Before planning to pursue your MBBS abroad, there are certain things you must know about the NMC and its regulations. NMC stands for National Medical Commission, which is a statutory body that regulates medical education and practice in India. It is very important for Indian students because even though they plan to study medicine outside India, the approval of NMC is needed to practice medicine in India when they come back. Their degree from abroad is only recognized in India if the degree follows the mandatory guidelines set by NMC. We will explain this in more detail in this blog.
Know about NMC
The National Medical Commission (NMC) officially came into existence on September 25, 2020, when the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 was brought into force by a gazette notification. This Act replaced the Medical Council of India (MCI) and established the NMC as the new regulator for medical education and practice in India.
NMC’s functions include:
- Regulating medical education by setting standards for UG & PG medical courses.
- Accrediting medical colleges (both in India and abroad) to ensure quality education.
- Registering medical practitioners and maintaining the national medical register.
- Enforcing ethical standards in all aspects of medical practice.
Why NMC is important?
For Indian medical students who pursue MBBS abroad, their degree is only valid in India if it complies with the NMC’s regulations. This process involves several mandatory steps. They are:
- Pre-admission requirements
- a) NEET qualification: Indian students must qualify the NEET exam. They don’t need to get cut-off marks but a pass mark is fine. All they have to do is qualify.
- b) Eligibility certificate: Students must obtain an Eligibility Certificate from the NMC before enrolling in a foreign medical college/university.
- University and curriculum standards
- a) NMC-Recognized university: Medical aspirants should choose the college that is NMC-recognized and must be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS). It must also be approved by the medical authority of that chosen country.
- b) Medium of instruction: The entire MBBS course should be taught in English (includes theory, practicals, and clinical training). Degrees taught in any other language are not considered valid for practicing in India.
- c) Equivalent curriculum: The course must meet Indian standards. The minimum duration of the course should be 54 months (4.5 years) + 12-month internship.
- d) Single institution: The entire course (including the internship) must be completed from the same foreign college. Transfers from college to college or country to country are generally not allowed.
- Post-graduation licensing
- a) Screening test: After completing the degree and internship abroad, they should qualify the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) which is a licensing exam to practice in India.
- b) Internship in India: Foreign medical graduates (FMGs) should also complete a supervised 12-month internship in India too. So that they can register for permanent practice in the country.
The main goal of NMC is to ensure that all Indian students who pursue medicine abroad receive high-quality education which meets Indian standards. Thus, a medical aspirant should make sure to follow all these NMC rules to practice medicine in India.
How to Choose a Good Medical College to do your MBBS abroad?
All this may seem overwhelming, and you might need proper guidance, which is why you can approach Transworld Educare for assistance. Seeking guidance from experts is always a smart choice. Transworld Educare has been in this field for years and has helped many Indian dreamers achieve their goal of becoming doctors by supporting them throughout their MBBS abroad journey. Transworld helps medical aspirants choose the perfect destination and also provides admission and visa assistance. Whatever queries you have, you can simply call 1800 833 7707 to get them resolved. Transworld offers free counselling so that you can get a clear understanding of MBBS abroad and explore the best options available out there.