FMGs Claim Victory as NMC Agrees to Revise FMGE Guidelines Following Protest Over Online Class Compensation

New Delhi: Amid the uproar over mandatory physical onsite compensation for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) who attended online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, the medicos who held a discussion with the National Medical Commission officials following a brief protest informed that the apex medical body has agreed to issue a revised notice modifying the FMGE guidelines.

While the Commission has agreed to amend the regulations in favour of students, aiming to ensure greater fairness and clarity in implementation, the exact timeline for issuing the revised notice is yet to be announced. Medical dialogues is yet to get a confirmation from the Apex medical regulator on this development 

Medical Dialogues had reported that the Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) staged a protest outside the office of the National Medical Commission (NMC), demanding the withdrawal of the NMC notice that called for them to compensate their online classes that were taken during COVID-19 pandemic through physical onsite clinical or theory training

The protest erupted after NMC issued a notice regarding online classes taken during the pandemic period. FMGs have raised concerns that the clarification has come nearly six years after the pandemic, and they are now being asked to follow the new interpretation, which, according to them, is 'unjust'.

Also read- NMC clarifies on mandatory physical compensation classes for online MBBS study by FMGs, warns of regulatory violation

The UGMEB on 5.3.2026 clarified several queries raised by stakeholders and students about the requirement to compensate for online medical education through physical training.

As per the NMC notice, students who took admission in foreign medical institutions on or before November 18, 2021, the date when the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations (FMGL) 2021 were notified and have compensated their online classes through physical onsite clinical or theory training, completed one year of internship at their foreign medical institution, and passed the examination equivalent to the MBBS exam in India, will be considered under the provisions of the Screening Test Regulations.

However, students who took admission after November 18, 2021, will be governed by the FMGL Regulations 2021 and will be required to undergo one year of mandatory internship in India in accordance with the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) Regulations 2021.

The Commission also clarified that compensation for online classes without extending the study period will not be accepted. According to NMC, foreign medical institutions cannot issue compensation certificates unless the students actually undergo additional physical training for the duration of the online study.

Opposing the decision, the FMGs staged a protest organised by the All Foreign Medical Graduates Association (AFA) and the All India Medical Students Association-Foreign Medical Students Wing (AIMSA-FMSW), along with the support of FMGs from across India.

Representatives from both associations held a meeting with the NMC officials yesterday and today. Based on their discussion, the associations jointly released a press release on 17.3.2026.

In their statement, the AIMSA-FMSW & AFA shared with Medical Dialogues that the NMC has agreed to continue accepting compensation letters as previously practiced and a revised notice reflecting this decision will be published soon.

The FMGL guidelines will be modified in favour of students, ensuring greater fairness and clarity in implementation and a modified and updated notice addressing these changes will be released shortly the FMGE students stated .

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, Vice President, AIMSA said, "I sincerely thank NMC for their support and positive consideration. I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my colleagues from AIMSA and AFA for their constant efforts and dedication. Special thanks to Dr Shubham, Dr Kanishkaa, and every member of AIMSA who stood together and worked tirelessly. This achievement is a result of our collective unity and commitment. Thank you to everyone who believed in us, and we will continue to work for the welfare of students."

Also read- FMGs protest outside NMC office demanding withdrawal of online classes compensation notice