NMC releases FAQs on CRMI Regulations 2021, Details

New Delhi: In order to provide better understanding of the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship Regulations, 2021, the National Medical Commission has released the Frequently Asked Questions in this regard.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that releasing one of the most comprehensive documents on the elements of MBBS internship, NMC had last year released the Draft Regulations For Rotational Compulsory Regulations, 2021.

The FAQs cover several issues including the questions of where internships can be done, prescribed duration of internship, restrictions for completion of CRMI, leaves during internship, eligibility criteria for both Indian medicos and Foreign Medical graduates, the issue of stipend among others. The FAQs related to the CRMI Regulations 2021 are as follows:

When did the CRMI Regulations 2021 come into force?

CRMI Regulations 2021 came into force on the date of their final publication in the Official Gazette of India November, 2021.

To whom do CRMI Regulations 2021 apply?

CRMI Regulations 2021 are applicable to all medical graduates who begin their internship on/after the date of publication in the Official Gazette of India i.e.181h November, 2021 and wish to obtain permanent registration to practice medicine in India.

Is it mandatory to do CRMI?

Yes. All medical graduates have to undergo compulsory rotating medical internship in India to be eligible for permanent registration to practice medicine in India.

Where can internships be done?

Internships for Indian/Foreign Medical Graduates can only be done from a medical college or institution approved/recognised by the Commission and listed by the Undergraduate Medical Education Board under the provisions of section 35 of the Act.

Who is responsible for implementation of CRMI Regulations, 2021?

The Dean/ Principal/ Director or any other equivalent authority.

What is the prescribed duration of the internship?

Minimum period of twelve months, to the satisfaction of the college authorities and the University concerned after passing the final Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) examination/ National Exit Exam for MBBS (Next), so as to be eligible for the award of the MBBS degree by the respective Universities.

Are there any time restrictions for completion of CRMI?

The Internship shall be completed within two years of passing the final MBBS or Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) or NExT Step-1 examination, whenever in force.

Are there any exemptions from the time restrictions for completion of CRMI?

The minimum duration (i.e. 12 months) may be extended appropriately by a reasonable period on recommendation by the College or University for reasons including but not limited to:

(I) insufficient period of attendance; or

(ii) any exigency such as disasters or unforeseen circumstances in the country as notified by the Government of India or any competent authority duly authorized to do so.

Are interns allowed to take leave during internship?

Yes; The following types of leaves are allowed:

(i) Normal Leave: A maximum of fifteen days leave with prior permission, during the entire period of internship.

(ii) Maternity Leave: According to prevailing rules and regulations of the Central Government or State Government.

(iii) Paternity Leave: Two weeks either in continuation or in intervals of one week each within one year of internship.

(iv) Medical Leave: Included within the fifteen days of normal leave. [Regulation 2(d) of Schedule I)

Are interns allowed transfer during internship?

No; All Indian Medical Graduates shall complete their entire period of compulsory rotating internship training (CRMI) in the institution where they have pursued and completed their Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).

What are the eligibility criteria for completion of CRMI by Indian Medical Graduates?

(a) Successful completion of the MBBS course of any University from a college or institution approved and recognised by the Commission and listed by the Undergraduate Medical Education Board under the provisions of section 35 of the NMC Act, 2019.

(b) The qualifying examination in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission at the time of commencement of internship;

(i) The Final MBBS Examination;

(ii) The National Exit Test (NExT) Step-1 whenever this examination becomes operational;

(iii) Any other requirement as may be regulated or notified by the Central Government or the Commission.

(c) All Indian Medical Graduates shall complete their entire period of CRMI in the institution where they have pursued and completed their MBBS;

(i) One-year approved service in the Armed Forces Medical Services, after passing the final MBBS examination shall be considered as equivalent to the pre- registration training detailed above; and such training shall, as far as possible, be at the Base or General Hospital. The training in Community Medicine should fulfil the norms of the NMC as proposed above. However NExT step 2 will be mandatory for these candidates also.

What are the eligibility criteria for completion of CRMI by Foreign Medical Graduates?

(a) All Foreign Medical Graduates, as regulated by the National Medical Commission (Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate) Regulations, 2021, are required to undergo internship at par with Indian Medical Graduates if they desire to seek Permanent Registration to practice Medicine in India.

(i) All Foreign Medical Graduates, unless otherwise notified shall be required to undergo CRMI at par with Indian Medical Graduates after the National Exit Test Step-1 after NExT becomes operational.

(b) Indian citizens (including overseas Indian citizens) who are Foreign Medical Graduates who do not fall under the purview of the National Medical Commission (Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate) Regulations, 2021 shall be regulated by the provisions of sub-section (3) of section 13 of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 (102 of 1956) in accordance with the Advisory no MCI-203(1)(Gen)/2020- Regn./118239, dated the 2nd September, 2020 and shall be required to complete CRMI in India if they have not undergone such practical training after obtaining such qualification as may be required by the rules and regulations in force in the country granting such qualification or has not undergone any practical training in that country.

(c) Foreign Medical Graduates who require to complete a period of Internship shall do so only in medical colleges or institutions approved for providing CRMI to Indian Medical Graduates;

(I) Foreign Medical Graduates may be posted first in colleges which have been newly opened and have yet to be recognized;

(ii) May be posted to different medical colleges or institutions through a counseling or seat allocation process based on the merit;

(iii) Medical colleges or institutions may allow up to 7.5 per cent of their permitted quota of interns to accommodate internship by Foreign Medical Graduates.

(d) The college or institution and its affiliated hospitals and Community Health Centres shall be recognised by the Commission for conducting the CRMI programme.

Who is a Mentor?

A mentor is an appropriately qualified and trained medical teacher and senior to the trainee, who guides the trainee in all aspects of graduation, such as, education, skill enhancement, research work and ethical values. The entire course of internship is to be done under active supervision of the mentor duly qualified in that, respect.

What should be the qualifications of a mentor?

A mentor for interns shall possess postgraduate qualification in the subject concerned and shall be duly certified as a mentor for interns by Professor and Head of the Department concerned.

What is the amount of stipend to be paid to interns?

All interns shall be paid stipend as fixed by the appropriate authority applicable to the institution/ University or State. The total stipend paid for the entire internship may be for fifty-two weeks (Twelve months) only.

To view the official Notice, Click here  : https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/20220505010450-175687.pdf

Also Read: MBBS internship only at Medical College where medico is studying: NMC releases fresh guidelines for Compulsory Rotating Internship