New NMC Regulations for MBBS Abroad
The National Medical Commission has set out regulations for pursuing MBBS abroad. Foreign medical graduates must meet the following to be granted permanent registration to practise medicine in India:
- 1Foreign Medical Graduates must be granted permanent registration in accordance with the provisions of the NMC regulations.
- 2Foreign Medical Graduates must complete a minimum duration of 54 months of medical course in a foreign country.
- 3Graduates must undergo a mandatory one-year internship in the same foreign medical institution.
- 4The instructions for the MBBS course in medical universities abroad must be in English medium.
- 5Foreign Medical Graduates must fulfil the requirements of education and training equivalent or commensurate with that of an Indian Medical Graduate.
- 6The medical university must be registered with the respective regulatory body, competent to grant a licence to practise medicine in that country.
- 7A foreign medical graduate must undergo a supervised internship in India for a minimum of one year after applying for the same to the Commission, and must have cleared the National Exit Test (NExT) or such other mandated test conducted by the Commission.
Applicability of the Regulations
These regulations will not be applicable to:
- Foreign Medical Graduates who acquired a foreign medical degree or primary qualification before the implementation of these regulations.
- Candidates who are pursuing MBBS abroad prior to the coming into force of these regulations.
- Foreign medical graduates who are specifically exempted by the Commission or the Central Government, as the case may be, by notification.
Foreign Medical Graduates who acquired an MBBS degree (or equivalent) abroad, and candidates already pursuing medical education abroad before these regulations came into force, shall be governed by the erstwhile applicable regulations.
The Commission may refuse permanent registration where the candidate has acted against public policy or national security.
Criteria for Recognition of Foreign Medical Graduates
To practise medicine in India, Foreign Medical Graduates must fulfil education and training requirements equivalent to those of an Indian Medical Graduate, including eligibility for primary medical education outside India.
Duration of MBBS Abroad & Subjects
- Foreign Medical Graduates should have undergone a course of theory, practical and clinical training equivalent to a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) of India.
- Graduates should have completed a mandatory one-year internship in the same foreign medical institution, with hands-on training in clinical subjects including (but not limited to) the list below.
Content of Course or Training
- The course and internship or clinical clerkship in the foreign medical institution shall include the subjects recognised by the Commission.
- The course curriculum shall be made available for review by appropriate authorities.
Same Institution Throughout
The entire course, training, and internship or clerkship shall be done outside India in the same foreign medical institution throughout the course of study.
10-Year Completion Limit
The total duration of the MBBS course abroad shall be completed within ten years from the date of joining the course.
This page summarises publicly discussed NMC requirements for foreign medical graduates. Always verify the latest official notifications from the National Medical Commission before making admission decisions. Reference overview also covered by education consultancies such as Rus Education's NMC regulations guide.