This article provides a detailed and simplified overview of the NMC Gazette and Rule Updates, especially how they impact MBBS abroad aspirants heading to countries like Russia, Nepal, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, and Armenia. If you’re planning an international MBBS journey, this guide is a must-read to understand eligibility, degree recognition, FMGE/NExT rules, and country-wise compliance.
In November 2021 and January 2023, the NMC released important guidelines titled:
Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021
Eligibility Requirement for Taking Admission in an Undergraduate Medical Course in a Foreign Medical Institution, 2021
Let’s simplify the rules one by one:
The foreign MBBS program must be equal to or more than 54 months.
This does not include the internship.
A 12-month internship (CRMI) must be completed in the same country where the MBBS degree is pursued.
Indian internship is not considered valid if the country does not offer it after MBBS.
Students must obtain a license to practice medicine in the country where they studied.
This is proof that the degree is considered valid by local authorities.
The entire course must be taught in English only.
The curriculum must match NMC standards in terms of:
Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry
Pharmacology, Pathology, Microbiology
Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, etc.
Adequate clinical training must be included.
The student must complete mandatory internship in the same institution or country.
The internship should be continuous and certified.
As per the latest NMC updates:
FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) will soon be replaced by NExT (National Exit Test).
This may begin in 2024 or 2025, as per official updates.
All foreign medical graduates will need to clear NExT Step 1 and Step 2 to practice or do PG in India.
NExT will be common for both Indian and foreign medical graduates.
Let us now analyze country-wise whether the MBBS programs align with the new NMC Gazette.
Course Duration: 6 years (72 months)
Medium: English (in select universities)
Internship: Included in the program (clinical rotations)
Licensing: Students get temporary license or certificate of completion
✅ Complies with NMC norms if university offers full English, 6-year course, and final year internship.
Top NMC-compliant Universities:
Kazan Federal University
Bashkir State Medical University
Volgograd State Medical University
Course Duration: 5.5 years (including 1-year internship)
Medium: English
Internship: Conducted in Nepal, fully valid in India
Licensing: Issued by Nepal Medical Council
✅ Fully NMC-compliant. Indian students from Nepal are treated at par with local students.
Popular NMC-compliant Colleges:
B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences
Kathmandu Medical College
Nobel Medical College
Course Duration: 6 years (including internship in some universities)
Medium: English
Internship: Depends on university; not uniform
Licensing: After passing state exam in Georgia
⚠️ Partial Compliance. Students must choose universities that:
Offer 6-year programs
Provide in-country internship
Help with licensing process
Recommended Universities:
Tbilisi State Medical University
Georgian National University (SEU)
Course Duration: 6 years (internship included in curriculum)
Medium: English (for international students)
Internship: Final-year rotations within hospitals
Licensing: Certificate of medical education issued
✅ Complies with NMC if course duration is 6 years and internship is valid.
Top NMC-Approved Options:
Osh State University
Kyrgyz State Medical Academy
Course Duration: 5 years + 1 year internship = 6 years total
Medium: English in NMC-approved universities
Internship: Usually provided within curriculum
Licensing: Local certification available
✅ Complies with NMC when full 6-year format is followed.
Top Universities:
Astana Medical University
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
Course Duration: 5 years + 1-year internship (fully supervised)
Medium: English
Internship: Recognized by NMC (if done in Bangladesh)
Licensing: Certificate of registration issued
✅ Completely compliant with NMC guidelines.
Top Medical Colleges:
Dhaka National Medical College
Community Based Medical College
Course Duration: 6 years
Medium: English
Internship: Provided within the last year
Licensing: Must pass local licensing exam
✅ Generally compliant with NMC rules, depending on university policies for internship and licensing.
Suggested Universities:
Yerevan State Medical University
Mkhitar Gosh Armenian-Russian University
Internship not offered in the country post-graduation
Course duration < 54 months
Language of instruction not entirely English
Licensing not available in some nations
Misleading agents and consultants
Before applying, ensure:
✅ The course is minimum 54 months (without internship)
✅ 12-month internship is available in the same country
✅ The medium of instruction is 100% English
✅ University provides eligibility for local licensing
✅ Clinical training starts from 2nd or 3rd year
✅ Listed in WDOMS (World Directory of Medical Schools)
✅ Recognized by NMC India
Due to the updated Gazette rules:
Many students are shifting to Nepal, Bangladesh, and Russia where compliance is easier.
Students are avoiding countries that do not offer in-country internships.
Agents are being questioned more strictly.
Parents are more aware and cautious.
A reliable consultant must:
Guide students only to NMC-compliant universities
Clearly explain internship, licensing, and FMGE/NExT
Help in university verification and document preparation
Avoid agents who:
Hide licensing or internship issues
Suggest shortcuts or transfers to other countries
Lack proper documentation or contracts
The NMC Gazette updates have added more clarity, safety, and uniformity in foreign medical education for Indian students. Countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, and Russia now emerge as safer options due to better compliance. Students must choose only those universities that meet all eligibility requirements, especially in terms of duration, internship, licensing, and English instruction.
Being informed is the first step towards a successful MBBS abroad journey. Use this article as your trusted guide to understand and follow all NMC Rule Updates before applying to any foreign medical college.