National Medical Commission (NMC) Guidelines & Regulations 2026

Apex Medical Body:
National Medical Commission (NMC), Government of India

Short Information:
The National Medical Commission (NMC) is India’s apex statutory authority governing medical education and practice, replacing the erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI). NMC has issued comprehensive advisory guidelines and gazette regulations concerning MBBS undergraduate admissions, mandatory NEET UG qualification, Eligibility Certificate issuance for studying medicine abroad, and the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum.

• Age Criteria: Candidates must have completed 17 years of age on or before 31st December of the admission year. There is no upper age limit.
• Academic Prerequisites: Must have passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English. (Candidates who studied Biology as an additional subject after 12th are now permitted by NMC).
• NEET UG Qualification: Mandatory qualification in NEET-UG with at least 50th percentile (40th percentile for SC/ST/OBC).
• Eligibility Certificate (EC): Indian students seeking admission to foreign medical institutes must obtain an online Eligibility Certificate from NMC before taking admission abroad.

1. The entire medical course abroad must be of at least 54 months duration with an additional 12-month internship in the same foreign institution.
2. Instruction must be delivered entirely in English medium.
3. The candidate must be registered with the relevant foreign regulatory body and licensed to practice medicine in that host country.
4. Upon return to India, students must clear the Screening Test (FMGE / NExT) and undergo 1-year Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) in an NMC-approved hospital.

Q1: Is NEET mandatory for studying MBBS in foreign countries?
Ans: Yes, as per NMC regulations, qualifying in NEET-UG is compulsory for Indian students going abroad for medical education.

Q2: Can candidates with Biology as an additional subject take MBBS admission?
Ans: Yes, NMC has officially permitted candidates who completed Biology/Biotechnology as an additional subject after Class 12.

Q3: Where can I check the list of NMC-recognized medical colleges in India?
Ans: On the official NMC portal under the Information Desk (College List) at nmc.org.in.