MBBS Abroad
NMC rules for MBBS abroad in plain words
What the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021 ask of a foreign medical course, why NEET matters, and what to check before you choose a university.
Admission Mantra Editorial Team. Published . 7 min read.
If your child wants to study medicine abroad and later practise in India, the most important rules are not set by the foreign university. They are set by India's National Medical Commission (NMC). This guide explains the main points in plain language. It is not a substitute for the regulations themselves, which you should read on the NMC website before paying any fees.
Step one: NEET
Indian citizens and Overseas Citizens of India who want to obtain a primary medical qualification abroad must qualify NEET-UG. The NMC's notices explain the details, including how long a NEET result can be used for this purpose. Universities abroad may admit a student without checking this, which is why parents need to check it themselves.
The Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021
These regulations, often shortened to the FMGL Regulations, set out what a foreign medical qualification must include for its holder to be considered for a licence in India. In summary, they cover:
- Course length: a minimum total duration for the course, set in months in the regulations.
- Internship abroad: an internship of a set length in the same foreign institution where the student studied.
- One institution: the whole course, training and internship completed outside India in the same institution, without transfers between universities.
- Language: the course taught in English.
- Subjects: the subjects listed in the regulations, covered as part of the course.
- Licence abroad: the student must be registered with, or eligible for, a licence to practise in the country that awarded the degree, on the same footing as that country's own citizens.
Ask the university for the course structure in writing, showing the number of months of study and the months of internship separately. Compare it line by line with the regulations.
After returning to India
Graduates need to complete a supervised internship in India and pass the licensing examination prescribed by the NMC before they can register to practise. The exam currently used is conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, and the NMC has announced plans for a common exit examination. Check both organisations' websites for the current position when you plan.
Why these rules matter so much
A course that does not meet the regulations may leave a graduate unable to register in India, even after six years of study and considerable cost. Rules can also change, and the NMC sometimes issues advisories about particular countries or practices. Reading the latest notices is part of choosing a university, not a formality.
Questions to ask every university
- How many months is the course, and how many months is the internship, in your official curriculum?
- Is the internship done at your own teaching hospitals, in this country?
- Is the full course taught in English, including clinical years?
- Will the graduate be eligible for a licence to practise in this country, as a citizen would be?
- Can you confirm all this in writing, on university letterhead?
Documents to keep safe
- The NEET-UG scorecard.
- The admission letter and the official course structure.
- Fee receipts for every payment, issued by the university.
- Attendance and internship records from the university and its hospitals.
- The degree certificate and transcripts, with any legalisation or apostille the authorities in India ask for.
What we do and do not do
We compare universities against the regulations with families, point them to the official documents and help with the admission process. We cannot guarantee registration in India, because that depends on the NMC's rules at the time and on the student passing the licensing examination.
Official sources
- National Medical Commission (opens in a new tab)
- NTA: NEET (UG) (opens in a new tab)
- National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (opens in a new tab)
Rules and fees change. Always check the official source before you act.