NMC Issues Crucial Clarification on Physical Training Requirements for Foreign Medical Students
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released an important clarification regarding mandatory physical onsite compensation classes for foreign medical students who completed portions of their Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) curriculum through online classes at medical institutions outside India. This clarification addresses significant concerns raised by students and stakeholders about online medical studies undertaken during disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Online Study Must Be Compensated Through Comprehensive Physical Training
The commission, through its Under-Graduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB), issued a public notice dated March 5, 2026, stating unequivocally that any part of a medical course completed through online mode must be compensated through physical onsite training. This training must include both clinical and academic components to ensure comprehensive medical education.
Medical education fundamentally requires hands-on learning, clinical exposure, and practical training, elements that cannot be fully replicated through online classes alone. Therefore, students who studied a portion of their course online must complete equivalent in-person training to cover that specific period. The commission emphasized that compensation certificates issued without extending the study period or without actual offline training will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Regulatory Framework Based on Admission Date
The notice provides detailed explanations about how rules will differ based on the date when a student took admission to their medical program.
- Students admitted on or before November 18, 2021: These students, whose admission predates the notification of the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations (FMGL) 2021, will be assessed under the Screening Test Regulations provided they have completed the required compensation training and internship abroad.
- Students admitted after November 18, 2021: These individuals will be governed by the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) Regulations, 2021, and must complete one year of mandatory internship in India as part of their qualification process.
Academic Integrity and Training Requirements
The commission has made it clear that two academic years cannot be compressed into a single year of offline study. The entire duration of the online study period must be properly compensated through physical onsite training, with medical institutions required to ensure that the structure, duration, and content of the course remain equivalent to the MBBS curriculum in India.
Specific Requirements for Compensation Certificates
The NMC outlined precise requirements for compensation certificates issued by foreign medical institutions:
- The certificate must clearly mention details of the offline training completed
- It should include specific subjects studied during the compensation period
- Details of both theory and clinical training must be documented
- Mandatory clerkship completed during offline training must be specified
Additionally, the academic transcript must be authenticated and apostilled by the Indian Embassy or High Commission in the respective country where the medical institution is located.
Role of State Medical Councils in Verification Process
State Medical Councils (SMCs) will bear responsibility for processing applications from Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) seeking permanent registration in India. Before granting registration, SMCs must verify that candidates have:
- Completed the required offline compensation training
- Passed the Screening Test or FMGL examination
- Completed the one-year compulsory rotating medical internship in India
Only after thorough verification of these requirements can permanent registration be granted. The commission warned that any registration issued without proper verification of these conditions will be treated as a regulatory violation with potential consequences.
The commission further clarified that all other conditions mentioned in earlier public notices issued in December 2023 and June 2024 will continue to remain in full force, ensuring consistency in regulatory standards for foreign medical graduates seeking practice rights in India.
