Kazakhstan has attracted Indian medical students with affordable medical education abroad. Many universities in Kazakhstan run English-medium programs at lower tuition rates and welcome international students. A common question from NEET aspirants is whether medical admission in Kazakhstan is possible without NEET.
Admission to an MBBS course is denied to Indian citizens and OCIs who wish to pursue their foreign medical education and get a medical degree in India with the view to practicing medicine in India. Hence, the answer is no, until and unless one clears the NEET exam.
According to the National Medical Commission (NMC), an Indian citizen or an OCI has to qualify NEET if they wish to pursue a primary medical degree from abroad. The exemption given during the COVID-19 pandemic was a special case and is not applicable to new applicants.
Students who wish to pursue MBBS in Kazakhstan must be aware that admissions to foreign medical universities do not guarantee practice of medicine in India.
Is NEET Compulsory for MBBS in Kazakhstan?
In order to remain within the purview of India's medical regulation framework, Indian students have to qualify NEET, before they take admission to an undergraduate medical course abroad.
According to the NEET official website, NEET-UG is the only exam for the undergraduate medical degree in India. The NMC (National Commission for Medical Education) has addressed the requirements of Indian citizens and OCIs (Overseas citizens of India) regarding the NEET examination to pursue a primary medical degree from abroad.
One should not consider that because a certain university in Kazakhstan admits students without a NEET exam, one can study in that university without taking NEET.
There are two distinct questions:
- Are you admitted to a university?
- Do you retain eligibility for registration and medical practice in India?
The second question is of greater importance to an Indian student.
Can a Medical University in Kazakhstan Admit Without NEET?
There can be differences in admission requirements in universities and programs. Some Medical schools may list completion of Secondary education and an institutional admission exam among their admission requirements.
For instance, the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) has records of some Kazakhstani medical schools that accept international students postsecondary and may require institutional admission exams.
This should not be considered an exemption for an Indian student from taking NEET.
There can be differences in a foreign university’s admission policy and NEET eligibility. A University can admit an applicant according to its policies, but an Indian student may still have to take NEET for an overseas medical degree to fulfill the requirement for medical practice in India.
Thus, students must be wary of ads offering “MBBS in Kazakhstan without NEET” or “direct admission without NEET for Indian students.”
Why is NEET Essential for Indian Students Going for Medicine Education Abroad?
NEET is not only an entrance examination for medical colleges in India. NEET serves as an important criterion for Indian students for taking the primary medical education abroad.
The NMC (National Medical Council) in its 2021 public notice indicated that Indian citizens/OCIs wishing to pursue an MBBS or equivalent degree of primary medical education abroad would have to qualify NEET. It also made it clear that the exemption of the COVID period was a special case and temporary in nature.
Therefore, students who wish to pursue medicine in Kazakhstan must clear NEET and be admitted to medicine in Kazakhstan only after they clear NEET.
This is justified because, in case one completes the education, one may find out in the future that the qualification is not sufficient for a medical registration in India and that may lead to a huge financial and academic loss.
What if I get an Admission to a Medicine Course in Kazakhstan Without NEET?
Just because a university or a mediator admits in a medical course without NEET qualification does not mean that course is safe for an Indian student.
Before accepting such an offer, students should check the NMC (National Medical Council) requirement and the respective university’s medical program.
The NMC has recommended verifying foreign medical institutions and confirming that the chosen medical program satisfies the requirement for Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL). It has also cautioned against agents/institutions offering admission in, or outside, the stipulated process.
Therefore, 'admission without NEET' should not be the only criteria for choosing a medical university in Kazakhstan.
Instead, students should answer the following questions:
- Is the university functional?
- Is the medical program duly recognized in Kazakhstan?
- Is the university listed in WDOMS?
- Have the course/ program requirements been fulfilled as prescribed by the NMC?
- Does the program ensure adequate and prescribed clinical training?
- Does the program fulfill the prescribed duration and internships?
- Will the student be able to fulfill the requirements for the Indian medical license?
NMC Requirements for Studying MBBS in Kazakhstan
The NMC framework for foreign medical graduates is important for Indian students, because medical college admission does not automatically grant the right to practice medicine in India.
The NMC Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021 introduce requirements for foreign medical graduates. The Commission’s current information portal continues to host these Regulations, 2021, and related publications.
Hence, students should not just verify if the University is in Kazakhstan, but should verify the entire medical program.
The Embassy of India in Kazakhstan has also advised Indian students to verify the university, check if the selected institution is located in WHO/ WDOMS- related directories and verify the structure of medical education and internship.
Is WDOMS Listing Important for MBBS in Kazakhstan?
Yes. It is essential for students to verify their medical school on the WDOMS before making a final decision.
WDOMS has individual school records for many operational medical schools in Kazakhstan. For example, it has records for Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Astana Medical University and Karaganda Medical University.
Students need to understand that being on WDOMS does not mean students will automatically be able to register for a medical practice in India.
WDOMS helps to verify the school and the program, however, Indian students must understand current NMC requirements applicable to their admission year and the specific program.
WHO Recognition?
Students and parents are often heard using the term "WHO-approved medical college". The correct term is to see if the medical school is listed in the proper international medical school directory and see if it fulfills the regulatory requirements of the country.
