The UK remains one of the top destinations for Indian doctors seeking international medical careers. The National Health Service actively recruits international medical graduates, and the pathway through GMC registration — while demanding — is well-defined. This guide walks you through every step, from eligibility checks to receiving your GMC registration number.
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
To begin the GMC registration process, you need:
- A recognised medical degree (MBBS) from an institution listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
- Completion of a 12-month supervised internship (your rotating internship in India satisfies this requirement).
- A valid English language test score (see Step 2).
- No fitness-to-practise concerns or unresolved disciplinary issues.
Most Indian MBBS graduates from MCI/NMC-recognised institutions meet these criteria. If your medical school is not listed in the World Directory, you will need to resolve this with the institution before proceeding.
Step 2: Pass Your English Language Test
The GMC accepts two English tests:
IELTS Academic
Overall band 7.5, with a minimum of 7.0 in each sub-test (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). This is a higher requirement than the NMC demands for nurses. Your results must be within two years of your GMC application.
OET
Grade B (350+) in all four sub-tests, achieved in a single sitting. The GMC does not allow score combining — this is a critical difference from the NMC and AHPRA. If you score Grade B in three sub-tests but Grade C+ in one, you must retake the entire exam.
Many Indian doctors find OET more manageable because the content is clinical. However, the single-sitting requirement for GMC makes it higher-stakes than for nursing registration.
Step 3: Get Your Degree Verified Through EPIC
The GMC requires primary source verification of your medical degree through ECFMG's EPIC system (Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials). Here is how it works:
- Create an account on the EPIC portal.
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- Upload a scanned copy of your MBBS degree certificate.
- Pay the verification fee (approximately USD 100 per credential).
- EPIC contacts your medical school or university directly to confirm the certificate's authenticity.
- Once verified, EPIC sends a report directly to the GMC.
This process can take 4 to 12 weeks depending on how quickly your institution responds. Start this step early — it runs in parallel with your exam preparation.
Step 4: Pass PLAB 1 (Written Exam)
PLAB 1 is a three-hour written exam with 180 single best answer (SBA) questions. It can be taken in India at British Council test centres in cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad.
The exam covers:
- Internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, psychiatry, and emergency medicine
- Questions are scenario-based, testing clinical decision-making rather than isolated factual recall
- The content follows the GMC's Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA) content map
The exam fee is approximately GBP 283 (around INR 36,000). Results are available within a few weeks, and if you fail, you can rebook after a minimum waiting period. There is no limit on the number of attempts.
Step 5: Pass PLAB 2 (Clinical OSCE)
PLAB 2 is a practical clinical exam conducted exclusively in Manchester, UK. You must travel to the UK for this stage. The exam consists of 16 stations, each lasting 8 minutes, testing:
- History-taking and physical examination skills
- Communication skills — breaking bad news, obtaining consent, managing angry or anxious patients
- Clinical reasoning and data interpretation
- Practical procedures and emergency management
The PLAB 2 fee is approximately GBP 1,036 (around INR 1.3 lakh) from April 2026. This is a significant expense, and combined with travel and accommodation costs in Manchester, you should budget GBP 2,000 to 2,500 for this stage.
Preparation tip: PLAB 2 is heavily weighted towards communication skills. Indian doctors who have primarily practised in high-volume, time-pressured settings often underperform on patient communication stations. Practise structured consultations with clear explanations and empathy throughout.
Step 6: Apply for GMC Registration
Once you have passed both PLAB exams and your EPIC verification is complete, you can apply for GMC registration online. You will need:
- PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 pass certificates
- English language test results (within two years)
- EPIC verification report
- Evidence of your primary medical qualification and internship
- Identity verification
- Fitness-to-practise declaration
The GMC registration fee is approximately GBP 445 per year. Processing typically takes 4 to 8 weeks.
Types of GMC Registration
Provisional Registration
For doctors who have not yet completed a Foundation Year 1 equivalent. This allows you to work in supervised FY1 positions only. After 12 months of satisfactory supervised practice, you can apply for full registration.
Full Registration
For doctors who have completed their internship and PLAB pathway. Full registration allows you to work independently in NHS hospitals and apply for specialty training programmes.
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After Registration: NHS Career Pathway
With full GMC registration, you can apply for NHS positions through the Health and Care Worker visa route (approximately GBP 324 for up to three years). Most Indian doctors enter at SHO (Senior House Officer) or Clinical Fellow level and progress into specialty training (ST1 onwards). The visa leads to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after five years.
Timeline and Total Costs
The typical timeline from starting preparation to GMC registration is 12 to 18 months. Total estimated costs:
- English test (OET or IELTS): GBP 460 to 590
- EPIC verification: USD 100
- PLAB 1: GBP 283
- PLAB 2: GBP 1,036 (plus travel and accommodation)
- GMC registration: GBP 445
- Visa: GBP 324
Total: approximately GBP 2,700 to 3,500 (INR 2.8 to 3.6 lakh), excluding travel costs for PLAB 2.
Key Tips for Indian Doctors
- Start EPIC verification and English test preparation simultaneously — both take time and can run in parallel.
- Choose OET if you are comfortable with clinical English and want content-relevant preparation. Choose IELTS if you need the score for immigration as well.
- Invest heavily in PLAB 2 communication skills. This is where most Indian doctors struggle — not the clinical knowledge, but the structured, patient-centred consultation style expected in the UK.
- Join PLAB study groups — online communities of Indian doctors share exam experiences, question patterns, and Manchester logistics tips.
Where to next?
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