From 2009 onwards, it will become mandatory for the MBBS students in India to undergo a year-long stint in the rural villages in order to apply for a post graduate degree in the country. As per reports, the Union Health Ministry has forwarded the final proposal about one year compulsory rural stint for students to the Medical Council of India (MCI) for ratification.

It was put on hold following a nationwide protest by the medical students earlier. After this proposal gets cleared, the MCI will be required to make modifications in its regulations as to who stands qualified to apply for a PG medical degree in the country.

It has been made clear by officials that the rule will come into affect from the next academic session. Only those students who apply for courses like anatomy, biochemistry and physiology will be spared from the year long rural stint as these particular courses have been witnessing a serious shortage of students.  

Those MBBS students who do their PG from a foreign country are free to come back and practice in India. The rural stint will not be compulsory in these cases too. Officials have informed that the MBBs doctors will be required to work four months each in a primary health centre, community health centre and district hospital. They will be paid a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000.