WHO is certainly one of the top organizations in health internationally, but students must understand that a medical degree obtained from a school "WHO approved" by an agent may not be valid for practice in India.
Instead, potential students must examine the university's official status, the WDOMS records, the applicable Kazakhstan accreditation and the current requirements of National Medical Commission of India (NMC) for Indian Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs).
Eligibility for MBBS in Kazakhstan for Indian Students
Although it varies from university to university, Indian students usually need to complete their higher secondary education with the science discipline and fulfill the university's criteria.
For medical education, students need to have studied these subjects at some point:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology or Biotechnology
- English
In addition, NEET qualification is an important eligibility criterion for aspirants from India to pursue a primary medical degree overseas.
In the case that individual universities have their own methods of admission, document submission, medical check-up, passport, and language criteria, some universities in Kazakhstan may have different criteria of secondary education and may even have an entrance examination.
WDOMS has examples of such institutions.
Can I Study MBBS in Kazakhstan Without NEET and Practise in India?
Students must be cautious in such cases.
Failure to meet the NEET requirement by an Indian citizen, may result in difficulties for that individual when seeking a primary medical qualification and any subsequent licensing and registration to practice medicine in India.
In their public notice, the NMC made it clear that NEET qualification is also a requirement for Indian citizens and OCIs to pursue a primary medical degree overseas.
Studying medicine in Kazakhstan without NEET is an unsafe route for Indian students hoping to practice medicine in India.
Admission to a university must never be confused with eligibility for medical registration.
MBBS in Kazakhstan: Course Duration and Internship
The duration of medical degree programs varies among universities and curricula. WDOMS has examples of both five-year and six-year general medicine programs.
Indian students should not choose a university on the basis of a program advertised to have a duration that is shorter than the usual programs.
The Embassy of India in Kazakhstan mentioned that medical universities in Kazakhstan are structured in a manner that is in conformity with the NMC guidelines. They also noted that for clinical training and internship (which is a compulsory part of the course), the students are required to know Kazakh or Russian.
These factors strongly dictate selection of medical universities.
How to Choose a Medical University in Kazakhstan
Instead of blindly believing the counseling advertisements, it is advisable to choose the verification route for the universities MBBS in Kazakhstan after qualifying NEET.
1. Check the university on WDOMS
Judge the truth about the medical universities by searching in WDOMS. WDOMS preserves operational status and other particulars of the program along with its duration and qualifications etc.
2. Verify NMC requirements
Verify the requirements of NMC and look for the latest guidelines and advice to Foreign Medical Graduates.
3. Confirm NEET
Do not depend on the guidance of any agent. NEET satisfaction is an obligatory requirement for the Indian students for seeking primary medical degree abroad.
4. Review the curriculum
Review the curriculum for the duration, clinical, internship, teaching, language, hospital etc.
5. Verify the university
Get the admission letter and fee details directly from the university or authorized representatives.
6. Review the latest norms
Review the requirements for the academic year for which you intend to take admission before you apply.
Could Studying MBBS in Kazakhstan Without NEET Help My Career?
For Indian students, the answer is no, especially if your eventual goal is to become a practicing doctor in the country.
While many Indian students are drawn to study in Kazakhstan to avoid NEET, they should consider the long-term consequences avoidance of NEET may cause.
Your career choice should not be circumventing NEET, rather you ought to choose a properly accredited Medical University.
Kazakhstan's medical universities should be considered by those Indian students who have fulfilled all the eligibility criteria and have researched the medical universities carefully.
Conclusion
Students must qualify NEET. Just because a university abroad is accepted and admits students without NEET, it should not be assumed that the students will have qualified NEET or fulfilled the requirements and the subsequent requirements of the NMC to become a practicing doctor in India.
The most important advice is to qualify NEET. Choosing a medical University in Kazakhstan after checking their WDOM records and latest NMC regulations is important to avoid having to forfeit the investment.
Students should also avoid advertisements offering to help students get admission to medical colleges without NEET, as it has been especially warned against by the Health Ministry.
In summary, Indian students should absolutely take the NEET before considering an MBBS in Kazakhstan as clearing NEET will help secure your right to make medical registrations in India and maintain your options open in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NEET a requirement for admission to MBBS in Kazakhstan?
Some universities have their own admission criteria and may mention secondary school education and/or entrance examinations of the institution; however, students pursuing a primary medical degree in India are mandated to clear NEET.
Is NEET a compulsory examination for Indian students for studying medicine abroad?
Yes. Indian citizens or OCIs pursuing a primary medical degree abroad have to clear NEET in line with the NMC regulation.
Is WDOMS listing sufficient for selecting a Kazakh medical college?
No. WDOMS is one of the verification sources. Students have to review the current NMC requirements, university accreditation, curriculum, clinical training and other requirements.
Can I practice in India after MBBS from Kazakhstan?
Graduation from any medical university in Kazakhstan does not guarantee a person the right to practice medicine in India. Foreign medical graduates need to meet all NMC requirements for licensing and registration.
What must I ensure before I pay for MBBS in Kazakhstan?
Check your NEET eligibility, university status, WDOMS listing, accreditation, curriculum, clinical training, internal training, teaching language and the latest NMC requirements. Always cross check all the information you get from any source and confirm yourself.
