How to Get a Medical Licence in India After MBBS from Kazakhstan (2026 Guide)

Introduction

Having completed your MBBS degree in Kazakhstan is an exciting milestone for any Indian student looking to become a doctor. However, just having a medical degree from another country does not mean that you are permitted to practise medicine in India. You will need to meet the requirements set by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and complete the applicable screening, internship and registration process.It is important to understand the process involved in getting a medical licence after completing your studies in Kazakhstan. Factors such as university recognition, length of study, language of instruction, clinical training and internships can all impact your eligibility.Below, we have outlined what you need to know as an Indian student wanting to get a medical licence in India after completing your MBBS in Kazakhstan. Remember, regulations can change, so always check with the NMC and the relevant examination body for the latest requirements.Many Indian students choose to complete their medical studies in Kazakhstan because of the international medical programmes offered by its universities. Once you have completed your degree, you will need to follow the required process to obtain a medical licence in India.Medical education and registration are regulated by the National Medical Commission. For Indian citizens and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) who have completed their primary medical qualification outside India, you will generally need to pass the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), complete the applicable compulsory rotating medical internship and register with a State Medical Council.As well as passing an examination, you will need to make sure that your medical course and university meet the requirements of the foreign medical graduate regulations. Understanding what is required can help you avoid problems after completing your degree.

1. Ensure Your Medical Degree from Kazakhstan Meets NMC Requirements

Firstly, you will need to make sure that your medical studies in Kazakhstan meet the requirements set out for foreign medical graduates.

The NMC has issued the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021, which outline the requirements for foreign medical qualifications. These include the length of the medical course, clinical training, internships and language requirements.

If you have been admitted under the FMGL Regulations, you will need to meet the applicable requirements, including:

• A foreign medical course of the required minimum duration of 54 months.
• Completion of the required 12-month internship at the same foreign medical institution.
• English as the medium of instruction.
• A course that includes the required theoretical and practical medical education.
• Clinical training and clerkship to the required standard.
• A qualification that meets the requirements for medical registration in the country where it is awarded.

Not all universities in Kazakhstan will automatically meet the above requirements. Before admission, make sure to check that your specific university, medical course, course structure, internship arrangements and applicable NMC requirements are satisfied.

You can find the official regulations on the National Medical Commission (NMC) website. You can also use the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) to check the listing for your university. However, a WDOMS listing does not guarantee that you are eligible for medical registration in India.

The World Health Organization (WHO) provides global health information and resources. Students can use it to explore international health information, but WHO does not individually approve medical universities or guarantee eligibility for Indian medical registration.

2. Complete Your MBBS Course in Kazakhstan

Once you have confirmed that your university and course meet the requirements, you will need to complete your medical studies.

Medical courses generally include pre-clinical modules, para-clinical modules and clinical training. These cover subjects such as:

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Biochemistry
• Pathology
• Pharmacology
• Microbiology
• Medicine
• Surgery
• Paediatrics
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Clinical training is very important for understanding how medical knowledge can be applied in hospitals and healthcare settings.

What Should You Do During Your Medical Course?

While completing your course, you will need to:

• Attend the required theory and practical classes.
• Complete clinical rotations and hospital training.
• Keep your academic records and attendance details.
• Complete all examinations at the university.
• Meet the required internship and clerkship requirements.
• Keep official records of the length of your course and clinical experience.

You will also need to make sure that your medical course includes the required hands-on training. Online learning cannot automatically replace the practical and clinical requirements.

The NMC issued a public notice in March 2026 outlining requirements for compensating certain periods of online medical education through physical training. If you have undertaken online study, carefully check whether you need any additional hands-on training.

3. Gather Your Documents After Graduation

Once you have completed your medical course, you will need to gather all your documents from your university.

If your documents are missing or there are discrepancies in your name, dates or academic records, this can cause problems when applying for examinations and registration.

Important Documents Required

You may need the following documents:

• Original medical degree certificate or provisional degree certificate.
• Final examination results and academic records.
• Course completion certificate.
• Internship completion certificate and records.
• Clinical rotation and practical training details.
• Passport and visa details.
• Proof of admission and university registration.
• Any other certificates or documents required by NBEMS or the State Medical Council.

Check whether your documents require an apostille, Embassy attestation or another form of authentication. This will depend on the examination bulletin and the relevant authority's requirements.

Make sure to keep both hard copies and soft copies of your documents. It can also be useful to maintain a record of your university's official name, address and course details.

4. Pass the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE)

One of the most important steps for Indian students who have completed their medical studies in Kazakhstan is passing the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE).

The FMGE is a screening examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS). It assesses the medical knowledge of foreign medical graduates who want to proceed towards registration in India.

According to the official NMC information regarding foreign medical qualification registration, Indian and OCI candidates with a foreign undergraduate medical qualification are generally required to pass the FMG Examination, subject to applicable rules and exceptions.

FMGE Exam Structure

As outlined in the NBEMS June 2026 Information Bulletin, the examination has the following structure:

The examination consists of two parts, with 150 questions in each part. To pass, you will need to score at least 150 marks out of 300.

The examination covers medical topics across pre-clinical, para-clinical and clinical areas. We recommend preparing using the official syllabus and examination blueprint.

How to Apply for the FMGE

You should follow these steps:

1. Visit the official NBEMS website.
2. Open the FMGE examination section.
3. Carefully read the latest information bulletin.
4. Check the eligibility requirements and application dates.
5. Register using the official application portal.
6. Enter your personal, academic and university details correctly.
7. Upload the required documents and photographs.
8. Pay the required examination fee.
9. Download your admit card.
10. Attend the examination at your allocated test centre.

