Why is there a delay in issuing Eligibility Certificate to FMGs? MoS Health informs parliament

New Delhi: Addressing the issue of Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs), the Union Minister of State for Health, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar informed the Lok Sabha on Friday that the delay in issuing eligibility certificate to the FMGs occurs due to delay in validation of documents submitted by the candidates, verification of admission letter from the foreign medical institutions.

Further, MoS Health stated that most candidates approach the National Medical Commission (NMC) for grant of EC after joining the medical courses or after completion of their MBBS degree, at the time of applying for Foreign Medical Graduates Examination or for permanent registration in the State Medical Councils.

"In all cases, the State Medical Councils seek confirmation from NMC before grant of Permanent Registration. Further, in order to reduce the delays in the process of registration an online portal has been made available," stated the Minister.

It is mandatory for medical graduates from abroad to clear the FMGE test in order to get registered and practice in India. However, the doctors cannot register or appear in the FMGE test without an eligibility certificate. Despite completing all the required procedure in this regard, several candidates are facing problems in obtaining the mandatory eligibility certificate from the Apex medical commission.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that even the FMGs who applied in 2021, 2022 and earlier months of 2023 were facing the problem. Their applications were pending at some level and they were not getting the certificates. Therefore, they were missing their chances to appear in the FMGE test.

Recently the matter was raised in the Parliament by Shri V.K. Sreekandan, who questioned the Health Ministry if the FMGs had sought the intervention of the Government to get Certificate of Permanent Registration from the respective State Medical Councils, and if there has been any delay in issuance of Eligivility Certificates by NMC to the FMGs.

Responding to these queries, the MoS Health Dr. Pawar informed that as per the Screening Test Regulations 2002, candidates joining undergraduate medical course in any foreign medical institution on or after 15th March, 2002 were required to approach the erstwhile Medical Council of India for issue of an Eligibility Certificate (EC) prior to going abroad as a prerequisite for permanent registration in India after completion of the course.

She further informed that vide Gazette notification dated 01.03.2018, the requirement of EC has been dispensed with and the qualification in National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) has been made mandatory. The NEET passing certificate is deemed as EC.

Addressing the delay in issuing EC, the Minister stated, "The delay in issuance of EC occurs due to delay in validation of documents submitted by the candidates, verification of admission letter from the foreign medical institutions. Most candidates approach the National Medical Commission (NMC) for grant of EC after joining the medical courses or after completion of their MBBS degree, at the time of applying for Foreign Medical Graduates Examination or for permanent registration in the State Medical Councils. In all cases, the State Medical Councils seek confirmation from NMC before grant of Permanent Registration. Further, in order to reduce the delays in the process of registration an online portal has been made available."

To view the document, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/loksabha-fmg-214846.pdf

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