Stories
Studying MBBS Abroad? NMC Issues Strict New Rules For FMGE Eligibility
- •The National Medical Commission clarified that having only a foreign medical degree or junior doctor status is not enough to appear for the FMGE.
- •Candidates must hold a valid license to practice medicine independently in the foreign country, equivalent to local graduates.
- •The clarification was issued following queries regarding the status of six-year medical courses and junior doctor permits in Georgia.
- •According to NMC Regulation 4(B), students must prove they have the same right to independent medical practice as local graduates in that country.
- •Students are advised to thoroughly check post-graduation licensing requirements before pursuing medical studies abroad.
Key Questions Answered
The National Medical Commission (NMC) clarified that simply having a foreign medical degree or permission to work as a junior doctor is insufficient for FMGE eligibility. Candidates must hold an independent practice license equivalent to what is granted to local graduates in that country under Regulation 4(B) of the 2021 guidelines.
After completing a six-year medical degree in Georgia, students may be permitted to work as junior doctors under supervision, but this does not immediately grant them the right to independently treat patients. Because additional exams, residencies, or further studies are required for an independent license, this junior status alone fails to meet NMC Regulation 4(B) requirements for the FMGE.
Passing the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) is legally mandatory for any Indian student who obtained a medical degree abroad to obtain registration and practice as a doctor in India. Conducted twice or thrice a year by NBEMS, this screening test ensures that foreign-trained doctors meet Indian medical standards before treating patients.
