Many Indian students move to Kyrgyzstan for their medical studies. The reason being lower costs and easier admission requirements than other medical institutions. However, it’s important to note that studying medicine in Kyrgyzstan does not give the right to work as a doctor in India. When students return from Kyrgyzstan to India, they are considered Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) and have to fulfill the requirements placed by the National Medical Commission (NMC). This includes passing the licensing exam and Internal Medicine rotations.
With the arrival of the National Medical Commission (NMC), it has become very important to know the steps of the registration process, as the NMC checks the duration of the medical program, the medium of instruction, curriculum, clinical training and internship. This is why keeping the registration process in mind is very important before making decisions regarding studying at Kyrgyzstan medical universities.
This article describes the basic steps and the process of obtaining medical registration in India after an MBBS in Kyrgyzstan.
Can Kyrgyzstan MBBS Graduates Practice Medicine in India?
Graduates of medical schools in Kyrgyzstan are eligible to request registration and license to practice medicine in India, provided they fulfill the other requirements, including passing the licensing exam.
As per the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021, an FMG is not eligible to practice medicine in India until the required permanent registration is granted. The foreign medical course, internship, registration in the country of qualification and a supervised internship in India along with passing the licensing exam are some of the conditions implied by the regulations.
Indian students should not consider studying MBBS in Kyrgyzstan without keeping in mind the Indian licensing requirements.
Step 1: Confirm your Kyrgyzstan medical degree meets the NMC requirements.
The first step is checking if the medical degree you received fulfills all NMC requirements.
For those governed by the FMGL Regulations, 2021, the regulations stipulate a foreign medical degree course that is at least 5 years, with a 12 month internship in the same foreign medical institution. The program should also be an English medium degree and contain all the required subjects as stipulated by the regulations.
The NMC further advises all Indian students to carefully check the duration of the degree, medium of instruction, and the entire syllabus, including the clinical training and internship, before enrolling in a foreign medical degree program. Any gaps/variations in these may result in the student not being granted registration in India.
Selecting a University
A foreign medical degree program, based on the country or the degree title that is published, should not be the only basis of evaluation.
The World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) is a directory of medical schools that can be used for reviewing the information on individual institutions. However, WDOMS also states that being listed in the directory is not recognition, accreditation or endorsement.
Therefore, students should use the WDOMS Directory as part of their due diligence when combined with checking the requirements of the NMC and the medical regulator in Kyrgyzstan.
Step 2: Complete the Required Internship in Kyrgyzstan
According to FMGL Regulations, 2021, graduating students must complete a minimum 12-month internship in the same foreign Medical institution.
As students often presume that they may complete different units of their clinical training in different countries, this is an important requirement. The NMC recently published an advisory clearly stating that all the clinical training components must be undertaken as per the prescribed order, and people should avoid such training programs where clinical training is done in different countries or in foreign programs that do not meet the required standards.
Before leaving Kyrgyzstan, graduates must keep all medical education and internship documents, such as certificates, transcripts, and other documents, which may be required by the concerned authorities.
Step 3: Obtain Registration in Kyrgyzstan, Where Applicable
Another important requirement in the FMGL is registration with the professional regulatory body or the competent authority in the country where a foreign medical degree was awarded, if applicable.
The aim of this requirement is to confirm that the graduate possesses the required professional standing to practice medicine in the country where the qualification was earned, and that the qualification is treated properly within the country's regulatory system.
Students must, therefore, not presume that the issue of a graduation certificate fulfills all professional obligations in Kyrgyzstan.
Step 4: Clear the Applicable Indian Medical Licensing Examination
After completing a foreign medical program, the Indian graduate must clear the Indian medical licensing examination applicable to his/her batch and regulatory framework to obtain permanent registration.
Historically, the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) has been the sole exam for screening and licensure of foreign medical graduates. The NMC’s regulations afford foreign medical graduates the opportunity to appear in the National Exit Test (NExT) or another exam as per the regulations wherever applicable.
Since the medical licensing framework in India is still evolving, the candidates must familiarize themselves with the latest developments by regularly checking the official notifications. The NMC regularly uploads its regulations, amendments and FAQs on its official site.
For regulatory information, it is advisable that the candidates refer to the official National Medical Commission (NMC) and not depend upon the information shared by private consultants or on social media.
Step 5: Complete the Required Internship in India
Another requirement of the FMGs who are bound by the FMGL is a supervised internship in India.
The FMGL Draft Regulations, 2021 provide a period of 12 months for a supervised internship in a medical institution in India after applying to the Commission as prescribed.
The NMC has clarified that foreign medical graduates are required to do their internship in a medical college or institution which has been approved by the competent authority to provide the compulsory rotating medical internship with the concerned State Medical Council.
This clarifies beyond doubt that an FMG is not entitled to do an internship in a medical college of his/ her choice by joining a private medical college and assume that he/she would be entitled to Indian medical registration.
What Is the Purpose of the Indian Internship?
The internship in India is intended to provide the foreign medical graduate with clinical exposure to the Indian Healthcare System and complete the clinical training as required under the regulations.
