The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a strong advisory alerting medical aspirants, students, parents, and other stakeholders against unauthorized medical colleges operating in India and misleading offshore medical programs.
In an advisory dated May 19, 2025, the NMC highlighted instances of institutions functioning without the necessary approvals and falsely claiming recognition to lure students into unapproved medical courses.
The NMC has emphasized the following crucial points for those seeking admission to medical courses:
1. NMC Approval is Mandatory: Only medical colleges listed on the official NMC website are legally authorized to offer MBBS and other medical degree programs in India. Institutions not appearing on this list are unauthorized and operating in violation of NMC regulations. The NMC regularly updates this list.
2. Institutions Under Scrutiny: The advisory specifically names two institutions currently under scrutiny:
- Singhania University, Rajasthan: The university is under legal scrutiny for allegedly offering MBBS courses without NMC recognition. The NMC had previously issued public notices in 2019 and 2020, and again in 2022, warning the public to verify the status of medical colleges on its website before seeking admission. The matter is currently before the Hon’ble Rajasthan High Court.
- Sanjiban Hospital and Medical College, Howrah, West Bengal: The NMC has identified this institution as running a medical course without authorization, and legal action is being taken against it.
3. Rules for Students Pursuing Medical Education Abroad: The NMC’s Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021, clearly define the standards for foreign medical education to be eligible to practice medicine in India. Key requirements include:
- Minimum 54 months of education in a single institution.
- 12-month internship to be completed at the same foreign university.
- Clinical training must not be done in parts or across different countries.
- Medium of instruction must be English.
- Studying mandatory subjects as specified in Schedule-I of the FMGL Regulations.
- Registration with the competent professional regulatory body in the country where the degree is awarded, at par with the license given to citizens of that country.
The NMC strongly advises compliance with Schedule I of the FMGL Regulations, 2021, for those seeking licensure in India. Furthermore, permanent registration will only be granted after a supervised internship of a minimum of twelve months in India. Non-compliance may lead to disqualification for registration.
4. Risk of Disqualification: Students graduating from non-compliant institutions will be ineligible for licensing exams like the FMGE in India. The responsibility for this disqualification lies solely with the student.
5. How to Verify Legitimacy: The NMC advises students and parents to:
- Visit the official NMC website to check the list of recognized medical colleges in India.
- Contact the NMC directly for verification, especially when presented with recognition letters or direct admission offers.
- Not rely solely on college websites or advertisements.
- Be aware that the NMC does not conduct direct admissions to any medical college.
6. Important Advice for Students and Parents
- Do not fall for fake admission offers outside official channels like the NEET Examination.
- Verify approvals before making any payments or committing to a program.
- Report any suspicious activity of institutions illegally offering medical admissions to the NMC.
7. Contact the NMC: For any queries regarding the recognition status of an institution, parents, students, and stakeholders can contact the NMC at Phone: +91-11-25367033 or Website: www.nmc.org.in.
The NMC urges medical aspirants and their families to remain vigilant to protect themselves and the integrity of the Indian medical education system.