India Issues Warning on Medical Education Risks in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The National Medical Commission (NMC) of India has issued an urgent warning to Indian students regarding potential fraudulent practices and low-quality medical education in Uzbekistan.

The decision followed reports from the Embassy of India in Tashkent about declining training standards and violations by student recruitment agencies.

The NMC specifically mentioned several leading Uzbek institutions: Bukhara State Medical Institute (BSMI), Samarkand State Medical University (SSMU), and Tashkent State Medical University (TSMU). According to the NMC, these universities enroll students well beyond their capacity, negatively affecting the quality of training.

The embassy noted that although programs are promoted as English-language courses, the low English proficiency of some instructors limits students’ opportunities to acquire necessary clinical practice.

Additionally, the commission highlighted the TIT Institute of Medical Sciences in Bangalore, operating as an offshore branch of TSMU’s Termez campus. The NMC considers this structure non-compliant with Indian regulatory requirements.

The NMC emphasized that students who do not adhere to the 2021 Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) rules will not be eligible to practice medicine in India. These rules require a minimum 54-month course at a single foreign university, a 12-month internship at the same institution, and complete clinical training in the awarding country.

The commission advised parents and prospective students to carefully verify the accreditation status of foreign universities through the NMC or Indian diplomatic missions before making any financial commitments.