On November 26th, 2024, the National Medical Commission (NMC) issued an important advisory for Indian students seeking admission to private medical colleges abroad for medical studies. This follows a notice published on August 8th, 2023. Despite the NMC’s continuous reminders, Indian students are still enrolling for medical education in foreign medical institutes that do not adhere to the NMC regulatory standards outlined in the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiates (FMGL) Regulations, 2021.
Despite previous advisories, the Commission has observed that numerous Indian students seek admission to foreign medical institutes that fail to meet the essential criteria laid down by the NMC, which includes strict guidelines on curriculum, duration of study, medium of instruction, syllabus, and clinical rotation. These standards are designed to align with the qualifications necessary for practicing medicine in India.
The NMC clarifies that these guidelines are mandatory for Indian students intending to practice medicine in India after medical studies abroad.
Indian students who wish to pursue medical studies from foreign medical institutes are advised to ensure that the chosen institution complies with the FMGL Regulations 2021 before securing admission. Failure to do so may result in students being ineligible for registration with the NMC and subsequently ineligible to practice medicine in India.
This advisory is issued to safeguard students’ career aspirations and ensure that they meet the requirements for practicing medicine in India upon completing their foreign medical education.
