NMC clarifies mandatory onsite compensation classes for foreign medical students who studied online

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a clarification regarding mandatory physical onsite compensation classes for foreign medical students who completed part of their Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) course through online classes at medical institutions outside India.

The clarification was issued by the Under-Graduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the commission through a public notice which was released on March 5, 2026 The notice explains several questions raised by students and other stakeholders about online medical studies undertaken during disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Online study must be compensated through physical training

The commission said that any part of a medical course completed through online mode must be compensated through physical onsite training. This training should include both clinical and academic components.

Medical education requires hands-on learning, clinical exposure and practical training, which cannot be replaced fully by online classes. Therefore, students who studied a portion of their course online must complete equivalent in-person training to cover that period.

The commission also clarified that a compensation certificate issued without extending the study period or without actual offline training will not be accepted.

Rules based on admission date

The notice explains that rules will differ based on the date when a student took admission.

Students who joined the course on or before November 18, 2021, which is the date when the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations (FMGL), 2021 were notified, will be assessed under the Screening Test Regulations if they have completed the required compensation training and internship abroad.

Students who took admission after November 18, 2021 will be governed by the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) Regulations, 2021. These students must complete one year of mandatory internship in India.

Academic years cannot be compressed

The commission has clarified that two academic years cannot be completed in a single year of offline study.

The entire duration of the online study period must be properly compensated through physical onsite training. Medical institutions must ensure that the structure, duration and content of the course are equivalent to the MBBS curriculum in India.

Requirements for compensation certificate

The NMC said that the compensation certificate issued by the foreign medical institution must clearly mention the details of the offline training.

The certificate should include:

• Subjects studied during the compensation period
• Details of theory and clinical training
• Mandatory clerkship completed during the offline training

In addition, the academic transcript must be authenticated and apostilled by the Indian Embassy or High Commission in the respective country.

Role of State Medical Councils

According to the notice, the State Medical Councils (SMCs) will be responsible for processing applications from Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) seeking permanent registration in India.

Before granting registration, SMCs must verify that the candidate has:

• 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 verifying these requirements can permanent registration be granted. Any registration issued without verifying these conditions will be treated as a regulatory violation, according to the notice.

The commission added that all other conditions mentioned in earlier public notices issued in December 2023 and June 2024 will continue to remain in force.
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