In a recent development, the Examination and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has identified deficiencies in applications for eligibility certificates submitted by medical students studying abroad.
A significant number of students pursued medical education overseas without obtaining the required eligibility certificate, raising concerns about the validity of their degrees.
OPPORTUNITY TO RECTIFY
The NMC, through an official notification, has extended a grace period for these students to rectify the situation. The affected students now have until January 5, 2024, to submit their applications through the NMC eligibility portal.
Failure to address the deficiencies or meet the deadline will result in the rejection of their applications, casting a shadow over their academic credentials.
The deficiencies were identified after a comprehensive review of applications for eligibility certificates by the medical board.
The board has compiled a list of applicants who proceeded abroad without obtaining the required eligibility certificate and published it in Annexure-I of the official notification.
NOTICE FROM NMC
The notification read, “It is observed that applicants whose name is mentioned in Annexure-I have proceeded abroad without obtaining an Eligibility Certificate. Therefore, it has been decided by the Board to give 10 days time to all such applicants (Annexure-I) to submit their applications in the eligibility portal of NMC.”
The notice highlighted section 13(4B) of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, which mandates Indian citizens aspiring to pursue medical education abroad to obtain an eligibility certificate from the Council. Failure to do so renders candidates ineligible to appear in the screening test.
EXEMPTION AND NEET-UG 2019
Interestingly, the notification mentions an exemption implemented after June 5, 2019. Post this date, students were no longer required to obtain an eligibility certificate for pursuing medical studies abroad.
The exemption followed the declaration of the NEET-UG 2019 results, where qualifying in the exam became equivalent to obtaining an eligibility certificate for MBBS admission in foreign medical institutions.