Does India accept online medical classes from China?

For India, the National Medical Commission (India) does not recognize or approve medical courses done only by online mode, under paragraph 3 of its notice of 8 February 2022 on university admissions in China. Under the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations 2021, online classes of theory subjects only are allowed when supplemented by offline practical and clinical training at the university and its affiliated hospital, with a completion certificate. The 2026 FAQs on study disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic or the Ukraine-Russia war add that any period studied online must be compensated, but they are not a general permission to study online.

For course length, internship and degree details, see Course and internship.

What the 2022 notice says about fully online courses

The National Medical Commission (India), Administration Section, issued the notice of 8 February 2022 titled "University admissions in China" (Notice File No. NMC/US(NMC)/Misc/2022-96). Paragraph 2 describes the situation the notice set out in February 2022: the Government of the People's Republic of China had imposed strict travel restrictions after COVID-19 and suspended all visas since November 2020, and a large number of international students including Indian students had not been able to return to China; the Chinese authorities had conveyed earlier that courses would be conducted online.

Paragraph 3 states: as per the extant rules, the National Medical Commission does not recognize or approve medical courses done only by online mode.

Paragraph 4 advises students to refer to the FMGE Regulations before applying or planning to seek admission in any institution in China or a foreign institution. Paragraph 5 advises students to exercise due diligence in choosing where to pursue medical education.

What the FMGL Regulations 2021 say about online classes

Under regulation 5 of the National Medical Commission (Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate) Regulations 2021, those regulations shall not apply to foreign medical graduates who acquired a foreign medical degree or primary qualification before 18 November 2021, or to candidates already pursuing their education in a foreign institution before that date; such persons shall be governed by the earlier regulations. (The Commission's FAQ gives 18 November 2021 as the date the regulations came into force, in Q2 and Q4.)

The Commission's FAQ on the FMGL Regulations 2021, Q18 ("What are the provisions regarding online classes?"), states: Foreign Medical Graduates are allowed to undergo online classes of theory subjects only, supplemented by offline practical and clinical training done in the Medical University and its affiliated hospital during the course of MBBS. They are also required to furnish a certificate of successful completion for the same.

The FAQ's own disclaimer says it is an explanation for ease of understanding and cannot be upheld in a court of law; the rule rests on the regulations.

What the 2026 FAQs say about disrupted study

The National Medical Commission (India), Undergraduate Medical Education Board, issued FAQs on 8 June 2026 (Frequently Asked Questions No. U-15024/15/2024-UGMEB(Pt)) based on queries from foreign medical students and State Medical Councils about the public notice of 18 March 2026. These FAQs concern graduates whose study was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or the Ukraine-Russia war.

Q1 states the 18 March 2026 public notice was issued to clarify implementation of the 7 December 2023 public notice, particularly verification and recognition of compensatory physical training undertaken during the period affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or Ukraine-Russia war; it does not create any new category of eligibility or confer any additional relief beyond what is already permissible. Q2 states the 18 March 2026 notice does not supersede the 7 December 2023 notice and is to be read in conjunction with it.

Q4 states that, per clarifications including the 18 March 2026 public notice, the requirement of compensation of any period of medical course carried out by FMGs through online mode is required to be compensated, where "any period" means the period of study through online mode; appropriate decisions may be taken by the concerned State Medical Councils following relevant notifications and guidelines.

Q10 states that FMGs who have successfully completed the requisite compensatory physical training and internship at their parent foreign medical institution, and can substantiate it with satisfactory documentary evidence, shall not ordinarily be required to undergo additional clerkship or compensatory training in India solely for duplication, unless required under applicable regulations or upon deficiencies noticed by the State Medical Council during verification.

Q11 states that mere issuance of a compensation certificate does not automatically entitle an FMG to registration; a compensation certificate is one of the documents that may be considered during verification, and grant of provisional registration, permanent registration, internship or any other benefit remains subject to compliance with applicable NMC regulations, public notices and verification by the concerned State Medical Council.

These 2026 answers concern only graduates whose study was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or the Ukraine-Russia war, and Q1 states they confer no additional relief beyond what is already permissible. They are not a general permission to study medicine online.

Related questions

Does a compensation certificate alone grant registration in India?

No. Q11 of the 8 June 2026 FAQs states that a compensation certificate is one of the documents that may be considered during verification, and grant of registration or any other benefit remains subject to compliance with applicable NMC regulations, public notices and verification by the concerned State Medical Council.

Do students who started before 18 November 2021 follow the same rules?

No. Under regulation 5 of the FMGL Regulations 2021, those regulations shall not apply to foreign medical graduates who acquired a foreign medical degree or primary qualification before 18 November 2021, or to candidates already pursuing their education in a foreign institution before that date; they shall be governed by the earlier regulations. Q9 of the 8 June 2026 FAQs addresses candidates admitted prior to 18.11.2021 whose internship is recognised under the Screening Test Regulation 2002 and who hold a valid compensation certificate: they may be considered for permanent registration without additional internship in India, provided they satisfy all conditions and the concerned State Medical Council makes the final determination on a case-to-case basis.

Sources

• Notice File No. NMC/US(NMC)/Misc/2022-96 of 8 February 2022: University admissions in China — National Medical Commission, India (Administration Section)
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): FMGs covered by National Medical Commission (Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate) Regulations, 2021 — National Medical Commission, India (Undergraduate Medical Education Board)
• National Medical Commission (Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate) Regulations, 2021 — National Medical Commission, India
• Frequently Asked Questions No. U-15024/15/2024-UGMEB(Pt) of 8 June 2026 — National Medical Commission, India (Undergraduate Medical Education Board)

Checked 11 October 2026.

This page is an unofficial summary, is not legal or professional-licensing advice, is not published by the bodies named, promises no admission, examination or registration outcome, and the official text and the regulator's own instructions prevail if they differ.