Screening Test & Eligibility Guidelines for Foreign Medical Graduates in India | NMC Advisory

Important Advisory by National Medical Commission (NMC) for Foreign Medical Graduates

The National Medical Commission (NMC) clarifies that the erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI) had earlier published a list of foreign medical institutions/universities for MBBS or equivalent courses based on information received from Indian Embassies or High Commissions. However, the National Medical Commission does not endorse or maintain any list of foreign medical institutions/universities offering MBBS or equivalent medical courses.

As per the Screening Test Regulations, 2018, all Indian Citizens and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) who have obtained a primary medical qualification from any medical institution outside India are required to qualify the prescribed Screening Test for the purpose of obtaining provisional or permanent medical registration in India, in addition to fulfilling all other eligibility criteria specified in the regulations.

Advisory for Students Planning to Study MBBS Abroad

The general public is advised to exercise due diligence before taking admission in MBBS or equivalent medical courses abroad. Students should directly verify from the concerned foreign university or institution regarding:

• Fee structure

• Course curriculum and content

• Duration of the course

• Internship requirements

• Equivalence with the MBBS course in India

The foreign medical course must be commensurate with the MBBS course in India in terms of content, duration, and internship.

Screening Test for Indian Citizens / OCI with Foreign Medical Qualifications

Any Indian citizen or Overseas Citizen of India who has obtained a primary medical qualification from a foreign medical institution and wishes to obtain provisional or permanent registration with the National Medical Commission or any State Medical Council on or after 15 March 2002 must qualify the Screening Test conducted by the prescribed authority.

Eligibility Criteria for Appearing in the Screening Test

A candidate shall be eligible to appear in the Screening Test only if:

1. The candidate is an Indian Citizen or Overseas Citizen of India, and the primary medical qualification is recognized for medical practice in the country where it was awarded.

2. The candidate has obtained an Eligibility Certificate from the National Medical Commission (or erstwhile MCI) as per the Eligibility Requirement for Admission to Undergraduate Medical Course in a Foreign Medical Institution Regulations, 2002.

   • This requirement does not apply to candidates who obtained admission or qualification before 15 March 2002.

3. Indian Citizens / OCI candidates taking admission in foreign medical institutions on or after May 2018 must have qualified NEET (UG).

   • The NEET result shall be treated as the Eligibility Certificate, provided the candidate fulfills the MBBS admission eligibility criteria under the Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 1997.

   • The NEET score is valid for three (3) years from the date of declaration of results.

4. Candidates holding an undergraduate medical qualification from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States of America, along with a postgraduate medical qualification from the same countries, and who are recognized as medical practitioners in those countries, are exempted from the Screening Test.
   
   

   Screening Test Procedure & Results

   • The Screening Test shall be conducted as per the schedule and scheme announced by the prescribed authority.

   • Results will be communicated to:

     • The candidates

     • National Medical Commission

     • Concerned State Medical Councils

   • Candidates who qualify the Screening Test may apply for provisional or permanent registration with NMC or the respective State Medical Council.