Pursuing an MBBS degree abroad has become a popular option for Indian students due to affordability, quality infrastructure, and global recognition. Countries like Russia, Bangladesh, Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and the Philippines attract thousands of Indian medical aspirants each year.
However, after completing MBBS abroad, one critical requirement for practicing in India is the internship, also known as the rotatory internship or house job.
Indian students frequently ask:
“Is an internship completed abroad valid in India under the new NMC Gazette?”
The answer is nuanced. With the National Medical Commission (NMC) regulations updated in 2023–2025, there are specific rules regarding recognition of foreign internships. This article provides a detailed guide for Indian students regarding internship validity, NMC requirements, and the pathway to legally practice in India.
The MBBS internship is the final compulsory year of medical education. Its primary goals are:
Provide hands-on clinical experience in hospitals.
Rotate across major medical specialties: Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Community Medicine, etc.
Prepare students for independent patient care.
Serve as a practical foundation for licensing exams like FMGE or NEXT.
Duration: 12 months (1 year).
Rotations: 2 months each in Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, Community Medicine, and Electives.
Supervision: Hospital faculty and resident doctors.
Assessment: Completed via logbooks, departmental evaluations, and certificates issued by college authorities.
Completing the internship is mandatory for full MBBS registration in India.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) Act 2019 and subsequent gazettes lay out the rules for foreign MBBS graduates:
MBBS degree must be from an NMC-recognized university.
Foreign medical graduates must clear the FMGE (till 2024) or NEXT (from 2025) to obtain Indian registration.
Internship is essential, but its validity is determined by:
Recognition of the university and program by NMC.
Completion of the internship in a recognized hospital affiliated with the medical college.
According to the NMC Gazette notification (2023–2024):
Internships completed abroad in NMC-recognized universities are provisionally acceptable.
Indian students may still be required to complete a 12-month rotatory internship in India if the foreign internship does not meet NMC standards.
This means that not all foreign internships are automatically recognized for Indian registration.
The updated NMC gazette highlights several points:
Duration of Internship: Must be 12 months, with rotations in all core specialties.
Recognition of Hospitals: Only internships in hospitals affiliated with NMC-approved universities abroad are considered valid.
Documentation Required: Students must submit:
Internship completion certificate
Detailed logbooks
Hospital affiliation letter
Assessment Criteria: Must include clinical rotations, patient exposure, and faculty evaluation.
Indian Internship Requirement: If the foreign internship does not meet Indian curriculum equivalence, students must complete an additional 12-month internship in India before FMGE/NEXT registration.
Most universities recognized by NMC.
Internship abroad is generally accepted, as syllabus and clinical rotations are similar to India.
Example: Dhaka Medical College, Chittagong Medical College.
Students usually do not need additional internship in India, though some states may request verification.
Universities are NMC-approved (e.g., Moscow State Medical University, Kazan Federal University).
Internship is part of the 6-year MBBS program.
NMC may require supplementary 1-year internship in India due to curriculum differences and language barriers.
NMC-approved universities: Yerevan State Medical University, Mkhitar Heratsi University of Medicine.
Internship abroad is partially recognized.
Students often required to do a 12-month Indian internship before FMGE/NEXT registration.
Internship recognized conditionally, with Indian registration requiring additional verification.
Internships abroad are not automatically recognized.
Most students must complete 1-year internship in India.
US-based MD program; internship recognized for FMGE preparation.
Indian internship may be needed depending on NMC evaluation.
Observation: Bangladesh is the easiest country for internship recognition in India. Other countries may require partial or full Indian internship.
Indian Registration: Students must have an NMC-approved internship to register as medical practitioners in India.
FMGE/NEXT Preparation: Internship in India provides clinical exposure aligned with Indian patient demographics, aiding in licensing exam success.
State Medical Council: Registration may be delayed if internship abroad is not fully recognized.
Documentation: NMC scrutinizes foreign internship certificates for:
Duration of rotations
Departments covered
Hospital recognition
Faculty evaluation
Students must retain all official documents from the university and hospital.
Ensure the MBBS university is NMC-recognized.
Confirm that the affiliated hospital is approved for internship by the foreign government/university.
Complete all rotations in core specialties: Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Community Medicine.
Maintain detailed logbooks with signatures from supervising faculty.
Collect official internship completion certificates.
Submit documents to NMC and State Medical Council for evaluation.
If required, enroll in Indian internship program for unrecognized rotations.
Exposure to modern healthcare facilities.
Experience in research, digital diagnostics, and advanced medical technologies.
Opportunity to work with diverse patient populations.
Early immersion in clinical practice before FMGE/NEXT.
Cost-effective if the university provides integrated clinical rotation.
Recognition Issues: Some rotations may not meet Indian standards.
Language Barrier: Interaction with patients may require local language knowledge (e.g., Russian in Russia, Armenian in Armenia).
Documentation Compliance: NMC requires proper verification and detailed logs.
Supplementary Internship: Many students must repeat or supplement internships in India.
Licensing Exam Preparation: Indian patient demographics and disease patterns differ abroad.
Verify University & Hospital Recognition: Always confirm NMC approval before admission.
Maintain Logbooks Meticulously: Document every rotation, procedures, and patient exposure.
Complete All Core Rotations: Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Community Medicine, and electives.
Language Preparation: Learn basic local language for better clinical exposure.
Collect Official Letters & Certificates: Ensure all documents are signed and stamped.
Consult NMC Frequently: For updates and procedural guidance.
Is an internship abroad valid in India under the new NMC Gazette?
Yes, provided the internship is completed in an NMC-approved university and affiliated hospital, and all rotations meet Indian curriculum standards.
Conditional Validity: For most countries (Russia, Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan), NMC may require 1-year supplementary internship in India.
Bangladesh: Internships are largely accepted without additional requirements due to syllabus similarity.
Documentation: Detailed logbooks, certificates, and hospital affiliation letters are essential for Indian registration.
Practical Advice: Begin FMGE/NEXT preparation early and plan for Indian internship if needed.
Key Takeaway: Indian students pursuing MBBS abroad can complete internships abroad, but must carefully verify recognition, maintain proper documentation, and may need supplementary internship in India for full eligibility to practic