All FMGs who Returned Till 31.03.2022 can Avail Academic Mobility Programme till March 7, 2024: NMC

New Delhi: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has now set a deadline for Foreign Medical Graduates to avail the benefits of the Academic Mobility Programme.

Issuing a Public Notice on 07.12.2023, the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) mentioned that medical students abroad are allowed to migrate to other countries to complete their medical education till 07.03.2024.

"This permission for migration shall be specific for these students only who returned to India till 31st March, 2022," the UG Board of NMC further mentioned.

Last month also, NMC had given a three months deadline to the FMGs to avail the benefits of the Academic Mobility Programme. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that through the notice dated 22.11.2023, NMC had clarified that "This option of transfer/migration/mobility shall be availed within 3 months from the date of issue of this public notice."

However, NMC has now revised the deadline. Issuing the notice dated 07.12.2023, it mentioned, "Period of permission of migration shall expire on 07.03.2024."

Again, the Commission released some of the Frequently Asked Questions today in respect of the recently released notification on December 7, 2023. Addressing the issue of Academic Mobility Programme, NMC reiterated, "This permission for migration shall be specific for these students only who returned to India till 31 st March, 2022."

Also Read: Centre reiterates its inability to accommodate Ukraine returned medicos, Files affidavit on data of students availing Academic Mobility Programme

NMC clarified that this relaxation is for the batch of students who at the time of return to India were in 1st, 2nd or 3rd year of their medical course.

The Academic Mobility Programme scheme was introduced by NMC in 2022. Through this scheme, NMC had offered a one-time measure for FMGs returning from war-torn Ukraine to complete their remaining medical course from different countries.

Referring to this, NMC in its recent notice dated 07.12.2023 mentioned, "In continuation to the earlier scheme dated 15th September, 2022 (read as a clarification of Public Notice dated 06th September, 2022) namely Academic Mobility Program, NMC has decided to extend such scheme as a one-time measure to the FMGs- who had joined MBBS course before 18.11.2021 and have returned from Ukraine to avail the benefits of the scheme and complete their remaining medical course. The Degree may however be awarded by the University to where they shall migrate."

Setting a specific deadline for the FMGs to migrate to other countries for completing their medical education, NMC further mentioned, "Those candidates who have joined the course (equivalent to MBBS in India), physically in Ukraine/ Russia on or after 18.11.2021, and have returned/ were evacuated during the war period (i.e. evacuation period of Operation Ganga w.e.f. 26.02.2022 to11.03.2022) in a medical institute of either Ukraine or Russia shall be given permission to transfer/migrate to any other country (except India) to complete their study as per FMGL regulations dated 18.11.2021, and procure certificate which grants them license to practice Allopathy in that country. This permission for migration shall be specific for these students only who returned to India till 31st March, 2022. Period of permission of migration shall expire on 07.03.2024."

"This relaxation is for the batch of students who at the time of return to India were in 1st, 2nd or 3rd year of their medical course," NMC clarified in the notice dated December 07, 2023.

However, the issue was once again addressed by NMC, which released several frequently asked questions today in respect of the notice issued on December 07, 2023.

(1) Can the students pursuing their studies in Ukraine/ Russia at the time of Russia- Ukraine war be allowed to migrate to other countries?

Ans: Yes, these students shall be allowed to migrate to any country other than India.

(2) What shall be the terms of migration?

Ans: a. Those candidates who have joined the course physically in Ukraine/ Russia before the Ukraine- Russia war and have returned/ were evacuated to India during the war period (i.e evacuation period of Operation Ganga w.e.f. 26.02.’22 to 11.03.’22).

b. They shall be required to fulfil the FMGL regulations published on 18.11.2021 (other than migration) including period of education, subjects and training in various disciplines as per CBME curriculum, including Family Adoption programme, and procure certificate which grants them licence to practice modern medicine in that country.

c. This permission for migration shall be specific for these students only who returned to India till 31 st March, 2022.

(3) How long will this permission for migration be granted?

Ans: Period of permission of migration shall expire on 07.03.2024.

To view the NMC notice, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/nmc-clarification-fmg-227350.pdf

To view the FAQs released by NMC, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/fmg-faqs-227612.pdf

Also Read: FMGs have to Avail Academic Mobility Programme within 3 Months Deadline- NMC Issues Detailed Clarification for all FMGs