FAIMA flags internship delays for FMGs, seeks Nadda's intervention

The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has urged Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and the National Medical Commission (NMC) to address delays in internship allotment and stipend-related issues faced by Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs). The association said the delays are affecting FMGs in Delhi as well as several other states across the country.

According to the letter dated June 22, 2026, FAIMA said 346 FMGs who qualified the FMGE December 2025 session have been waiting for nearly five months for internship allotment in Delhi. This is despite clearing the mandatory licensing examination and becoming eligible to begin their Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI).

FAIMA alleged that several medical colleges and non-teaching hospitals are denying internship seats to FMGs, majorly due to budget constraints. They claim that stipend payment does not fall under their responsibility. The association also claimed that the Delhi Medical Council (DMC) has not completed the verification process of FMGs' documents and has not taken responsibility for internship seat allotment.

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Impact on FMGs

FAIMA said the delay has led to:

• Loss of around 5–6 months of valuable time
• Adverse impact on eligibility and preparation timelines for NEET PG 2027
• Inability of FMGs to begin their professional careers despite clearing FMGE
• Increased mental stress and financial burden on FMGs and their families
• Underutilisation of qualified doctors despite shortages in the healthcare system

The association mentioned it recently met Delhi Health Minister Dr Pankaj Singh, who assured efforts to resolve the matter. However, no significant progress has been communicated since the meeting.

FAIMA stated that similar problems are being faced by FMGs in several states, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Odisha and Bihar. According to the association, internship allotment is delayed by 5–6 months in many states, while in some cases delays extend to 1.5 to 2 years.

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Demands raised by FAIMA

The association urged the Health Ministry and National Medical Commission (NMC) to:

• Ensure immediate internship allotment for the 346 FMGs awaiting seats in Delhi.
• Expedite document verification and seat allocation by the Delhi Medical Council.
• Establish a fixed national timeline for internship allotment by all State Medical Councils under NMC guidance.
• Resolve stipend-related disputes and ensure FMGs receive equal stipends as directed by the Supreme Court and NMC.
• Increase the FMG internship seat limit in medical colleges from 7.5% to at least 20–30%, citing the rise in FMGE pass percentages to around 15–30%.
• Create a sustainable mechanism to accommodate future FMG batches.

FMGE 2026

FAIMA highlighted that the FMGE June 2026 examination is approaching and another batch of successful FMGs will soon become eligible for internships. The association warned that the existing crisis could worsen if corrective measures are not taken quickly.