MBBS in Georgia is a choice for many Indian students due to the international orientation of medical education in Georgia, admissions in English, and relatively easier admissions as compared to other countries. However, the most asked question is, can I study MBBS in Georgia without NEET?
Here is the short answer: MBBS aspirants must not assume that NEET can be avoided to pursue higher education in Medicine outside India and later to practice in India. Criteria of a Georgian university and the Indian medical regulations for an Indian applicant are two different things. A university can have its own admission criteria, but it does not mean an Indian student can pursue MBBS in Georgia without satisfying the criterion of the National Medical Commission (NMC) of India.
The importance of the NMC framework for Foreign Medical Graduates makes it of utmost importance to check the eligibility before spending on admission or tuition fees. Thus, students must overlook the advertisements that claim “MBBS in Georgia without NEET” and check the actual facts.
Is NEET Required for MBBS in Georgia?
From the perspective of an Indian student, NEET qualification is a prerequisite for an undergraduate medical degree abroad and for coming under the Indian regulatory framework. NEET is conducted by the National Testing Agency and is the common entrance Test for UG medical education in India.
The official NEET UG website states that NEET UG is the sole and single entrance exam for admission into undergraduate medical programs.
Therefore, the statement “Georgia does not require NEET” can be inaccurate and confusing to Indians when they read it, as the Georgian universities may evaluate applicants through academic records, eligibility, interviews or other institutional methods, but Indian students should look into the requirements that are applicable to them in India.
If your aim is to pursue your medical degree in Georgia and after that to return to India to practice medicine then you should not take the approach that NEET isn’t necessary.
Why Do Some Websites Claim That You Can Pursue MBBS in Georgia Without NEET?
The reason for the confusion is usually because the rules and regulations for admission to universities and the rules and regulations for medical licensure in the home country are different.
A foreign university is based on what it decides, its own national and institutional requirements. On the other hand, the Indian government decides what an Indian citizen has to satisfy for pursuing a foreign medical degree and then for practicing medicine in India and getting registered.
For example, a university may consider international students based on secondary education and other records. It does not necessarily mean that the student is then fulfilled in the Indian context after completing the degree.
This is especially concerning for Indian applicants. The NMC Foreign Medical Graduate regulations and FAQs state the rules for foreign medical graduates and other conditions related to the foreign medical degree, duration, medium of instruction and other conditions.
What Are the First-Tier Requirements for Indian Students?
Students wishing to pursue an MBBS Degree in Georgia should put their best foot forward academically. Each university has its unique level of criteria, so having the latest admission requirements from the university would help clear the air.
As an Indian student, these are the major factors:
- Completion of Class 12 or equivalent
- Physics, Chemistry and Biology/Biotechnology
- Meeting the required NEET score/cutoff
- Meeting the applicable age and other Indian law requirements
- Selection of a medical university which adheres to the requirements of foreign medical graduates
- Checking the University’s status and the details of the medical program prior to enrollment.
The most important consideration of all is not to consider the requirement of NEET as flexible just because a Georgian university has a different admission process.
Does NMC Recognition Matter for MBBS in Georgia?
Yes, and students should be cautious about the way the term “NMC approved” is used.
The NMC is the regulating body for medical education and for the conditions applicable to foreign medical graduates for registration in India. At this point in time the regulations of the NMC are the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021, and the Commission has also published elaborated FAQs describing these regulations.
Instead of taking a statement from a representative of an agency that a college is “NMC approved,” students should verify whether the medical program and college comply with the regulations of the NMC.
As per the new revised FAQs of the NMC, a foreign medical degree course should have a duration of no less than 54 months, and should be taught in English.
The curriculum must offer the equivalent of theory, practical, and clinical training as in Indian MBBS programs.
This is the most crucial factor in choosing a University when Indians aspiring to pursue MBBS in Georgia opt for a University there.
What Is the Impact of WDOMS Listing?
When evaluating a Georgian medical university, students also need to check the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS).
The World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) is an international directory published jointly by the World Federation for Medical Education and FAIMER, a division of Intealth, and provides information about medical schools around the globe.
However, there is a distinction that needs to be made. Just being included in WDOMS does not mean that a medical school is recognized, accredited, or endorsed by WFME or FAIMER.
So, WDOMS should not be a substitute for verifying the requirements of the NMC.
