NMC Chairperson Dr Abhijat Sheth promises to look into difficulties raised by FMGs
New Delhi: A delegation of foreign medical graduates, accompanied by Jaswant Singh, met the National Medical Commission (NMC) chairperson, Dr. Abhijat Sheth, on October 26, 2026, to highlight concerns and suggestions regarding the screening test, internship opportunities, and integration into the country's healthcare workforce. They submitted a memorandum to the NMC Chief in this regard.
During the meeting, Dr. Prem Aggarwal, Chairman, Medical Dialogues, was also present. Discussions were held regarding the challenges faced by foreign medical graduates in completing the requirements to enter medical practice in India.
According to the delegation, Dr. Sheth assured the representatives that every eligible FMG should have access to an internship on a par with Indian medical graduates, including parity in stipend. He also indicated that additional avenues would be explored to expand the availability of internship positions.
Dr. Sheth also conveyed that the difficulty level of the qualifying examination was being regulated to provide candidates with a fair opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and enter mainstream medical practice. He encouraged graduates to prepare diligently and work towards successfully clearing the examination.
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The discussion emphasised the importance of enabling foreign medical graduates to fulfil the prescribed examination and training requirements so that they can contribute effectively to healthcare delivery. Dr. Sheth recognised the potential of this substantial pool of medical graduates and expressed support for facilitating their education, training and integration into the medical workforce.
The delegation has welcomed his constructive response and willingness to examine the issues raised in the memorandum. The meeting provided an opportunity for direct dialogue on practical measures to improve the pathway from qualification to internship and entry into medical practice.
The assurances conveyed during the meeting offer encouragement to FMGs seeking clarity and equitable opportunities as they complete the requirements for practising in India.
Concerns Raised by FMGs:
Earlier, on October 9, 2026, the National Federation of Foreign Medical Graduates Doctor's Forum had written to Dr. Sheth for a meeting to discuss the key issues faced by foreign medical graduates in India.
They wanted clarification on the proposed changes to the October FMGE examination- whether the proposed benefit or changes will apply only to the repeat candidates or also to the fresh candidates as well, and whether there will be any change in the examination pattern, evaluation methology or qualifying criteria.
Further, they sought clarification regarding the proposed rationalisation of the difficulty level of upcoming FMGE examinations, particularly the suggested 20:30:50 approach, seeking to know what will constitute the 20 per cent, 30 per cent and 50 per cent categories in terms of question difficulty, how this system will ensure consistency and fairness between different FMGE sessions, and what specific benefit this approach will provide to the candidates, and how the difficulty level will be standardised so that candidates appearing in different sessions are evaluated equitably.
The Forum had also urged the Apex Medical Commission to consider granting a one-time exception from FMG Licentiate Regulations, 2021, to students of the 2021–2022 MBBS admission batch.
Other requests raised by the Forum included an increase in FMG internship seats from 7.5 per cent to 25 per cent, and establishment of FMG Grievance Redressal Committees under the NMC and NBEMS, a one-time university transfer facility for FMGs facing exceptional circumstances, and inauguration and recognition of the NGGMG Doctors Forum.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) had agreed to reduce the difficulty level of the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE) by including 30 percent simple questions, 50 percent moderate questions, and only 20 percent severe-difficulty questions to enable more students to qualify.
It was also agreed upon that the video-based clinical questions that added to the difficulty shall be withheld for the period of one year. Further, to enable more and more students to pass the screening test, NBE has agreed to increase the exam frequency from 2 to 3 times a year, and one additional examination shall be held only this year in late October.
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