How long must my MBBS abroad run under NMC rules if I want to practise in India?
30 Sept 2026 · Answered by Disha Roy Choudhury · 1 min read
Quick Answer
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Under the NMC Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, your MBBS abroad must run for a minimum of 54 months at a single institution. You also need a 12-month rotating internship at that institution, plus a separate 12-month internship in India, and none overlap.
Your MBBS abroad must run for at least 54 months, which is 4.5 years, if you want to practise in India. The NMC Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations also require the 54 months to be completed at a single institution, plus a separate 12-month internship in India.
NMC duration requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum course length | 54 months (4.5 years) of academic and clinical study at a single institution |
| Rotating internship | 12 months, separate from the course |
| Internship location | Same foreign institution where you studied |
| Internship in India | A separate 12-month internship in India is also required |
| Overlap | The course and the internship do not overlap |
Things to watch for
- A brochure promising a fast-track MBBS shorter than 54 months is a red flag, since the degree may not be recognised in India.
- The internship must happen at the same institution, not anywhere convenient.
- Clinical postings during regular coursework do not count as this final internship.
My Advice
Ask every university in writing how it meets the 54-month and 12-month internship rules. Walk away from any programme that cannot show clear compliance.
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