NMC Mandates 1-Year India Internship for Pre-2021 Foreign BS Medical Students

The National Medical Commission(NMC) has issued a key update for Indian students who studied Bachelor of Science medical courses abroad before 2021. According to this new rule, they are required to complete an extra one-year internship in India even when they get relief from the stricter 2021 regulations. The decision aims to boost their practical skills in the Indian healthcare system.

On December 30, 2025, the NMC's Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) released a corrigendum to its Public Notice from December 7, 2023. This came after many students and groups raised concerns about the old rules. The NMC met on December 16, 2025, to discuss these issues in detail. The full document is available on the official NMC website. 

The corrigendum clears confusion from point 2 of the 2023 notice. It focuses on students who joined or were studying BS courses in foreign institutes before November 18, 2021. This date marks when the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021, were published.

Who Qualifies for This Exemption?

This rule is for a specific group of students:

• Those who started BS medical courses abroad before November 18, 2021.Students pursuing these courses in online or physical modes at foreign institutes.

• Anyone already enrolled when FMGL 2021 came into effect.
  

The provision made by the FMGL is a great relief, as it allows the foreign medical graduates a less strict way of entering the Indian medical field than the FMGL would have otherwise imposed. However, it is not completely free, as the graduates will still have to fulfill one major requirement.

The Mandatory One-Year Internship

Although the exemption has been given, NMC still requires to do a one year internship in India. The internship consists of rotating through the healthcare system of India, which is a medical requirement in hospitals of India that are approved for this purpose. The main reasons for the requirement are:

• Clinical Exposure: The foreign training might not be India-specific in terms of patient care.

• National Protocols: The treatment will be according to the local guidelines.

• Patient Safety: Standards will be set as per the best practice to protect public health and ensure the safety of patients.

• Practice Readiness: The doctors will be able to work in Indian hospitals without any difficulty.

The internship will only be allowed after the screening test is cleared. The intern will be under the standard CRMI rules, rotating through departments such as medicine, surgery, and community health.

How It Affects Students and Institutions

There are thousands of Indian students studying medicine abroad due to limited seats in India. Many chose BS courses during the COVID-19 online shift. This rule helps them avoid FMGL hurdles but adds the internship step.

For Students:

• Plan for extra time and costs in India.

• Apply to NMC-approved hospitals via state medical councils.

• Complete within two years of screening test pass, per the general FMGE rules.
  

For Colleges and Councils:

• State medical education departments got copies.

• Medical councils must enforce compliance.

• Principals/Deans of Indian colleges note this for guidance.

Additionally, the delays could block licensing via the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE). 

Steps to Comply with NMC 1-Year India Internship Mandate

Step 1: Check Eligibility: Confirm enrollment date before Nov 18, 2021.
Step 2: Pass Screening Test: Under the 2002 regulations.
Step 3: Apply for an Internship: Through state portals or the NMC site.
Step 4: Complete CRMI: One full year in approved spots.
Step 5: Get Certificate: For MCI/State registration.

Additional Note: Visit nmc.org.in for lists of approved hospitals and forms. States like Maharashtra and others have also shared guidelines.