Pursuing a career in medicine has always been a dream for many individuals, and studying MBBS abroad has become an increasingly popular choice among aspiring doctors. However, staying up to date with the latest guidelines and regulations is essential for every medical student, as it directly impacts their education, practice, and future prospects. The National Medical Commission (NMC) introduced new guidelines that have significant implications for MBBS students studying abroad. This blog post aims to explore the impact of these guidelines and provide essential information for students in adhering to them.
National Medical Commission (NMC)
The National Medical Commission (NMC) is a regulatory body in India that was established in 2019 to replace the Medical Council of India (MCI). It operates under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, and is responsible for setting standards in medical education and practice in the country. The NMC aims to promote quality medical education, ensure ethical and professional conduct among medical professionals, and safeguard the interests of patients.
Some of the primarily function of NMC are listed as follows:
- Setting standards and guidelines for recognizing and accrediting medical institutions and colleges.
- Organizing exams like NEET for undergraduate admissions and NEXT for postgraduate admissions and medical licensure.
- Issuing licenses to qualified doctors, ensuring they meet the necessary standards.
- Regulating and overseeing the functioning of medical colleges and institutions.
- Emphasizing the importance of ongoing education for healthcare professionals.
- Establishing guidelines to protect patient rights and ensure safe healthcare practices.
Overview of the New NMC Guidelines For MBBS 2023
The National Medical Commission is a regulatory body in India responsible for setting standards in medical education and practice.
The National Medical Council of India published its gazette for students apspiring to study mbbs in abroad on November 18, 2021. The gazette mentioned the eight main guidelines that every medical aspirants must follow before making decision to study mbbs abroad.
Foreign Medical Graduates who wish to obtain permanent registration or a valid medical license to practice in India are required to adhere to the regulations stated in the Gazette.
DOWNLOAD THE NMC GAZETTE FOR FOREIGN MEDICAL GRADUATES
We have made an effort to make the NMC gazette guidelines easier for readers to understand, so that they can grasp the information clearly and without any confusion, as follows:
1. The Entire medical course to be taught in the English language as the medium of instruction
Many medical universities abroad offer a bilingual course curriculum, which includes subjects taught in both English and the local language of the country. As per the requirements, students must have studied all their subjects exclusively in English.
2.Minimum 54-Month MBBS Program Abroad with 12-Month Internship in Same Medical Institutions
In order to pursue an MBBS degree in a selected university abroad, the total course duration should be a minimum of 54 months. This includes both theoretical and practical training in various medical disciplines. Additionally, after completing the academic program, students are required to undergo a mandatory internship period of at least 12 months in the same foreign medical institution.
3.Comprehensive Medical Curriculum Covers Essential Subjects
The students must have studied the mandatory subjects including but not limited to Community Medicine, General Medicine, Psychiatry,Paediatrics, General Surgery, Anaesthesia, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Otorhinolaryngology,Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Emergency or Casualty services, lab services and their sub-specialties.
4.Equivalent to MBBS in India, Students Required to Complete Comprehensive Theoretical, Practical, and Clinical Training, Including a 12-Month Internship at Same Institution
In order to meet the standards set by the MBBS course in India, students must successfully complete an extensive curriculum consisting of theoretical, practical, and clinical training. Additionally, they are mandated to undergo a compulsory 12-month internship at the same institution where they have completed the other components of their training.
5.New NMC Rule Mandates Complete MBBS Course and Training at Single Institute and Location
Effective immediately, a new regulation requires that the entirety of the MBBS course, along with its training, must be undertaken at a single institute and from a consistent location, ruling out any possibilities of transferring colleges or completing parts of the degree in India or abroad.
6.Important Reminder for Foreign Medical Graduates: MBBS Course Completion Must Fall Within 10-Year Timeframe
All foreign medical graduates intending to enroll in universities abroad should be aware of the requirement that their MBBS course must be finished within a maximum period of 10 years, starting from the date they join the program.
