibility to students who face academic challenges, health issues, personal emergencies, or other unforeseen circumstances during their medical education.
MBBS Rule Change: What Is the Proposed Change?
The National Medical Commission proposes certain amendment to “Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023. The draft regulation amending the regulation in the proviso to clause 21 of chapter V has been prepared and approved by the competent authority following due procedure and is hereby published for information of all stakeholders likely to be affected thereby and notice is hereby given that the said draft Regulation (amendment) shall be taken into consideration on or after the expiry of a period of thirty (30) days from the date on which the copies of the Gazette of India containing these draft Regulation (amendment) are made available to public.
MBBS students would be allowed to complete their entire medical programme within a maximum period of ten years from the date of admission. This duration would include the internship period, which is a compulsory part of the MBBS curriculum.
Objections and suggestions which may be received from any person within the period specified above will be
considered by National Medical Commission.
The proposal effectively restores the earlier rule that existed before the 2023 regulations reduced the completion period to nine years.
Four-Attempt Rule for First Professional MBBS Remains Unchanged
While the NMC is considering extending the overall completion period, it has clarified that the existing restriction on the First Professional MBBS examination will continue.
Under the proposed regulations:
- Students will not be permitted more than four attempts to clear the First Professional MBBS examination.
- This provision remains unchanged from the current rules.
- Candidates who fail to clear the examination within the permitted attempts will not be eligible to continue in the MBBS programme.
The draft amendment specifically states that no student will be allowed to exceed four attempts in the first-year MBBS examination, regardless of the extended course duration. The draft notification will be available on National Medical Commission’s website: https://www.nmc.org.in
Official Notice: Download
MBBS Rule Change: Why Is NMC Bringing This Change?
Medical education is widely regarded as one of the most demanding academic programmes in India. Students often encounter various challenges during the lengthy course, including:
- Academic setbacks
- Serious health conditions
- Family emergencies
- Financial difficulties
- Other unexpected personal circumstances
The proposed extension aims to ensure that deserving students are not forced to discontinue their medical education due to temporary difficulties. By restoring the 10-year limit, the NMC intends to provide additional flexibility while maintaining academic standards.
Alignment With Foreign Medical Graduate Regulations
The proposed amendment is also in line with the NMC’s Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021, which provide a similar framework regarding course completion timelines.
Experts believe that maintaining consistency across different medical education regulations can help create a more transparent and student-friendly system.
Background: What Changed in 2023?
In June 2023, the NMC introduced revised Graduate Medical Education Regulations that reduced the maximum period for completing the MBBS programme from ten years to nine years.
The decision attracted attention from students and stakeholders who argued that the shorter timeline could adversely affect candidates facing unavoidable interruptions during their studies.
The latest proposal appears to be a response to those concerns and reflects a more flexible approach toward medical education.
Public Feedback Invited
The NMC has invited comments and suggestions from stakeholders, educational institutions, medical professionals, and the general public regarding the draft amendment.
The commission will review the feedback received before finalising the regulations. Once approved, the revised rules could impact future MBBS students across medical colleges in India.
What This Means for MBBS Students
If the amendment is implemented:
- MBBS students will get up to 10 years to complete their degree and internship.
- Students facing genuine hardships will receive additional time to finish their education.
- The four-attempt limit for the First Professional MBBS examination will remain in force.
- Medical colleges will continue to follow strict academic standards while offering greater flexibility in course completion.
The NMC’s proposal to restore the 10-year MBBS completion window marks a potentially important shift in India’s medical education framework. While academic rigor remains intact through the existing examination rules, the additional year could provide a lifeline for students dealing with circumstances beyond their control. As the draft awaits public feedback and final approval, medical aspirants and institutions across the country will be closely watching the outcome of this significant policy change.
