NMC warns students planning to pursue MBBS abroad

New Delhi: Through a recent notice, the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued an advisory to MBBS students planning to pursue medical education abroad.

The UG Board of the Commission asked them to ensure that the duration, medium of instructions, syllabus, and clinical training internship in those institutes abroad are in compliance with the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiates (FMGL) Regulations 2021.

Referring to the 2021 regulations, the Director of the UGMEB, Shambhu Sharan Kumar mentioned in the notice dated August 08, 2023, "National Medical Commission published Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiates (FMGL) Regulations'2021 in the official gazette of lndia vide notification dated 18.11.2021 wherein the terms of duration of the study, medium of instructions, syllabus, clinical training or internship/clerkship etc. are prescribed. These conditions are mandatory for registration to practice allopathy in lndia."

NMC pointed out the difference in the curriculum, time frame and training period in the foreign medical institutes and mentioned, "lt has been observed that the lnstitutes or Universities abroad are following the curriculum, time frame and training imparted to the students are not in consonance with NMC regulations being followed in lndia."

Therefore, warning the students to ensure compliance with the FMGL Regulations, NMC added, "Therefore, all the students who are desirous to obtain the medical qualification from any foreign medical institutions or universities and thereafter practice allopathy in lndia, are hereby advised to ensure that all conditions prescribed in FMGL are fulfilled before taking admission."

Also Read: MBBS Abroad Not advisable for lower, Middle-Class Indians, note NMC officials

"Any variation in duration, medium of instructions, syllabus, clinical training or internship/clerkship may lead to disqualification in grant of registration in lndia. ln case of disqualification, the sole responsibility shall lie upon the candidate only," it further clarified.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the FMGL Regulations 2021 brought many changes, which might make foreign medical education less lucrative. The regulations clearly mentioned that after acquiring their medical degree, the foreign medical graduates in future will have to clear the NeXT exam and also undergo additional internship in India, apart from pursuing internship in their own instiutitions at the foreign country where they have studied.

On the issue of Grant of permanent registration to Foreign Medical Graduate, the regulations stated that No foreign medical graduate shall be granted permanent registration, unless he has– undergone MBBS course with a duration of fifty-four months, completed an internship for a minimum of 12 months, studied in the medium of instructions in English, studied some specific subjects, registered with the respective professional regulatory body, completed supervised internship in India for 12 months, and has cleared the National Exit Test.

Last year, the apex medical commission warned the students before taking admission in the medical institutes abroad. Back then, NMC had reminded the students about the travel restrictions imposed by China Government and clarified that the medical courses done only by online mode are not recognized by the medical regulator.

To view the NMC notice, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/nmc-advisory-for-fmgs-216032.pdf

Also Read: MBBS in China: NMC warns Aspirants of Travel Restrictions, reminds of FMG Regulations