MBBS in Nepal Fails to Meet FMGL Regulations, Causing Uncertainty for Indian Students
As Nepal initiates counselling rounds for MBBS admissions, Indian students face growing concerns regarding the validity of their medical degrees. Experts have raised alarms about Nepal’s failure to adhere to the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations 2021, which are critical for students wishing to practice in India.
According to the National Medical Commission (NMC), the lack of alignment with FMGL regulations means that Indian students enrolled in medical colleges in Nepal after 2021 may face difficulties when seeking medical practice licenses in India. The Nepal Medical Council (NMC) has also stated that international students are not treated the same as native Nepali students when it comes to receiving licenses to practice medicine in Nepal.
Many students remain unaware of these licensing regulations. Every year, thousands of Indian students flock to Nepal for MBBS, particularly to private medical colleges, without realizing the potential consequences of these legal discrepancies. While some were promised a license to practice in Nepal, recent changes in Nepal’s policies have left them uncertain of their future.
In April 2023, the Nepal Medical Council issued a circular that stated international students could not obtain a permanent practicing license in Nepal. This change, which came as a surprise to many students, led to confusion, especially after initial assurances were given. Indian students who were misled by this development have since been forced to reconsider their academic paths, leaving them in limbo as they face difficulties returning to India for practice.
A student, who wished to remain anonymous, shared their experience of enrolling in a private medical college in Nepal in 2022. Despite paying significant fees, they later discovered that the Nepal Medical Council would not issue licenses to foreign students. The ambiguity surrounding the council’s circular only added to the frustration, leading to a decision to abandon their MBBS course after investing nearly Rs 20 lakh in education.
While the Association of Private Medical & Dental Colleges of Nepal assured that it would help international students obtain the necessary registration, experts are skeptical about these claims. Dipender Chaubey, an education consultant, expressed concern that these claims lack legal standing. He warned that many Indian students have been misled by recruitment agents in India and Nepal, with no guarantee that their degree would allow them to practice medicine in Nepal or India.
In response to the ongoing controversy, the NMC issued a counter-circular clarifying that students graduating from medical colleges in Nepal could take the qualifying exam required to practice in India. However, the NMC made it clear that foreign students from countries like India would not be treated on equal terms with Nepali graduates when it comes to obtaining a permanent license to practice medicine.
The issues regarding the good standing certificate, a mandatory document for registration with the NMC, further complicate the matter. According to Dr. B Srinivas, the NMC’s secretary, a good standing certificate can only be issued for graduates from Indian medical colleges or those recognized by Indian authorities. This policy leaves students from Nepal and other countries at a disadvantage when attempting to practice in India.
As these developments unfold, Indian students aspiring to study MBBS abroad must remain vigilant and well-informed about the regulatory frameworks in place. Given the rising concerns regarding Nepal’s medical education system, students are encouraged to explore other viable options that comply with FMGL regulations to avoid future complications in their Abroad MBBS.
