NMC Scraps Online Class Substitution Policy for FMGs

If you plan to study MBBS abroad or are already pursuing your medical degree outside India, a recent update from the National Medical Commission (NMC) is extremely important. NMC has officially scrapped the online class substitution policy for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs), meaning that MBBS abroad students must complete mandatory offline clinical training to be eligible for registration and practice in India.

This blog explains the policy change, its impact on students who study MBBS abroad, and what FMGs must do now to secure eligibility for the FMGE exam and future practice in India.

What Was the Online Class Substitution Policy?

The NMC online class substitution policy was initially introduced to help MBBS abroad students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Due to lockdowns, travel restrictions, and even conflict zones, many medical universities abroad shifted to online classes.
• To ensure continuity, NMC temporarily accepted online classes as substitutes for offline clinical training.
• This provision helped thousands of FMGs continue their MBBS abroad journey without academic delays.

The New Update: NMC Scraps the Policy

The NMC scraps online class substitution policy, creating a major shift for those who study MBBS abroad.

According to the June 2024 notification, NMC will no longer accept certificates claiming offline substitution for online classes. Only in-person clinical training will be valid for FMGs to qualify for licensing in India.

This means that MBBS abroad students who have completed major portions of their course online must arrange additional clerkships, internships, or supervised training to prove hands-on learning experience.

Why Did NMC Scrap the Online Substitution Policy?

The NMC emphasized that quality medical education for FMGs requires real-time hospital training, not online substitutes.

Reasons include:

• Lack of practical, patient-facing exposure in online classes.
• Complaints regarding false certification of “offline compensation.”
• The need to uphold global medical education standards for Indian doctors.

Impact on MBBS Abroad Students (FMGs)

For students pursuing MBBS abroad, the NMC policy change directly affects eligibility for FMGE and Indian medical registration.

Key impacts:

• Online classes are no longer valid. Any MBBS abroad student must show evidence of offline, in-hospital rotations.
• FMGE eligibility becomes stricter. Only those with proper clinical training can appear for FMGE or NEXT in the future.
• Additional clerkships may be required. Students who studied MBBS abroad with online classes may need supervised training in India or abroad.

Official NMC Guidelines

What Should FMGs & MBBS Abroad Students Do Now?

Here’s an FMG checklist after the NMC update for anyone studying MBBS abroad.

1. Confirm that your MBBS abroad university provides regular hospital-based clinical rotations.
2. Collect proof: attendance, clerkship certificates, supervisor letters, and patient logs.
3. If you studied online for any period, arrange remedial clerkship or internship to fulfill NMC requirements.
4. Prepare early for the FMGE/NEXT exam — eligibility now strictly depends on offline training.
5. Stay updated with NMC and your state medical council notifications.

Expert Opinions & Student Reactions

Experts say the NMC policy change on online classes will ensure better trained FMGs, but many MBBS abroad students feel stressed about new hurdles.

• Medical educators support the decision, highlighting that real hospital training is irreplaceable.
• Students who had no choice but to attend online classes during COVID-19 feel this rule is unfair.
• Legal and policy challenges may continue as students appeal for relaxation.

The NMC’s decision to scrap online class substitution is a reminder that studying MBBS abroad requires careful planning and compliance with Indian medical guidelines. If you are planning to study MBBS abroad in 2025 or later, choose a university that provides continuous offline hospital training to avoid future eligibility issues.

By staying informed, documenting your clinical exposure, and preparing for FMGE/NEXT, you can still achieve your dream of becoming a doctor in India after completing MBBS abroad.