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

New Delhi: Following protests by foreign medical graduates (FMGs) over mandatory additional training in India to compensate for online classes taken during the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has now clarified that the medicos will not be required to undergo additional training in India if they have already completed the required compensation abroad.

The Commission stated that FMGs who had to attend online classes during their MBBS course abroad due to the COVID-19 pandemic or war will not be required to undergo additional clerkship in India if they have already completed the required compensation through physical classes at their parent foreign medical institution.

As per the Apex Medical Body, such candidates must produce a valid compensatory certificate issued by their foreign medical institute, confirming that the online portion of their course has been duly covered through physical training, additional classes, or extended course duration. Once verified, these FMGs will be considered eligible for registration in India.

Earlier, in its notice dated March 6, 2026, the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of NMC had stated that FMGs who took admission on or before Nov 18, 2021 and have already compensated for online classes and completed internship abroad will be governed by the old rules (Screening Test Regulations). Those admitted after Nov 18, 2021, will follow FMGL 2021 and must do a 1-year mandatory internship in India (CRMI).

This triggered protests and opposition from FMGs, who argued that the notice was unfair, as they had attended online classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic and should not be required to undergo additional training again in India. Several representations from associations like AIMSA, AFA, and Tamil Nadu Medical Students Association's Foreign Medical Graduates Wing were submitted to the NMC for a rollback. 

Responding to these concerns, the Commission has withdrawn its earlier notice on March 6, 2026 and issued a fresh clarification on physical onsite compensation for online studies undertaken by FMGs.

The notice issued on 18.3.2026 by the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of NMC mentioned that "This Public Notice is issued as a clarification to the Public Notices dated 07.12.2023 and 19.06.2024 (copies enclosed) issued by the National Medical Commission regarding (i) Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) who had a break in their penultimate and final years and returned to lndia owing to the COVID-19 pandemic or war situation and completed their course (including examinations) through online mde, and (ii) the requirement of physical, onsite compensatory classes in lieu of online classes undertaken by FMGs pursuing medical education in institutions outside lndia, respectively."

The apex medical body said that although it had already explained the rules regarding “sufficiently compensated” and the requirement of clerkship after completing the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI), it continued to receive several requests and queries from FMGs and other stakeholders. 

Therefore, to remove confusion and ensure uniform implementation of the rules, the Commission decided to issue detailed clarifications to its earlier public notices dated December 7, 2023, and June 19, 2024, while preserving the intent and spirit of these public notices.

"The present clarification has been issued in clear and unambiguous terms to facilitate proper understanding and implementation. Accordingly, to avoid any further confusion, the Public Notice dated 06.03.2026 stands withdrawn and is hereby superseded by this clarificatory Public Notice," mentioned the notice. 

Referring to this notice, the National Medical Commission asked all the State Medical Councils to process the applications of Foreign Medical Graduates in accordance with the applicable regulations after verifying that they have fulfilled the required conditions.

Queries and Clarifications:

1. Applicability of Compulsory of Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) Regulations, 2021, Published on 18.11.2021, on Foreign Medical Graduates.

The CRMI Regulations, 2021 apply to Foreign Medical Graduates who took admission to their medical course on or after 18.11.2021, the date on which the regulations were notified. Such candidates are required to undergo one year of Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship in India after qualifying the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Examination (FMGE) in accordance with the provisions of these Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021.

Candidates who took admission before 18.11.2021 will be governed by the Screening Test Regulations, 2002. Such candidates are required to undergo CRMI in India only when they came back to India without undergoing a mandatory internship as a part of the medical course in Foreign Medical Institute.

2. Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG) who have undertaken any part of the medical course through online mode, what will be the eligibility criteria for applying for registration in India?

UGMEB clarified in cases where a Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG) who attended online classes during their penultimate and final years and were unable to compensate for such online instruction through physical classes at their parent foreign medical institute will have to undergo one year or two years of clerkship in India, as specified in public notice dated 07.12.2023, in lieu of the period of study conducted through online mode.

However, where the FMG produces a valid Compensatory Certificate as per the Public Notice dated 19.06.2024, issued by the parent foreign medical institution certifying that the online component of the course has already been compensated through physical classes along with internship program as a part of the course, through additional classes or extended course duration, as the case may be, supported by relevant transcripts, such FMG shall be eligible fo registration in lndia.

The board further clarified that FMGs governed by the Screening Test Regulations, 2002, who have already completed the required compensation and internship in physical mode at their parent foreign medical institution, shall not be required to undergo any additional CRMI in India.

