Students who have cleared 10+2 from National Institute of Open School (NIOS) or State Open Schooling Boards would not be able to pursue MBBS or equivalent medical course abroad in case if they have not undergone practical examination in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English subjects in Class 11th and 12th.
In a circular issued last week, the Medical Council of India (MCI) has made it clear that it will not accept applications for Eligibility Certificate from all students intending to take admission in foreign medical institutions from the academic year 2017-18 and onwards till further orders.
The eligibility certificate is a legal proof given by the MCI, that the medical university which the student attends to study MBBS abroad is authorized by the top medical education regulator.
"It has come to our notice that a number of candidates who have done their 10+2 from NIOS or SOSs and desire to take admission in MBBS or equivalent medical course in a medical university outside the country in the academic year 2017-18, are approaching the Council for eligibility certificate," the circular said.
In this context, only those students will be given eligibility certificate who has done school certificate examination which is equivalent to 10+2 Higher Secondary Examination after a period of 12 years study, the last two years of study comprising of Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and Mathematics or any other elective subjects with English, it added.
Where the course content is not as prescribed for 10+2 education structure of the national committee, the candidates will have to undergo a period of one year pre-professional training before admission to the medical colleges, it said.
The Council made such a decision after examining the matter legally.
"It has been advised that any candidate who has not undergone classroom training in the subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English, simultaneous and co-terminus including taking practical examination in Class 11th and 12 , will not be eligible for grant of eligibility certificate for the purpose of seeking admission in primary medicine course in a foreign medical institute and therefore also ineligible to appear in the screening test for obtaining registration to practice medicine in the country,” the circular added.