Simple Vishwakarma Mumbai

 In a move that brings long-awaited clarity to Indian students pursuing medical education abroad, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of the Philippines has officially confirmed that its Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) programmes align with the latest eligibility norms set by the National Medical Commission (NMC) in India. 

The assurance was issued through a formal communication between CHED and the Embassy of India in Manila. In a recent advisory, the embassy stated that Indian individuals who graduate from Philippine medical schools accredited by CHED are now qualified to sit for both the forthcoming National Exit Test (NExT) and India’s Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE).

 MD curriculum matches NMC’s requirements

The CHED clarification puts to rest lingering doubts around whether Philippine medical degrees meet India’s evolving licensure regulations. As per the latest details, the Philippines’ M.D. program fulfils all the mandatory components outlined by the NMC, including:

-A 54-month Doctor of Medicine program, not including the undergraduate pre-medical course

-English-medium instruction throughout the duration of the course

-All necessary subjects are covered in accordance with NMC Schedule I (Gazette Notification dated November 18, 2021).

-A one-year internship at the same institution or an affiliated hospital

- A degree that can be registered and used in the Philippines

Student perspective

Aditya Dharmendar Bulbule, a third-year MD student at Davao Medical School Foundation (DMSF), echoed the relief shared by many of his peers. “When I found out that the Philippines' MD program is now aligned with NMC norms, I felt extremely relieved. There was a lot of uncertainty earlier, and this update brought me peace of mind. Now, I can focus on my studies without constantly worrying about the eligibility of my degree,” he said.

Aditya also shared that the ambiguity had affected his long-term plans. 

“Yes, I was genuinely concerned about my eligibility for FMGE or NExT due to the lack of clarity in previous years. At one point, I even had to rethink all my future plans. 

But now that the MD degree from DMSF and the Philippines is officially recognised, I feel assured and more focused on my academic goals.”

He had considered other destinations like Ukraine and Georgia but ultimately chose the Philippines for several reasons. “It was more affordable, the medium of instruction is English, and the climate and disease pattern is very similar to India. Most importantly, I chose DMSF through Transworld and Dr David Pillai, who were extremely supportive and helped students with everything, from accommodation to food and other basic needs. The teaching at DMSF is well-structured and student-focused, and the university has a strong FMGE passing rate, which was a major factor in my decision,” he added.

Now in the final stretch of his education, Aditya is preparing for the mandatory licensure exams. “Yes, I’m planning to take the FMGE or NExT after I graduate from DMSF, as I have to serve my country. I’ve already started preparing by solving previous years’ questions and going through lecture reviews. ”

Dr Pankaj Anil Kokate, an MBBS graduate from DMSF and a current FMGE aspirant, echoed similar sentiments. “It feels great that the Philippine M.D. program now aligns with NMC guidelines. 

This means Indian students are receiving education that matches our country’s standards. Since medical education and practice in the Philippines are similar to India’s, it’s the best opportunity for Indian students to achieve their dream and serve the community.” Reflecting on the earlier confusion, he said, “Yes, the lack of clarity around eligibility made me nervous while preparing for FMGE. 

Uncertainty about whether you even qualify for the exam affects how you prepare. But now that CHED has officially communicated the alignment, and it’s accepted by the Indian Medical Council, we can focus purely on our studies.” He also pointed out a critical factor for future students: “One big positive is that DMSF’s FMGE passing rate is consistently above 85%. ”

Rohit Nair, MD, a graduate from Bicol Christian College of Medicine, Philippines, said, “I completed my MD in 2023 and have been preparing for the FMGE ever since. The recent confirmation that our degrees are now fully aligned with NMC norms gives me a sense of closure. For a long time, there was a fear that all our years of hard work might not count in India. Now, I can concentrate on revising confidently without second-guessing the legitimacy of my qualification. "

“This confirmation from CHED ends years of uncertainty for Indian students,” said Kadwin Pillai, managing director of Transworld Educare and director of Kings International Medical Academy. It demonstrates that Philippine medical education not only satisfies the stringent requirements of the NMC but also prepares our students for professions around the world. 

Guidelines

While this update is a major relief for the over 2,000 Indian students who travel to the Philippines each year for medical education, the Embassy has urged aspirants to follow a few important guidelines:

Ensure that the pre-medical (Bachelor’s) degree is CHED-accredited and matches the required course duration and structure

Before starting an M.D. program, you must pass the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT).

Before submitting an application, review the most recent NMC and CHED advisories.

Get authentic receipts and pay tuition directly to the universities

Get a degree and academic documents apostilled by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure validity in India.