By VedKris Edu · 02 Jun 2026 · 5 min read
If you are an Indian student planning MBBS abroad, the single most important check is: Is the university NMC (National Medical Commission) approved? Without NMC approval, your degree will not be recognised in India and you cannot appear for the NExT (National Exit Test) to obtain an Indian medical licence.
This guide covers which universities are NMC-approved in each major destination country, how to verify approval status directly, and what else NMC requires besides just university approval.
What Does "NMC Approved" Mean?
The National Medical Commission of India (formerly MCI) maintains the AVICENNA Directory of Medical Schools as the reference for overseas medical university recognition. For a degree to be valid in India:
- The university must be listed in the AVICENNA Directory (which tracks WHO-approved medical schools globally).
- The university must be listed in NMC India's own approved/screened list (check at nmc.org.in).
- The student must qualify NEET before admission.
- The student must obtain an NMC Eligibility Certificate before travelling.
- After graduation, the student must clear NExT (National Exit Test) to practice in India.
Note: NMC updates its approved university list annually. Always verify the current status at nmc.org.in before confirming admission.
NMC Approved Universities for MBBS in Russia (2026-27)
Russia has the largest number of NMC-approved universities of any overseas MBBS destination — 50+ universities on the approved list. Top verified NMC-approved Russian universities include:
| University | City | Est. |
|---|---|---|
| Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University | Moscow | 1758 |
| Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University | Moscow | 1906 |
| RUDN University (Peoples' Friendship University) | Moscow | 1960 |
| Kazan Federal University | Kazan | 1804 |
| Kazan State Medical University | Kazan | 1814 |
| Stavropol State Medical University | Stavropol | 1938 |
| Volgograd State Medical University | Volgograd | 1935 |
| Bashkir State Medical University | Ufa | 1932 |
| Siberian State Medical University | Tomsk | 1888 |
| Smolensk State Medical University | Smolensk | 1920 |
| Orenburg State Medical University | Orenburg | 1944 |
| Kursk State Medical University | Kursk | 1935 |
| Yaroslavl State Medical University | Yaroslavl | 1944 |
| Tver State Medical University | Tver | 1936 |
| Ulyanovsk State University (Medical Faculty) | Ulyanovsk | 1988 |
| Penza Institute of Medicine | Penza | 1946 |
| Chuvash State University (Medical Faculty) | Cheboksary | 1967 |
This is a partial list. Russia has 50+ NMC-approved medical universities. Verify current status at nmc.org.in.
NMC Approved Universities for MBBS in Georgia (2026-27)
| University | City | NMC Status |
|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi State Medical University | Tbilisi | ✅ Approved |
| David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU) | Tbilisi | ✅ Approved |
| New Vision University | Tbilisi | ✅ Approved |
| European University | Tbilisi | ✅ Approved |
| Georgian National University SEU | Tbilisi | ✅ Approved |
| Petre Shotadze Tbilisi Medical Academy | Tbilisi | ✅ Approved |
| Teaching University Geomedi | Tbilisi | ✅ Approved |
| East European University | Tbilisi | ✅ Approved |
| Georgian American University | Tbilisi | ✅ Verify annually |
| Caucasus International University | Tbilisi | ⚠️ Verify before applying |
| Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University | Batumi | ⚠️ Verify before applying |
NMC Approved Universities for MBBS in Kazakhstan (2026-27)
| University | City | NMC Status |
|---|---|---|
| Al-Farabi Kazakh National University | Almaty | ✅ Approved |
| Kazakh National Medical University (KazNMU) | Almaty | ✅ Approved |
| Semey Medical University | Semey | ✅ Approved |
| NJSC Medical University Astana | Astana | ✅ Approved |
| South Kazakhstan Medical Academy | Shymkent | ✅ Verify annually |
| West Kazakhstan Medical University | Aktobe | ✅ Verify annually |
NMC Approved Universities for MBBS in Philippines (2026-27)
| University | City | NMC Status |
|---|---|---|
| University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) | Manila | ✅ Approved |
| Our Lady of Fatima University | Valenzuela | ✅ Approved |
| Davao Medical School Foundation | Davao | ✅ Approved |
| Ago Medical and Educational Center | Legazpi | ✅ Approved |
| Southwestern University (PHINMA) | Cebu | ✅ Approved |
| West Visayas State University | Iloilo | ✅ Approved |
| Cebu Institute of Medicine | Cebu | ✅ Verify annually |
NMC Approved Universities for MBBS in Kyrgyzstan (2026-27)
| University | City | NMC Status |
|---|---|---|
| Osh State University | Osh | ✅ Approved |
| International School of Medicine (ISM) | Bishkek | ✅ Approved |
| Kyrgyz State Medical Academy | Bishkek | ✅ Approved |
| Avicenna International Medical College | Bishkek | ✅ Approved |
| Asian Medical Institute (ASMI) | Kant | ✅ Approved |
How to Verify NMC Approval Before Applying
Do not rely on a consultancy's word alone. Verify yourself through these official channels:
- NMC India Website: Visit nmc.org.in → "International Medical Graduates" → "Approved Foreign Medical Institutions" list.
- AVICENNA / WDOMS Directory: Search at the WHO World Directory of Medical Schools (wdoms.org). Enter the university name to check if it is currently listed and active.
- Call NMC helpline: NMC India has a helpline for eligibility certificate and university verification queries.
Red flag: Any consultancy that discourages you from independently verifying NMC approval is a major warning sign. Always verify before paying any fees.
NMC Requirements Beyond University Approval
University being NMC-approved is necessary but not sufficient. You must also:
- Have qualified NEET (mandatory for all overseas MBBS since 2018).
- Obtain NMC Eligibility Certificate (EC) before departure — apply via nmc.org.in after securing admission.
- Ensure the course is MD/MBBS in Medicine and Surgery (5.5 or 6 years, including 1 year internship).
- Return to India after graduation and clear NExT (National Exit Test) to get a medical licence.
Frequently Asked Questions: NMC Approved Universities Abroad
How do I check if a university is NMC approved?
Visit nmc.org.in → International Medical Graduates → Approved Foreign Medical Institutions. Also cross-check at the WHO World Directory of Medical Schools (wdoms.org). Always verify yourself — do not rely only on a consultancy's claim.
What happens if my university loses NMC approval after I join?
If a university is removed from NMC's approved list after you have enrolled, NMC India has an advisory for affected students — usually allowing completion of current year and transfer to an approved institution, or appearing for NExT in special cases. This is a rare but real risk. Choosing well-established, historically approved universities (like Tbilisi State Medical University, Kazan Federal University) minimises this risk.
What is the NMC Eligibility Certificate and is it mandatory?
Yes — the NMC Eligibility Certificate (EC) is mandatory for every Indian student going abroad for MBBS. Apply through nmc.org.in after receiving your admission offer. Without it, NMC India will not recognise your degree even if the university is on the approved list.
Can I practice medicine in India after MBBS abroad?
Yes — if you completed MBBS at an NMC-approved university and obtained the NMC Eligibility Certificate before joining, you can return to India and clear the NExT (National Exit Test) to obtain an Indian medical licence and practice medicine in India.