MBBS Abroad: NMC issues advisory on admissions, lists criteria for practising in India

NEW DELHI: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a advisory for Indian students seeking admission to MBBS (UG) medical courses in foreign universities or institutes. The NMC notice emphasizes adherence to the guidelines outlined in the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiates (FMGL) Regulations, 2021, and cautions against enrolling in institutions that fail to meet these standards.

The NMC has reiterated that students intending to pursue medical education abroad are required to ensure compliance with the FMGL Regulations before securing MBBS admission to any foreign institution. The advisory emphasizes that any deviation from the prescribed conditions, such as course duration, medium of instruction, syllabus, or clinical training, will result in disqualification from obtaining registration to practice medicine in India.

The NMC official notice states, "Any variation in duration, medium of instructions, syllabus, clinical training or internship/clerkship may lead to disqualification in grant of registration in India. ln case of disqualification, the sole responsibility shall lie upon the candidate only."

Criteria for foreign graduates to practice in India

The FMGL Regulations, 2021, lay out specific conditions that foreign medical graduates are required to fulfill to obtain permanent registration for practicing allopathy in India. Key requirements include:

Course duration and training:

• A minimum course duration of 54 months and an additional 12 months of internship in the same foreign medical institution.
• The total duration of the programme, including training, is required to be completed within 10 years.

Medium of instruction:

• The foreign medical degree is required to be pursued in English.

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Curriculum:

• The syllabus and clinical training required to be equivalent to the Indian MBBS programme, covering specified subjects such as general medicine, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, obstetrics, and more.

Clinical training and internship:

• Hands-on training in clinical disciplines during the programme is mandatory.
• A supervised internship for 12 months is also required to be completed in India after applying to the commission.

Licensing and recognition:

• The medical degree shall be recognized by the regulatory body of the respective foreign country.
• It is required to allow the graduate to practice medicine in that country on par with its citizens.

Exit test:

• Clearing the National Exit Test (NEXT) or other mandated tests is required for permanent registration in India.