The National Medical Commission (NMC) has requested a state-led investigation into claims concerning a potential breach during the second-semester MBBS examination conducted last year at Bihar’s Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS). This request follows findings from an internal inquiry that suggested possible irregularities in the examination process.
A deputy secretary from the NMC addressed a letter to the Director of Medical Education in Bihar, initiating this inquiry in response to complaints filed by Vikash Chandra, a social activist based in Patna.
This development occurs amidst widespread protests across India related to leaks in NEET-UG examinations, which have recently led to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
In his communication to the NMC, Chandra asserted that a significant examination fraud had impacted the supplementary exam for the second semester held in December 2025 at IGIMS, claiming that college personnel were involved in the misconduct.
The complainant alleged that certain students were permitted to exceed the official time limit for the exam and that the question papers were accessible prior to the test. Furthermore, he reported discrepancies found in answer sheets, coded documents, and attendance logs when sealed packages were opened in the Dean (Examination) office, calling for an independent investigation by a special team.
The allegations are specifically related to the supplementary examination conducted in December 2025. Following the inquiry panel’s revelations, IGIMS annulled the examination in April and mandated a retest.
Responding to the accusations, Dr. Bibhuti P. Sinha, the deputy director and public relations officer of IGIMS, stated that the exam was canceled and that “show cause notices have been issued to personnel in the dean’s office as well as to the implicated students.”
He added that although anonymous complaints are typically not addressed, the institute formed an internal committee to look into the matter.
However, some medical professionals have expressed dissatisfaction with IGIMS’s response. One doctor at the institute remarked, “The dean’s office should have been scrutinized much earlier to prevent this situation. This may only be the beginning of a larger issue. It is crucial for senior doctors and administrators to be held accountable for any failures in the MBBS examination process.”
Santosh Singh has been a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express since June 2008, covering Bihar with a focus on politics, society, and governance. He specializes in investigative and explanatory journalism and possesses 25 years of experience in print media, having reported on developments in Bihar, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka.
