T-JUDA seeks phased MBBS final exams

Hyderabad: The Telangana Junior Doctors Association (T-JUDA) has urged the Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS) to conduct the final MBBS Part II examinations for the 2022-23 batch in two phases, citing excessive academic burden, prolonged examination schedules and rising mental stress among students.

In a representation submitted to university authorities, T-JUDA requested the university to take up the matter with the National Medical Commission (NMC) and seek permission for a revised examination schedule. The association proposed conducting ENT and Ophthalmology examinations in Sept/Oct 2026, followed by major clinical subjects such as general medicine, general surgery and obstetrics & gynaecology in April-May 2027.

According to T-JUDA, students are currently required to prepare simultaneously for theory examinations in 12 subjects under the phase IV curriculum, including three major clinical disciplines carrying 210 teaching hours each. The association said this creates an “extraordinary academic and psychological burden” on students.

The doctors’ body pointed out that previous batches faced prolonged examination schedules lasting up to one-and-a-half months, leading to severe burnout, mental exhaustion, and difficulty revising multiple subjects simultaneously.

T-JUDA also argued that the existing consolidated examination structure was originally introduced to align with the proposed National Exit Test (NExT), which has not been implemented for the 2022-23 batch. The association noted that the revised NMC curriculum for the 2024 batch has already restored the earlier examination pattern by shifting ENT and Ophthalmology exams back to Phase 3.