REGISTRATION OF INDIAN STUDENTS WITH FOREIGN
MEDICAL QUALIFICATIONS INTRODUCTION OF SCREENING TEST
National Board of
Examinations has been entrusted by the Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare to conduct the Screening Test for Indian Nationals
with foreign medical qualifications. The purpose of the screening
test shall be only to qualify for registration with the Medical
Council of India (MCI) or any State Medical Council. The examination
will be held on Saturday the 28th and Sunday the 29th
September 2002 at Delhi.
It may be recalled
that over a period of time it was noticed that the standard of
medical education offered in some of the foreign countries, was
declining. Indian students were being admitted in these Institutes
through private agencies for commercial considerations. Even the
Institutes recognized by MCI were admitting students who did not
have the basic eligibility to join medical courses. Number of
institutes in foreign countries recognized by MCI were very few
and there were number of requests from many foreign institutes
pending with MCI for recognition. Due to financial constraints
it was not possible for MCI to inspect each such institutions
abroad. Once recognized, MCI could not also ensure that these
institutes maintained the standard of education.
Therefore, the
Indian Medical Council Act was amended and notified on 3.9.2001
to provide for conducting a Screening Test before granting registration
to Indian students with foreign medical qualifications. Similarly,
Indian students proceeding aborad for studies in medicine will
have to obtain an Eligibility Certificate from MCI stating that
they confirm to the minimum eligibility requirement laid down
by MCI for joining an undergraduate medical course in India. As
per the Regulations framed under the amended Act, these provisions
have come into effect from 15th March, 2002.
