In a bid to protect the interests of Indian medical aspirants and ensure the quality of medical education in the country, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has released a circular outlining a series of compulsory rules for students looking to study MBBS abroad. The guidelines, based on the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021, provide the conditions under which foreign medical institutions should be qualified for their graduates to be qualified to practice medicine in India.

The circular acts as an important reminder for students and parents to be diligent before taking medical courses under foreign universities. According to the NMC, a large number of Indian students travel abroad each year with dreams of becoming doctors. However, not all foreign medical institutions adhere to the standards recognized by Indian regulatory authorities. According to the FMGL Regulations, only graduates of institutions that meet specific regulatory and academic requirements will be allowed to take the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE), an Indian mandatory licensing examination.

One of the strongest points asserted by the NMC is that students passing out from non-compliant colleges will not be eligible to appear for the FMGE. Of relevance here is that the onus for checking compliance rests solely with the students. “The onus of this disqualification lies solely with the student,” the circular states, cautioning aspirants to make informed choices supported by rigorous verification.

According to the FMGL Regulations, 2021, a defined structure has been laid down for what is considered valid foreign medical education. The main conditions are at least 54 months of study in one institution and a 12-month internship, both to be done at the same university. The students also have to receive uninterrupted clinical training in one country — training divided between two or more countries or institutions is not acceptable. The NMC also requires that instruction must be in the English language, and that the curriculum should comprise all the compulsory subjects listed under Schedule I of the regulations.

In addition, the graduates have to be registered with the country’s professional regulating body, where they have received their degree. They should be registered to a level where it is equivalent to the licence issued to the citizens of the country so that they can legally practice medicine in its jurisdiction. The foreign medical graduates only qualify to apply for a licence or permanent registration to practice in India after meeting these prerequisites.

The rules also mandate that, despite their foreign internship, graduates have to complete a supervised internship in India for at least twelve months. This move is essential to achieve permanent registration from the NMC. Not completing this Indian internship will make the applicant ineligible for registration, despite fulfilling all other requirements overseas.

In light of the growing instances of fake or subpar medical institutions targeting Indian students, the NMC has also given unambiguous guidance on how to ascertain the genuineness of any foreign medical institution. Students are asked to visit the official NMC website, where lists of recognized institutions and guidelines are kept current. They are also asked to contact the NMC directly for verification, particularly in situations where institutions are presenting recognition letters or direct admissions.

The Commission has cautioned against depending on college websites or propaganda advertisements. It has made it clear that the NMC itself does not make direct admissions to any foreign or domestic medical college. Thus, any offer that skips official channels of admission, i.e., the NEET test, should be viewed skeptically.

Apart from these rules, the NMC released a stern advice to parents and students. They are requested not to be taken in by spurious offers or assurance of assured admission from illegal sources. Students should ascertain the recognition and approval status of the college before making any payments or formal commitments. Any illegitimate activity with regard to unauthorized admissions should be reported to the Commission at once.

“The parents and medical aspirants are strictly advised to remain alert, as the same is required to safeguard oneself and the sanctity of the Indian medical education system,” said the NMC in its circular.

This new step by the NMC reflects the Commission’s resolve to ensure that only well-trained and well-qualified professionals be permitted to practice medicine in India. For doctors-to-be, particularly those with eyes for opportunities abroad, these guidelines are a guidebook and a cautionary note — the aspiration to become a doctor has to be followed cautiously, cautiously, and with strict compliance with regulatory requirements.