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

New Delhi: Addressing the queries related to various issues concerning Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs), the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has now released several Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

This comes as a continuation of the recent notice dated 07.12.2023, where the Apex Medical Commission addressed several issues including the Academic Mobility Programme for the medical students abroad who had to come back to India due to COVID-19 pandemic and war, time-limit for the FMGs to clear their screening test in India, recognition of BS Course in Philippines.

Releasing the FAQs, the UG Board of NMC has offered further clarity in respect of these matters. It includes issues related to the FMGs from Ukraine (including the issue of Academic Mobility Progamme), issues regarding the recognition of BS course in Philippines, questions regarding the FMG Internship in Indian Institutes, capping of time limit to qualify FMG exam, documents necessary to submit to NMC/State Medical Council/ NBEMS by FMGs etc.

• Issues related to FMGs from Ukraine:

(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.

In the notice dated 07.12.2023, NMC while addressing the Academic Mobility Programme for the FMGs, 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."

However, at that time, NMC had mentioned 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."

• Issues related to recognition of BS course:

(1) Which regulations will be applicable to students pursuing BS course at the time of publication of FMGL regulations dated 18.11.2021?

Ans: The old screening test regulation 2002 shall remain applicable to the students who were studying BS Course or had taken admission in BS course and were physically studying at the time of publication of FMGL Regulation 2021 dated 18.11.2021. However they shall have to undergo internship in India as per CRMI regulations 2021 dated 18.11.2021.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that offering major relief to the Foreign Medical Students in the Philippines, NMC in its notice dated 07.12.2023 declared that the students who were studying the BS Course or had taken admission to the said course and were pursuing their studies physically in the medical institute abroad at the time of publication of FMGL Regulation 2021, will be allowed to continue their medical education.

While providing this one-time exemption specific to such students, the Apex Medical Commission has also clarified that such students will have to undergo an additional year of internship as per CRMI Regulation, 2021.

"Students who were studying BS Course or had taken admission in BS course and were physically studying in Foreign Medical Institute at the time of publication of FMGL Regulation 2021 dated 18.11.2021 shall be governed by old Screening Test Regulation, 2002 however such students shall have to undergo additional one year of internship as per CRMI Regulation, 2021," NMC UG Board mentioned in the notice dated 07.12.2023.

Also Read: NMC Relief for FMGs in Philippines: Students Already Enrolled in BS Course before FMGL Regulations get course recognition

• Issues related to Internship of FMGs in Indian Institutes:

(1)  What will be quota of seats available for internship in India for FMGs in various institutions of India?

Ans: The quota will be as mentioned in earlier FAQs; 7.5% of the permitted MBBS seats in old colleges who have their students pursuing CRMI and 100% in new medical colleges who do not have their own students doing CRMI.

(2) What will be the time frames for joining clinical clerkship and internship in India?

Ans: Time frames for joining shall be as per recently published notification.

(3) Who will be the authority to allot internship in India to these FMGs?

Ans: The permission to be granted to these FMGs to join internship including the time frames and schedules in various institutions shall be decided jointly by State Medical Councils and State Directorate General of Medical Education/authorities allotting institutions to FMGs for pursuing internship.

(4) Can the candidates do clinical clerkship and internship in India in different institutes?

Ans: No. The students shall be continuing their compulsory rotating medical internship in the same institute/colleges where they shall be doing their clinical clerkship.

• Issues related to capping of time limit to qualify FMG Examination:

(1) What will be the time limit for completing internship for FMGs?

Ans: The time limit for appearing in FMG Examination/NExT shall be in consonance with regulations applicable for Indian students. All FMGs shall have to complete their internship in India within 10 years of date of joining their Foreign Medical Institutions.

Documents required to submit to NMC/ State Medical Council/ National Board of Examination in Medical Education by FMGs:

(1) What are the documents required to be submitted by FMGs before seeking permission to appear in FMGL examination and before seeking registration to practise modern medicine/allopathy in India?

Ans:

a. Passport, all visa documents providing evidence of stay in the country for medical education, total number of days of stay in the country at each time, total number of classes, clinics, practical training in various disciplines along with topics taught and hours for each subject.

b. Certificate of passing for each year/ semester.

c. Certificate establishing license to practice modern medicine/allopathy in the country of graduation.

To view the FAQs, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/fmg-faqs-227647.pdf

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