One-year internship in India now mandatory for medical students studying abroad

Beginning November 1, 2021, all medical students completing their degree in institutions outside India are required to complete an internship in India before obtaining permission to sit for the examination to obtain a licence to practice.

NMC provides a new understanding of the regulations governing Indian Citizens who seek a BSc Degree with a Major in Medicine from a school located outside of India, easing ongoing worries voiced by many students and stakeholders regarding the rules put forth by the NMC to govern those individuals that have an Indian passport but were studying overseas.

This new understanding was published in a separate corrigendum of the Public Notice dated December 7, 2023, addressing confusion over point Two of the initial Public notice concerning eligibility requirements for these individuals to take the Foreign Medical Licentiate Examination, 2021.

The decision was made following careful consideration and discussions during the Commission's public meeting held on December 16, 2025, during which time the NMC reviewed the situations of those students who had already commenced studies within the BS Medical Programme prior to the Publication of the Foreign Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021.

In the Public Notice include Comment #2, NMC clarifies that all students in BS Degree Programmes or students currently in enrolled in BS Degree Programmes in Civilians Countries prior to November 18, 2021, will be under the auspice of the Screening Test Regulations, 2002.  These regulations will be applicable to students who were enrolled in BS Degree Programmes both online and at a traditional medical School or College of Learning, which the date of November 18, 2021, was referenced and indicates when the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations were published.

"Following the Pubic notice that was released on XIIDecember, 2023 as well as discussions held on XIIDecember, 2025 regarding issues presented by stakeholders to the Commission about students who have enrolled in a BS degree program at foreign medical institutions before the 2025 notification of the FMGL Regulations, 2021. The Commission made this decision after reviewing requests from many institutions and representatives of universities who were looking for further clarification regarding the impact of the FMGL Regulations on BS degree programs at foreign medical institutions."

The NMC has, however, stipulated that all students must complete an additional, one-year internship in India "In terms of your internship requirements, we want to remind you that Students who are pursuing or who have completed the BS in a foreign medical institution prior to November 18th 2021, will be subject to the Screening Test regulations of 2002, however, these students must still complete an additional one-year internship in India."

The NMC claims that the additional one year of volunteering will provide students with the needed exposure to clinical experience and experience with the Indian healthcare system, ensuring that all students meet the national treatment protocols and standards that guide patient care."

ONE TIME EXEMPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION

The commission has made it clear that this exemption is strictly a one-time exemption, specifically applicable only to the designated group of students.

All other aspects outlined in the Public Notice dated 7 December 2023 and any subsequent clarifications within the current Public Notice will remain in force.

The order has been distributed to the Medical Education Department and State and Union Territory Medical Council, and has also been posted onto the NMC website to facilitate completion and compliance by more users.