Visit the link to see the notification . To Download the Notice : Click Here
The National Medical Commission (NMC) issued a fresh clarification on 05 March 2026 regarding Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) who completed MBBS abroad but experienced online classes, war disruptions, or transfers during COVID-19 and the Ukraine war.
This clarification refers to earlier notifications issued on:
- 07 December 2023
- 19 June 2024
- 05 March 2026 (Latest Clarification)
- 06 March 2026 (Communication to State Medical Councils)
These notices explain how foreign medical graduates will be evaluated for registration in India, especially those who faced:
- Online education during the pandemic
- Evacuation from Ukraine
- Transfer to other countries
- Interrupted clinical training
This guide by GF Global Focus Education Pvt. Ltd. explains the notification in simple language for students and parents.
Why NMC Issued This Clarification
During the COVID-19 pandemic and Ukraine war, many foreign medical students faced:
- Online classes instead of physical learning
- Evacuation from Ukraine
- Transfer to universities in other countries
- Interrupted clinical and hospital training
Since medical education is heavily dependent on practical and clinical training, the NMC clarified that:
Online-only medical education cannot be considered valid unless the missed training is compensated through physical onsite education.
The clarification aims to ensure:
- Proper medical training
- Patient safety
- Standard medical education
- Fair recognition of foreign medical degrees
The Most Important Date: 18 November 2021
A key date repeatedly mentioned in the notice is:
18 November 2021
On this date, NMC introduced the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations (FMGL Regulations 2021), which significantly changed the rules for foreign medical graduates.
Therefore, students are divided into two categories based on their admission date.
Students Who Took Admission BEFORE 18 November 2021
Students admitted on or before 18.11.2021 fall under earlier regulatory provisions.
However, they must meet the following conditions:
Required Conditions
- Any online education must be compensated through physical onsite classes.
- Compensation must include:
- Theory classes
- Practical training
- Clinical exposure
- Students must complete one year internship in the foreign university (if applicable).
- They must pass the FMGE / Screening Test in India.
- After passing FMGE, they must complete CRMI internship in India.
Only after completing these steps can they apply for permanent medical registration in India.
Students Who Took Admission AFTER 18 November 2021
Students admitted after 18.11.2021 are fully governed by the FMGL Regulations 2021.
These regulations require:
- Entire medical education must be offline and physically attended
- The course must include hands-on clinical training
- Internship must be properly completed
- The degree must grant license to practice in that country
After returning to India, students must:
- Pass the FMGE / FMGL screening exam
- Obtain provisional registration
- Complete one year CRMI internship in India
- Apply for permanent registration
NMC’s Position on Online Medical Education
The NMC clearly states:
Online-only medical education is NOT acceptable.
Medical education must include hands-on clinical exposure.
If students attended online classes during disruptions, they must physically compensate the missed training.
Compensation must include:
- Classroom teaching
- Practical laboratory training
- Clinical hospital rotations
Without proper compensation, the foreign medical qualification may not be recognized in India.
Compensation Certificate Requirements
Universities must issue detailed compensation certificates confirming that missed training was completed physically.
The certificate must mention:
- Subjects completed
- Duration of compensation
- Theory training
- Clinical training
- Mandatory clerkship details
Additionally, documents must be:
- Apostilled
- Authenticated by the Indian Embassy / High Commission
This ensures legal validity of academic records.
Can Two Years of Study Be Completed in One Year?
The NMC clearly states:
No. Academic years cannot be compressed.
If a student missed two academic years, they must complete the full duration of onsite training.
Universities cannot issue certificates without proper training.
Who Grants Registration in India?
The authority to grant medical registration lies with:
State Medical Councils (SMCs)
These councils evaluate cases in consultation with:
Directorate of Medical Education (DME).
They verify:
- Academic records
- Visa and passport records
- Travel history
- Clinical training completion
Only after full verification can registration be granted.
Registration Process for Foreign Medical Graduates
The NMC specifies the following sequence:
Step 1
Pass the FMGE / Screening Test
Step 2
Apply for Provisional Registration
Step 3
Complete CRMI Internship in India (1 year)
Step 4
Apply for Permanent Registration
Only after completing these steps can a foreign medical graduate practice medicine in India.
Special Relaxation for Ukraine War-Affected Students
Due to the Ukraine war, the NMC provided special temporary relief for evacuated students.
Category 1 – Final Year Students
Students in their final year must complete:
1 year Clinical Clerkship in India
Conditions:
- Clerkship fee up to ₹5000 per month
- Logbook must be maintained
- Training must be authenticated by college authorities
After completion, students can start CRMI internship, receiving stipend equivalent to Indian MBBS graduates.
Category 2 – Penultimate Year Students
Students in the second-last year must complete:
2 years Clinical Clerkship
Conditions include:
- Logbook documentation
- College authentication
- Clerkship fee up to ₹5000/month
After clerkship completion, they can proceed for CRMI internship.
Migration / Transfer of Ukraine Students to Other Countries
NMC allowed a one-time Academic Mobility Program.
Students were permitted to transfer to other countries to complete MBBS, but not to Indian colleges.
Eligibility Conditions
Students must have:
- Joined MBBS before 18 November 2021
- Returned during Operation Ganga evacuation
Operation Ganga Period
26 February 2022 – 11 March 2022
Students must have returned to India on or before 31 March 2022.
Transfer Permission Validity
NMC clearly stated that the migration permission expired on 07 March 2024.
This means the relaxation was temporary and time-bound.
Eligible Ukraine Batches for Transfer
The relaxation applied to students who were in:
- 1st Year
- 2nd Year
- 3rd Year
when they returned during the war.
These students could complete their remaining course in another country.
However, the degree must allow them to practice medicine in that country first.
What the 2024 Notice Clarified
The 19 June 2024 notice confirmed that:
Students who completed sufficient onsite compensation for online study and passed their MBBS-equivalent examination are eligible for:
One year mandatory CRMI internship in India.
What the 2026 Notice Adds
The 05 March 2026 clarification strengthens verification procedures.
It emphasizes:
- Proper documentation
- Embassy authentication
- Passport and visa verification
- No compression of study duration
- Strict scrutiny by State Medical Councils
This ensures only properly trained doctors receive registration in India.
Important Advice for Students and Parents
Before planning MBBS abroad or transferring universities, students must verify:
- Admission date relative to 18 November 2021
- Availability of clinical training
- Whether online classes are compensated offline
- Embassy authentication of documents
- Eligibility under Ukraine relaxation rules
Incomplete documentation may create registration problems later.
Final Thoughts
The NMC notifications issued in 2023, 2024, and 2026 aim to balance two important objectives:
1️⃣ Maintaining high medical education standards in India
2️⃣ Supporting students affected by global disruptions like COVID-19 and the Ukraine war
Students who complete proper training, documentation, and internships will remain eligible for medical registration in India.
Visit the link to see the notification . To Download the Notice : Click Here
Guidance for Students
Students seeking guidance regarding:
- MBBS abroad
- Ukraine transfer cases
- FMGE preparation
- Internship pathways
- NMC compliance
can consult experts for proper advice.
GF Global Focus Education Pvt. Ltd.
Committed to guiding students toward safe, legal, and recognized medical education pathways.