FMGs awaiting up to 2 years for internship, some take delivery jobs to survive:

FMGs awaiting up to 2 years for internship, some take delivery jobs to survive: 

Medicos urge NMC, Health Minister's intervention 

Written By : Adity SahaPublished On 4 June 2026 2:30 PM | Updated On 4 June 2026 2:30 PM

Chennai: Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) in Tamil Nadu are allegedly waiting for up to two years to secure a Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) seat.

The situation is reportedly so difficult that some FMGs have taken up food delivery jobs while waiting for internship opportunities, according to a message shared by the All FMGs Association (AFA), which has urged authorities to take immediate action.

Under the National Medical Commission regulations, FMGs are required to complete their foreign medical degree, clear the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination, complete the mandatory internship/CRMI in India and obtain permanent registration to practice in India.

Without completing the mandatory internship, FMGs cannot obtain permanent medical registration and are therefore unable to legally practice medicine in India. As a result, delays in internship allotment can leave qualified FMGs waiting for months or even years before they can start their careers.

Also read- NMC extends FMG internship in non-teaching hospitals till May 2028: All FMGs Association

Raising concerns over the issue, the All FMGs Association (AFA) has urged Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and the National Medical Commission (NMC) to address long-pending issues related to internship allotment, registration and stipend payments.

In a post on X, the association shared a message allegedly received from an FMG in Tamil Nadu, who described the condition of the graduates there and requested action.

On this, AFA said, "This is the message we received from FMGs in Tamil Nadu, and honestly, it shattered my heart. This is the reality of FMGs in India… even after clearing one of the toughest exams in the country, FMGE. On one side, NMC officials proudly meet foreign delegates, sign MoUs, and promote MBBS abroad to “strengthen bilateral relations.” But on the other side, the same NMC is unable to ensure that State Medical Councils follow its own rules."

Many FMGs facing similar issues across the country have alleged that, despite clear NMC instructions, several State Medical Councils are refusing to allot them internship seats on time.

Medical Dialogues, a week ago, reported that around 104 medical graduates, despite clearing the screening test, i.e., the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE), have been waiting for an internship program for the past two years, which is mandatory for FMGs to obtain their medical registration to practice. Frustrated by the delay, they have appealed to the West Bengal Chief Minister, seeking urgent intervention to ensure allocation of internship seats and implementation of the full National Medical Commission (NMC)-approved internship seat matrix in the state.

Calling the situation unfair, AFA said that many FMGs continue to struggle even after clearing the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), one of the mandatory requirements for practising medicine in India.

Highlighting the challenges faced by FMGs, AFA claimed that several states are not allotting internship seats despite vacancies being available. It also alleged that in some states, graduates are forced to wait for nearly two years to begin their internships.

Further, the association stated that many FMGs who have already completed their internships are still awaiting permanent registration. It also alleged that certain states are requiring graduates to undergo additional years of internship, despite NMC advisories and public notices on the matter.

And in most states, the association said that FMGs are working without a stipend, surviving on hope alone.

Tagging the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Medical Commission in its post, AFA said that these issues have been going on since the COVID-19 pandemic and require urgent attention.

"How long will FMGs keep suffering like this? We are not asking for privilege. We are not asking for shortcuts. We are only asking for basic fairness. Don’t punish FMGs for choosing MBBS abroad. We only want to serve our country, support our parents, and build a dignified life," the association added.

Commenting on this, Dr Samar Kumar, Vice President, AIMSA FMSW & AFA, told Medical Dialogues, "Every month, only two to three FMGs are being allotted internships, while many others have been waiting for 1.5 to 2 years. The major concern is that the Tamil Nadu Medical Council (TNMC) has sufficient internship seats available but is not utilizing non-teaching hospitals for FMG internships. Despite the National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines and notifications permitting non-teaching hospitals to conduct internships, TNMC continues to allot FMGs primarily to private medical colleges. This has created several problems."

He said, "Many private medical colleges charge FMGs for internship training, which is against NMC guidelines. Furthermore, most of these institutions do not provide stipends to FMG interns. As a result, many FMGs in Tamil Nadu are facing significant financial and mental stress. Some are even compelled to work as delivery personnel for companies such as Zomato and Swiggy to support themselves and their families while waiting for internship opportunities. We have repeatedly sought clarification and intervention from the Tamil Nadu Medical Council and the Health Ministry of Tamil Nadu. However, no adequate response or effective action has been taken so far."

The association has urged the Tamil Nadu Medical Council to utilize non-teaching hospitals for FMG internships and ensure the timely allotment of internships to all eligible FMGs.

Along with this, the association also requested NMC to kindly issue appropriate directions to TNMC to address this issue and ensure compliance with NMC guidelines.

Fake FMGE certificate scam in Chhattisgarh? 3,000 doctors under medical council, NMC, DME scanner

MEDICAL DIALOGUE

Fake FMGE certificate scam in Chhattisgarh? 3,000 doctors under medical council, NMC, DME scanner 

Written By : Adity SahaPublished On 30 Mar 2026 2:12 PM  |  Updated On 30 Mar 2026 2:12 PM

Raipur: A suspected fake Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) certificate scam has come under the scanner as the certificates of over 3000 foreign-trained doctors in Chhattisgarh who obtained their MBBS degrees from countries in Central and East Asia are going to be investigated by the Chhattisgarh Medical Council with the support of the National Medical Commission and the state Directorate of Medical Education.

The investigation has been called after the authorities detected alleged irregularities in their qualifications and in the clearance of the Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG) examination.

The FMGE, conducted by the National Board of Examinations, is a mandatory screening test for Indian students who complete their MBBS abroad and want to practice in India.

After clearing the FMGE, such graduates are required to complete a one-year compulsory internship at a recognised government medical college or hospital. They are then granted registration by the National Medical Commission (NMC) for practice in India.

The suspicion came to light after officials found several foreign medical graduates using suspected forged FMGE certificates to secure internships in government hospitals across different states.

Medical Dialogues had reported that the Rajasthan Police's Special Operations Group (SOG) arrested 18 people, including a former registrar of the Rajasthan Medical Council (RMC), for allegedly helping unqualified candidates with registrations and internships with forged documents.

