The National Medical Commission (NMC) has recently issued a circular outlining the rules and regulations that medical aspirants must follow if they intend to pursue an MBBS degree abroad. Each year, many Indian students move overseas for medical education, and the NMC has emphasized the importance of ensuring that the foreign medical institution complies with the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021.
According to the circular, students graduating from institutions that do not meet the FMGL guidelines will be deemed ineligible to appear for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE)—a mandatory licensure test for practicing medicine in India. The NMC has made it clear that the responsibility for verifying the legitimacy of the institution lies solely with the student.
Key Guidelines for Students Planning to Study MBBS Abroad
The FMGL Regulations, 2021, set specific criteria that must be fulfilled for a foreign medical degree to be considered valid for medical practice in India. Students are advised to thoroughly review Schedule I of the regulations for complete details. Some of the essential requirements include:
- Minimum of 54 months of medical education completed in a single institution.
- One-year internship (12 months) at the same foreign university.
- Clinical training must be continuous and not split across multiple institutions or countries.
- Completion of all mandatory subjects listed in Schedule I.
- The medium of instruction must be English.
- Students must be registered with the relevant medical regulatory authority in the country of study and be eligible for a license equivalent to that granted to local citizens.
Furthermore, to obtain permanent registration in India, foreign medical graduates must also complete a 12-month supervised internship in India, after applying through the NMC. Failure to comply with any of these requirements may result in disqualification from practicing medicine in India.
Verifying the Legitimacy of Foreign Medical Institutions
Students and parents are urged to take the following steps to ensure the authenticity of foreign medical colleges:
- Visit the NMC official website to check the list of recognized medical institutions.
- Contact NMC directly for verification if you receive recognition letters or direct admission offers.
- Avoid relying solely on college websites or advertisements promoting medical courses abroad.
Important Advice for Students and Parents
- Beware of fraudulent offers: No institution can assure admission without going through official processes such as the NEET exam.
- Verify before making any payments: Always confirm the institution’s credentials before committing financially.
- Report suspicious activity: If you come across institutions illegally offering medical admissions, report them to the NMC immediately.
The circular concludes by urging students and parents to remain vigilant and well-informed to protect themselves and uphold the integrity of India’s medical education system.