Career: Will one be able to become a doctor in India after pursuing an MBBS abroad?
Rules for Pursuing MBBS Abroad: Securing a seat in government or reputable private medical colleges in India is no easy task. Consequently, a large number of Indian students head abroad every year to pursue an MBBS degree. For students aspiring to study medicine in countries like Georgia, Russia, or Kazakhstan, factors such as tuition fees, admission procedures, and the duration of the course are important—but there is another critical consideration: will they be able to complete the requirements to practice as doctors in India after obtaining an MBBS degree from abroad? The National Medical Commission (NMC) has provided inconsistent responses to this question, which has heightened concerns among students.
According to a report by The Indian Express, the issue specifically concerns Indian students pursuing a six-year MBBS course in Georgia. Two separate candidates inquired with the NMC as to whether they would be eligible to appear for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) in India upon completing a six-year MBBS program in Georgia. The commission provided different responses on two separate occasions, leaving the students in a state of confusion. Taking advantage of this, some education consultants are reportedly providing information to students that could potentially complicate their future medical careers. Legal experts have expressed concern over the matter and have urged the NMC and the Union Ministry of Health to clarify the situation. They argue that before enrolling in an MBBS program abroad, students must be certain whether the degree meets the criteria stipulated for practicing medicine in India.
Questions Posed to the NMC by Students Pursuing MBBS in Georgia
The controversy arose when two aspiring medical students submitted identical inquiries to the NMC via the public grievance portal. Both sought to know whether they would be permitted to take the FMGE in India after completing a six-year MBBS course in Georgia. Passing this examination is the gateway for Indian students who have obtained medical degrees abroad to practice as doctors in India. A candidate first received a response from the National Medical Commission (NMC) on September 24.
In this response, the Commission—citing the National Medical Commission (Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate) Regulations, 2021—stated that a foreign medical degree is only considered eligible for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) in India if the candidate, upon completing their MBBS course in the respective country, is granted a license to practice medicine independently. In other words, merely completing a six-year medical course in Georgia is not sufficient; the local system must also authorize the student to practice independently as a doctor. This specific condition has raised concerns among Indian students planning to pursue their medical education in Georgia.
A second response on October 13 adds to the confusion.
The situation became more complicated when another candidate raised a similar query. In a response dated October 13, the NMC stated that the provisions concerning independent licensing systems are currently being examined by a competent authority and an expert committee. This is the response that has now fueled further controversy. While the first response identified an independent license as a mandatory requirement, the second response indicated that the provisions governing this system are under review. Consequently, candidates raised the issue for a third time via the public grievance portal, asking which of the two responses—the one from September 24 or the one from October 13—should be considered correct. However, rather than providing a fresh or clear clarification, the NMC once again simply cited the 2021 Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations.
Are education consultants taking advantage?
In this entire matter, legal experts have also raised questions regarding the role of education consultants. A report by The Indian Express, citing Sachin Jain—a lawyer specializing in medical matters at the Delhi High Court—states that some education consultants are securing MBBS admissions for Indian students in foreign medical universities in exchange for hefty commissions. According to him, these consultants are using the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) response dated October 13 to assure students that the requirement for an independent license could either be waived or fulfilled through alternative means. Furthermore, students are being told that the regulations might be amended in the future, ensuring they face no difficulties in appearing for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) or practicing as doctors in India.
Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from News18 Hindi. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.
