Doctors' body seeks Union Health Minister's intervention on FMG internship allotment delays, stipend issues

New Delhi: Altogether 346 Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) have been waiting for nearly five months for internship allotment in Delhi, despite successfully clearing the mandatory licensing examination FMGE December 2025 and becoming eligible to begin their Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI).

Writing to the Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) urged immediate intervention to address delays in internship allotment and stipend-related issues faced by Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) across the country, particularly in Delhi.

As per the directives of the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, FMGs in Delhi are entitled to receive equal stipend during internship.

However, the association pointed out that several medical colleges and non-teaching hospitals are reportedly denying internship seats to FMGs, citing lack of budgetary provisions and stating that payment of stipend does not fall under their responsibility.

FAIMA further alleged that the Delhi Medical Council (DMC) has not yet completed the verification process of FMGs' documents and has also not taken responsibility for internship seat allotment due to concerns related to stipend expenditure. As a result, hundreds of qualified graduates continue to wait for internship opportunities.

The association said it recently met Delhi Health Minister Dr Pankaj Singh, who assured that efforts would be made to resolve the issue. However, FAIMA claimed that no significant progress has been communicated so far.

Highlighting the impact of the delay, the doctors' body said that FMGs have already lost around five to six months of valuable time. The association warned that the situation could affect candidates' eligibility and preparation timelines for NEET-PG 2027.

"Young doctors who have already completed FMGE are unable to begin their professional careers. The prolonged uncertainty is causing severe mental stress and financial burden to FMGs and their families. At a time when Delhi faces a significant shortage of doctors and experiences a heavy patient load, these qualified medical graduates remain underutilised," the association said in the letter.

This issue is not limited to Delhi alone. FMGs across several states, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Odisha, Bihar, and others, are facing similar challenges. In many cases, internship allotment is delayed by 5–6 months, while in some states, delays extend to 1.5 to 2 years, causing immense hardship to aspiring doctors.

Following this, the association requested:

i. Immediate intervention for internship allotment of the 346 FMGs awaiting seats in Delhi.

ii. Expedited completion of document verification and seat allocation by the Delhi Medical Council.

iii. Establishment of a fixed national timeline for internship allotment by all State Medical Councils under the guidance of the National Medical Commission.

iv. Resolution of stipend-related disputes so that FMGs receive equal stipend as directed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court and NMC.

v. Enhancement of the current FMG internship seat limit in medical colleges from 7.5% to at least 20–30%, considering that the FMGE pass percentage has now increased to approximately 15–30%.

vi. Creation of a sustainable mechanism to accommodate future FMG batches.

"With the FMGE June 2026 examination approaching within days, another batch of successful FMGs will soon become eligible for an internship. Since an internship in India is required for FMGs as per NMC guidelines, the existing crisis may worsen if timely corrective measures are not undertaken," the letter mentioned.

Commenting on this, Dr Srinath Dubyala, National President of FAIMA, told Medical Dialogues, "The delay in internship allotment and unresolved stipend issues are causing serious hardship to thousands of FMGs across the country. Many young doctors who have cleared the FMGE and completed all required formalities are still waiting for internship seats, affecting their careers, mental well-being, and future plans. We urge the government, NMC, and concerned authorities to take immediate steps to expedite internship allotment, ensure stipend parity, and establish a transparent and time-bound mechanism. Timely action is essential to safeguard the future of these doctors and strengthen the healthcare workforce"

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