6 Key Requirements To Practice in India after MBBS Abroad

Key requirements to practice in India after MBBS abroad for Indian students

The existing rules of the National Medical Commission in India stated some regulations for Indian students who graduate from foreign colleges and universities. Although regulations of MNCs are mandatory to help graduates adapt to the Indian clinical environment, students often fail to comply with them due to unfamiliarity with norms and a lack of guidance. It is compulsory for students to follow the updated NMC guidelines in order to be eligible for a practising license in India. The recent NMC guidelines for MBBS abroad are:

1. The duration of the medical course should be 54 months

The medical courses that are offered by medical colleges or universities must have a duration of 54 months. These 54 months must consist of theory and practical classes. Moreover, any course that is offered by the medical colleges that doesn’t have a duration of 54 months is considered invalid by the National Medical Council. So, it is advised to check the duration of the medical course before enrolling to avoid disqualification from practising in India.

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2. 12 months of internship is mandatory

Students who complete the 54 months of education are also required to complete a 12-month internship. In this internship, the candidate is required to practice in local clinical settings and obtain working experience. This ensures that the student is competent enough to practice the theoretical knowledge.

The National Medical Commission has made it mandatory for all students to complete the internship soon after graduation. Students who fail to complete the internship are ineligible to practice in India with a license.

3. The clinical training must be completed in the same institution

When the medical course is chosen from a particular college or university, students are obliged to practice at the same institution. Any transfer between colleges for the clinical training is not allowed by the NMC. Due to this reason, clinical placement at another institution is considered invalid, and students who fail to complete the clinical programme at their enrolled institution are not eligible to practice in India.

4. English as a medium of instruction

All the teaching modules and theory classes must be taught in English. The National Medical Council does not recognise any medical course that is taught in any foreign language other than English. This is to ensure that the student learns all the subjects in the course with utmost clarity. Moreover, most students in India have English as their primary medium of instruction till their 12th grade. So, the NMC ensures that the same language is used as the medium of instruction in medical courses, as students can comprehend across biological subjects.

Also read - 5 Key requirements to study MBBS abroad

5. The medical course must consist of subjects as directed by the National Medical Commission

The course offered by any medical college or university should consist of these subjects. Students who fail to study these subjects will no longer be allowed to practice in India. These are the subjects directed by NMC:

• 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-specialities.

6. Practising in the country of study

Indian students who complete their course of study (54 months + 12-month internship) must be able to practice in the country of study. The National Medical Council requires these criteria to allow students to practice in India:

• The candidate should be registered with a professional regulatory body in the country of study.

• Or the candidate should be able to practice within the respective jurisdiction of the country of study (the jurisdiction should be competent to issue a practising licence for the medical students).

• The permit received by Indian students to practice should be on par with the medical licence issued to the country’s citizens.

Also read - NMC guidelines for MBBS abroad

Students who fulfil all the above-mentioned criteria can apply for a licence to practise in India. To be accepted as practitioners by the NMC, students must clear the FMGE examination. This exam assesses students who studied MBBS abroad to practice in India, as it is essential to possess theoretical and practical knowledge.

License exam in India after MBBS abroad - FMGE

FMGE, abbreviated as Foreign Medical Graduate Exam, is a test conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) for foreign medical graduates to practice in India. This is a computer-based test and is held twice a year (June/December).

Also read -

• FMGE eligibility criteria
• Study MBBS without NEET

Eligibility Criteria:

• Candidates must hold an MBBS degree recognised by the Indian Embassy/consulate in the respective country.

• An eligibility certificate is also necessary. It is obtained by submitting the NEET score card.

Exam Structure:

The exam consists of two parts, with 300 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Each part consists of 150 questions and has a 150-minute time limit

It is advised that students attempt all the questions as there is no negative marking.

The pass certificate is required for permanent registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or the State Medical Council.

Attempts: There is no restriction on the number of attempts a candidate can take.

Upcoming Exam: The FMGE June 2026 session is scheduled for June 28, 2026, based on reports.

Syllabus:

• The examination covers the entire MBBS curriculum, including:
• Preclinical: Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry.
• Paraclinical: Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Forensic Medicine, and Preventive & Social Medicine.
• Clinical: Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Pediatrics, Ophthalmology, ENT, and Orthopaedics.
• Important Documents for Application:
• Passport (with visa and entry-exit details).
• MBBS/MD degree certificate.
• NMC/MCI Eligibility Certificate.

Also read - FMGE pass percentage