The examination dates, application fee, required documents and other requirements can vary between examination sessions. Always refer to the latest bulletin published by NBEMS.

NEET and Foreign Medical Education

Indian students planning to study medicine abroad should also check the applicable NEET eligibility requirements before taking admission. NEET qualification is an important requirement for Indian students seeking to pursue medical education abroad under the applicable Indian rules.

For official examination information, visit the National Testing Agency NEET website.

5. Receive Your FMGE Pass Certificate

The FMGE result will be published by NBEMS on its official website.

Those who achieve the required passing marks will be declared qualified. However, this does not mean that you can start practising medicine independently.

Once the verification process has been completed, NBEMS will issue you the pass certificate for the FMGE screening test. You may also be required to attend in-person verification of your documents and identity.

Store your pass certificate safely because it is an important document for the next stage of the process.

Remember that FMGE is a qualifying examination. According to the June 2026 bulletin, there is no limit on the number of attempts. However, candidates who have already qualified cannot appear for the examination again.

6. Apply for Provisional Registration with a State Medical Council

Generally, after passing the FMGE, you will need to apply for provisional registration with the relevant State Medical Council.

This will allow you to complete the required compulsory rotating medical internship in India, where applicable.

The application process can vary between councils, so you should visit the official website of the council in your desired state.

Common Documents Required

Documents may include:

• FMGE pass certificate.
• Foreign medical degree or provisional degree certificate.
• Academic records.
• Internship and course completion certificates from Kazakhstan.
• Passport and identity proof.
• Photographs.
• Any other documents requested by the State Medical Council.

The council may verify your documents and provide further instructions.

Do not start your internship until you have confirmed that you are registered and have been allocated an approved internship placement.

7. Complete the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship in India

If you have been admitted to a foreign medical course after 18 November 2021, you will generally be required to complete one year of mandatory internship in India under the relevant NMC framework.

This is an important stage of the licensing process.

The Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) gives you practical experience in a range of clinical departments and helps you understand how healthcare is practised in India.

Departments Covered During Internship

During your internship, you will complete rotations in departments such as:

• General Medicine
• General Surgery
• Paediatrics
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Community Medicine
• Emergency Medicine
• Other departments included in the approved internship schedule

Your internship must be completed at a medical college or institution recognised or approved by the NMC for this purpose.

The requirements for the internship can be found in the CRMI Regulations and guidance provided by the NMC. Make sure to check the latest requirements and guidance from your State Medical Council.

Important: Internship requirements can vary depending on when you were admitted. The NMC has clarified that students admitted on or before 18 November 2021 may have different requirements compared with those admitted after that date. Do not assume that all foreign medical graduates will have the same internship requirements.

8. Apply for Permanent Registration in India

Once you have successfully completed your internship, you can apply for permanent registration with the relevant State Medical Council.

This is a major step towards becoming eligible to practise modern medicine in India.

Documents Required for Permanent Registration

The council may ask you to provide:

• FMGE pass certificate.
• Foreign medical degree certificate.
• Provisional registration certificate.
• Indian CRMI completion certificate.
• Internship evaluation or completion records.
• Identity and address proof.
• Any other documents requested by the council.

Once your application has been reviewed and your documents verified, you may be granted permanent registration if you meet all the relevant requirements.

Once registered, you can practise medicine in line with Indian laws, professional standards and registration requirements.

9. Common Mistakes to Avoid as a Kazakhstan MBBS Student

By checking the requirements of the regulations, you can minimise problems when applying for a medical licence.

Choosing a University Based Only on Low Fees

Always check the specific medical course, length of study, clinical training and internship arrangements. Low tuition fees should not be the only factor when selecting a university.

Assuming WDOMS Listing Guarantees Eligibility

The World Directory of Medical Schools can be used to check information about your institution, but its listing does not guarantee eligibility for registration with the NMC.

Not Checking the English Language Requirements

Make sure that your course meets the applicable language-of-instruction requirements.

Not Keeping Records of Clinical Training

Keep records to prove that you have attended practical training, completed clinical rotations and fulfilled internship requirements.

Not Preparing for FMGE

Prepare consistently throughout your medical studies instead of waiting until graduation.

Assuming You Can Complete Your Internship Abroad

The requirements will depend on the applicable regulations and your admission date. Check with the NMC and State Medical Council before making decisions about your internship.

10. How Long Will It Take to Get a Medical Licence in India?

The total time will depend on the length of your medical course, examination dates, document verification and internship requirements.

As an example, students covered by the FMGL Regulations, 2021 would generally need to complete the following stages:

If you need to retake the FMGE, correct incomplete documents or wait for an approved internship placement, the process can take longer.

Conclusion

To get a medical licence in India after completing your MBBS in Kazakhstan, you will need to carefully plan and make sure you meet the relevant NMC regulations. You will need to complete a qualifying medical course, maintain proper academic and clinical records, pass the FMGE, obtain provisional registration, complete the required internship in India and apply for permanent registration.

The most important thing to consider is choosing your university and course. Before admission, make sure to check that your university and specific medical programme meet the applicable requirements. Do not rely only on advertisements, low fees or promises from admission agents.

For more information on choosing your university, admission requirements and medical studies, visit MBBS in Kazakhstan. You should also regularly check the NMC, NBEMS and NEET NTA websites for official updates.

You can also refer to the World Directory of Medical Schools for university information and the World Health Organization for global health resources.