Big relief for FMGs, NMC extends internship completion deadline to May 2026

NEW DELHI: In a major relief to the foreign medical graduates, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has extended the compulsory internship to two years till May 2026. The decision was taken after the commission received several representations from students regarding difficulty in deployment of FMGs for internship.

“... it has now been decided to extend the above time period from May 2024 to May 2026 i.e. for two years,” the NMC said.

The FMGE results were declared in February by the National Board of Examinations at natboard.edu.in. A total of 38,535 candidates appeared for the screening test, of which 30,046 candidates failed and 693 FMGs were marked absent.

The All FMGs Association (AFA) had earlier informed NMC that the current seats in teaching hospitals are not sufficient to accommodate the qualified foreign medical graduates. The Delhi Medical Council also urged the commission to allow candidates to complete their internship in non-teaching hospitals.

According to the NMC guidelines, foreign medical graduates should mandatorily complete Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) in India for a minimum duration of 12 months in medical colleges approved by the CRMI.

The state medical councils are responsible for allocating medical colleges to these FMGs for completing internships. The NMC regulation states that the compulsory internship should be completed within two years of passing the FMGE exam. However, as a one-time relaxation, the period has been extended to three years.

The NMC has notified a list of 673 hospitals, including non-teaching hospitals, where FMGs will be allowed to complete their internships.