7.Registration with Local Regulatory Bodies Crucial for International Medical Students Pursuing MBBS Degrees Abroad
It is of utmost importance for foreign medical students pursuing MBBS degrees abroad to ensure their registration with the local regulatory bodies of the respective country, guaranteeing their eligibility to practice medicine in that specific jurisdiction. This registration requirement ensures compatibility with the standards set for medical professionals in the country of study.
8.NEET Qualification Mandatory for Foreign Medical Graduates after May 2018 Onward, Invalidating Degrees Without Compliance
All foreign medical graduates who pursued their medical education abroad after May 2018 must clear the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) to validate their medical degrees.With the implementation of this mandate, medical degrees earned by foreign graduates after May 2018 without the NEET qualification will be deemed invalid.
Many students and parents are worried about the future of their children who are currently studying in foreign medical institutes or have completed their medical studies there. I want to inform them that the new guidelines for mbbs stated in the NMC gazette will only apply to those who enroll in foreign medical institutes after the gazette has been implemented.The Gazette stated as
“Applicability of these regulations.––(1)Notwithstanding anything contained in regulation 4, these regulations shall not be applicable––
(a) To foreign medical graduates who have acquired a foreign medical degree or primary qualification, as the case may be, prior to the coming into force of these regulations;
(b) to candidates who are pursuing their education in foreign institutions prior to the coming into force of these regulations; and
(c) to such foreign medical graduates who are specifically exempted by the Commission or the Central Government, as the case may be, by notification.
(2) The foreign medical graduates who have acquired a foreign medical degree or primary qualification, as the case may be, and the candidates who are pursuing their education in foreign institutions, prior to the coming into force of these regulations, shall be governed by the erstwhile applicable regulations.”
Which countries adhere to the NMC guidelines, and where can students find advisory notifications on the Indian Embassy website in those countries.
Here is a table showing the countries that follow the NMC guidelines.
| Country | Duration | Degree Awarded | Medium of Instruction | Is Student Advisory available on the Indian Embassy Website? |
| China | 5+1 Year of Internship | MD | English/Chinese | NO https://tinyurl.com/msnbvu7r |
| Nepal | 4.5+1 Year of Internship | MBBS | English | No New Guidelines mentioned in the Advisory https://tinyurl.com/bdhw65yd |
| Kyrgyzstan | 5+1 Year of Internship | MD | English | NO https://tinyurl.com/26rsrk4y |
| Kazakhstan | 5+1 Year of Internship | MD | English | YES https://tinyurl.com/mt59bh32 |
| Georgia | 5+1 Year of Internship | MD | English | YES https://tinyurl.com/2v3exyh4 |
| Bangladesh | 5+1 Year of Internship | MBBS | English | No New Guidelines mentioned in the Advisory https://tinyurl.com/34uwm9cp |
| Philippines | BS (2 years) + MD(4.5 Years) + 1 year Internship | MD | English | NO https://tinyurl.com/46xu4tez |
| Armenia | 5+1 Year of Internship | MD | English | YES https://tinyurl.com/2v3exyh4 |
| Russia | 5+1 Year of Internship | MD | English/Russian | YES https://tinyurl.com/mwvz4u5y |
| Belarus | 5+1 Year of Internship | MD | English | No New Guidelines mentioned in the Advisory https://tinyurl.com/3msdne2c |
| Poland | 5+1 Year of Internship | MD | English | No New Guidelines mentioned in the Advisory https://tinyurl.com/2bbvj7vd |
| USA via Caribbean | 4/5 Years | MD | English | NO |
| Uzbekistan | 5+1 Year of Internship | MD | English | Not Clarified Yet https://tinyurl.com/3ynt6cvn |
| Egypt | 5+1 Year of Internship | MD | English | YES https://tinyurl.com/3nbntkpb |
Furthermore, the NMC guidelines stress the dissemination of accurate and transparent information to help students make informed decisions. By maintaining an updated list of recognized medical institutions and collaborating with foreign regulatory bodies, the NMC aims to facilitate a seamless transition for students returning to India.
