To ensure a speedy evaluation process, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) has decided to revise the evaluation system for MBBS exams from May 2019.

Currently, the university conducts a primary evaluation of each answer script at two levels (double evaluation) for MBBS courses, and if there is a difference of 15 per cent marks between both the valuations, it is handed over for a third evaluation. As this process is lengthy, the university has now decided to revise it.

As per the new decision, the university will go for single evaluation at the primary level and all the scripts that have secured less than 50 per cent marks in that particular subject will be sent for a second evaluation automatically.

Dr MK Ramesh, registrar evaluation, RGUHS, said, "As our evaluation system is entirely online-based, scripts with less than 50 percent marks in that subject will be automatically sent to second evaluation. This is to avoid lengthy evaluation process."

For every exam, about 8 lakh answer scripts are evaluated at RGUHS. The double evaluation at the primary level and one more in case of difference in marks makes the process lengthy, say officials.

This new system will be applied only for MBBS exams from May 2019. To implement it for postgraduate courses, the university has to get permission from the Governing Council constituted by the Union government in place of Medical Council of India (MCI). For post-graduation exams, the evaluation process is even lengthier, as the primary level involves four evaluations - two by internal faculty members and two by external. In case of 15 per cent difference in marks between the two, the same is referred for a fifth evaluation.

"For post-graduation, currently there are four levels of evaluations -- two internal and two external. We need to get a clarification about it, so we are writing to the authorities concerned to know if we can implement the system that we are incorporating for the undergraduate exams for PG as well," Ramesh said.

This move by the university has been welcomed by senior professors of medical colleges who are involved in evaluation work.

A senior professor of Bangalore Medical Centre & Research Institute (BMCRI) said, "Instead of waiting for 15 per cent difference in marks after two evaluations, it is a better option to go for a single evaluation and choose those who score marks below 50 per cent for a second evaluation. This saves time and effort."