Medical education has always been one of the most sought-after career paths for students in South Asia. Countries like India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh share strong educational ties, and thousands of students cross borders each year to pursue MBBS degrees.
In Pakistan, the Federal Medical and Dental College (FMDC) and other institutions use a strict equivalency rule system, supervised by the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC). These rules ensure that foreign qualifications, such as O-Levels, A-Levels, or other international exams, are brought in line with Pakistan’s local grading system before students can apply for MBBS.
This brings us to a very important question:
Are there FMDC-style equivalency rules in Bangladesh MBBS admissions?
The short answer is: Yes, Bangladesh has its own system of equivalency rules for MBBS admissions, but it is not identical to Pakistan’s FMDC model. Instead, it is managed by the Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Education, and relevant medical boards of Bangladesh.
In this comprehensive article, we will break down the equivalency rules in Bangladesh, compare them with Pakistan’s FMDC system, explain the eligibility process for foreign students, and provide practical guidance for applicants.
Before comparing, let’s briefly understand what FMDC-style equivalency means:
In Pakistan, students who complete O-Levels, A-Levels, IB, or any foreign high school curriculum must apply for an IBCC equivalence certificate.
This certificate converts foreign grades into Pakistani percentages according to Pakistan’s Pre-Medical F.Sc. system.
Only after obtaining this equivalence can a student apply for medical colleges like FMDC or others under PMC (Pakistan Medical Commission).
A minimum percentage is required (usually 60% in F.Sc. Pre-Medical or equivalent) for MBBS/BDS admissions.
This system ensures that all candidates—whether from local or foreign systems—are compared fairly using a unified grading scale.
Now, let’s look at how Bangladesh manages equivalency for MBBS aspirants, especially international students from India, Nepal, and other countries.
Equivalency and admission rules are supervised by the Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Bangladesh.
For foreign students, the Bangladesh Medical & Dental Council (BMDC) also plays a role in recognition.
Candidates must have completed 10th grade (SSC or equivalent) and 12th grade (HSC or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Minimum GPA/Marks:
A cumulative GPA of 7.0 out of 10 in SSC and HSC (or equivalent).
Minimum 3.5 GPA in Biology in 12th grade.
Students with lower grades are not considered, unlike in some countries where donation-based seats may exist.
Students who studied under foreign boards (such as Indian CBSE/ICSE, Pakistani A-Levels, or Nepali boards) must apply for an equivalency certificate from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in Dhaka.
This certificate translates the student’s foreign marks/grades into Bangladesh’s GPA-based system.
As per the National Medical Commission (NMC) of India, Indian students must qualify NEET to study MBBS abroad, including Bangladesh.
Bangladesh universities follow this strictly for Indian applicants.
| Feature | Pakistan (FMDC/IBCC) | Bangladesh (DGHS) |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | IBCC & PMC | DGHS & BMDC |
| System | Percentage conversion of O/A Levels into F.Sc. marks | GPA conversion into SSC/HSC Bangladeshi grading |
| Minimum Requirement | 60% in F.Sc. (Pre-Medical) | GPA 7.0 combined, GPA 3.5 in Biology |
| International Students | Equivalence for all foreign qualifications | Mainly for SAARC & foreign applicants |
| Special Relaxations | None, uniform rules | Some quotas for SAARC students but no relaxation in GPA |
| NEET Requirement | Not applicable in Pakistan | Mandatory for Indian applicants |
Equivalency rules exist in Bangladesh to ensure that:
Fair Comparison Across Boards – Students from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, or other countries may have different grading systems. Converting all results to a standard Bangladeshi GPA scale ensures fairness.
Maintaining Academic Standards – MBBS is a rigorous program. By enforcing a GPA 7.0 minimum, Bangladesh ensures that only academically strong students are admitted.
Preventing Misuse of Donations/Capitation – Unlike some countries, Bangladesh does not allow admission solely on the basis of money. Equivalency acts as a filter against underqualified candidates.
Transparency in SAARC Admissions – Since Bangladesh allocates reserved seats for SAARC countries, equivalency ensures merit is followed even within these special quotas.
Check Eligibility – Ensure GPA 7.0 and GPA 3.5 in Biology.
Qualify NEET (Indian students only).
Apply for Equivalency Certificate through DGHS by submitting:
SSC (10th grade) transcript
HSC (12th grade) transcript
Passport copy
Recent photographs
Submit Application to Bangladesh High Commission/Embassy in your home country.
Allocation of Seats – DGHS allocates seats in both government and private colleges based on merit.
Receive Admission Confirmation and proceed with visa formalities.
While Bangladesh does not have FMDC-style reservations, it does have:
SAARC Quota: Reserved seats for students from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Pakistan.
Non-SAARC Foreign Quota: For students outside South Asia.
Government-to-Government Quota: Special allocations under bilateral agreements.
Even under these quotas, equivalency rules apply strictly.
Conversion Difficulties – Some grading systems do not translate neatly into the Bangladeshi GPA.
High GPA Requirement – GPA 7.0 out of 10 is demanding compared to other countries like Russia or Kyrgyzstan.
Limited Seats for Foreigners – High demand means competition, especially for SAARC students.
Strict Deadlines – Late submission of equivalency or embassy applications leads to rejection.
Transparency – Ensures admissions are based on merit, not wealth.
Quality Control – Maintains academic standards across all MBBS colleges.
Global Recognition – WHO, NMC, BMDC approval comes partly due to strict admission rules.
Fairness for All Applicants – Equal rules regardless of nationality or background.
Q1. Do Bangladesh MBBS admissions follow FMDC-style equivalency rules?
Yes, Bangladesh uses an equivalency system, but it is GPA-based (DGHS), not percentage-based like FMDC in Pakistan.
Q2. Do Indian students need equivalency in Bangladesh?
Yes. Indian CBSE/ICSE grades are converted into Bangladeshi GPA by DGHS.
Q3. Is NEET required for MBBS in Bangladesh?
Yes, for Indian students. It is mandatory to qualify NEET.
Q4. Can students with low grades get MBBS admission in Bangladesh?
No. Students must meet GPA 7.0 overall and GPA 3.5 in Biology, without exception.
Q5. Are there donations/capitation seats in Bangladesh?
No. Bangladesh prohibits admission through donations; merit and equivalency are the only criteria.
So, are there FMDC-style equivalency rules in Bangladesh MBBS?
The answer is yes, but with a different structure. Bangladesh does not follow Pakistan’s IBCC-FMDC model of percentage conversion but instead uses a GPA-based equivalency system managed by DGHS.
Foreign students—including those from India, Nepal, and Pakistan—must secure the required GPA and obtain an equivalency certificate before admission. This ensures transparency, fairness, and quality in medical education.
For aspiring MBBS students, this means:
Focus on strong academic performance in 10th and 12th.
Qualify NEET if you are from India.
Apply early through official channels to avoid missing deadlines.
Bangladesh, with its affordable fees, high-quality education, and globally recognized MBBS programs, is an excellent choice. However, its strict equivalency rules make sure only deserving candidates enter the medical profession.