Among those arrested are the former RMC registrar and the former nodal officer. They were taken into custody along with 15 candidates who had obtained MBBS degrees from abroad but failed to clear the mandatory Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), which is required to practise in India, and thereby obtained fake certificates to practise here.

Additional Director General (SOG) Vishal Bansal alleged that the former RMC registrar is the key accused in the case. The accused used fake FMGE certificates to obtain provisional registrations from the council and secured internships in hospitals, by passing mandatory verification checks.

Preliminary findings suggest that each candidate paid between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 25 lakh to be part of the racket. Out of this, around Rs 11 lakh per candidate was allegedly paid to RMC officials and staff, while the rest was shared among middlemen and agents.

In the past year, both the Chhattisgarh Medical Council (CMC) and the National Medical Commission (NMC) noticed serious gaps in the clinical knowledge of some foreign medical graduates during their internships in government hospitals across the state. According to officials, some interns had poor understanding of basic medical subjects, and a few could not even identify commonly used surgical instruments.

Following these revelations, the Chhattisgarh Medical Council (CMC), along with the National Medical Commission (NMC), launched a large-scale verification drive. They will now examine FMGE certificates, mark sheets and internship records of over 3,000 doctors across states.

Speaking to The Hitavada, CMC Vice-President Dr Vivek Choudhary said, "The council has launched a detailed verification exercise with the support of the NMC and the state Directorate of Medical Education. Authorities are currently scrutinising mark sheets, internship records and FMGE certificates of foreign medical graduates across the state as a part of the ongoing investigation."

Registrar of the CMC, Dr Rupal Purohit, said, "The situation is alarming as several graduates had allegedly not attended regular physical classes at their foreign medical institutions for extended periods. In some cases, degrees were reportedly completed largely through online examinations. Even among those who attended classes abroad, attendance levels were found to be extremely poor, with some students reportedly attending lectures only once or twice a week."

Karnataka among top 3 states with highest internship slots for FMGs With 4,652 internship seats for academic year 2026-27,

Karnataka among top 3 states with highest internship slots for FMGs With 4,652 internship seats for academic year 2026-27, 

Karnataka accounts for over 10 per cent of the total slots available nationwide.

DH Web Desk Last Updated : 11 March 2026, 19:15 IST 

For representative purposeCredit: iStock photos Karnataka is among the states offering the highest number of internship seats for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) in India, according to a circular issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC) on Tuesday (March 10).

As per the state-wise matrix released by the NMC, Karnataka has 4,652 Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship (CRMI) seats available for FMGs for the academic year 2026–27. This accounts for over 10 percent of the total 43,250 internship slots available nationwide.

As per the data, Karnataka ranks among the top states offering internship seats for FMGs, with the first being Uttar Pradesh (5,034 seats), followed by Telangana (4,871 seats).

Other states with large numbers of seats include Maharashtra (3,662) and Tamil Nadu (3,126). The NMC released the state-wise and college-wise matrix while directing State Medical Councils to begin allotting internship slots to eligible FMGs.

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The data also shows that Karnataka has seen a significant increase in MBBS seats in recent years.

According to the NMC data, the state had 10,045 MBBS seats in the academic year 2021–22, which increased to 13,944 seats by 2025–26, marking an addition of 3,899 MBBS seats over four years.

Also Read:Karnataka gets highest number of medical seats in country Several other states have also recorded major increases in the same period. Telangana added 4,500 seats, the highest in the country, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 4,372 seats. Maharashtra added 2,929 seats, while Tamil Nadu added 2,325 seats. This expansion has significantly increased the pool of internship slots that can be allotted to foreign medical graduates.

As per the guidelines released by NMC, all seats added during and after the academic year 2022-23 will be allotted to FMGs for their Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI)

How CRMI seats for FMGs are calculated

The NMC advisory outlines how internship slots must be earmarked for FMGs in medical colleges.

As per the circular, State Medical Councils must allocate CRMI slots based on the following criteria:

7.5 per cent of the permitted intake of interns in established medical colleges

100 per cent of CRMI seats in newly established medical colleges

100 per cent of the seats added due to increased MBBS intake between academic years 2022–23 and 2025–26

These provisions were introduced after multiple representations and court cases filed by FMGs over delays and denial of internship opportunities in India.

The NMC has directed State Medical Councils to initiate the allotment process for eligible FMGs in coordination with their respective Directorates of Medical Education.

DME launches portal for foreign medical graduates to check vacant internships

DME launches portal for foreign medical graduates to check vacant internships

Portal to also enable candidates to apply online directly and obtain their allotment orders; Health Minister distributes appointment orders to 668 nurses who served during COVID-19 pandemic

Health Minister Ma. Subramanian unveiling the portal launched by the Directorate of Medical Education during an event to distribute appointment orders to temporary nurses.SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI 22.02.2026

The Directorate of Medical Education (DME) and Research on Saturday launched a web portal to enable Foreign Medical Graduates (FMG) to check vacant internship positions in government and private medical colleges in the State, apply online directly, and obtain their allotment orders.

Health Minister Ma. Subramanian said the portal was launched to do away with the difficulty of students having to search for vacant positions to take up their Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship (CRMI) training.

Shortly after launching the portal, the Minister said that foreign medical students were previously required to pay ₹3 lakh to the Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University to undergo internship training at medical colleges in the State. They also had to visit a number of offices for applications and take up internship positions wherever there were vacancies. This fee was waived after this (DMK) government assumed office, and they were also granted a monthly stipend of ₹25,000 during their internship period.

Following this, the Tamil Nadu Medical Students Association - Foreign wing thanked the Minister for fulfilling their demand to make the internship application process online.

FMGs are required to undergo CRMI to obtain permanent registration in India. For this, they had to visit DME office in Chennai and submit the necessary documents within the specified dates. This caused difficulties for those coming from distant districts. So, they made a request to take this process online. They also welcomed the launch of the portal as the number of available vacancies will be published transparently.

