The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a new clarification about the rules for Indian students who studied Bachelor of Science (BS) medical courses at foreign medical colleges. This clarification has been issued to clear doubts and concerns that students, parents, and other stakeholders have been raising for a long time. The clarification has been released through a correction to the Public Notice issued on December 7, 2023. It mainly explains the eligibility rules that earlier caused confusion, especially the condition mentioned in point number two of the previous notice.
Decision Taken After Reviewing Student Representations
The NMC stated that the matter was taken up for consideration in detail after such representations from the students and the institutions were received. The matter was discussed in detail in the meeting of the Commission on 16 December 2025.
The Commission considered at its meeting cases of students who had already been pursuing BS medical courses abroad at the time when the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021, were notified.
Applicability of Screening Test Regulations Explained
In accordance with the Undergraduate Medical Education Board’s corrigendum, students admitted to BS medical courses (or studying in such courses) at foreign medical institutions on or before November 18, 2021, will be subject to the Screening Test Regulations, 2002.
This is applicable to all students, including those studying in online or physical modes of education: November 18, 2021, significant day.
The NMC said that the decision was made considering the plight of the students who were already pursuing their studies abroad before the new rules came into effect.
One-Year Internship in India Made Mandatory
In providing this relief, the NMC has added a significant rider. These students will now have to do an extra one-year compulsory internship in India.
The Commission stated that the requirement is needed so that students have sufficient clinical exposure to the Indian health care system, adhere to national treatment guidelines, and deliver the level of patient care prescribed.
One-Time Relaxation, Other Rules Unchanged
The NMC has given a clear indication that this relaxation would be a one-time exemption and it will be applicable only to the specific group of students. The rest of the provisions of the public notice dated 7 December 2023 and the Corrigenda would remain unaltered.
The direction has been circulated to the departments of the medical education of the State and UT’s and also the Medical Councils. It has also been uploaded on the official website of NMC for further transparency, awareness, and compliance. Such a clarification is a sigh of relief and clarity for all those students who want to pursue medicine in India.
