If you studied MBBS outside India, one question creates the most confusion and wrong advice:
“Can I do only one internship and still be eligible to practice in India?”
Let us answer this clearly, as per NMC rules, without myths, shortcuts, or agent stories.
👉 YES — both internships are mandatory.
👉 NO — you cannot choose one over the other.
This blog explains why NMC insists on both, in what sequence, and what happens if you skip even one.
Does NMC Allow FMGs to Choose Between Internships?
NO. There is no choice.
Under NMC rules, a Foreign Medical Graduate cannot decide to do only one internship and skip the other.
NMC does not accept:
- Internship abroad instead of Indian internship
- Indian internship instead of foreign internship
Both are compulsory.
This confusion exists because students assume that “internship is internship”.
For NMC, that is not true.
👉 Foreign internship is required to complete your MBBS qualification
👉 Indian internship is required to legally practice medicine in India
These two internships serve two different legal purposes under NMC regulations.
If even one is missing:
- Your file becomes non-compliant
- Registration can be delayed or denied
- Clearing FMGE / NExT alone will not fix the issue
That is why NMC is strict:
one internship cannot replace the other, and there is no option to choose.
This is also why relying on agent advice or senior experiences is risky — NMC evaluates your documents, not explanations.
Why Foreign Internship Is Mandatory After MBBS Abroad
NMC treats the foreign internship as a compulsory part of completing your MBBS degree, not as an optional add-on.
In NMC’s view, an MBBS program abroad has two inseparable parts:
- Academic study (classroom + hospital training)
- Internship in the same medical system
If the internship is missing, NMC considers the degree academically incomplete.
Why must the internship be done in the same country/system?
Because medical training is system-specific.
- Each country follows its own clinical protocols, patient flow, and hospital practices
- NMC wants to see that the student has completed full clinical training in the environment where the degree was awarded
- Doing an internship elsewhere breaks this continuity and raises compliance issues
That is why internship must be done after MBBS and within the same foreign medical system.
What happens if the foreign internship is skipped?
If you do not complete this internship:
- NMC may treat your MBBS as not fully completed
- You may be declared ineligible, even if you later clear FMGE or NExT
- An Indian internship cannot be used to “compensate” for this missing requirement
This is a common shock for students who clear the exam but get stuck at the registration stage.
Why must it come before FMGE / NExT?
Because FMGE / NExT eligibility itself depends on having a completed primary medical qualification.
Without the foreign internship:
- Your degree is seen as unfinished
- Exam clearance alone does not make it valid
That is why NMC clearly insists:
foreign internship first, exams later, Indian internship after that.
Why Must the Foreign Internship Come Before FMGE / NExT?
Because FMGE / NExT is allowed only after your primary medical qualification is fully completed.
For NMC, a foreign MBBS degree is considered complete only when both parts are finished:
- Academic training
- Mandatory foreign internship
If the foreign internship is missing, NMC treats the degree as unfinished, even if:
- You have completed all exams
- You hold a provisional degree certificate
What happens without the foreign internship?
If you attempt FMGE / NExT without completing it:
- Your qualification may be questioned during document verification
- Clearing the exam alone will not make the degree valid
- You can get stuck at the registration or internship approval stage later
This is why many students face problems after passing the exam, not before it.
NMC’s logic is simple and strict
- First: Complete MBBS abroad fully (including internship)
- Second: Clear FMGE / NExT
- Third: Do compulsory internship in India
Any deviation from this order creates compliance risk.
For more clarity on how NMC checks internship completion, refer to
👉 NMC internship rules for MBBS abroad
Why Indian Internship Is Still Required After FMGE / NExT
Many students ask:
“If I already did internship abroad, why again in India?”
Because NMC’s responsibility is Indian healthcare safety.
The Indian compulsory internship ensures that you:
- Understand Indian hospital systems
- Work under Indian clinical protocols
- Are trained in Indian public health conditions
This internship is not optional, even if:
- Your foreign internship was excellent
- You studied in a top-ranked university
Clearing FMGE / NExT only makes you eligible.
The Indian internship makes you registerable.
Correct Internship Sequence for FMGs (Simple Flow)
There is only one valid order approved by NMC:
1️⃣ Complete MBBS abroad
2️⃣ Complete foreign internship (in the same country/system)
3️⃣ Clear FMGE / NExT
4️⃣ Complete compulsory internship in India
5️⃣ Apply for permanent registration
Any change in this order can lead to rejection or long delays.
What Happens If the Foreign Internship Is Skipped
Skipping the foreign internship is not a small mistake. Under NMC rules, it is considered a serious compliance failure.
Here is what actually happens.
1. Your MBBS may be treated as non-compliant
When NMC verifies your documents, they check whether your primary medical qualification is complete.
If the mandatory foreign internship is missing:
- Your MBBS is treated as incomplete
- The degree may be marked non-compliant, even if issued by a recognised university
This decision is based on documents, not explanations.
2. Indian internship can be denied
Many students assume they can “fix” the mistake by doing internship in India.
NMC does not allow that.
If the foreign internship is missing:
- Permission for Indian internship may be refused
- State Medical Councils may not allot you an internship seat
Without Indian internship approval, registration becomes impossible.
3. Registration can be rejected even after clearing FMGE / NExT
This is the most painful stage.
We have seen students who:
- Cleared FMGE
- Passed all exams
- Still got rejected at the registration stage
Why?
Because exam clearance does not override qualification defects.
NMC checks compliance again before registration.
Real-world consequence
Students in this situation often:
- Lose 1–3 years trying to resolve the issue
- File representations with no guarantee of approval
- Remain stuck despite being exam-qualified
This is not theoretical. It happens regularly.
For similar real-world outcomes, read
👉 consequences of non-compliant MBBS programs
Bottom line
Skipping the foreign internship does not save time.
It risks your entire medical career in India.
That is why NMC insists on one clear rule:
no foreign internship = no safe pathway forward.
How We at Noha Overseas Guide Students Safely
At Noha Overseas, our focus is compliance-first guidance, not just admissions.
We help students and parents by:
- Explaining NMC rules clearly before admission
- Ensuring the correct internship pathway is planned early
- Preventing decisions that cause future rejection or delays
- Guiding students according to
👉 NMC guidelines for MBBS abroad
Our role is to make sure students don’t learn NMC rules after finishing MBBS — when it’s too late to fix mistakes.
Final Answer — No Confusion Left
If you are a Foreign Medical Graduate:
Foreign internship is mandatory
Indian internship is also mandatory
There is no option, shortcut, or replacement
Both internships are required. In sequence. Without exception.
If anyone tells you otherwise, ask them to show written NMC approval — not stories.
That one question can save years of your career.