Appointment orders

Earlier, Mr. Subramanian handed over appointment orders to 668 nurses, who had worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the last batch of nurses to be given appointment orders.

To ensure that none of the nurses who worked during COVID-19 were left out, they were granted special marks and appointed in 708 urban health and wellness centres, 50 primary health centres (PHC), and urban PHCs, he said.

A total of 2,814 persons were temporarily appointed during the pandemic. Of them, 2,146 had already received appointment orders through the Medical Services Recruitment Board (MRB) on a contractual basis. There were issues in submitting documents for the remaining candidates, and they had requested contract appointments through MRB. They were called individually and their documents were verified. Appointment orders have now been issued to 668 persons.

The Minister said that the State government has been gradually granting permanent posts to those working on a temporary basis through MRB since 2014. “Between 2014 and 2021 — a period of seven years during the previous AIADMK regime, only 1,871 individuals were granted permanent appointments,” he said, adding that as promised in the DMK election manifesto, 5,825 contract nurses have received permanent job orders within five years of the present government.

One-time relief for pre-2021 foreign med students:

One-time relief for pre-2021 foreign med students: 

NMC clears FMGE route, adds India internship Indian students who began medical studies abroad before November 18, 2021, will be subject to older screening test rules, allowing them to practice in India via the FMGE.

This exemption, however, mandates an additional year of internship in Indian hospitals for these students.

Anuja JaiswalTNN

Jan 3, 2026, 10:36 IST

NEW DELHI: In a major relief for Indian students who started their medical education abroad before 2021, the National Medical Commission has clarified that those admitted to or studying a BS (pre-medical) course in foreign medical institutes prior to November 18, 2021 will be governed by the older Screening Test Regulations, 2002, and not the stricter Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations (FMGL), 2021. 

This means such students can qualify to practise in India by clearing the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE)—the screening test followed before 2021—after completing their medical degree abroad. The route applies regardless of whether the BS course was pursued online or through physical classes, provided admission was taken before the 2021 regulations came into force. 

In its corrigendum dated December 30, 2025, the NMC, however, made it mandatory for these students to undergo one additional year of internship in India. The commission said the extra internship is necessary to ensure sufficient clinical exposure to Indian hospitals and alignment with national treatment and patient-care standards. The commission has underlined that this relaxation is a one-time exemption limited to this specific group of students.

Doctor associations in TN seek internship quota for foreign medical grads, plan hunger strike

Doctor associations in TN seek internship quota for foreign medical grads, plan hunger strike

The doctors also demanded that the union government must abandon its move to impose NEET exam for lab technician and paramedical courses, which aims to usurp rights of the state.

Members of the TN medical students association and Doctors’ Association for Social Equality addressing reporters in Chennai on Tuesday.

| Ashwin Prasath) Express News Service Updated on: 10 Dec 2025, 9:10 am 

CHENNAI: The Doctors’ Association for Social Equality and Tamil Nadu Medical Students Association-Foreign Wing have announced a one-day hunger strike on January 6 pressing for various demands, including allocation of 20% of total internship seats in medical colleges for foreign medical graduates (FMGs).

Addressing the press on Tuesday, the association representatives condemned the Tamil Nadu Medical Council’s (TMC) delay in implementing the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) 2022 permission for FMG training in district hospitals and called for rectifying it immediately. The state government had previously permitted FMGs to undergo Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CMRI) training in its 11 medical colleges, which has now been stopped completely.

The association added that the TMC order, mandating two or three years of compulsory internship for many FMGs, was unique to the state and contrary to NMC rules. Hostel facilities also must be provided to FMGs undergoing CMRI training, they added.

“TMC must stop treating FMG’s with neglect, discrimination and indignity. Assistance centres also should be established at the national and state level to help Tamil Nadu students studying medicine abroad,” they added.

The doctors also demanded that the union government must abandon its move to impose NEET exam for lab technician and paramedical courses, which aims to usurp rights of the state.

The state should abolish the collection of tuition fees from medical students belonging to SC/ST categories, while the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) reservation system, which is against social justice, must be reviewed, they added.

Despite low FMGE passing rate, Indian students continue to pick Russia for MBBS

Despite low FMGE passing rate, Indian students continue to pick Russia for MBBS

Several Russian medical colleges have partnered with Indian education providers to give coaching to FMGs for licensure examination

Divyansh.Kumar@timesofindia.com 29.09.2025 

TIMES EDUCATION

Despite low success rates in the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) and war-related tension, thousands of Indian students head to Russian medical colleges every year. Affordability and admissions to candidates with low NEET scores are the primary reasons for Indian aspirants going abroad. The number of Indian students visiting Russia has increased from 8,000 in 2021 to nearly 32,000 in 2024. 

At a recent pre-departure gathering, nearly 300 medical aspirants bound for Russia hailed the practical supports, low tuition and hostel fee, which led most students to opt for Russia. “I am planning to study MBBS in Russia because it is cheaper than other countries and private MBBS in India,” said 21-year-old Bhavani Pooja from Gangavati, Karnataka, who will complete her six year course in Rs 25 to Rs 30 lakh, which is a fraction of what she would have spent pursuing MBBS at a private college in India.

Most students, including Bhavani, are not aware of the licensure exam that Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) need to clear after they return to India. The average FMGE pass percentage for Russian medical varsities was 18.13% in 2023, which rose to 29.54% across more than 50 listed Russian institutions in 2024. 

In contrast, Tanushree Rathore, 19, from Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, who will attend Orenburg State Medical University, was fully informed. “There are so many reasons to study in Russia, including the high-quality education provided by the university I am going to,” she said, estimating the total fee of approximately Rs 36 lakh and an additional Rs 2.6 lakh per year for food and other expenses.

