NMC Advisory: Students Urged to Be Cautious Before Pursuing MBBS Abroad
New Delhi: Through a recent notice, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has advised students and parents to carefully follow prescribed guidelines and exercise extreme caution while seeking admission to foreign medical institutions.
In the notice, all stakeholders have been asked to take note of the advisory specifically issued for Indian students planning to pursue undergraduate medical courses in Uzbekistan and ensure full compliance.
Referring to its earlier public notices dated August 8, 2023, and November 22, 2024, along with the advisory issued on May 19, 2025, and alert note on July 21, 2025, the NMC emphasized that students aiming to obtain medical degrees abroad and later practice in India must strictly adhere to the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021.
The Commission also highlighted that many Indian students are still taking admission in foreign private medical colleges that do not meet the required standards. These institutions often follow curricula, training patterns, and timelines that are not aligned with Indian regulations.
NMC has cautioned students against enrolling in unauthorized medical colleges and offshore programs that violate regulatory norms. It has strongly advised students to conduct proper due diligence before making any admission decision.
NMC Warns: Non-Compliance with FMGL Rules Can Lead to Disqualification
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has made it clear that any deviation from the prescribed guidelines can lead to disqualification from registration to practice medicine in India. Students must strictly follow these key requirements:
- Course duration
- Medium of instruction
- Syllabus and curriculum
- Clinical training
- Internship or clerkship arrangements
FMGL Regulations 2021: Key Requirements Explained
As per the NMC’s Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021, the following conditions must be fulfilled to become eligible to practice in India:
- Minimum 54 months of education in a single institution
- A 12-month internship must be completed at the same foreign university
- Clinical training should not be divided or conducted across different countries
- The medium of instruction must be English
- Mandatory subjects listed in Schedule-I must be studied
- Students must be registered with the concerned regulatory authority in that country, with a license equivalent to what is granted to its citizens
Institutions Under NMC Alert
The advisory specifically mentions concerns related to admissions in the following institutions:
- Bukhara State Medical Institute (BSMI)
- Samarkand State Medical University (SSMU)
- Tashkent State Medical University (TSMU)
- TIT Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore (offshore campus of TSMU Termez Branch)
Serious Concerns Raised by Indian Embassy
The alert follows a communication from the Indian Embassy in Tashkent, which highlighted several issues regarding medical education standards in Uzbekistan and the role of admission agents. Key concerns include:
- Admissions exceeding approved intake capacity, affecting education quality
- Lack of proper hands-on clinical training
- Language barriers, as the medium of instruction is often not English
- Complaints of violations of FMGL norms, especially involving offshore campus models
The Embassy also shared testimonies from Indian students studying through private contractors, raising further red flags about the admission process.
NMC’s Final Warning to Students and Parents
In light of these findings, the NMC has strongly advised Indian students and OCI candidates to be extremely cautious while considering MBBS or equivalent programs abroad, especially in Uzbekistan.
Students must ensure that the chosen institution fully complies with FMGL Regulations, 2021. Failure to meet these standards may result in ineligibility to practice medicine in India after completing the course.
Important Guidelines to Follow
- Do not fall for fake admission guarantees without NEET qualification
- Always verify the institution before making any payment
- Check recognition status and compliance with FMGL rules
- Avoid dealing with unverified agents or intermediaries
- Seek guidance from NMC or Indian embassies when in doubt
Following these steps can help students make informed decisions and avoid future complications in their medical careers.