PHILIPPINES MBBS IS OFFICIALLY BACK!
ADVISORY BY EMBASSY OF INDIA
The Embassy has been issuing advisories from time to time for Indian students intending to pursue higher education in the Philippines, particularly the Doctor of Medicine (MD) programme.
COMPLIANCE WITH NMC (INDIA) REQUIREMENTS
As per CHED (letter dated 8 May 2026), the MD degree in Philippines complies with the FMGL Regulations. The requirements include:
- 54-month Doctor of Medicine programme (excluding pre-medical BS)
- Mandatory subjects as per NMC notification dated 18 Nov 2021
- Entirely in English as the medium of instruction
- 12-month internship in the same institution or its attached hospital
- Certificate of Registrability for practice in the Philippines
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 73 (11 MARCH 2026)
The Philippine House of Representatives has endorsed that the MD programme in CHED-recognized HEIs is fully compliant with NMC requirements for Indian students studying abroad.
ELIGIBILITY FOR PLE IN THE PHILIPPINES
As per Philippine laws, medical graduates are eligible to take and qualify the Physician Licensure Examination (PLE) for registration and license to practice. Foreign graduates can take PLE only if permitted by their country's laws for Filipino citizens under the same rules.
NO PLE REQUIRED FOR PRACTICE ABROAD
According to CHED, there is no requirement to qualify the PLE for medical graduates who intend to practice in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, etc., after meeting the respective countries' requirements.
VERIFY & SATISFY NMC REQUIREMENTS
Prospective students who intend to take admission in CHED-recognized institutions in the Philippines and return to India should verify and satisfy that all NMC-prescribed conditions and criteria are met.