Tanushree was least concerned about the ongoing war as her college in Orenburg is far from the conflict zone. Overseas Mentorship Dr Priyansh Jain, MD, General Medicine and a faculty member for NEET PG and FMGE, Rus Education, emphasises that the success in the exam hinges on early and sustained effort. “Identifying the demand to pass FMGE after course completion, several medical colleges in Russia proactively decided to offer FMGE coaching to help the students right from the first semester.” The data on FMGE pass percentages is skewed, says Dr Jain. “The 18% to 20% FMGE pass rate is not realistic data. Many repeaters have been attempting the exam for five to 10 years. They take the exam for the sake of it, without proper preparation. In all, 8,000 to 10,000 new students attempting for the first or second time manage to pass the exam,” he adds. Medical faculty in India can collaborate with foreign institutions to give guest lectures and remote mentoring to support students while they are abroad. “Even a one-hour weekly online case discussion or guest lecture from Indian faculty can keep students aligned with the Indian curriculum. 

Remote mentorship and virtual practical training sessions may reduce the shock of FMGE preparation when they return home,” adds Dr Jain. Officials, however, point to structural mismatches. A senior official at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), who wishes to remain anonymous, says that average FMGE pass rates have improved from single digits to nearly 19%20% recently, but the situation remains worrisome. “The students often are not well prepared for the FMGE as they mostly opt for online coaching. At times, they lack basic knowledge. After returning, students realise the enormity of FMGE and find it difficult to pass,” he says, noting that the mode of teaching and clinical exposure contribute to the difficulty. The official adds that the National Board of Examination for Medical Sciences (NBEMS) publishes countrywise annual FMGE pass percentages on its website; hence, students must make an informed decision.

While the quality of theoretical education in Russia is generally acknowledged, clinicians and regulators agree that the main curriculum mismatch lies in practical training. Lt-Gen (Retd) Dr Bipin Puri, director, Medical Services (North Zone), Apollo Group of Hospitals and former director-general, Armed Forces Medical Services, says, “The biggest gap is that these children who are trained outside do not get much clinical exposure as they largely get classroom-based learning. These students, when they return, still require extensive coaching and training to understand the nuances of the Indian medical system. Medicine is learned when you interact with a patient, treat them, and understand their condition.”

Amid viral CHED notice, govt urges students to verify medical education norms in Philippines

Amid viral CHED notice, govt urges students to verify medical education norms in Philippines 

Ayushi.Gupta1@timesofindia.com  04.08.2025

Following the recent notification floating on the internet, claiming to be from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of the Philippines, which stated that its Doctor of Medicine (MD) programme complies with the eligibility criteria outlined by National Medical Commission (NMC) in India, under the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021, there has been a noticeable interest among aspiring students. The health ministry has warned the students to be watchful of the official notice before enrolling in medical colleges in the Philippines. The ministry noticed that academic consultants are promoting the Philippines as an NMC-recognised destination to pursue medical studies, many of them refraining from giving complete information and offering false assurances regarding eligibility for the FMGE or NExT exams in India. However, it is important to note that due to existing provisions under the Philippine Medical Act of 1959, the validity of CHED’s notice dated July 15, 2025, remains uncertain and does not give clarity on its eligibility in India. 

Speaking to Education Times on the condition of anonymity, an official from the Union health ministry says, “Any student who completes their medical graduation from a country that fully complies with the FMGL Regulations, 2021, will automatically be eligible to appear for the Indian medical licensing exam. There is no need for the NMC to issue a separate notification in such cases. However, students are strongly advised to carefully review the regulatory requirements before choosing to study Medicine abroad.” A notice dated July 15, 2025, came to light after a law firm, Sarmiento Delson and Dacanay Law Offices, located in Quezon City of Philippines, requested to issue a statement confirming that CHED accredited medical schools are compliant with the Indian regulations. However, no such notice is found on the official CHED website.

A second-year MD student from Amravati, Maharashtra, studying at Emilio Aguinaldo College, Manila, Philippines, says, “There are over 500 Indian students in my university alone, and some larger universities have thousands of Indian students pursuing medical courses. After the FMGL Regulations 2021, NMC closed the doors on us to return to India as practicing doctors. The only hope to make this degree useful is by clearing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Australian Medical Council exam (AMC). Considering the limited job opportunities in the UK, I am not opting for it. Even staying in the Philippines is not an option for Indians due to the ‘reciprocity’ provision under the Philippine Medical Act of 1959.” 

Under the reciprocity provision of the Philippine Medical Act of 1959, a foreigner may be allowed to practice medicine in the Philippines without passing the Physicians Licensure Examination (PLE) if the foreigner’s home country grants citizens of the Philippines the same privilege under similar conditions. The notice available online states, “All holders of an MD degree from the Philippines, regardless of nationality or citizenship, may obtain a valid license to practice in countries such as the USA, UK, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, and others, without needing to appear for the PLE in the Philippines, subject to passing appropriate examinations and meeting other requirements in those respective countries.”

தரமற்ற வெளிநாட்டுப் பல்கலை.களில் பயிலும் மருத்துவக் கல்வி செல்லாது: தேசிய மருத்துவ ஆணையம்

தரமற்ற வெளிநாட்டுப் பல்கலை.களில் பயிலும் மருத்துவக் கல்வி செல்லாது: தேசிய மருத்துவ ஆணையம்

பெலீஸ் மற்றும் உஸ்பெகிஸ்தானில் உள்ள 4 மருத்துவப் பல்கலை.களில் மருத்துவப் படிப்புகளில் சேருவதை இந்திய மாணவா்கள் தவிா்க்க வேண்டும்

தேசிய மருத்துவ ஆணையம் (என்எம்சி) Din Updated on: 22 ஜூலை 2025, 4:25 am

சென்னை: மத்திய அமெரிக்க நாடுகளில் ஒன்றான பெலீஸ் மற்றும் உஸ்பெகிஸ்தானில் உள்ள 4 மருத்துவப் பல்கலை.களில் மருத்துவப் படிப்புகளில் சேருவதை இந்திய மாணவா்கள் தவிா்க்க வேண்டும் என்று தேசிய மருத்துவ ஆணையம் (என்எம்சி) அறிவுறுத்தியுள்ளது.