The process, allocation, and eligibility standards may vary based on the instructions of the NMC and State Medical Councils. Therefore, graduates should consult the latest instructions before applying.
Step 6: Apply for Registration with the Appropriate Medical Council
After clearing the exams and the internship, the next step is registration with the applicable medical regulatory body.
The regulatory framework distinguishes the requirements for registration and the right to practice medicine. An FMG holder is not permitted to practice Allopathic Medicine in India with their Foreign Medical Degree.
The NMC clearly states an FMG needs to obtain the permanent registration before practicing medicine in India.
Graduates will need to submit their educational qualifications, examination results, internship, identity documents and other records, depending on the applicable process, to the concerned authority.
Step 7: Receive Permanent Medical Registration
The applicant needs to fulfill all the requirements, after which a permanent medical registration is granted.
This permanent registration enables FMGs to legally practice medicine in India, as per the regulations.
Therefore, the entire frameshift can be illustrated as:
MBBS in Kyrgyzstan → Eligible Foreign Medical Qualification → Required Kyrgyzstan Internship/Registration → Applicable Indian Licensing Examination → Indian Supervised Internship → Medical Registration → Legal Medical Practice
What Role Does NEET Play for Students Going to Kyrgyzstan?
NEET is of great importance even prior to a student going for medical education abroad.
Current NEET eligibility is essential for Indian students applying for medical admissions outside India. As per the official NTA NEET website, NEET (UG) is the common entrance examination for UG medical education in India and publishes examination related information and notifications.
Those applying for medical admissions must verify the latest NEET rules rather than relying on previous published information on eligibility criteria.
The official NEET website publishes examination notifications, provides an application facility, publishes examination results, and disseminates official information.
The Importance of WHO and WDOMS Verification
When Indian students search for medical universities, they often check for WHO recognition or WDOMS listings, however, these terms should be clarified.
The World Directory of Medical Schools maintains information on medical schools, but a school being listed on WDOMS does not equate to recognition or accreditation.
Students should go to the WHO website for information about the organization in order to avoid thinking that a university being "WHO approved" is somehow assured.
For medical registration in India, the most important factor is compliance with the applicable Indian regulatory requirements. As such, a student should not opt for a Kyrgyzstan medical university merely because an admission agent says that it is "WHO approved."
Documents Kyrgyzstan Medical Graduates Should Keep
Preserving proper documentation during the medical course makes the registration process smoother. Graduates must retain the following documents:
Passport and identity-related documents
NEET-related admission records, if applicable
Admission and enrolment records
Complete transcripts
Degree or primary medical qualification
Internship completion record
Evidence of clinical training
Records related to registration in Kyrgyzstan, if applicable
Licensing examination records/result
Indian internship completion record
Other records requested by NMC or by the State Medical Council
The list of documents can change based on the applicable regulatory process, so graduates should check the latest official list before submitting the application.
Common Mistakes to Avoid After MBBS in Kyrgyzstan
Selecting a University Before Checking NMC Requirements
Universities may be inexpensive or popular among Indian students, but they still need to be checked regarding the applicable requirements. Verify that the selected programme is applicable to your batch.
Considering WDOMS Listing as Indian Registration
WDOMS is one of the sources to identify medical schools, but its own website states that listing is not the same as recognition or accreditation.
Ignoring Internship Requirements
Foreign internship placements are critical. The NMC has stressed that the requirements for prescribed course duration, clinical training and internships must be met.
Practising Before Registration
The completion of a foreign medical degree will not permit an FMG to practice medicine in India, until the required registration is obtained.
Reliance on Consultancy Solely
It is important to recognize that the rules may be modified as per notifications, amendments and official FAQs published by the NMC. Students should cross-check important points, confirming that they do not make any rash decisions which may subsequently prove to be financially or academically disruptive.
How Long Does Medical Registration After MBBS in Kyrgyzstan Take?
The completion time for registration depends on a number of factors including the examination dates, time needed for verification of the application, allocation of internship, submission of supporting documents and the processing time of the relevant authorities.
Because of the above mentioned factors, it is not advisable that the completion date of an MBBS degree be used for estimating the completion date of the entire registration process. The duration for completion of the licensing examination and the internship may also be of significant length before a permanent registration is granted.
Conclusion
While return to India with a foreign medical degree may be only a part of the process, Indian students must conduct due diligence to ensure that their university and program comply with the NMC regulations, undertake the foreign internship and professional obligations, clear the Indian licensing examination, complete a supervised internship in India and then apply for medical registration.
The wisest course of action is to confirm all significant requirements with the NMC, NEET and other relevant source systems and portals. Access to FMGL Regulations 2021 and FAQs along with the NMC’s current regulations makes the NMC an essential resource for graduates planning their registration.
Making sense of tuition fees, university accommodation costs, the availability of amenities, and the reputation of the universities and their medical schools in Kyrgyzstan are all important aspects of the MBBS in Kyrgyzstan. However, understanding the Indian registration pathway beforehand is an equally important consideration. MBBS programs that have been selected with due diligence should pose fewer regulatory challenges for you when you are back in India preparing for registration as a medical practitioner.
