New Delhi: The Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has recently issued a clarification regarding the requirement of mandatory physical onsite compensation for online classes taken by Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) during their MBBS studies abroad.
In a notice released on March 5, 2026, UGMEB addressed several queries raised by students and stakeholders about whether online medical classes completed during their course need to be compensated through physical training.
According to the clarification, students who took admission to foreign medical institutions on or before November 18, 2021—the date when the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations (FMGL) 2021 were notified—will be evaluated under the earlier Screening Test Regulations, provided they meet certain conditions.
These conditions include completing physical onsite clinical or theory training to compensate for the online classes, finishing one year of internship at the foreign medical institution, and passing the examination equivalent to the MBBS exam in India.
However, students who enrolled after November 18, 2021 will fall under the FMGL Regulations 2021. Such candidates will also be required to complete one year of mandatory internship in India as per the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) Regulations 2021.
The Commission further clarified that compensation for online classes without extending the study duration will not be accepted. Foreign medical institutions cannot issue compensation certificates unless students actually undergo additional physical onsite training equal to the duration of the online study period.
This clarification has been issued with reference to earlier public notices dated December 7, 2023, and June 19, 2024.
“In continuation of the Public Notices issued by the National Medical Commission on 07.12.2023 and 19.06.2024 regarding mandatory physical onsite compensation for online studies undertaken by foreign medical students pursuing MBBS abroad, the Commission is issuing further clarifications to address queries raised by students and stakeholders,” the notice stated.
NMC Issues Clarifications on Online Study Compensation for Foreign Medical Graduates
The notice has been issued with reference to the earlier public notices dated 07.12.2023 and 19.06.2024.
“In continuation of the Public Notices issued by the National Medical Commission through notices dated 07.12.2023 and 19.06.2024 regarding the requirement of mandatory physical onsite compensation classes for foreign medical students who pursued part of their MBBS course online while studying abroad, the Commission has now issued further clarifications based on queries raised by students and other stakeholders,” the notice stated.
Referring to the clarification, the National Medical Commission has instructed all State Medical Councils to process applications of Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) in accordance with the applicable regulations, after verifying that all required conditions have been fulfilled.
Queries and Clarifications
1. Applicability of Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) Regulations, 2021
Students who took admission in foreign medical colleges on or before 18.11.2021—the date when the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations (FMGL), 2021 were notified—will be considered under the provisions of the Screening Test Regulations, provided they have:
- Completed compensation for the period of online classes through physical onsite theory and clinical training,
- Completed one year of internship in the same foreign medical institution, and
- Passed an examination equivalent to the MBBS examination in India.
Students who took admission after 18.11.2021 will fall under the CRMI Regulations, 2021 and will have to complete one year of mandatory internship in India. All other conditions mentioned in the Public Notice dated 07.12.2023 will continue to apply.
2. Can online study of one academic year be compensated during the next year without extending the study period?
The Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) clarified that compensation without extending the duration of the course will not be accepted, as this goes against the provisions of the FMGL Regulations, 2021, which require the course and clinical training to be comparable with the MBBS course in India.
The purpose of the earlier notices issued on 07.12.2023 and 19.06.2024 is to ensure that any part of medical education completed online—especially during disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic—is properly compensated through in-person academic and clinical training.
Medical education requires hands-on learning, clinical exposure, and practical experience, which cannot be fully replaced by virtual classes. Therefore, any FMG who completed a portion of their course online must undergo equivalent offline training for the same duration.
The Commission also noted that if foreign institutions issue compensation certificates without actually extending the course period or providing physical training, such certificates contradict the intent of the FMGL Regulations, 2021. These certificates undermine the objective of maintaining the quality and integrity of medical education for doctors who wish to practice in India.
Under Schedule-I of the FMGL Regulations, 2021, notified on 18.11.2021, it is clearly stated that:
“The course and internship or clinical clerkship shall be commensurate with the MBBS course of India in accordance with the Regulations on Graduate Medical Education, 1997 and subsequent amendments.”
This means:
- The structure, duration, and curriculum of foreign medical courses must be equivalent to the Indian MBBS program.
- The course must include adequate clinical and practical training.
- Online-only education cannot be considered equivalent unless the missed components are compensated through physical training.
- Institutions must comply with both academic and practical standards, otherwise the qualification may not be recognised in India.
3. Should the compensation certificate mention details of the extended study period?
Yes. To ensure authenticity, the compensation certificate issued by the foreign medical institution must clearly mention:
- The extended duration of study,
- Details of theory and clinical subjects completed, and
- Information about mandatory clerkship or practical training completed during the offline compensation period.
Additionally, the transcript of records issued by the university must be apostilled and authenticated by the Indian Embassy or High Commission in that country to confirm its validity.
4. Can the curriculum of two academic years be completed in one year of offline training?
No. Academic years cannot be compressed. The entire duration of online study must be fully compensated through physical onsite training, and the course duration must remain consistent with the required standards.
5. Who is responsible for processing FMG applications for permanent registration in India?
The primary responsibility lies with the respective State Medical Councils (SMCs), in coordination with the State Directorate of Medical Education (DME).
While processing applications, the SMCs must verify that:
- The FMG has completed the required compensatory academic training (both theory and practical) at the same foreign medical institution, verified through visa stamps and passport entry-exit records.
- The candidate has qualified the Screening Test/FMGL Examination.
- The candidate has completed the one-year Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship (CRMI) in India, as required under the CRMI Regulations, 2021.
The process should follow this sequence:
- Qualifying the Screening Test/FMGL Examination and submitting the required degree and clerkship documents.
- Grant of provisional registration to begin the CRMI internship in India.
- Permanent registration after successfully completing the internship.
The Commission also warned that State Medical Councils must not grant permanent registration unless all conditions—including onsite compensation for online study, mandatory clerkship, and completion of internship in India—have been fully verified. Any registration granted without following these rules will be treated as a regulatory violation.
Earlier, on 19.06.2024, the Undergraduate Medical Education Board had clarified that foreign medical graduates who properly completed physical onsite compensation for online classes and passed the equivalent MBBS examination would be eligible for the one-year mandatory internship in India.