இந்திய கல்வித் தரம் மற்றும் விதிகளுக்குள்படாத வெளிநாட்டுக் கல்லூரிகளில் பயிலும் மருத்துவப் படிப்புகள் செல்லத்தக்கவை அல்ல என்றும் தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

இது தொடா்பாக என்எம்சி இளநிலைக் கல்வி வாரிய இயக்குநா் சுக்லால் மீனா வெளியிட்ட அறிவிப்பு:

வெளிநாடுகளில் மருத்துவக் கல்வி பயிலும் இந்திய மாணவா்களுக்கு ஏற்கெனவே சில வழிகாட்டுதல்கள் வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. அதன்படி, படிப்பின் காலம், பயிற்று மொழி, பாடத் திட்டம், மருத்துவப் பயிற்சி மற்றும் உள்ளுறைப் பயிற்சி ஆகியவை இந்தியத் தரத்துடன் ஒத்துப்போகாதபட்சத்தில், அந்தப் பட்டப் படிப்பு இந்தியாவில் செல்லாது எனத் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

அதன்படி, கல்வித் தரம், கட்டமைப்பு, பயிற்சித் தரம் இல்லாமல் சில பல்கலை.கள் வெளிநாடுகளில் இயங்குகின்றன. தவிர, இந்திய மாணவா்களைத் துன்புறுத்துவதும், அதிக கட்டணம் வசூலிப்பதும், படிப்பைக் கைவிட்டால் கட்டணத்தைத் திருப்பி அளிக்காமல் இருப்பதும் அங்கு நிகழ்கின்றன.

இதையடுத்து, பெலீஸில் உள்ள சென்ட்ரல் அமெரிக்கன் ஹெல்த் அண்ட் சயின்ஸ் யுனிவா்சிட்டி, கொலம்பஸ் சென்ட்ரல் யுனிவா்சிட்டி, வாஷிங்டன் யுனிவா்சிட்டி ஆஃப் ஹெல்த் அண்ட் சயின்ஸ், உஸ்பெகிஸ்தானில் உள்ள கிா்சிக் பிரான்ச் ஆஃப் தாஸ்கண்ட் ஸ்டேட் மெடிக்கல் யுனிவா்சிட்டி ஆகிய 4 பல்கலை.களில் சேருவதை தவிா்க்குமாறு இந்திய மாணவா்களுக்கு அறிவுறுத்தல் வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இதேபோல பிற நாடுகளில் இந்திய விதிகளைப் பின்பற்றாத பல்கலை.களிலும் சேரக் கூடாது. அங்கு பயிலும் மருத்துவப் படிப்புகள் செல்லத்தக்கவை அல்ல என்பதை உணா்ந்து செயல்பட வேண்டும் என்று அதில் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

APMC asks FMGs to wait for NMC clarication on internship duration

APMC asks FMGs to wait for NMC clarication on internship duration 

The guidelines issued by the NMC in November 2023 have been adhered to, it insists; support pours in for FMGs from various associations and political parties 

Published - July 05, 2025 06:34 pm IST -VIJAYAWADA 

THE HINDU BUREAU 

ForeignMedical Graduates during their  recent protest in Vijayawada. 

(APMC) Chairman Sreehari Rao and Registrar I. Ramesh have clarified that the council is following the National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines. The FMGs had staged protests for four days from Monday last, demanding that the process of issuing PRs to them, pending for more than a year, be expedited. 

The delay is due to different interpretations of the guidelines issued by the NMC with regard to the duration of internship for the FMGs who have done a part of their course online during the pandemic. In a statement on July 4, the APMC Chairman and Registrar had said that the FMGs who had gone back to their universities in other countries were first allotted one-year internship.

 The NMC guidelines, released in November 2023, had come into effect later, they said. As per the guidelines, those who studied the penultimate year and final year of their medical courses online due to the pandemic should undergo two years of clerkship. This should be followed by one year of internship to make-up for the offline training. 

As per the November 2023 guidelines, if the FMGs studied online in their final year only, then they should undergo one year of clerkship and one year of internship. Accordingly, orders were issued to the principals of all medical colleges to communicate the same to the FMGs, they said. 

The APMC Chairman further said that some FMGs who had a problem with the two and three-year internship duration approached the A.P. High Court, which said that all the rules issued by the Centre and NMC should be followed. Later, an FMG had filed an appeal, the judgment for which was expected. Even while the matter was sub judice, a few FMGs had staged protests, they pointed out. 

Mr. Sreehari Rao and Mr. Ramesh said that Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, who had taken note of the issue, instructed the APMC to schedule an appointment with the NMC and seek a solution to the problem. 

“The FMGs are not convinced and insist on continuing their agitation despite the Minister’s assurance,” the statement said. The APMC had, in its council meeting on June 17, decided to issue PRs for all those with valid compensation certificates from their parent universities. 

The graduates, at their wits’ end, began their silent protest when they felt the process was being delayed once again. Regarding the compensation certificates, Mr. Sreehari Rao and Mr. Ramesh added that these were “not justified” for their period of online study with offline study. 

They said the internship for two years was justified because the compensation certificates did not specify the period of online study. The Chairman appealed to the FMGs to wait till the NMC clarified the issue.

Support for FMGs 

Meanwhile, support started pouring for the beleagured FMGs from many medical associations and parties, including the CPI. All India Medical Students’ Association’s Foreign Medical Graduates’ wing released a statement expressing its support for the FMGs and condemning the alleged highhandedness of the police while taking protesting FMGs to police stations. 

Telangana Junior Doctors’ Association, too, expressed its support to their A.P. counterparts. A.P. The Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes’ Association criticised the APMC for refusing to issue PRs for 13 months, and added that the issue should be resolved at the earliest as the delay was causing mental distress among the FMGs. 

The Bharatiya Human Rights Council, a registered organisation, had written to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu demanding justice for the FMGs and abolition of “arbitrary” allotment of 2-3 years of internship for the FMGs. They demanded that the NMC guidelines, which other States were following, be followed in toto. 

