The National Medical Commission (NMC) is finalizing a policy that will allow Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) to undergo a six-month medical practical skill examination. This initiative aims to evaluate the clinical skills of FMGs through a practical examination. Once passed, the NMC will waive off the remaining internship tenure of their Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship (CRMI), according to an official source.
This proposed policy offers a middle ground for FMGs who were disappointed by the NMC's circular on June 7, 2024, which suggested increasing the existing internship tenure by 12 months. “The NMC has a responsibility to uphold the interests of both patients and medical professionals. Concerned about the lack of practical exposure among FMGs, the NMC initially proposed a two to three-year internship. However, FMGs face challenges at the grassroots level, including issues with internship seats and stipends. To address these challenges, a six-month practical examination was suggested, though it remains a proposal and not an official policy,” says the source.
Equal Stipend Challenges
FMGs often struggle to secure internships after passing the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE). Their demand for equal stipends with Indian Medical Graduates has led to reluctance from medical colleges to provide them with internship seats, as it strains the resources and funds of these institutions. “The demand for stipends has backfired, as the limited number of internship seats that offer stipends is causing FMGs to lose valuable time,” adds the source.
Time Loss Issues
Dr. Sood, who completed his MBBS in 2023 from Ukraine and cleared the FMGE in 2024 with 211 marks out of 300, shares, “FMGs are already struggling to secure internships. Medical councils have been delaying the counseling process, citing a lack of funds for paid internships. Some students were even asked to sign affidavits stating they would not demand a stipend if provided with an internship seat.”
Dr. Akashdeep, registrar of the Punjab Medical Council, notes, “The Supreme Court previously mandated equal stipends for FMGs, but the disbursement of funds to pay these stipends is still pending with the states.”
Recognized Non-Teaching Hospitals
The NMC validated the list of recognized non-teaching hospitals for CRMI for two years from May 2024 to May 2026. Dr. Kaushal, media coordinator of the All FMGs Association (AFA), states, “The extension of internship validity to two years has led state medical councils to delay counseling, as they are not interested in providing stipends to FMGs. This delay further impacts FMGs who plan to take the NEET PG exam next year.”
According to NEET PG eligibility criteria, candidates must complete their internship by a specific date. Due to the delay in internship seat allotment, FMGs risk losing another year before they can apply for the NEET PG exam, says a Tamil Nadu FMG member of AFA. “I completed my MBBS from Kyrgyzstan in 2023 and cleared the FMGE in January 2024. I have been waiting since February due to the lengthy seat allotment process in Tamil Nadu, which differs from other states. In Tamil Nadu, the verification process has three major steps, taking around 3-4 months.”
Around 600 students are waiting to start their internships in Tamil Nadu, with some relocating to other states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka out of frustration with the system.
Dr. Muruganathan, ad hoc committee convener of the Tamil Nadu Medical Council, denies the claims of delay. “Some students have pending verification processes with the embassy. Once they obtain the No Objection Certificate (NOC) and verification certificate from the embassy, the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Medical Education (DME) will begin assigning seats to FMGs.”
Extension of Internship
The Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) under the NMC released a circular requiring FMGs to continue their internship for an additional year. The circular stated that some FMGs were obtaining compensatory certificates “maliciously.”
On June 10, 2024, FMGs gathered outside the NMC office to protest the circular, calling it ‘unfair’ and urging its revocation. However, the NMC believes that extending the internship tenure will better train FMGs. “It has come to the NMC's attention that some FMGs have been bypassing supplementary clinical training or obtaining compensatory certificates without completing the required training. Several State Medical Councils (SMCs) have been assigning FMGs to start their CRMI without ensuring proper training. To maintain the quality of medical training, the NMC has decided to extend the existing internship tenure by another year,” says Dr. Aruna V Vanikar, president, UGMEB. New Policy to Shorten Internship Duration for Foreign M
Abrodify's Role
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This comprehensive guide ensures that FMGs are well-informed about the new policy, the challenges, and how Abrodify can support them in navigating these changes
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