NMC advises Indian students against pursuing MBBS / BDS from Pakistan, to be considered invalid

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a circular advising all Indian students against travelling to Pakistan for pursuing medical education. All Indian Nationals / Overseas Citizens of India who are looking to pursue MBBS / BDS or any equivalent medical course in any medical college in Pakistan will NOT be eligible to appear for the qualifying Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) or seek employment in India based on educational qualifications acquired in any subject in Pakistan except those who had joined Pakistan degree colleges / institutions before December 2018 or later after obtaining security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). 

However, migrants and their children who have acquired medical degrees or higher education in Pakistan and have been awarded citizenship by India would continue to be eligible for appearing in FMGE/NExT or seeking employment in India after obtaining security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). official press release

The advisory by the NMC comes within months of the higher education regulator warning Indian students planning to pursue higher studies in China, saying it does not recognise ‘degree courses done only in online mode without prior approval.’

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NMC warns Indian medical students from pursuing MBBS in China

February 08, 2022: The National Medical Commission (NMC) also issued a similar advisory, restricting Indian medical students from enrolling for online MBBS courses at universities in China. As per the existing rules, the National Medical Commission (NMC) does NOT recognize or approve medical courses done only via the online mode. All students are also advised to refer to FMGE Regulations before applying or planning to seek admission to any university in China or foreign institutions. Candidates can refer to the NMC: University admissions in China advisory issued by the NMC, here. Read the entire story here.

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NMC introduces dual internships and NExT to replace FMGE for Indian medical returnees

NMC introduces Mandatory Double Internships for MBBS students abroad: As per the guidelines established by the National Medical Commission, students who are going abroad to pursue medical studies must enrol in a course that spans over a minimum of 54 months of instructions and be in the English medium. The new regulations brought in by NMC, require all candidates who wish to pursue foreign medical degrees abroad, to study a course of theory, practical and clinical training equivalent to Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) of India; and should have completed an internship of twelve months in addition to such a course in the same foreign institution where the primary medical qualification has been obtained. Medical students are also required to have hands-on training in clinical subjects.

NExT to replace FMGE starting 2023 Mock Exam in 2022: The Medical Council of India (MCI) Foreign Medical Graduate Examination or more commonly referred to as MCI FMGE is a medical licensing examination. Conducted by the National Board of Examination (NBE), FMGE is a mandatory examination required to be undertaken by all Indian citizens or Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders who have pursued their medical education abroad and plan to practice in India. Candidates who successfully qualify for the MCI FMGE would be permitted to register themselves with the Medical Council of India (MCI)/State Medical Council (SMC) and practice in India. However, as per the latest update from National Medical Commission (NMC), the National Exit Test - NExT is to replace FMGE starting in 2023 and there will be mock exams held in 2022. Read the entire story, here. 

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Anyone remotely aware of the medical activities in the country would be aware of the National Medical Commission (NMC) replacing the erstwhile MCI (Medical Council of India) in September 2020. The (National Medical Commission) NMC has been established by an Act of Parliament known as the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 which came into force in September 2020 with the objective of improving access to quality and affordable medical education, ensuring adequate and high-quality medical professionals in all parts of India and to provide equitable and universal health care.