Discover why NEET is required for MBBS abroad for Indian students. Understand the eligibility, benefits, MCI/NMC rules, and how NEET impacts candidates' MBBS admission abroad journey.

Mbbs 27 Jun, 2025

Why NEET is Required for MBBS Abroad: Many Indian students dream of becoming doctors, and studying MBBS abroad is a popular option due to lower costs and good education in countries like Russia, China, and the Philippines. However, students often ask why NEET is necessary for studying MBBS abroad. Since 2018, the NEET exam has been made compulsory not only for Indian medical colleges but also for studying medicine overseas.

Let's explore how NEET smooths out the admission process for studying MBBS abroad, ensuring that aspiring medical students are well-prepared for their educational journey ahead.

NEET Exam in India

NEET is a national-level entrance test in India for students who want to study medicine (MBBS/BDS). It is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). This exam checks if students have the required knowledge in science to pursue a medical career. It also helps in selecting students fairly for medical seats in India and abroad. Below are the NEET Exam highlights 2025:

Feature	Details
Full Form	National Eligibility cum Entrance Test
Conducted By	National Testing Agency (NTA)
Courses Covered	MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, Veterinary, and more
Eligibility	10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English
Age Limit	Minimum 17 years as of 31st December of the admission year
Exam Frequency	Once a year
NEET Score Validity	3 years (for MBBS abroad)

Why NEET is Required for MBBS Abroad

NEET is the entrance exam for Indian students who wish to study medicine, whether in India or abroad. Understanding why NEET is important can help students make better decisions about pursuing MBBS abroad. Below are some points highlighting why NEET is required for MBBS abroad:

Common Eligibility Criteria: NEET ensures a common minimum eligibility for all Indian students, whether they study in India or abroad. It filters students based on their understanding of core science subjects and readiness for a medical career.

Screening Test Eligibility in India: After completing MBBS abroad, Indian students must pass the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) or the upcoming National Exit Test (NExT) to practice in India. NEET qualification is a requirement to appear for FMGE/NExT.

Ensures Quality and Safety: Countries abroad may not have strict admission rules. NEET keeps out students who are not academically prepared, preventing them from wasting time and money in unsuitable programs.

NMC Regulation Compliance: To have an MBBS degree accepted in India, students must follow NMC rules, and qualifying for NEET is a key requirement.

Documentation and Visa Purposes: Many universities abroad now require proof of NEET qualification for Indian applicants. Some countries also consider it part of the visa documentation process for student applications.

Objectives Behind NEET:

To Reduce Student Burden: By consolidating the entrance exams into one, NEET significantly cut down the logistical and financial stress on students, allowing them to focus on a single exam.
To Promote Fairness: NEET aimed to level the playing field for all medical aspirants across the country, ensuring that every student had an equal opportunity based on merit.
To Maintain High Educational Standards: Through a standardized exam, NEET sought to ensure that students admitted to medical colleges across India met a uniform standard of knowledge and aptitude, thereby contributing to the improvement of medical education and healthcare services.

Benefits of NEET Qualification for MBBS Abroad

Before going abroad for medical studies, it's important to understand how qualifying for NEET helps candidates in many ways. The table below explains the key benefits of clearing NEET before starting the MBBS journey in a abroad country.

Benefit	Explanation
NMC/FMGE/NExT eligibility	Students become eligible to appear for licensing exams in India after MBBS.
University admission recognition	Many top foreign universities ask for NEET scores to validate student quality.
Higher credibility	NEET-qualified students are perceived as more capable and academically sound.
Avoiding legal issues	Without NEET, Indian embassies and MCI/NMC may not recognize the medical degree.
Easier migration later	For PG or practice abroad, NEET score supports global recognition.

Countries That Require NEET for MBBS Admission

Although the abroad universities may not directly require NEET, Indian regulations make it important. The table below contains the popular countries that require NEET for MBBS:

Country	Official Recognition Body
Russia	NMC, WHO, ECFMG
Ukraine	NMC, WHO
China	MOE China, NMC
Philippines	CHED, NMC
Georgia	NMC, WHO
Kazakhstan	NMC, WHO
Kyrgyzstan	NMC, WHO
Uzbekistan	NMC

NEET plays a very important role for Indian students who want to study MBBS abroad. It helps ensure that students meet academic standards, become eligible to practice medicine in India, follow NMC guidelines, and are accepted by renowned universities abroad. Even if candidates study abroad for reasons like lower fees or better opportunities, NEET is still necessary. So, preparing and passing the NEET is the first and most important step for candidates' MBBS journey abroad.