Know the Rules: Studying Medicine in Georgia for Indian Students

Indian students planning to study medicine in Georgia need to understand the rules about becoming a doctor there. Many students and parents are often misled by study-abroad agents who give incomplete or false information. This leads to big problems after completing medical education.

The Truth About Studying Medicine in Georgia

The National Medical Commission (NMC) in India often warns students about studying medicine abroad because the quality of education in some countries is not up to the mark.

In Georgia, after completing a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree (similar to MBBS in India) and a one-year internship, students can only work as junior doctors under the supervision of senior doctors.

However, to practice as an independent doctor in Georgia, students must:

1. Complete an additional three years of residency.

2. Pass the National Post-Diploma Qualification Exam (NPDQE).

Agents often hide this information and mislead students into thinking they can start working as independent doctors immediately after their MD degree.

Real-life Stories of Misleading Agents

Many agents promise students and parents that studying in Georgia follows Indian NMC rules. Unfortunately, this is often not true.

For example, Sarvan Maharshi, a student from Hyderabad, shared his experience:

“I went to an education agency in Hyderabad to get admission to a medical college in Georgia. They didn’t tell me the real rules about practicing as a doctor in Georgia. I only found out later while researching online.”

Sarvan managed to avoid being cheated, but not everyone is so lucky.

What Do the Laws in Georgia Say?

Under Georgian law:

1. Medical graduates can work as junior doctors under a senior doctor’s supervision.

2. To practice independently, students must:

   • Complete a 3-year residency.

   • Pass the Unified State Certification Exam.

These rules are clearly mentioned in the Law of Georgia on Medical Practice, as well as in advisories by the Embassy of India in Yerevan.

NMC’s Rules for Indian Students

The NMC requires foreign medical graduates to meet these conditions:

1. Get a license to practice independently in the country where they studied.

2. Ensure the medical degree matches Indian MBBS standards.

Without meeting these conditions, students will not be allowed to practice medicine in India.

Expert Advice

According to Santosh Biradar, a legal expert:

“In Georgia, students need 9 years of study and training to get a license for independent practice. Many agents don’t tell students this and mislead them with false promises.”

The Indian Embassy in Armenia has also confirmed that postgraduate studies are necessary to get a medical license in Georgia.

How to Avoid Being Misled

1. Do Your Research: Check official advisories from embassies and government websites to verify what agents say.
2. Contact Trustworthy Advisors: Reach out to reliable MBBS abroad consultants who provide complete and honest information, including a detailed explanation of NMC’s FMGL 2021 guidelines.
3. Learn the Rules: Understand the medical practice laws of the country where you want to study.
4. Focus on NEET UG: If possible, work on improving your NEET score to secure a seat in India.

Conclusion

Studying medicine abroad requires careful consideration of the rules and requirements set by the NMC and the medical laws of the chosen country. If you choose Georgia for your MBBS, it’s essential to remember the NMC’s guideline, which mandates that the entire MBBS process abroad, including licensing, must be completed within 10 years. In Georgia, the course itself takes approximately 9 years, covering a 6-year MBBS (MD) program and 2-3 years of postgraduate study. This leaves only one year to complete the NExT exam and clinical rotations in India, making it nearly impossible to meet the NMC’s timeline.

Proper planning and informed decisions are crucial to avoid challenges in your journey to becoming a doctor.