In a startling development, more than 60% of first-year MBBS students at the newly launched Shantiniketan Medical College (SMC) in Tripura have failed their first professional examination. According to official data, 147 of the 150 enrolled students appeared for the exam, and 90 of them did not pass.
At another institution, Tripura Medical College (TMC), the situation is equally concerning — out of 100 enrolled students, 92 took the exam and only 47 passed, leaving 53 students to appear for supplementary examinations.
Across all three medical colleges in the state, 400 eligible first-year MBBS students appeared, 387 actually sat for the exam, and only 228 managed to pass. That leaves 159 students facing re-exams, marking an overall failure rate of around 41%.
Notably, the government-run Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) performed significantly better: out of 146 students, 121 passed, and only 25 failed — most of them in just one subject.
The magnitude of failure at Shantiniketan Medical College has raised serious questions, especially considering its high fee structure of nearly ₹1 crore for the MBBS course and its official approval by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and Tripura University.
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Why This Matters
- A high failure rate in the first year of MBBS raises concerns about academic standards, student preparedness, and institutional quality.
- For parents and students investing heavily in private medical colleges, such outcomes highlight issues of return on investment and quality of education.
- The data also underscores the importance of continuous academic monitoring and remedial support for medical students.
Implications & Next Steps
- The colleges may need to review teaching methodologies, infrastructure, and student support systems.
- Supplementary exams should be conducted promptly to prevent delays in academic progression.
- The Tripura government and NMC are expected to review the situation and take necessary steps to ensure quality improvement.
- Future MBBS aspirants are advised to consider college performance, pass rates, and faculty standards before taking admission.
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