Protecting Aspirations: NMC Cracks Down on Poor-Quality Medical Schools Abroad

Medical Education Alert: NMC Warns Against Non-Compliant Foreign Colleges

In a decisive move to safeguard the interests of Indian students aspiring to pursue medical education abroad, the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a formal advisory cautioning against enrolment in specific foreign medical institutions. This directive stems from serious concerns raised by the Indian Embassy in Mexico and the Eurasia Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, which highlighted regulatory discrepancies and substandard practices in certain undergraduate medical programmes.

Specifically, the advisory warns against institutions located in Belize and Uzbekistan, which have been found to fall short of the standards prescribed by Indian regulatory authorities. The NMC has emphasised that degrees obtained from these institutions may not be recognised in India, thereby jeopardising students’ future eligibility for medical licensure and practice.

The advisory explicitly names four institutions deemed non-compliant with Indian medical education benchmarks:

• Central American Health and Sciences University (Belize)
• Columbus Central University (Belize)
• Washington University of Health and Sciences (Belize)
• Chirchik Branch of Tashkent State Medical University (Uzbekistan)

According to the alert, these institutions have reportedly failed to meet the standards set by Indian authorities, with issues including inadequate or absent campus infrastructure, substandard educational and clinical training, exorbitant tuition fees, lack of fee refunds upon withdrawal, and incidents of student harassment. The NMC reiterated that similar warnings had been issued previously, notably in its notices dated 8 August 2023 and 22 November 2024. In those communications, Indian students intending to study medicine abroad and later practise in India were urged to comply fully with the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021, which came into effect on 18 November 2021. These regulations outline stringent requirements regarding course duration, medium of instruction, syllabus, clinical training, and internship structure.

Nevertheless, the Commission observed that despite repeated advisories, many students continued to seek admission to institutions that did not adhere to these regulations, thereby risking future disqualification from medical registration in India. Referring to inputs from the Indian Embassy in Mexico and the Eurasia Division, along with embassy-issued advisories, the NMC cautioned that ignoring this guidance could result in students being declared ineligible for registration. Furthermore, the Commission urged students and their parents to carefully review the advisory published on its official website on 19 May 2025 before considering admission to any foreign medical university. This document contains essential information regarding recognised institutions, eligibility criteria, and other critical guidelines.

The NMC also stressed that students governed by the FMGL Regulations, 2021, and currently enrolled in non-compliant institutions must promptly assess whether their university meets the prescribed standards. It advised students to remain informed via its official website, consult the Indian Embassy in the respective country regarding institutional recognition or blacklisting, and take necessary corrective measures, noting that the FMGL Regulations would be strictly applied during the screening or registration process. The NMC’s advisory serves as a vital reminder for students to exercise due diligence and prioritise regulatory compliance when selecting foreign medical institutions.

Editor’s Note:

The recent warning by the National Medical Commission (NMC) is an important move to protect Indian students who wish to study medicine abroad. As more students travel to other countries for education, it is necessary to make sure they choose the right institutions that offer quality learning and meet Indian standards. This advisory shows that the NMC is serious about helping students avoid poor-quality courses that may affect their future. The NMC has named certain medical colleges in Belize and Uzbekistan that do not meet proper standards. These colleges are said to lack good infrastructure, provide weak clinical training, and charge students unfairly. Such problems can stop students from becoming licensed doctors in India after graduation, wasting both time and money. By reminding students to follow the rules under the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021, the NMC is making sure that those who study abroad are properly trained and ready to work in Indian hospitals. These rules help check whether foreign medical degrees are good enough for Indian practice.

Skoobuzz believes that this advisory guides students and families toward informed decisions, urges foreign institutions to raise standards for Indian students, and aims to protect student aspirations, patient well-being, and India's healthcare integrity.