FMGE October 2026: Medicos urge NMC, NBE to grant one-time FMGL exemption for 2021-22 MBBS abroad batch

New Delhi: With the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE) October 2026 approaching, medicos have sought an exemption from the Foreign Medical Graduates Licentiate 2021 Regulations for the 2021-2022 MBBS abroad Batch students.

Highlighting the exceptional circumstances faced by this particular batch due to the delayed conduct of the NEET UG 2021 examination and subsequent counselling, the All FMGs Association (AFA) has urged the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to grant a one-time batch-specific exemption.

"This batch faced exceptional circumstances due to the delay in NEET-UG 2021, declaration of results, counselling and commencement of the academic session. Students who took admission during this period are now facing serious uncertainty because of the subsequent implementation of FMGL-21 on 18 November 2021. Half of the batch are regulated by Screening Regulation 2002, and Half are regulated by FMGL 21 regulation, creating disparities," AFA said in a release.

Also Read: No extra clerkship if compensated abroad: NMC issues fresh clarification on FMG online classes compensation

The association pointed to the upcoming FMGE October 2026 examination and stressed that in this situation, thousands of students require urgent clarity regarding their eligibility.

AFA has demanded a one-time exemption/appropriate relaxation from FMGL-21 for the students belonging to the 2021-2022 batch. Further, it has demanded an exemption from the mandatory one-year internship abroad requirement for the eligible students of this exceptional batch, recognition of the extraordinary delay in NEET-UG 2021 and the subsequent transition period while deciding their eligibility, and issuance of a clear official notification or clarification immediately by NMC or NBEMS, before the last date for submission of applications for the October 2026 FMGE.

Further, the association said, "AFA believes that students should not be made to bear the consequences of circumstances and regulatory transitions that were beyond their control. We appeal to NMC and NBEMS to act urgently and provide a clear, fair, and one-time solution for the 2021–22 batch before the October 2026 FMGE application ends."

The matter is also pending before the Delhi High Court in W.P.(C) 6035/2026, where the petitioners have sought relief for appropriate relaxation/exemption for the 2021-2022 batch, including the requirement of completing a one-year internship abroad. Taking note of the matter, the Delhi High Court on May 4, 2026, had issued notice in this matter and sought a response from the NMC.

In an X post, AFA, while raising this issue, mentioned, "The delay in the NEET-UG 2021 examination, declaration of results and commencement of the academic session created exceptional circumstances for this batch. Many students who had secured admission around this period were subsequently affected by the notification of the FMGL Regulations, 2021 on 18.11.2021, resulting in uncertainty regarding their eligibility requirements. The #Delhi High Court, in W.P.(C) 6035/2026, is already considering the issue and notice has been issued on prayers seeking equal and uniform treatment for the 2021–22 batch, including appropriate relaxation from FMGL-21 and #exemption from the one-year internship abroad requirement. With the October 2026 #FMGE approaching, students urgently need a clear and timely decision."

"These students should not suffer because of circumstances and regulatory changes occurring during a period of extraordinary delay and transition," it added.

Earlier this year in April, representatives from the All FMGs Association (AFA) and All India Medical Students' Association Foreign Medical Students' Wing (AIMSA-FMSW) met with the National Medical Commission's officials and highlighted the issue of non-uniform implementation of the Foreign Medical Graduates Licentiate (FMGL) 2021 Regulations across States.

Back then, the medical graduates from abroad had requested the National Medical Commission (NMC) to grant a one-time exemption from its strict applicability. FMGs had requested the NMC to ensure that the 2021 Regulations are implemented prospectively and uniformly from the 2022 batch onwards.

Referring to the meeting held on 17 March 2026 regarding the grievances arising out of the implementation of the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL)- 2021 Regulations, AIMSA-FMSW, in its representation to the Commission, had pointed out how the batch of students admitted during the academic cycle of 2021-2022 was subjected to extraordinary and unprecedented disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In 2021, the NEET exam was conducted in September instead of May, leading to substantial delays in the counselling and admission process. Due to this, a large number of students were unable to join their respective foreign medical institutions within the prescribed timelines.

Referring to this, AIMSA-FMSW had said that the exceptional circumstances in 2021 resulted in a situation where certain students were able to commence their courses earlier, while others faced delays. "The rigid application of the FMGL -2021 Regulations in such a scenario has resulted in an arbitrary and discriminatory outcome within the same cohort. Such differential treatment among similarly placed students is contrary to the principles of equality and fairness enshrined under Article 14 of the Constitution of India. which mandates equal treatment under the law. The present situation, therefore, warrants urgent reconsideration to prevent manifest injustice to the affected student," AIMSA FMSW further mentioned in the letter.

Also Read: Grant one-time exemption from FMGL regulations, apply prospectively from 2022 batch: FMGs urge NMC