NMC clarifies on norms for FMGs from Ukraine, Russia; migration to expire on March 7, 2024

NEW DELHI: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has answered frequently asked questions (FAQs) on migration policy, internship-related, course recognition, time-limit to qualify the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE). The commission conducts FMG exams to grant eligibility for foreign graduates to practice medicine in India.

On the migration policy, the NMC said that students who were pursuing higher education during the Russia-Ukraine war will be allowed to any country other than India. Such students who returned during the period of Operation Ganga from February 26 to March 11, 2022 will have to fill the FMGL regulations.

They are also required to submit details of period of education, subjects and training in various disciplines as per the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum, including family adoption programme, and procure certificate which grants them licence to practice modern medicine in that country. “This permission for migration shall be specific for these students only who returned to India till 31st March, 2022.” it said. The period of migration for such candidates will expire on March 7, 2024.

NExT regulations 2023 prepared after considering 6,500 suggestions, exam deferred after protest

Internship rules for FMGs

As a one-time measure, the Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) have been permitted to complete their internship in India. The NMC has validated a list of 650 recognised non-teaching hospitals for Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) issued by the erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI) for one year up to May 2024.

The NMC clarified that these students will not be allowed to do internships in different institutes. “All FMGs shall have to complete their internship in India within 10 years of the date of joining their Foreign Medical Institutions,” it said.

“7.5% of the permitted MBBS seats in old colleges who have their students pursuing CRMI and 100% in new medical colleges who do not have their own students doing CRMI,” the NMC said.

“The old screening test regulation 2002 shall remain applicable to the students who were studying BS Course or had taken admission in BS course and were physically studying at the time of publication of FMGL Regulation 2021 dated 18.11.2021,” it said on recognition of BS course.