NMC guidelines on foreign medical graduates binding on State Medical Council, says Health Minister Satya Kumar

NMC guidelines on foreign medical graduates binding on State Medical Council, says Health Minister Satya Kumar

“The Registrar of the Andhra Pradesh Medical Council does not have any independent authority to modify the NMC guidelines issued from time to time,” Satya Kumar Yadav said

Published - March 05, 2025 03:00 am IST - VIJAYAWADA

G.V.R. Subba Rao

Andhra Pradesh Medical and Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav has asserted that the State government has to adhere to the guidelines issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC) on Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs).

“The Registrar of the Andhra Pradesh Medical Council does not have any independent authority to modify the NMC guidelines issued from time to time,” Mr. Satya Kumar said on Tuesday (March 4, 2025).

“As per the NMC guidelines, the FMGs who studied online during their final year should have to do two years of internship (one year is clinical clerkship and one year is internship), and those who studied online during both penultimate and final years must complete three years of internship (two years will be clinical clerkship and one year internship), the Minister said in the Legislative Assembly.

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLAs Pusapati Aditi Vijayalakshmi Gajapathi Raju, Nelavala Vijayasree, and Gondu Sankara Rao served a notice under Rule 74 calling the attention of the Minister on ‘Problems of foreign medical graduates’.

The Minister, making a statement, said some FMGs who returned to India due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine War, and studied part of their MBBS course online, had requested the A.P. Medical Council to grant Permanent Registration after completing one year of internship as per the compensation certificates issued by the respective universities and also as per the NMC guidelines, he said.

After verification of the compensation letters submitted by the FMGs, it was found that they did not mention the period of online study and the period of compensation of online study with offline mode.

Hence, the A.P. Medical Council did not consider their applications for Permanent Registration, and they were directed to continue their Internship for a period of one more year to make-up for the loss of clinical training due to online study. But they ignored the orders of the A.P. Medical Council, the Minister said.

For FMGs who completed the entire course in the offline mode by staying abroad, Permanent Registrations were being granted after completion of one year of Internship in Andhra Pradesh.

A Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) is a one-year programme that the FMGs must complete in India after obtaining provisional registration from the State Medical Council. “The A.P. Medical Council is continuously communicating with the NMC for necessary instructions regarding the issues raised by the FMGs,” he added.

Published - March 05, 2025 03:00 am IST

Must clear NEET-UG to pursue medical courses abroad: SC

Must clear NEET-UG to pursue medical courses abroad: SC

21.02.2025

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court has refused to interfere with a 2018 decision of Medical Council of India (MCI) mandating qualication in NEET as an eligibility criterion to pursue an undergraduate medical course in a foreign institution.

A bench of Justices B R Gavai and K Vinod Chandran said introducing National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) qualication criterion ensures a fair and transparent procedure in the grant of eligibility certicate, and the regulation does not in any manner conict with the law. 

It said, "We find absolutely no reason to interfere with the regulations, in which context, the learned counsel sought for a one-time exemption as applicable to the petitioners. Obviously, afer the amended regulations came into effect, if any candidate chose to obtain admission in a foreign institution for pursuing a course   leading to a primary medical qualication, they cannot seek for an exemption from the regulations.. This does not restrict their right to practice anywhere outside India." "The regulations, especially additional mandate to satisfy the eligibility criteria, is not ultra vires the Constitution and neither is it in conict with any provisions of the Act (Indian Medical Council Act) nor arbitrary or unreasonable. Hence, all the petitions are dismissed," the bench said.

FMGE certificates of 3 medicos revoked

FMGE certificates of 3 medicos revoked 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 04.02.2025

Ahmedabad : The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has ordered the revocation of foreign medical graduate exam (FMGE) certificates of eight medical students for submitting false information. The students include three from Gujarat (two from Anand and one from Ahmedabad), two from Karnataka, and one each from Delhi, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. All of them graduated from LLC Caucasus International University in Georgia. 

The board has directed state medical councils to immediately cancel these candidates’ practice registrations. According to the Jan 27 order, these candidates appeared for FMGE in Dec 2022 or June 2023 and provided fraudulent provisional documentation of their medical courses. The FMGE eligibility requires completion of a six-year medical programme, including an internship from Semesters 6 to 12.

Investigation revealed discrepancies between the subjects listed in their provisional documentation and the actual sixth-year curriculum. Sources said these candidates submitted provisional certificates without completing their mandatory internships. The NBEMS is expected to investigate similar cases where foreign medical students may have submitted provisional certificates without fulfilling the internship requirement

Foreign MBBS graduates challenge extended internship rule in HC

Foreign MBBS graduates challenge extended internship rule in HC

22.01.2025

Bhopal/Jabalpur : A division bench of the MP High Court has issued notices to respondents in response to a petition filed by a group of MBBS pass-outs from China. They challenged the state govt's decision to extend the period of internship for students who completed their MBBS from foreign universities to three years instead of two. The principal secretary of medical education, director of medical education, National Medical Education Council, and MP Medical Council are respondents to the petition. 

The petition, filed by eight MBBS passouts, stated that they completed their MBBS in China. During the Covid pandemic, they studied online, which was also true for students pursuing MBBS from Indian universities. According to the rules, the internship period for MBBS pass-outs from Indian universities is one year, and for those from foreign universities, it is two years. However, the MP Medical Council, by an order issued on Nov 4, 2024, extended the internship period for MBBS pass-outs from foreign universities to three years. In Nov 2023, they were informed that the internship period would be two years, and as such, their internship would have ended in Mar 2025. They contended that introducing a new rule with retrospective effect was illegal. Following initial arguments, the bench of Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice Anuradha Shukla issued notices to the respondents seeking a response. Senior Counsel Arvind Sanghi appeared in the case for the petitioners. TNN 

MBBS student challenges exam failure in HC 

Bhopal/Jabalpur : A division bench of the MP High Court has issued notices to respondents in a petition filed by an MBBS student at Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, Jabalpur. The student is challenging the decision of MP Medical University, Jabalpur, to fail him in the MBBS first-year exam despite attaining 40 per cent marks. The petitioner, Shoaib Khan from Barwani, stated that he was suffering from a serious illness and has failed the MBBS first-year exam three times already. Failure on the fourth occasion would result in his expulsion from the medical college. TNN

