Is MBBS Abroad Valid in India?

NMC Guidelines for MBBS Abroad

The National Medical Commission (NMC) is the regulatory medical education in India. In 2021, it issued the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, which highlight the eligibility criteria and conditions for Indian students aiming to study MBBS abroad. These regulations ensure that students obtain the required knowledge, practice, and expertise to practice Indian medicine. Aspiring medical graduates are advised to ensure that the medical institution abroad follows the NMC guidelines before applying. The following are the guidelines issued by the NMC for MBBS aspirants.

• Indian students must clear NEET-UG before applying for MBBS abroad. Without NEET, admission is not valid in India.

• The MBBS program abroad must be of at least 54 months (4.5 years).

• Students must also complete 12 months of internship in the same university.

• Foreign medical graduates need to study specific subjects, such as General Medicine and Surgery, Community Medicine, Psychiatry, Paediatrics, Anaesthesia, and Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Besides, they should also study Otorhinolaryngology, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Emergency or Casualty services, laboratory services, and other related sub-specialties.

• The entire MBBS course, both practical and theoretical, must be taught in the English language.

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How to Practice Medicine in India After MBBS Abroad?

After completing an MBBS degree abroad, medical graduates who plan to practice medicine in India must appear for the FMGE. The FMGE exam is an important screening test in India, organized by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) twice a year. This exam ensures that these graduates meet the necessary standards to practice medicine in India. Once they pass the FMGE, they need to do an internship in India for one year and register with a State Medical Council to start practicing.

Why is FMGE important?

The FMGE exam consists of 300 multiple-choice questions. To pass the examination, the candidate requires at least 50% marks. As the FMGE is considered a challenging examination, the passing percentage is low. Hence, there is no limit on the number of attempts for the FMGE. The points mentioned below elaborate on the importance of the FMGE exam in India.

• Ensuring medical standards: As medical education can really differ from one country to another, FMGE is designed to make sure all international medical graduates meet the medical education standards set in India.

• Legal requirements: Without passing the FMGE, foreign MBBS graduates are not legally permitted to get a license to practice medicine in India.

• Examines practical knowledge: The exam also checks practical knowledge, testing both the clinical skills and theoretical understanding necessary for safe medical practice in India.

• Facilitates higher studies: Passing the FMGE makes you eligible for postgraduate entrance exams, like NEET PG and allows you to explore and study specialized fields.

Countries that Follow NMC Guidelines

The NMC does not endorse a specific list of foreign medical schools or universities for MBBS or similar courses. However, to ensure that students can practice in India, the MBBS program provided by the university must adhere to the NMC guidelines. Not every medical institution abroad meets the NMC’s standards. Students need to choose countries where the MBBS programs align with the NMC guidelines regarding course length, clinical training, and recognition.

Some popular countries are:

Note: The medical colleges in the Philippines have recognition from various global organizations, and the cost of education tends to be more budget-friendly compared to many other countries. However, it is important to note that the 4-year MD program, which is equivalent to an MBBS degree, is not recognized by the NMC. This is because the NMC mandates an MBBS course lasting 54 months, or 4.5 years.

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