New Delhi: The central government has clarified that medical students of foreign universities cannot continue their studies in Indian universities. The Union Minister of State for Health has written to Parliament that there is no provision for this in the current law. It was also informed in the House of Ministers that the Bengal government's move allowing more than four hundred medical students to pursue their studies was not with the permission of the National Medical Commission.

Earlier, the central government stated that the students who have returned from Ukraine cannot continue their studies in India. Opposing West Bengal's move to allow students to study in medical colleges in the state, the Center clarified its stand that those studying abroad cannot be allowed to continue their studies in India and the Medical Council rules do not allow this.

Following the Russia-Ukraine war, thousands of students, including Malayalis, have returned to India. Majority of them are medical and dental students. Returning students and their parents want government intervention to facilitate their further studies. The demand of parents and students is that they are ready to study anywhere in the country and wants the government to consider the amendment of the law for further studies.

Most of the students have gone abroad for medical studies by availing huge loans. Meanwhile, the National Medical Commission earlier said that the MBBS internship students who returned to India in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war will be allowed to complete a 12-month compulsory internship in India.