MBBS abroad: check these rules before you pay
To practise medicine in India after studying abroad, your course must meet the National Medical Commission's Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021. A course that doesn't can leave you unable to register in India.
What the course must meet
Minimum course duration of 54 months (FMGL Regulations 2021, Reg. 4(a)(i)), notified 18 November 2021
“(i) undergone a course leading to foreign medical degree with minimum duration of fifty-four months;”
Internship of at least 12 months in the same foreign medical institution (Reg. 4(a)(ii))
“(ii) Undergone an internship for a minimum duration of twelve months in the same foreign medical institution;”
Entire course, training and internship in the same foreign institution; no part in India or a third country (Schedule I, cl. 2(iii))
“The entire course, training and internship or clerkship shall be done outside India in the same foreign medical ... institution throughout the course of study and no part of medical training and internship shall be done in India ... or in any country other than country from where the primary medical qualification is obtained.”
Medium of instruction must be English (Reg. 4(a)(iii))
“(iii) Received a foreign medical degree with medium of instructions in English; and”
Mandatory subjects listed in Schedule I must be studied (Reg. 4(a)(iv))
“(iv) studied the mandatory subjects specified in the Schedule-I;”
Must be registered/eligible for a licence to practise in the country of study, at par with that country's citizens (Reg. 4(b))
“(b) registered with the respective professional regulatory body or otherwise, competent to grant license to ... practice medicine in their respective jurisdiction of the country in which the medical degree is awarded and at par ... with the license to practice medicine given to citizen of that country;”
12-month supervised internship in India after applying to NMC (Reg. 4(c))
“(c) undergone supervised internship in India for a minimum term of twelve months, after applying for the ... same to the Commission; and”
Must clear the National Exit Test (NExT) or other mandated test (Reg. 4(d)); until NExT is operational the FMG Examination (FMGE) by NBEMS is the qualifying test
“(d) has cleared the National Exit Test or such other mandated test or tests conducted by the Commission.”
Course must be completed within 10 years of joining (Schedule I, cl. 2(iv))
“The total duration of the foreign medical graduation course shall be completed within ten years from the date ... of joining the course.”
Regulations do not apply to students who began foreign MBBS before 18 Nov 2021 (governed by earlier rules)
“Candidates who are pursuing their undergraduate medical education in foreign institutions prior to 18th Nov, 2021.”
NEET qualification required; NEET result valid 3 years for this purpose; NMC endorses no list of foreign institutions
“the National Medical Commission does not endorse any list of Foreign Medical Institutions/ Universities for MBBS or equivalent course. ... the result of NEET shall be valid for a period of three (3) years from the date of declaration of result”
NMC FAQ (8 June 2026): FMG examination to be cleared within 10 years from admission; online-mode study periods must be compensated
“they are required to clear the FMG examination within 10 years from the date of admission.”
Current NMC advisories
Warnings the NMC has issued about specific universities. Newest first.
Advisory for Indian Students Seeking Admission to Foreign Institutes/ Universities for Undergraduate Medical Courses in Uzbekistan - reg
2026-04-01
Alert issued on concerns raised by the Embassy of India, Tashkent about Bukhara State Medical Institute, Samarkand State Medical University, Tashkent State Medical University (Termez Branch) and TIT Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore (described as an offshore campus of TSMU Termez Branch); students advised to exercise extreme caution and verify FMGL compliance.
Exact words on the official page
“This alert is being issued specifically in relation to admissions sought by Indian nationals ... in medical institutions/ colleges in Uzbekistan namely: ... Failure to follow this advisory may result in ineligibility for medical registration”
Alert Note: Advisory for Indian Students Seeking Admission to Foreign Institutes/Universities for Undergraduate Medical Courses
2025-07-21
Students strictly advised to avoid Central American Health and Sciences University, Columbus Central University and Washington University of Health and Sciences (all Belize) and the Chirchik Branch of Tashkent State Medical University (Uzbekistan); enrolled students may face disqualification from registration in India.
Exact words on the official page
“students are hereby strictly advised to avoid seeking admission in the below-listed institutions: ... Chirchik Branch of Tashkent State Medical University, Uzbekistan ... Failure to follow this advisory may result in ineligibility for medical registration in India.”
Alert regarding unauthorised medical colleges and off-shore medical programs
2025-05-19
Warns students against fake admission offers and unapproved offshore medical programmes.
Exact words on the official page
“DO NOT FALL FOR FAKE OFFERS: No college can guarantee admission outside of official channels, i.e., NEET Examination”
This is not legal advice. Confirm with the NMC (nmc.org.in) before you choose a university.