Doctors’ Body Advocates for Additional Mercy Attempt for MBBS Students in Rajasthan
Impact of COVID-19 on Academic Progress
In response to the academic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a doctors’ organization in Rajasthan has called on the State Medical Education Department to provide one additional “Mercy Attempt” for MBBS students from the 2021 batch to help them clear their First Professional Examination. The Rajasthan Chapter of the United Doctors Front (UDF) emphasized that students enrolled in the MBBS program are currently afforded a maximum of four attempts to pass their First Professional Year. However, the unique challenges faced by the 2021 cohort significantly impacted their academic experience.
Challenges Faced by Students
The UDF highlighted the extraordinary circumstances that affected students during the 2020-21 academic year. The pandemic led to interruptions in regular classes, technical difficulties with online education, and numerous health-related issues within families. These factors collectively hindered students’ academic preparation and performance, resulting in many failing to pass the First Professional Year.
Reference to AIIMS Gorakhpur’s Mercy Attempt
In a letter to the Principal Secretary of the Department of Medical Education, Rajasthan, the UDF referenced a precedent set by AIIMS Gorakhpur, where a “Mercy Attempt” was granted to MBBS students from the 2021 batch under similar conditions. According to an RTI response from AIIMS Gorakhpur dated January 20, 2026, the institution’s Standing Academic Committee (SAC) reviewed the situation in its eighth meeting on August 23, 2025, after receiving representations from affected students and their parents. A proposal was subsequently made to allow a final mercy attempt, contingent upon a written agreement from students and guardians acknowledging it as the last opportunity.
Consequences of Denying Additional Attempts
The UDF warned that not allowing these students an additional chance could jeopardize their medical careers and lead to a significant loss of future healthcare professionals in the state. The association noted that missing a single academic year could have lasting repercussions on students’ educational trajectories, financial security, and mental health.
Appeal for Consideration
The UDF has formally requested that the Department of Medical Education in Rajasthan grant an additional “Mercy Attempt” for the MBBS Batch 2021, ensuring that deserving students do not lose their career prospects due to unforeseen circumstances. The association stated, “These students are the future doctors of our country and have themselves endured many hardships during the pandemic. From both humanitarian and academic perspectives, granting an additional opportunity would be a fair, sensitive, and student-friendly decision.”
Statements from UDF Leadership
Dr. Bharat Pareek, the State President of UDF Rajasthan, reiterated the organization’s stance, asserting that this request is not a favor but a matter of fairness. “Students should not be punished for circumstances beyond their control. A Mercy Attempt will protect their careers and strengthen the future healthcare workforce of Rajasthan,” he stated. The UDF has appealed to the government to make a prompt, student-friendly decision in the upcoming academic session.