Students need to search for the specific university in WDOMS and check if the school has operational status along with a description of the program, its duration, and the qualification.
Is WHO Recognition Sufficient for a Georgian Medical College?
Another common myth is the expression “WHO approved medical college.”
WDOMS and WHO are often cited together in the advertisements of overseas medical education, but students should know that being included in an international directory is not the same as being approved by the WHO for medical practice in India.
WDOMS clarifies the same.
Because of this, Indian students should not choose Georgian medical colleges just because an advertisement claims the college is “WHO Approved.” The university's status in Georgia, the medical program, WDOMS information, and compliance with the NMC should all be thoroughly researched.
Can a Student With Low NEET Marks Study MBBS in Georgia?
This is very different from studying without clearing NEET.
Many students are drawn to Georgia because it can be difficult to obtain a government MBBS seat in India because of the competitive nature of the exam. However, a low NEET score is not equivalent to not having to clear NEET for medical studies abroad.
The right path is to determine whether the student has cleared NEET and then consider the options for medical studies abroad.
Students should understand that the following are very different situations from the perspective of regulations:
“I have cleared NEET but my rank is not sufficient for the medical college of my choice in India.”
and
“I have not cleared NEET and I am going abroad.”
These are completely different situations.
What Happens If You Join Georgia Without Meeting Indian Requirements?
Here students need to exercise caution.
Suppose, a student sees an opportunity for admission at a university or at an intermediary who isn’t asking for NEET related requirements. The student, in such a case, can probably get admission and go to Georgia. But that admission does not guarantee that the qualification will allow the student to pursue medical registration in India.
Indian laws on foreign medical graduates are clear and detailed.
According to the current FAQ by the NMC, the FMGL Regulations, 2021, pertain to foreign medical graduates, and stipulate the conditions associated with a foreign medical course.
Skipping a verification process during admission has the potential to create a lot of problems during the licensing process.
A medical degree is a lifetime commitment that students pursue for the next six or more years. It is highly recommended that students check the regulatory requirements before admission instead of finding out the hard way that they are not eligible after all.
What should you check before choosing a Georgian medical university?
Before making their decision, Indian students need to do thorough research on all the medical universities in Georgia.
Check the University’s Current Status
Before applying, make sure the university is currently providing medical programs. Don’t trust social media posts and old university brochures.
Check the Medical Program
Check the duration, medium of instruction, clinical training, curriculum, and degree with cent percent certainty. The above mentioned points are highly relevant in the NMC’s foreign medical graduates framework.
Check WDOMS
Check WDOMS and check the individual university school’s records. WDOMS does not have a central university record and therefore does not have a complete record on certain universities.
Check the Requirements of NMC
Always check NMC’s website for the most recent posts. Don’t be a blind follower of consultants/agents.
Check NEET eligibility
Check the latest developments on the official NEET UG website and confirm if you meet the cutoff.
Is doing MBBS in Georgia without NEET good?
For an Indian student preparing for a career as a doctor and intending to practice in India, “MBBS in Georgia without NEET” does not provide a safe short cut.
As of now, the best option is to appear for NEET and then evaluate all the Georgian universities in terms of their academic standards, expenses, clinical exposures, institutional status, WDOMS and NMC related aspects.
Georgia will always be one of the popular options for students wishing to to fly abroad for their medical studies; however, such decisions should not be based on ease of admission, but on regulatory compliance.
It is also essential for the students to note that the visas granted to foreign medical graduates can always be subject to change. According to the latest information on the NMC website, the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021, and the FAQs have been revised. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for students to verify these regulations before enrolling.
Conclusion
So the answer is, Indian students can apply for MBBS in Georgia without NEET, but that is not a dependable way to get admission. For students opting to study medicine abroad and fulfill their dream of practicing in India, NEET remains an important consideration and can never be compromised.
It is essential for students to be aware of the NEET and NMC regulations, select a medical university in Georgia, ascertain the current position of the university, verify the WDOMS records, and go through the regulations for foreign medical graduates.
Therefore, choosing to study MBBS in Georgia should not be an attempt to avoid NEET.
A university verified properly and legal compliance with Indian regulations ensure that students will not encounter serious troubles later during their medical career.
For more information on admission and to check all necessary regulatory details and information, students can find the MBBS in Georgia, and check official websites of NMC, NEET and WDOMS.
