The National Medical Commission (NMC) has received reports that Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) are experiencing difficulties in obtaining registration from certain State Medical Councils following the implementation of the Foreign Medical Graduates Licentiate Regulations, 2021 and the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) Regulations, 2021.
To address this, the Commission reiterates that the provisions of the FMGL Regulations, 2021 do not apply to the following categories:
- FMGs who obtained their foreign medical degrees or primary qualifications prior to 18th November 2021;
- Candidates who enrolled in undergraduate medical programs abroad before 18th November 2021;
- FMGs explicitly exempted by a notification from the Central Government.
Such candidates shall be governed by the regulations previously in force, namely:
- The Screening Test Regulations, 2002
- The Eligibility Requirement for Taking Admission in an Undergraduate Medical Course in a Foreign Medical Institution Regulations, 2002
However, the CRMI Regulations are effective from the date of their publication in the Gazette of India. In accordance with these regulations and the advisory (No. MCI-203(1)(Gen)/2020-Regn./1182939 dated 2nd September 2020), Indian citizens who are FMGs and are not covered under the FMGL Regulations, 2021, shall be regulated under subsection (3) of section 13 of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 (102 of 1956). These candidates must complete the CRMI in India if:
- They have not undergone the required practical training in the country awarding the qualification, or
- The practical training undertaken abroad is insufficient as per the Indian standards.
Additionally, it has been observed that some FMGs were unable to complete their internships abroad due to unavoidable circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic or war. In such cases, considering the mental stress and genuine hardships faced, applications for completing the remaining part of the internship in India shall be considered eligible, provided the candidate has cleared the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE).
Taking into account the above provisions and prevailing conditions, the Commission has decided to issue the following guidelines for State Medical Councils to follow while granting registration to FMGs, until further instructions from the Commission or the implementation of the National Exit Test (NExT), whichever comes first:
Eligibility Criteria and Conditions for Registration:
- The foreign medical degree/qualification must be registrable in the awarding country and equivalent to the license to practice medicine granted to citizens of that country.
- Documentary proof of successful completion of clinical training/internship equivalent to MBBS, if conducted abroad.
- Copy of passport with visa and immigration details.
- Proof of having passed the FMGE, conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE).
- If all the above criteria are met, provisional registration may be granted by the State Medical Council for:
- A 12-month internship, or
- The remaining period of internship (if partially completed abroad).
Internship Guidelines:
- Internship must be conducted at a medical college hospital or a hospital affiliated with a medical college that is recognized by the Commission.
- FMG internship allotment shall be capped at 7.5% of the total permitted seats in each medical college.
- State Medical Councils must obtain an undertaking from the medical college confirming:
- No fees are charged to FMGs for the internship opportunity.
- FMGs receive a stipend and facilities equal to those provided to Indian medical graduates undergoing training in government medical colleges, as determined by the appropriate authority of the institution/university or state.