Bihar FMGs demand immediate CRMI internship allotment
Patna: Even though the National Medical Commission clarified several concerns related to Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) and asked State Medical Councils to ensure uniform implementation of the regulations, medicos in Bihar are allegedly still waiting for the commencement of their Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI).
Holding placards, the medicos recently peacefully protested demanding the immediate commencement of internship, issuance of an official notice with a definite timeline, and transparent allotment of medical colleges strictly on a merit-list basis.
Medical Dialogues has been reporting on the issue for several months, as medicos from several states are unable to focus on their careers because their internships have not started yet, leaving many of them jobless and uncertain about their future.
Under the National Medical Commission regulations, FMGs are required to complete their foreign medical degree, clear the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination, complete the mandatory internship/CRMI in India and obtain permanent registration to practice in India.
Without completing the mandatory internship, FMGs cannot obtain permanent medical registration and are therefore unable to legally practice medicine in India. As a result, delays in internship allotment can leave qualified FMGs waiting for months or even years before they can start their careers.
The graduates stated that despite clearing the mandatory Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), a licensure examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, and completing all required documentation, they are still unable to get internship opportunities.
NMC FAQ clarification
On June 8, 2026, the National Medical Commission released a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to clarify the implementation of its public notice dated March 18, 2026, concerning Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) who completed compensatory physical training during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia war period.
Issuing the FAQ document on June 8, 2026, the NMC said the FAQs have been issued solely for guidance and facilitation of uniform implementation of the Public Notices issued by NMC.
"The Public Notice dated 18.03.2026 is merely a clarification of the Public Notice dated 07.12.2023 and does not operate retrospectively. Accordingly, any order, decision, allotment, registration, internship duration, internship direction, or any other action validly taken by a competent authority, including a State Medical Council, prior to issuance of the Public Notice dated 18.03.2026 shall remain unaffected. FMGs who have already been allotted internship, including those allotted one/two years of CRMI, and those presently undergoing internship pursuant to decisions taken under the Public Notices dated 07.12.2023 and 19.06.2024, shall continue and complete such internship in accordance with the directions of the concerned State Medical Council. Nothing contained in the Public Notice dated 18.03.2026 shall invalidate, modify, or disturb any such prior decision or action," the NMC said.
The clarifications addressed key issues relating to compensation certificates, registration, internship obligations, and recognition of training completed abroad.
No internship yet
Raising the issue of delay in internship allotment, the All India Medical Students' Association (AIMSA) Foreign Medical Students' Wing has written to the Bihar Council of Medical Registration (BCMR), requesting immediate commencement of CRMI internship and merit-based allotment of colleges for FMGs.
In the letter addressed to the Registrar of BCMR, the association stated that a large number of FMGs had qualified the FMGE exam in January 2026 and completed all required formalities. However, despite fulfilling the eligibility criteria, many candidates are still awaiting internship allotment.
The association pointed out that the delay is affecting the careers of FMGs, including their professional registration, postgraduate entrance examinations, and job opportunities.
It requested the council to begin the internship allotment process at the earliest for eligible FMGs awaiting CRMI, publish a merit list based on FMGE marks and allot internship seats strictly according to merit and candidate preference, ensure a transparent, fair, and uniform counselling process for allotment of medical colleges and hospitals, publish the vacancy matrix of available internship seats before counselling and complete the allotment process within a defined timeline so that FMGs may commence their internships without further delay.
Referring to the NMC FAQ issued on June 8, 2026, the association said that NMC stressed uniform implementation of regulations by State Medical Councils to facilitate timely processing of FMG matters.
"Delays in internship allotment adversely affect hundreds of FMGs who are eager to contribute to the healthcare system and continue their professional training. A merit-based and transparent allotment system will ensure fairness, prevent grievances, and uphold the principles of equal opportunity. We therefore earnestly request your good office to kindly initiate the internship allotment process at the earliest and allot colleges strictly on the basis of merit," the letter read.
As of 15 June 2026, Bihar State Representative of AIMSA-FMSW & AFA Dr Shweta Raj, along with other FMGE-passed medical graduates, visited the Secretariat to meet with the senior officials responsible for the internship allocation process.
During the meeting, the officials informed the delegation that the matter is actively being worked upon and requested the candidates to wait until 25 June 2026. The authorities further assured the representatives that the internship process is expected to commence by the end of June 2026.
Although no written notification or official commencement order has been issued so far, the discussion has provided a positive outlook, and the students remain hopeful that the long-pending internship process will finally begin within the assured timeframe.
Speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr Samar Kumar, Vice President, AIMSA-FMSW National Team, told Medical Dialogues, "As of now, we have not received any concrete assurance or official commitment from the concerned authorities regarding internship commencement. Therefore, our efforts and advocacy will continue until FMGs receive a clear timeline and official notification. We respectfully request the Hon’ble Health Ministers and authorities of Bihar to intervene and help resolve the issues faced by FMGs. We also appeal to the National Medical Commission (NMC) to take these concerns seriously."
He said, "As young doctors, we are losing valuable time and opportunities due to administrative delays. We request the NMC to establish a uniform national timeline and framework for all State Medical Councils and concerned authorities to ensure timely conduct of internships and transparent allotment processes. We further request the NMC to formulate a nationwide policy regarding internship stipends so that FMGs across all states are treated fairly and uniformly."
