FMGs demand separate counselling for domicile candidates, move UP medical council

Lucknow: The FMGs in UP have urged the Uttra Pradesh Medical Council to conduct separate counselling sessions for domicile and non-domicile candidates.

The Doctors Welfare Federation India (DWF) Uttar Pradesh branch has formally submitted a letter to the Registrar of the Uttar Pradesh Medical Council, highlighting their concerns regarding the current common counselling system.

According to the association, the existing process allows non-domicile candidates to compete for medical seats in Uttar Pradesh, making it difficult for local students to secure them in their preferred institutions. Many deserving candidates from the state are missing out on opportunities due to increased competition from students outside Uttar Pradesh.

The DWF pointed out that several other states give priority to domicile students in their FMGE counselling process to ensure that local aspirants receive fair opportunities. The association has now requested the Uttar Pradesh government to implement a similar policy, conducting separate counselling sessions for domicile and non-domicile candidates.

According to the federation, such a move would help local students secure seats within their home state while maintaining a transparent and merit-based admission process. "We request Uttar Pradesh to implement a similar system by conducting separate counselling for domicile and non-domicile candidates. This will help deserving local students secure admissions in their home state. We hope you will consider this request and take necessary action,” the association mentioned.

Talking to Medical Dialogues, Dr. Sudhanshu Pandey, the state president of the association, stated, “Despite being domiciled, we do not get enough opportunity in the state as domicile and non-domicile happen together. I also want to point out that FMGs start their internships after 6 months in UP, but that same internship starts after 3 months in MP. Hence, our FMGs often do not get the chance to participate in counselling of other states. We should have different criteria for domicile and non-domicile candidates in UP. Our UP candidates should get the benefit of their own state.”