Pursuing MBBS abroad has now become one of the most prevalent options for Indian students who want to become doctors. Foreign universities are also a good choice due to affordable tuition, international exposure, and simplified admission processes.
However, before taking this big step, students must understand the rules and regulations set by the Medical Council of India (MCI) - now governed by the National Medical Commission (NMC). These guidelines determine whether your foreign degree will be recognized in India and whether you’ll be eligible to practice as a registered doctor.
Let’s dive into the MCI/NMC rules for studying MBBS abroad, eligibility requirements, and how to ensure your degree is valid in India.
The Medical Council of India (MCI) was replaced by the National Medical Commission (NMC) in 2020, but most of the fundamental rules remain consistent.
The NMC also regulates standards of medical education, including those of Indian students who study their MBBS in foreign countries. Its primary aim is to ensure that students receive a high-quality medical education in a foreign country and that their degrees meet Indian medical standards upon returning to the mother country.
In the case you intend to pursue medicine abroad and subsequently practice in India, you have to follow these MCI/NMC guidelines.
Indian students must fulfill some requirements prior to submitting their applications to any foreign medical university. These are the terms and conditions that ensure that whatever you study in other nations can qualify your Indian medicine standards.
Since 2018, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) has been made compulsory for Indian students wishing to pursue MBBS abroad.
You should pass NEET within the same year that you seek admission in a foreign country. Your MBBS overseas is not going to be acknowledged in India when you are lacking the Eligibility Certificate and are deficient of a valid NEET score.
Tip: Your NEET scorecard and eligibility documents should always be kept secure - they are required when you want to be registered with your MBBS in the foreign country.
The student should have finished 10+2 or other similar education with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English being the basic subjects.
Important: Students from open schools or with no practical experience in science subjects may be ineligible under NMC rules.
The NMC guidelines provide that the minimum number of years in the MBBS course overseas should be 54 months (4.5 years) and then one-year internship in the medical university or country.
Any course that is less than this will not be registered in India.
Also, the program should be conducted in English.
Students need to ensure that the university they are planning to apply to is recognized by both before they apply to any university abroad.
Education in a non-recognized institution may cause your degree to be invalid in India despite the completion of the course. The NMC approved list of foreign medical universities always needs to be consulted before you can decide.
Once you graduate with your MBBS abroad, you would require fulfilling certain post study requirements before you can practice medicine in India.
The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) of the National Board of Examinations (NBE) is mandatory to all Indian students with a foreign medical degree.
This screening test will determine whether your medical education is in accordance with the Indian standards.
You will not be allowed to seek registration and practice in India unless you pass FMGE (or its new form NExT -National Exit Test).
Upon passing FMGE or NExT, you have to do a one-year internship with an NMC-approved college or hospital in India.
After finishing the internship, you may apply to your State Medical Council and be licensed to practice as a doctor back in India.
To simplify your journey, here’s MCI rules for MBBS abroad:
There is a big misconception among the students that NEET applies only to Indian colleges. MBBS will not be recognized in India without qualifying NEET.
Never fail to verify whether the medical college is registered in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) and approved by the NMC.
Do not accept universities with MBBS of less than 5 years of studies- they are not accepted in the NMC rules.
Make sure the medium of instruction is English. Studying in a local language may affect both your academic performance and your degree recognition.
Adherence to these NMC rules for MBBS abroad is the only way that your foreign MBBS can be recognized in India. It secures your investment, time and future career.
Concisely, understanding and following these guidelines is not just about compliance - it’s about safeguarding your dream of becoming a doctor.
Having been informed about the rules and regulations of NMC/MCI, we concluded that pursuing MBBS abroad is a life-altering choice, however, it should be made with great knowledge about the MCI/NMC rules and regulations. Ever since you have to attain NEET and choose the university to attend, to the FMGE/NExT and enrolment in India, each phase is essential in your career as a doctor.
When you decide to pursue MBBS abroad, you should always ensure that you study in a university that has been approved by the NMC, ensure that all your legal issues have been met.
Under the guidance and proper planning, your MBBS in foreign country can produce a globally renowned medical career and fame in India.
Answer - Yes. According to NMC (formerly MCI) regulations, qualifying NEET-UG is compulsory for Indian students who wish to study MBBS abroad and later practice in India.
Answer - The minimum duration is 54 months (4.5 years) of academic study plus 12 months of internship in the same country, as per NMC guidelines.
Answer - Yes. All Indian students who graduate from foreign medical universities must pass the FMGE or the upcoming NExT exam to obtain a license to practice in India.
Answer - You can verify recognition by visiting the official NMC website or checking the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) for your university’s accreditation.
