NMC rules for MBBS abroad in plain language
The National Medical Commission (NMC) decides whether a foreign medical degree lets you practise in India. Its Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021 apply to students who joined a foreign medical course after 18 November 2021. If your course does not meet these rules, you cannot get a licence in India, even if you pass exams abroad.
NMC rules you must meet
To practise medicine in India after studying abroad, the National Medical Commission (NMC) Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021 require, in summary:
- NEET-UG qualification before admission.
- A course of at least 54 months, plus at least 12 months of internship at the same foreign institution.
- The whole course taught in English and completed at one university.
- Eligibility for a licence to practise medicine in the country where you studied.
- After returning: a further 12-month supervised internship in India and passing the licensing exam (FMGE, to be replaced by NExT).
Why does the NMC check matter before admission?
Many problems are permanent once you have joined: the wrong course length, a transfer between universities, or teaching in the local language. Checking before you pay protects six years of study and your family's money.
Questions to ask every university
- How many months is the full course, and how many months of internship are at your own hospitals?
- Is every year, including clinical years, taught in English?
- Will I be eligible for a licence to practise in your country after graduating?
- Do students ever need to transfer to another institution to finish the course?
- How many Indian graduates cleared FMGE in recent years?
After you return to India
- Pass the licensing exam (FMGE, to be replaced by NExT as notified by the NMC).
- Complete the supervised internship in India as required by the NMC.
- Register with the NMC or the State Medical Council.
Keep checking for changes
The NMC issues notices and clarifications. We re-check this page against the official text at least every 60 days and after every new notice. If you see a newer notice, tell us.