NMC issues guidelines for NOC to foreign medical students; New portal developed

NMC has issued a circular to inform that a new portal - EducationINdia has been developed. It is mandatory for every international student, who desires to take admission in Indian HEIs, to register on this portal from the academic session 2023-24. NMC also issued guidelines for the grant of NOC for Elective/Observership by foreign nationals in Indian medical colleges.

National Medical Commission (NMC) has released a circular that stated the Department of Higher Education (DoHE) in consultation with the Ministry of Home (MHA) has developed EducationINdia for international students in India. The portal is ready for use and will be mandatory from the academic session 2023-24 for every international student who desires to take admission to India HEIs. These students must register on the portal.

Once the student registers on the portal, they will get a unique ID (UID) which may be used for all purposes including the issue of student visa.

"The visa issuing authority will issue student visa only after checking/verifying the student's credentials on this portal. The HEIs will also have to register on this portal and upload the offer of admission issued in favour of student on this portal," reads NMC's statement.

All medical colleges/medical HEIs in India are also directed to immediately register on this portal.

NMC's guidelines for NOC to foreign students

The commission has issued new guidelines for the grant of NOC for Elective/Observership by foreign nationals in Indian medical colleges. These guidelines are applicable w.e.f. March 1, 2023. Following are the guidelines issued to review the existing practice:

• No foreign national shall be allowed Electives/Observership in any Indian medical colleges/universities in any capacity without the consent of NMC.
• The number of foreign nationals for Electives/Observership in the UG category should not exceed 5% of sanctioned annual intake for that year.
• Maximum foreign medical doctors Electives/Observership in PG category must not exceed 2 doctors in each speciality per year in a college.
• No foreign student coming for Electives/Observership (UG or PG category) shall be allowed to examine or treat the patients.
• The maximum period for Electives/Observership shall be 90 days only.
• The processing fee to grant permission to foreign nationals for Electives/Observership shall be US$ 100 or equivalent (excluding GST) for undergraduate students and US$ 200 or equivalent (excluding GST) for postgraduate students.
• A foreign national who has once availed of elective observership in India, shall not be allowed to do the same second time till a duration of a minimum of one year time is completed from the day of completion of the previous Electives/Observership.

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