IGIMS Patna: MBBS exam system questioned after 40 out of 96 final year medicos fail

Patna: Several questions have encircled the examination system at the renowned Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS). They come in view after as many as 40 MBBS students out of 96, who appeared for final year examinations; failed.

After the results were released on February 6 evening, the "failed" students accused the medical college Dean Dr KH Raghavendra and Principal Dr Ranjit Guha of deliberately failing them. At the same time, the IGIMS administration has abruptly stated that the MBBS students, who have not studied were failed. Those who deserved were passed by giving Grace Marks.

Of the 56 medicos who passed this year, 16 were awarded up to 5 grace marks, as allowed by the apex Medical Council of India (MCI).

Meanwhile, Dr Sunil Kumar Singh, a member of the institute's board of governors (BoG) and also the state spokesperson of the ruling JD (U), in his letter dated February 8 to the Health Minister Mangal Pandey; casted aspersions on the capability of IGIMS teachers or their competence to conduct fair examination, reports HT.

He demanded that the responsibility of conducting examination be vested with some other university.

Ruckus after Results

Noticing that a whopping 42 per cent of MBBS students failed in the examinations, the students came forward in protest at the medical college premises alleging that the medical college management had intentionally failed them.

The students shouted slogans against the IGIMS Dean. The "failed" MBBS students alleged that there are irregularities in the assessment process. All students have expressed displeasure by offering separate applications to the medical college administration, adds a local daily, Prabhat Khabar.

The situation was calmed after the security personnel arrived at the protesting spot.

IGIMS principal Dr Ranjit Guha said, "We are looking into the demands of the students and are doing retotalling. We are checking answer sheets for evaluation mistakes, if any, of students who have failed. Our examination mechanism is foolproof, with externals setting question papers, answer sheets being coded before being sent to external examiners."

IGIMS dean of academics, Dr SK Shahi, also did not find anything wrong either with institute's teaching or examination system. Dr Shahi did not mince his words when he said, "The result of a particular batch depends on the students. Those who do not study will fail. We cannot lower our standard for those who do not study."

A 12-member committee has been constituted to scrutinize the whole issue. Further action will be taken on the basis of the report.

IGIMS Director, Dr N R Biswas, confirmed to HT, "Ours is an autonomous institute and we have a foolproof system of conducting the examination. I have constituted a committee to look into the matter. Based on its recommendations, we will take a call on February 15."