Security and intelligence agencies have intensified scrutiny of Indian nationals who earned their MBBS degrees from Pakistan and Bangladesh, with a significant number of cases emerging from Jammu & Kashmir. The checks have been expanded quietly over the past few weeks, following recent security-linked investigations and the arrest of individuals whose foreign medical education records showed inconsistencies.
According to officials, agencies are currently verifying academic documents, admission channels, funding sources, and travel history of dozens of graduates. Authorities emphasize that the exercise is “not a criminal probe against all foreign-educated doctors” but a comprehensive verification process triggered by recent alerts.
The move comes amid the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) policy—effective after December 2018—requiring special clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for Indian citizens who obtained medical degrees from Pakistan. As a result, many graduates from J&K and other states remain unable to sit for the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE) or obtain medical registration in India.
Officials say part of the current verification relates to ensuring that “no external networks or unauthorized entities” facilitated admissions or financed medical education abroad. While no blanket accusation has been made, agencies are treating each case on an individual basis, citing national security protocols.
Families of the affected graduates have urged the government to expedite clearances, arguing that most students pursued medical education purely for academic reasons and are now facing uncertainty at a critical stage in their careers.
Authorities are expected to issue further guidance as the review progresses.