Visa firm sends 2 to Philippines for dud MBBS degree

Visa firm sends 2 to Philippines for dud MBBS degree 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 01.01.2025

Ahmedabad : A Viratnagar businessman, aged 50, was allegedly defrauded of Rs 27.18 lakh by four individuals from a visa consultancy firm who allegedly arranged for his son and nephew to study MBBS in the Philippines despite the degree not being recognised for practice in India. The victim on Monday filed a complaint with Nikol police against owners of the firm and three others, alleging forgery and breach of trust. In 2022, the businessman had sought admission for his son and nephew at Lyceum Northwestern University in Dagupan City, Philippines, and approached a local visa consultancy where he met the managers. The management team, including a woman, presented a fee structure for the MBBS course in Manila, Philippines, quoting Rs 17.50 lakh for each student, with additional charges for accommodation, food, visa extensions and miscellaneous expenses. After agreeing to send both students, the family received offer letters confirming admission. Before the students’ departure, the consultancy collected Rs 9.5 lakh as course fees. In Feb 2023, after the programme commenced, the students discovered that the MBBS qualification from the Philippines was not valid in India due to licensing restric tions. The family later learned that whilst they were told the course would last five and ahalf years, the college indicated a sevenyear duration. 

Despite raising concerns, the consultant allegedly continued making false promises and provided written confirmation that the Dagupan City Lyceum Northwestern University certificate would be recognised in India. Upon consulting the Indian Embassy, the family confirmed that Philippines-issued practice licences were invalid in India. When the family requested the students’ return due to the course’s non-recognition in India, the consultant informed them that college fees were non-refundable. A complaint was filed on Monday

Philippine Medical Act amendment bill brings hope to Indian medical students

Philippine Medical Act amendment bill brings hope to Indian medical students

As per NMC, BS and MD programs are two separate degrees and thus cannot be equated to the MBBS course in India.

Ayushi Gupta | Posted December 23, 2024 02:00 PM

The amendment bill for the Philippine Medical Act, 1959 was recently passed in the lower house – House of Representatives in the Philippines – with a majority of vote counts (184-3-0) and now awaits clearance at the upper house – Senate – mandatory for a bill to become an act. The amendment bill allows foreign nationals to practice locally under the condition of 'reciprocity' or by qualifying Physicians Licensure Examination (PLE). This has brought hope to several Indian medical students in the Philippines, as this will allow them to return to India as practicing doctors after passing the Foreign Medical Graduate Exam (FMGE). However, students will have to wait for the National Medical Commission (NMC) to respond officially to the change.

The amendment bill will be presented in the upper house in January 2025. Indian medical aspirants planning to move to the Philippines for affordable medical education are keeping their fingers crossed. This also depends on the NMC, which will make the final decision after the bill is cleared in the Congress of the Philippines.

Curriculum parity

NMC has clarified that BS and MD courses are two separate degrees in the Philippines, which cannot be equated to the MBBS course in India. Dr B Srinivas, secretary, NMC, says, "India will examine the medical curriculum and duration of the programme. We will assess whether the curriculum follows the same quality parameters as the Indian medical system. Only if there is parity in the MBBS curriculum between the two countries, the facilitation measures to enable the Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) to appear for FMGE will be considered.”

Stranded careers

On November 18, 2021, the NMC introduced the FMGL Regulations, 2021. The regulations outlined the requirements for FMGs seeking to practice in India. Following this, on December 8, 2021, the Embassy of India in Manila issued an advisory for Indian students studying medicine in the Philippines, which highlighted that only students who were admitted for the Doctor of Medicine (MD) course in the Philippines before November 18 , 2021, would be considered eligible for registration to practice medicine in India after passing FMGE.

In 2022, a writ petition was filed in the Delhi High Court challenging the FMGL Regulations, 2021, by a student studying in the Philippines. The petition sought an exemption for the student (petitioner) affected by the new regulations. It argued, “The petitioner is an undergraduate Bachelor of Science (BS)-MD student in the Philippines. (The BS-MD course in the Philippines is a 4.5 to 5-year program combining a BS degree with an MD degree.) After completing the BS Biology course during the academic year 2020-21, the petitioner was enrolled in the MD program at the same university. The FMGL Regulations, 2021, have adversely impacted the petitioner's career, along with those of many other Indian students admitted during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 academic years."

The advisory issued by the Embassy of India further clarified that the NMC has now formally confirmed that the bridging BS course (equivalent to pre-med in the USA) of 1.5-2 years before the MD course will not be included in calculating the total duration of the medical course.

A second-year MD student from Maharashtra studying at Emilio Aguinaldo College, Manila, Philippines says, “There are around 500 Indian students in my university alone, and some larger universities have thousands of Indian students pursuing medical courses. If Congress of the Philippines enacts this amendment into law, it will significantly benefit the students. However, the future of medical graduates in India depends on the NMC's decision—whether we will be allowed to take the FMGE/NExT exam and practice medicine in India. We sincerely hope that the NMC grants a one-time exemption for students who enrolled in BS Biology or similar pre-medical courses as a pathway to the MD program before November 18, 2021.”

The overall pass percentage of students from the Philippines appearing in FMGE has been relatively better than in other countries. In the FMGE June 2024 session, a significant number of high scorers were from medical colleges in the Philippines.

Ayyalraj Nitish Babu, a medical student from Tamil Nadu studying at Davao Medical School Foundation, Philippines says, “The medical education system of the Philippines follows the American pattern. All exams are based on multiple-choice questions (MCQs), with an average passing grade of 75%. Final grades are calculated by combining scores from lab exams, attendance, minor exams, and major exams. This approach ensures that students must study consistently throughout the semester and cannot rely solely on last-minute preparation for final exams. This rigorous system makes it particularly beneficial for students aspiring to take international exams such as the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB).”

