Some students who joined medical college with the dream of becoming doctors are now caught in administrative hurdles. They are stuck between two universities. Investigations reveal that these students, who couldn’t complete their medical studies in 14 years, are now seeking another chance to take their exams.
Around 15 students have been going back and forth between Barkatullah University (BU) and the Medical University for the past year and a half. All were enrolled in BU-affiliated medical colleges, but BU refused to conduct their exams after 2024. Meanwhile, the Medical University claimed that responsibility for these students’ exams lies with their previous university.
The National Medical Commission has already clarified in its notification that MBBS courses must be completed within nine years from the date of admission.
One such student, Dileep Tripathi from Chitrakoot, enrolled in MBBS in 2012 but still hasn’t been able to complete his degree after 14 years. His course remains incomplete because he fell short by just one mark in a subject. Dileep explained that he had to take a break from studies in 2013 due to personal reasons, resumed in 2015–16, and continued trying consistently. By 2024, he had appeared for the exams, but missing just one mark in one subject left his degree incomplete.
Dileep says that being a Hindi-medium student made medical studies especially challenging for him. He isn’t alone—around 15 students have still not completed their MBBS even after 15 years. The group also includes one BAMS student facing a similar issue.
Stuck between two universities
The problem for these students worsened after the Medical University was established in 2014. Before that, they were enrolled in BU-affiliated medical colleges. BU conducted exams until 2024 but now says that the responsibility has shifted to the Medical University. Meanwhile, the Medical University insists that students admitted before 2014 fall under BU’s responsibility. As a result, these students have been going back and forth between the two universities for the past year and a half.
Complaint filed with Lokpal
The students have now filed a complaint with BU’s Lokpal office, demanding that their exams be conducted promptly. The National Medical Commission clarified in its 2023 notification that MBBS courses must be completed within nine years of admission.
Earlier, BU had 56 such long-pending MBBS students—8 in the second year, 20 in the third year, and 28 in the fourth year. By 2024, most had completed their courses, but around 15 students still have their future hanging in uncertainty.