Currently, there are over 20,000 Indian students enrolled in various courses in Chinese universities, including medical programs. Since March 2020, they have been locked out of China due to the pandemic, and Indian students are forced to contend with online learning(A Brief Analysis of The Influence on Study in China by COVID-19). With little hope of returning to their campuses anytime soon, Indian medical students enrolled in China are now looking at mid-course transfers to institutes in India and other countries. This article will summarize NMC(MCI)’s latest policy for Indian students studying in China.

1. Policy for Students Wishing to Study in Chinese Universities            

The warning by the National Medical Commission was issued after India’s external affairs ministry was alerted that some Chinese medical universities were inviting applications for admission to MBBS programs for the current and upcoming academic years - despite a ban on foreign students from entering China.

The NMC further advised prospective students to be aware that given the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government of the People's Republic of China has suspended all visas since November 2020. Indian students, among a large number of international students, have been unable to return to China due to restrictions and there has been no relaxation of the restrictions yet (How Will China Open Its Border for International Students in 2022: 5 Possible Ways).

The commission, therefore, asked students to exercise due caution before applying to any medical institution in China or any other country. “Given the above, students are advised to exercise due diligence in choosing where to pursue medical education and to refer to FMGE Regulations before applying or planning to seek admission to any institutions in China/ Foreign institutions.,” the NMC notice said.

2. Online Courses Not Recognized: NMC on Medical Courses in China

Due to the pandemic, Indian students are forced to contend with online learning (Take Chinese Universities' Courses Online: 10 Tips to Study Efficiently During COVID-19 Pandemic as International Students), which comes with a host of difficulties such as a lack of stable internet connection and the inability to partake in clinical training for doctors-in-training.

Taking cognizance of some universities in China that are issuing notices for admission to MBBS programs for the current and upcoming academic years, the National Medical Council has issued a notice regarding admission to these courses.

Concerning the online classes being offered, the NMC notice read, "As per the extant rules, National Medical Commission does not recognize or approve medical courses done only by online mode." These students cannot practice medicine in India after having online degrees as in the field of medicine the Indian government does not recognize online as the mode of education for MBBS, BDS, or other medical courses.

3. NMC Allows Foreign Medical Students to Complete Internships in India, Issues Detailed Guidelines

Taking cognizance of the unforeseen situations worldwide, the National Medical Commission has now allowed foreign Medical Graduates(FMGs) with incomplete internships because of 'compelling situations' such as war and the Covid-19 pandemic to apply for internships in India if they can clear the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination(FMGE). The National Medical Commission has also released some guidelines for the registration of Foreign Medical Graduates.

-The medical degree or qualification of the FMG should be registrable for practicing medicine in the country from which it is obtained and should be equal to the license to practice medicine given to a citizen of that country.

-If completed in a foreign institute, documentary evidence proving successful completion of physical training or internship during the medical qualification is equal to MBBS.

-A copy of passport with VISA details of immigration.

-The candidates seeking registration in India must clear the FMGE conducted by the National Board of Examination(NBE).

-State Medical Councils can register the candidates fulfilling the above criteria for 12 months or a balance period, depending on the case.

-Internship will be permitted in medical college hospitals or hospitals attached to medical colleges, as permitted by the commission.

-The maximum quota for internship distribution to FMGs in a medical college should be limited to an additional 7.5 percent of the total allowed seats.

-State Medical Councils need to procure an undertaking from the medical college that no amount/fee is charged by the medical college to the FMGs for permitting them to do their internship.

-FMGs shall be provided with a stipend and other benefits comparable to Indian medical graduates training in government medical colleges, as determined by the relevant authorities applicable to the institution/university or state.

The students are struggling to get licensed to practice in India as MBBS degrees earned through online education aren't being accepted in the country. Many students attend coaching classes to prepare for the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination to pursue an internship in India.

It may be noted that the erstwhile Medical Council of India(MCI) had provided a list of foreign Medical Institutions/Universities for MBBS or equivalent courses based on the information received from the Indian Embassy/High Commission of India concerned. However, it is stated that the 2018 notification to the Screening Test Regulations clearly states that all Indian Citizens/Overseas Citizens of India who have obtained a primary medical qualification from any Medical Institution outside India have to qualify for the prescribed Screening test for purposes of obtaining registration in India in addition to fulfilling other eligibility criteria stated in the regulations.

Though China has banned the entry of foreign students, except those from South Korea. The good news is that on March 14, 2022, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the country would consider allowing the return of a few foreign students with “actual needs”. China said that it was considering a “coordinated” arrangement for the return of foreign students. So what we need to do now is to protect ourselves from the epidemic (How to Do Daily Protection during the Epidemic) and believe that China will soon open its doors and all international students can come back to Study in China.