Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Minister of External Affairs Informs LokSabha on NMC Initiatives Helping FMGs

New Delhi: During the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, around 18,282 Indian nationals, predominantly medical students were repatriated by the Government of India under “Operation Ganga” in the wake of the Ukraine Conflict, the Minister of External Affairs Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar informed the Lok Sabha.

He further highlighted the fact that considering the challenges faced by the Indian students repatriated from Ukraine in continuing their medical studies, the National Medical Commission (NMC) offered several reliefs to such students such as allowing the final year students to appear in the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), issuing no-objection to the Academic Mobility Program offered by Ukraine etc.

The provisions of the NMC scheme, as mentioned by Dr. Jaishankar are as follows:

(i) Indian students who were in the last year of their undergraduate medicine course and have subsequently completed their studies and granted certificate of completion of course/degree on or before 30 June 2022, are permitted to appear in Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG) Examination.

(ii) After qualifying the FMG examination, such foreign medical graduates are required to undergo Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) for a period of two years enabling them for registration.

(iii) The NMC has conveyed No-objection to the Academic Mobility Program offered by Ukraine i.e. temporary relocation (for the period of conflict) to other universities in different countries (except India). Under this relaxation, the FMGs returning from Ukraine are allowed to avail one time opportunity to complete their remaining medical course. The Degree may, however, be awarded by the University where they shall migrate. On 22 November 2023, NMC extended the relaxation granted in such cases by 3 months.

Also Read:NMC Releases FAQs related to issues faced by Foreign Medical Graduates, Check Details

The Minister provided the information while responding to the queries raised by Shri N. K. Premachandran related to the Indian students studying abroad. He questioned the Minister if the Government has established an effective system for monitoring the issues of the Indian students studying abroad, whether the Government ensures that the concerned agencies who arrange admission of Indian Students abroad fulfill all the measures given to students/parents.

Further, he asked the Minister whether the Government has received any complaints regarding the frauds committed by various agencies with respect to the study of Indian students abroad and whether the Government has attended to issues faced by the Indian students due to Ukraine conflict. He also sought to know the details of action taken to protect the Indian students who have been studying in Ukraine and the action taken to resolve the mental issues due to the harassment of the Indian students abroad.

Responding to the queries, the Minister mentioned in a written statement, "The welfare of Indian students abroad is one of the foremost priorities for the Government of India. Indian Missions/ Posts abroad arrange welcome ceremonies for students enrolled for studying in foreign universities, encouraging them to register with the Missions/ Posts. Wherever Indian students are enrolled in Universities abroad, the Missions keep in regular touch with them. Heads of Mission/Post and senior officials visit Universities and educational institutions for regular interactions with Indian students and student associations."

"Indian Missions/ Posts abroad respond to any issues faced by Indian students on priority basis. Grievances are responded through various channels like calls, walk-ins, e-mails, social media, 24x7 Helplines, Open Houses, and MADAD portal. Any complaints received from the students abroad are taken up with the concerned universities/ educational institutions and the host government as the case may be, for requisite action. Our Missions and Posts remain vigilant and closely monitor the well being of students. In case there is any untoward incident, it is immediately taken up with the concerned authorities of the host country to ensure that the incident is properly investigated and the perpetrators are punished. During emergency or crisis situations, our Missions/Posts abroad proactively help distressed /stranded Indian students in terms of providing food, shelter, medicine and return passage to India. Most recently, Indian students were repatriated under various operations such as Vande Bharat Mission, Operation Ganga and Operation Ajay from countries around the world," he further added.

Referring to the Government's measures to warn the Indian students against taking admission to fraudulent Universities, the Minister mentioned, "Seeking higher education overseas is mostly an individual decision made by Indian students, who often use services of private education consultancies. The Government is aware of some instances of fraudulent admissions in foreign universities through unscrupulous agencies, which are dealt with by the Ministry on case-to-case basis. Such cases are referred to the State Governments for strict legal action against such education agents. Missions/ Posts abroad issue regular advisories to warn students about fake Universities. Some Missions/Posts share the link of the list of genuine Universities on their website so that students may apply to these Universities only. Social media platforms are also utilized to sensitize the Indian students about the fake Universities."

He also addressed the Indian students, who were studying in Ukraine during the war and informed that around 18,282 Indian nationals, predominantly medical students were repatriated by the Government of India under the “Operation Ganga” in the wake of the Ukraine Conflict.

To view the written statement, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/lok-sabha-ukraine-228028.pdf

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