NMC warns students eyeing pvt medical colleges abroad

NMC warns students eyeing pvt medical colleges abroad

DurgeshNandan.Jha@timesofindia.com 02.12.2024

New Delhi : National Medical Commission (NMC) has warned aspiring students against choosing to study in private medical colleges abroad that do not adhere to regulations laid down by it. In 2021, NMC published Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiates (FMGL) Regulations. It states that no foreign medical graduate shall be granted registration to practice in India unless she or he has undergone a course leading to foreign medical degree with a minimum duration of 54 months and an internship for a minimum duration of 12 months in the same foreign medical institution.

The NMC regulation also stated that the entire course, training and internship or clerkship, shall be done outside India in the same foreign medical institution throughout the course of study and no part of medical training and internship shall be done in India or in any country other than the country from where the primary medical qualification is obtained. As Indian students continued to seek admission in noncomplying colleges abroad, NMC has issued another warning. “Any variation in duration, medium of instructions, syllabus, clinical training or internship may lead to disqualification in grant of registration in India,” the NMC said.

Indian students in Nepal get licence to practice

Indian students in Nepal get licence to practice 

Ayushi.Gupta1@timesofindia.com 19.11.2024

After several weeks of tussle, the Nepal Medical Council (NMC) issued an official notification declaring that all international medical students in the country are now eligible to obtain a licence to practice in local hospitals. The announcement comes as welcome news to Indian students planning to pursue medical education in Nepal. 

In April 2023, the NMC had scrapped the licence to practice in Nepal for international students after the completion of MBBS course in the medical colleges. Following this, several Indian medical students had decided against studying in Nepalese medical colleges due to the lack of compliance with India’s Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021. With the recent NMC notification, students are relieved and are moving forward with their admissions.

The deadline to submit the course fees and complete the admission process is November 14, 2024. The official notification states, “The Nepal Medical Council (NMC) recognizes undergraduate degrees, including MBBS/BDS and equ ivalent courses with a minimum academic duration of 5.5 years, which includes a mandatory one-year internship. All foreign nationals are eligible to take the licensing examinations according to NMC Regulations. Upon passing the licensing examinations, foreign candidates can obtain a license equivalent to that of Nepalese citizens. This licensing procedure does not require a good standing certificate from the candidate’s home country council.” The notice also mentioned that NMC grants provisional registration to all MBBS/BDS students in Nepal during their internship period. 

According to NMC internship guidelines, students must complete their internship in hospitals affiliated to their respective medical colleges. This provisional registration is at par with that of Nepalese citizens, allowing both Nepali and international students equal opportunities to practise medicine. The Global Medical Society (GMS), an association representing Indian MBBS students in Nepal, expressed appreciation for the recent NMC notice, which has provided reassurance to students from previous MBBS and BDS batches in Nepal.

Students must have adequate information on med practice regulations in Georgia

Students must have adequate information on med practice regulations in Georgia

Several aspirants are being misguided as consultants withhold crucial Georgian government rules on the independent practice licence, which is granted after nine years of education in the country

Byline: Ayushi.Gupta1 @timesofindia.com 16.09.2024 

Medical students aspiring to study in Georgia must acquire complete information on the ground rules related to practising as a doctor after completion of the medical course. NMC has been continuously discouraging students from getting medical education abroad citing the substandard education quality.

However, several study-abroad agents/counsellors have been taking advantage of gullible students and their parents. They often withhold crucial information regarding the rules, regulations, and laws of foreign countries. These agents provide incomplete information, promising medical education that meets NMC guidelines in India, which may not always be accurate or reliable.

Innocent students and parents often realise the deceit only after they land in a foreign country and face difficulty in practising as independent doctors. 

In Georgia, any student completing Doctor of Medicine (MD) and a year-long internship is allowed to work as a junior doctor assisting a senior doctor. Most of them do not fulfil the criteria to appear for the Foreign Medical Graduate Exam (FMGE) and struggle to get a medical licence to practice in India. Sarvan Maharishi (24), Hyderabad, who wanted to study in a foreign medical college, told Education Times how he was misled into applying to a medical college in Georgia by an agent, where he paid a fee of Rs 2 lakh to the agency. Sarvan says, "I visited an education service agency in Hyderabad to get admission into a medical college in Georgia. I was unaware of Georgia's medical practice laws, which made it easy for them to deceive me." He was saved as he learnt about the regulations on the internet.

Knowing the Georgian law:

According to Georgian legislation, to take the postgraduate residency course and obtain the right to independent medical practice, one must pass the Unified State Certification Exam (Article 17, Law of Georgia on Medical Practice).

Santosh Biradar, a practising advocate from Hyderabad has been trying to create awareness about foreign medical education.

He said, "Medical colleges in Georgia provide a license for 'independent practice' only after a total of 9 years of education in the country. Agents claim that after completing a 5-year MBBS course (known as MD in Georgia) and an additional year of internship, the student would receive a license to practice. However, they withhold information on the independent practice licence, which is granted only after completing three years of residency and passing the National Post-Diploma Qualification Exam (NPDQE), in addition to the 5 years of MBBS and one year of internship."

Furthermore, it is concerning that the NMC does not recognise the junior doctor license provided in Georgia. On August 9, 2024, the Georgian Embassy in India notified Indian students about recent amendments made by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth of Georgia regarding the medical education system.

The notice stated, "According to Article 14 of the Law of Georgia on Medical Practice, graduates of the MD program (equivalent to MBBS in India), known as junior doctors, are authorised to perform the duties of a doctor. This is fully equivalent to an MBBS qualification in India. A junior doctor performs clinical duties under the guidance of a certified specialist. If a certified doctor is not available, a junior doctor can provide emergency medical care independently."

A senior official at the NMC, speaking on condition of anonymity, says, "NMC has been trying to train doctors through internship programmes and practical training. We want students to consider reappearing for the NEET UG and focusing on performing better in the entrance exam, rather than opting for foreign medical colleges where many countries do not follow NMC norms. 

These foreign graduates often lack the practical skills needed to treat patients independently and fail to meet the licensing requirements mandated by the NMC."

"For obtaining a licence to practise medicine in Armenia and Georgia, post-graduation in a specialised field is mandatory. Duration of postgraduation varies according to the specialisation course which may range from one to four years," reads an RTI response from the Embassy of India, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia, also holding Georgia in its jurisdiction.