These guidelines have several implications for Indian students pursuing MBBS abroad. Firstly, the introduction of the NEET exam as a mandatory requirement ensures that students meet a standardized level of competence before embarking on their medical education journey. This helps in maintaining the quality of medical professionals produced by Indian institutions.
Secondly, the recognition of foreign medical institutions by the NMC provides a sense of credibility and reliability for Indian students. It ensures that they choose institutions that meet the prescribed standards, have well-qualified faculty, and offer adequate infrastructure and clinical training facilities.
Third, The screening test called NEXT (National Exit Test) conducted by the NMC after completion of the MBBS degree abroad acts as a safeguard to assess the students’ competence and knowledge. It ensures that they possess the necessary skills to practice medicine in India and maintain the standards set by the NMC.
In conclusion, the new NMC guidelines for Indian students pursuing MBBS abroad bring forth a comprehensive framework to regulate and streamline the process. These guidelines prioritize the quality of education, adherence to standards, and the well-being of students. By implementing eligibility criteria, recognition of institutions, screening tests, and bridge courses, the NMC aims to ensure that students receive a quality education and possess the necessary skills to practice medicine in India. These guidelines are a significant step towards creating a robust and standardized system for Indian students pursuing MBBS abroad.
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Your blog clears my doubts.
I am a father of a student who is in 3rd year of mbbs study in Anhui University China.
My queries are
1. Will her degree be valid.
2. The 10 year tenure is given for –
a) completing the degree in that country
b) completing the degree in that country and getting licence there
c) above point (b) + clearing NeXt exam and getting licence in india
3. How many years internship should a foreign student do , 1 or 2 years?
4. Will the student get stipend in internship or should he pay for internship?
5. Does NMC allot the institute where a FMG student can do internship?
6. Do all FMGE qualified students get the institute for internship or only merit students get it?
Thank you for thoroughly reviewing our blogs. We are delighted to address your inquiries:
1. Your degree from Anhui Medical University in China will indeed be recognized, as it is one of the 45 universities in China acknowledged by the National Medical Commission (NMC).
2. It is essential to complete your degree, including the mandatory internship, and successfully pass the NEXT exam within the stipulated 10-year timeframe, in accordance with NMC guidelines.
3. All students studying at foreign medical universities are required to fulfill a one-year mandatory internship at the same medical university. Following the successful completion of the FMGE or NEXT Step 1 exam, they must also undergo a one-year obligatory clinical rotation internship in India.
4. Yes, students have the opportunity to receive stipends in government hospitals and, in some cases, select private hospitals as well.
5. Upon successfully passing the FMGE or NEXT Step 1 exam, students will be allocated to institutions or hospitals where they can undertake their internship.
6. Absolutely, all students who qualify in the FMGE or NEXT Step 1 exam are eligible for internships.
We trust that we have addressed all of your inquiries satisfactorily.
what r the criteria for uk mbbs students?
Thank you for inquiring about the admission criteria for Indian students aspiring to pursue MBBS in the UK.
I’d like to provide you with a concise summary of the key requirements:
1. A minimum of 80% in 10+2 grade with subjects in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB).
2. An IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent.
3. A UKCAT or BMAT score is mandatory.
4. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
5. It is essential that students have studied in an English medium school (CBSE or ICSE board).
For further details and inquiries, please feel free to reach out to us via email at sharmaeducation.in@gmail.com or through our website.”
College name : Murmansk Artic State University
Queries: the college doesn’t have NMC approved wheather it is possible to write FMGE and work in India .
No, Its not recognized by NMC
Sir, my son is studying in President Abdul Hamid Medical college under Dhaka university admission taken on July this year for academic session 2022-23
My question is
A. Is this medical college is valid institute
B. FMGL 2021 is applicable for my son
C. All the NMC cratiria follo by above medical college