The conditions to practice in India are likely to be made more stringent for citizens of the country who have obtained an MBBS degree from abroad. On its website www.nmc.org, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has published the draft to modify the rules of the FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination), which is the qualifying test for the purpose.
As per the new proposal, Indians with a foreign degree have to clear FMGE within two years after securing their MBBS. There will be two exams during a year and the candidates would be given a total of four chances in the two years for passing the exam, says the draft. Incidentally, FMGE is a test having a low pass percentage.
However, those who have earned their MBBS from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UK and the US will be exempted from FGME.
National Exit Test
Another proposal suggested by NMC is making the National Exit Test (NExT) mandatory for all MBBS graduates securing their degree in India. The exam which intends to equalize the academic standards of MBBS graduates from various institutions in the country would also be considered as an alternative to NEET-PG and FMGE in future.
There would be two steps for NExT and foreign MBBS graduates may have to write an additional paper comprising pre/para-clinical subjects instead of FMGE.
Meanwhile, NMC has invited suggestions from students and parents on the new proposals