3. What is the meaning of the term "Sufficiently Compensated" as stipulated in the Public Notice dated 1 9.06.2024?

The term "Sufficiently Compensated" means that any period during which theory classes, practical training, or internship were conducted through online mode must be compensated by the Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG) through physical attendance at the parent foreign medical institute.

The foreign medical institute is expected to make appropriate arrangements either by conducting additional/extra classes or by extending the duration of the course to enable the FMG to compensate for the online period.

This applies to the FMGs who are pursuing or yet to compensate the online classes. Those who have already compensated are required to submit the compensatory certificate, supported by relevant transcripts.

4. Clarification with regard to completion of clerkship in India in lieu of online classes

Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) who attended online online classes during their penultimate and final years and were unable to compensate for such online instruction through physical classes at their parent foreign medical institute will be required to compensate the the online classes by undergoing one year two years of clerkship, as specified in public notice dated 07.12.2023, in lieu of the period of study conducted through online mode.

If a candidate/Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG) has cleared the FMGE and completed one year of Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship (CRMI) in India, along| with production of compensatory certificate or clerkship completion certificate, as the case may be, the FMG becomes eligible for the registration, subject to the satisfaction of the State Medical Council about the authenticity of the Compensatory Certificate, & if required, to be corroborated from the entry-exit details in the passport of the FEMG.

5. Who has the primary responsibility to process applications of Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) to grant permanent registration in India? 

The primary responsibility for processing the responsibility of Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) rests exclusively with the respective State Medical Councils (SMCs), in consultation with the concerned State Directorate of Medical permanent registration in Education (DME).

In this regard, the SMCS shall verify and ensure that:

1. The FMG has qualified the Screening Test/FMGL Examination; and 

2. The FMG has duly completed the compensatory academic requirement, at the same foreign medical institution, duly verified and corroborated from the entry/exit records as reflected in the passport; If not, then the FMG must have undergone the required duration of clerkship in India, as prescribed in the public notice dated 07.12.2023; and

The board further warned that the State Medical Council shall not grant permanent registration unless it has verified that all required conditions, such as onsite compensation for online study, or required clerkship as per the mandate of public notice dated 07.12.2023, and completion of the compulsory rotating internshiphave been met. Any registration granted without following these rules will be considered a regulatory violation.

To view the official notice, click on the link below:

Reaction from medicos

Medical Dialogues had reported that Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) staged a protest outside the office of the National Medical Commission (NMC) on 16th March, 2026, demanding the withdrawal of the previous notice on mandatory physical onsite compensation for online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The next day, the medicos who held a discussion with the NMC officials following a brief protest informed that the apex medical body has agreed to issue a revised notice modifying the FMGE guidelines.

Now, the apex medical body has issued a clarification addressing the concerns raised by the FMGs and associations like All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) and All FMGs Association (AFA). 

Commenting on the matter, Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, Vice President, AIMSA, told Medical Dialogues, "We express heartfelt gratitude to the National Medical Commission for understanding and addressing the long-standing concerns of Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs), particularly the decision ensuring that no additional year of internship will be imposed."

He extended special appreciation to NMC Secretary Dr Raghav Langer for his sensible and empathetic approach in resolving the matter, calling it a significant relief for thousands of aspiring doctors across the country.

Dr Khan also acknowledged the efforts of the All India Medical Students Association and its AFA wing, along with key contributors, including Dr Shubham and Dr Kanishka, for their consistent support and advocacy on behalf of FMGs.

He emphasised that this decision marks a positive step towards fairness and clarity in medical education policies, bringing much-needed relief to students who have been facing uncertainty regarding their internships.

Dr Apurv Dalvi, National Convenor, AIMSA, said, "In light of the discussions held at the National Medical Commission and the issues brought forward on 16/03/2026, the Commission has issued a clarification addressing the concerns raised. This marks a significant achievement for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) in India and abroad. As per the previous guidelines of the National Medical Commission, the acceptance of the compensation letter shall remain valid. Accordingly, the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) of one year will be granted by the respective State Medical Councils after due verification of offline class details."

He further added, "On behalf of the All India Medical Students’ Association – Foreign Medical Students’ Wing, we extend our sincere gratitude to the National Medical Commission. This includes AIMSA along with all representatives from Delhi, faculty members, and the continuous support from FMGs and allied platforms. We deeply appreciate the Commission for considering the demands and issuing the clarification at the earliest."

Dr Kaushal from AFA, which jointly worked with AIIMSA FMGW on this issue, also appreciated NMC for considering the demands of the medical graduates from abroad and issuing the clarification at the earliest.

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