On 11th December 2023, the Under Graduate Medical Education Board of the National Medical Council released an official notice concerning the previous notice dated 7th December 2023, addressing various issues related to FMGs.
The primary concern pertained to the possibility of students who were pursuing their studies in Ukraine/Russia during the period of war being granted permission to migrate to other countries. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued new guidelines that allow such students to migrate to any other country. The NMC has further provided clarity on the terms of migration. It has been stipulated that candidates who were physically present in Ukraine/Russia before the war and returned to India before 31st March 2022 are eligible to migrate to any country, except India. It is worth noting that the permission for migration will expire on 7th March 2024.
An additional concern has arisen concerning the applicability of regulations to students who are pursuing Bachelor of Science (BS) courses at the time of the publication of the Foreign Medical Graduate Licensing (FMGL) regulations. In accordance with the newly implemented National Medical Commission (NMC) regulations, the previous screening test regulation from 2002 will be enforced for students who are physically studying BS courses at the time of the publication of the FMGL Regulation in 2021. However, these students will be required to complete an internship in India as per the Clinical Rotation of Medical Internship (CRMI) regulation of 2021.
An additional matter concerning Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) is the allocation of internship seats in various medical institutions in India. The National Medical Council has recently announced that 7.5% of seats in established colleges and 100% of seats in new medical colleges will be reserved for FMGs. Furthermore, students are required to complete their clerkship and internship in the same medical institution. However, the allocation of internships will be a joint decision made by the State Medical Councils and the State Directorate General of Medical Education.
Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) are required to complete their internship in India within a maximum period of ten years from the date of joining their respective Foreign Medical Institutions. This is in accordance with the regulations set forth by the National Medical Council.
Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) who wish to practice modern medicine in India are required to submit a set of essential documents before seeking registration. These documents include the following:
a) Passport, visa documents, evidence of stay, class, clinic, and practical training details.
b) Certificates of passing for each year/semester.
c) Certificate establishing a license to practice modern medicine/allopathy in their country of graduation.
It is mandatory for all FMGs to submit the aforementioned documents to be considered for registration to practice modern medicine in India. These requirements have been put in place to ensure that all healthcare practitioners in the country meet the necessary standards and qualifications.
For additional information, it is recommended that students refer to the official notice of the National Medical Council.
