Srinagar, Feb 21— The Supreme Court of India has ruled that medical degrees obtained from foreign institutions will not be considered valid unless the student has cleared the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduates (NEET-UG).
The decision, delivered on Thursday, reinforces the National Medical Commission (NMC) regulation mandating NEET-UG as a prerequisite for pursuing MBBS both within India and abroad. The ruling aims to uphold the standard of medical education and ensure quality healthcare delivery in the country.
NEET-UG became a mandatory requirement following an NMC directive issued in 2018. The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and K. Vinod Chandran, stated that the regulation does not violate any statutory provision.
“Obviously, with open eyes, after the amended regulations came into effect, if any candidate chose to obtain admission in a foreign institution for pursuing a course leading to a primary medical qualification, they cannot seek an exemption from the regulations which lay down essential eligibility criteria for practising medicine within the country. This does not restrict their right to practice anywhere outside India,” the bench observed.
The verdict serves as a clear warning to aspirants considering medical education abroad without qualifying for NEET-UG. The ruling makes it clear that such degrees will be deemed invalid in India, potentially affecting students’ ability to practice medicine within the country.
Authorities have urged students to ensure compliance with national regulations before seeking admission to foreign medical institutions to avoid complications regarding the validity of their degrees.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
