Medical colleges uncertain over exams, await MCI guidelines

Medical colleges uncertain over exams, await MCI guidelines

TNN | Jul 12, 2020, 07.28 AM IST

While the University Grants Commission (UGC) has released the revised guidelines for university exams, uncertainty looms large over medical colleges as the management wait for the fresh directives from the Medical Council of India (MCI).

"The institute has suspended all the internal, external and other exams till any guidelines are issued by the MCI. The directives are expected to come out by mid-August post which the decision will be taken," says Dr CMS Rawat, principal and dean, VCSG Government Medical College, Uttarakhand.

"The mode and manner of the exams will be decided based on MCI guidelines. In case the situation is not favourable for holding exams at the campus, the institute may opt for virtual assessment," says Dr Maha Singh, associate professor, Department of Paediatrics, Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Government Medical College, Haryana.

Delay in exam will impact final year students

The delay in the exam is likely to impact the final year students more as it will have a consequent effect in their internships, PG admissions and taking up jobs, adds Singh. "Examination for MBBS final year students is important as they have to appear for an internship after the exam. Timely assessment and internship will ensure completion of their course within the stipulated tenure. The extension of the course may deprive these students of NEET PG and other job opportunities," he says. The exams for junior batch can be adjusted during the entire duration of their five-year course, he adds.

Provisional promotion

While many colleges are still waiting for the guidelines for students' assessment, several others have resorted to provisional promotions. AIIMS Patna, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS) have provisionally promoted the undergraduate students to the next level without assessment. The exams for these students will be held once the situation improves.

"As per the guidelines from Dental Council of India ( DCI), undergraduate students of all batches except final year have been promoted to the next year. The exams for these students may be conducted as and when feasible," says Dr Sangeeta Talwar, principal, MAIDS. Meanwhile, MAIDS is currently holding the theory exams for final year PG students. Online internal assessments have also been concluded for undergraduate students. "The exams for the final year UG students will be held based on directions from the Delhi University," she adds.