In a major alert for Indian medical aspirants, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a strong advisory cautioning students against taking admission in certain medical institutions in Uzbekistan, along with an offshore campus linked to one of them. The warning comes after serious concerns were raised by the Indian Embassy in Tashkent regarding academic standards, regulatory violations, and student complaints.

🔴 Institutions flagged by NMC

The NMC has specifically warned students against seeking admission in the following:

• Bukhara State Medical Institute (BSMI)
• Samarkand State Medical University (SSMU)
• Tashkent State Medical University (TSMU)
• T.I.T. Institute of Medical Sciences, Bengaluru (offshore campus of TSMU Termez Branch)

⚠️ Key concerns raised

The advisory highlights multiple serious issues reported in these institutions:

• Admissions beyond approved capacity, affecting quality of education
• Lack of proper clinical (hands-on) training for students
• Medium of instruction not effectively in English, creating learning barriers
• Violation of FMGL (Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate) Regulations, 2021
• Misleading practices by agents and intermediaries

The NMC emphasized that such lapses can severely impact the competence of graduates and their eligibility to practice medicine in India.

📜 FMGL Regulations: Why compliance matters

The NMC reiterated that Indian students studying MBBS abroad must strictly follow the FMGL Regulations, 2021, which include:

• Minimum 54 months of study at a single institution
• Mandatory 12-month internship at the same university
• Entire course in English medium
• Clinical training within the same country (no split training)
• Curriculum aligned with Indian standards

👉 If these conditions are not fulfilled, students may become ineligible for registration and medical practice in India.

🏥 Offshore campus under scrutiny

A major highlight of the advisory is the warning against the TSMU-linked offshore campus in Bengaluru, which the NMC says may not comply with Indian regulatory norms. This raises concerns about “offshore model” medical education being offered within India without proper approval.

📢 NMC’s advice to students & parents

The commission has urged aspirants to:

• Verify recognition and compliance of foreign universities
• Avoid unverified admission agents
• Check details directly with NMC or Indian embassies
• Ensure all FMGL conditions are met before paying fees

📊 Bigger picture

Uzbekistan has become a popular MBBS destination due to low fees and easy admissions, but the latest advisory highlights growing risks related to quality, transparency, and recognition.

📝 Conclusion

The NMC’s latest warning serves as a crucial reminder that affordability should not outweigh accreditation and quality when choosing MBBS abroad. Students must exercise extreme caution, as a wrong decision could lead to loss of time, money, and career opportunities in India.