Can Indian students practise medicine in India after completing an MBBS or equivalent degree abroad? Yes, provided they meet the applicable National Medical Commission (NMC) requirements and complete the prescribed examination, internship and registration process.
The NMC regulates medical education and registration in India. Students planning to study medicine abroad should understand these requirements before choosing a university.
Does the NMC Approve Foreign Medical Universities?
The NMC does not endorse or maintain a list of approved foreign medical universities offering MBBS or equivalent qualifications.
Students should check the university’s course structure, duration, internship arrangements and fees directly with the institution. They must also ensure that the programme meets the NMC requirements applicable to foreign medical graduates seeking registration in India.
Admission to a foreign medical university does not automatically guarantee eligibility to practise medicine in India.
What Should You Check Before Studying Abroad?
The NMC’s Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021 set out requirements for foreign medical graduates seeking registration and medical practice in India. Before accepting an offer, students should verify that their chosen programme meets the requirements applicable to them.
| Requirement | What it means for students |
| Course duration and institution | The medical programme must include at least 54 months of medical education at a single foreign medical institution. |
| Internship abroad | Students must complete a 12-month internship at the same foreign medical institution. |
| Language | The medium of instruction must be English. |
| Curriculum and subjects | The programme must include theoretical, practical and clinical training equivalent to the Indian MBBS curriculum and cover the mandatory subjects specified in Schedule I of the FMGL Regulations, 2021. |
| Clinical training | The course, training and internship arrangements must comply with NMC requirements. Under the FMGL Regulations, the course and training must be completed at the same foreign medical institution, and medical training or internship cannot be completed in India or in a country other than the one awarding the primary medical qualification. |
| Medical registration abroad | The qualification must make graduates eligible for registration with the relevant professional regulator or for a licence to practise medicine in the country awarding the degree, on terms equivalent to those applicable to that country’s citizens. |
| Time limit | Students must check the time limit applicable to their admission cohort. The FMGL Regulations, 2021 specify that the course must be completed within ten years of joining. The NMC’s June 2026 FAQ also addresses the ten-year requirement for foreign medical graduates admitted after 2019. |
The NMC’s Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021 set out requirements for foreign medical graduates seeking registration and medical practice in India. Before accepting an offer, students should verify that their chosen programme meets the requirements applicable to them.These requirements are not optional. Deviations from the applicable regulations may affect a graduate’s eligibility for registration in India.
Do You Need to Qualify NEET-UG Before Studying Medicine Abroad?
Indian citizens and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) intending to obtain a primary medical qualification from a medical institution outside India on or after May 2018 must qualify the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG), subject to the applicable eligibility conditions.
Under the NMC’s rules, the NEET-UG result is treated as the eligibility certificate for these candidates, provided they meet the eligibility criteria for admission to the MBBS course prescribed under the Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 1997.
How long is the NEET-UG result valid?
The result is valid for three years from the date of declaration. During this period, candidates may pursue an MBBS or equivalent medical course abroad, including an associated pre-medical or language course followed by the medical degree.
Students should also check the foreign university’s admission requirements, as these may differ from India’s regulatory requirements.
For details, consult the NMC’s guidance for students planning to study abroad.
Do You Need to Pass a Screening Test to Practise Medicine in India?
Indian citizens and OCI candidates who obtain a primary medical qualification abroad and seek registration to practise medicine in India must qualify the applicable screening or licensing examination, subject to the regulations and exemptions that apply to them.
What Is the FMGE?
The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), also known as the screening test for foreign medical graduates, is conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) under the Screening Test Regulations, 2002.
When Do You Take the FMGE?
Eligible candidates take the FMGE after completing their primary medical qualification abroad. To apply, they must meet the eligibility conditions for the relevant examination session and submit the required documents.
The examination schedule, application deadlines, eligibility criteria and fee are published in the NBEMS FMGE section. Candidates should consult the relevant examination information bulletin for current details.
Does Passing FMGE Mean You Can Immediately Practise in India?
No. Passing FMGE establishes eligibility to proceed with the applicable registration process; it does not, by itself, grant permission to practise medicine in India.
Graduates must also meet the applicable internship requirements and obtain registration from the relevant State Medical Council, in accordance with the regulations governing their admission cohort.
Are There Any Exemptions from the FMGE Screening Test?
Under the Screening Test Regulations, 2002, a conditional exemption applies to certain candidates seeking provisional or permanent registration in India.
The exemption applies to candidates who:
- Hold an undergraduate medical qualification from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America;
- Have also been awarded a postgraduate medical qualification in one of these countries; and
- Have been recognised for enrolment as a medical practitioner in the relevant country.
Important: This is a conditional exemption. Holding an undergraduate or postgraduate medical qualification from one of these countries alone does not establish eligibility for exemption. Candidates should verify that they meet all the applicable conditions with the relevant medical authority.
What Is NExT? Will It Replace FMGE?
The National Exit Test (NExT) is a separate examination framework notified by the NMC in 2023. On 13 July 2023, the NMC announced that its implementation had been deferred until further directions. Students should check the NMC’s official rules and public notices for updates.
How Do You Obtain Registration to Practise in India?
Obtaining a foreign medical degree does not automatically entitle you to practise medicine in India. The process generally involves the following steps:
- Complete your foreign medical degree: Ensure that your qualification meets the NMC regulations applicable to your admission cohort.
- Qualify the required examination: Pass FMGE or another prescribed examination, as applicable.
- Obtain provisional registration: Apply to the relevant State Medical Council for provisional registration to undertake your internship in India, where required.
- Complete the required internship: Complete the prescribed Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) in India, where applicable.
- Apply for permanent registration: Once you have fulfilled the applicable requirements, apply to the relevant State Medical Council for permanent registration.
The precise requirements may differ depending on when you were admitted to your foreign medical course and which regulations apply to you. Consult the NMC’s guidance on the equivalence of foreign medical qualifications and confirm the process with your State Medical Council.
Conclusion
Before enrolling in a foreign medical programme, verify that it meets the NMC requirements applicable to your admission cohort. Your eligibility to practise in India will depend on fulfilling the prescribed examination, internship and registration requirements.
