The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a detailed advisory cautioning medical aspirants, their families, and other stakeholders against unauthorised medical colleges operating in India and the growing prevalence of non-compliant off-shore MBBS programmes. The notice underscores the urgent need for vigilance, stating that several institutions have been found misleading students by claiming recognition and admitting them into medical programmes that are not legally approved.
The Commission has clarified that only those institutions listed on the official NMC website are authorised to offer MBBS and other medical degree programmes in India. Any college or university not appearing on this list is considered to be operating in violation of NMC regulations. “Institutions not appearing in the NMC’s official list are unauthorised and are operating in violation of NMC regulations,” the advisory stated, adding that the Commission regularly updates the list to reflect the current status of recognised colleges.
Among the institutions flagged in the advisory is Singhania University in Rajasthan, which has come under legal scrutiny for allegedly offering MBBS courses without the requisite recognition. The matter is currently under adjudication before the Rajasthan High Court in a case titled Ranjana Jangra and others v State of Rajasthan and others.
The NMC recalled earlier public notices issued by its former Board of Governors on October 30, 2019 and August 3, 2020, which had warned the public against fraudulent practices by the university. These warnings were reiterated in a subsequent public notice dated October 28, 2022, which advised the public to verify the status of any medical college before seeking admission.
Another institution, Sanjiban Hospital and Medical College in Howrah, West Bengal, was also named in the advisory for allegedly operating a medical course without NMC approval. The Commission confirmed that legal action against the said college is in progress.
The advisory also elaborates on the mandatory guidelines for Indian students seeking to pursue medical education abroad. In accordance with the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021, students must undergo a minimum of 54 months of education in a single institution, followed by a 12-month internship completed at the same university.
Clinical training must not be undertaken in parts or across different countries. Additionally, the medium of instruction must be English, and students must study all mandatory subjects as specified in Schedule-I of the regulations.
The student must also be registered with the respective professional regulatory body or possess a licence to practise medicine in the country where the degree is awarded, equivalent to what is granted to citizens of that country.
The Commission has clearly stated that failure to meet these conditions could result in disqualification from appearing in the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), which is essential for obtaining a medical licence in India. “Students graduating from non-compliant institutions will be held ineligible for licensing exams i.e. FMGE in India. The onus of this disqualification lies solely with the student,” the advisory warned.
Reiterating the need for caution, the advisory urged students and parents not to fall for fake offers or guarantees of admission made outside the official National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) channels. “No college can guarantee admission outside of official channels, i.e., NEET Examination,” the Commission emphasised. It also advised prospective students to confirm approvals before making any payments and to report any suspicious activity to the NMC. “Verify before you pay. Confirm approvals before making any payments or committing to a program,” it added.
“The medical aspirants and their families are strongly advised to stay vigilant, as the same is essential to protect oneself and the integrity of the Indian medical education system,” the Commission stated.
