The National Medical Commission (NMC) has announced that foreign medical students who completed portions of their MBBS studies through online classes must undergo mandatory on-site compensation training at their respective foreign medical institutions.
The directive has been issued to registrars of State Medical Councils across all states and Union Territories, aiming to ensure that foreign medical graduates receive adequate hands-on training before seeking registration to practice in India.
According to the NMC official notice, the decision was taken to address concerns about students who pursued parts of their MBBS course through online learning while studying abroad. Medical education authorities emphasized that clinical skills and practical exposure are essential components of a doctor’s training and cannot be fully replaced by virtual instruction.
NMC Secretary Dr. Raghav Langer stated that students who completed their coursework online will now have to physically attend compensation classes and clinical training at the foreign medical institutions where they were enrolled. This step is intended to bridge any gaps in practical learning caused by online teaching.
The NMC has also clarified rules depending on when the student took admission to the foreign medical college.
Students who took admission on or before 18 November 2021, when the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021 came into effect, will need to complete onsite clinical training to make up for the online classes. They must also finish one year of internship at the same foreign medical institution and pass exams equivalent to the MBBS examination in India.
However, students who took admission after 18 November 2021 will have to follow the rules under the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship Regulations, 2021. These students will need to complete one year of mandatory internship in India before getting registration.
The NMC has directed State Medical Councils to inform concerned candidates and ensure compliance with the requirement. The communication has also been shared with departments of medical education in all states, directorates of medical education, and officials of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Authorities believe the move will help maintain uniform standards in medical education and patient safety across the country. The mandatory onsite training is expected to ensure that foreign medical graduates possess the necessary clinical competence before entering the Indian healthcare system.
