The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) covering various critical issues, with a specific focus on Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) and students impacted by the Russia-Ukraine war. These FAQs are dated December 11, 2023.
The FAQs serve as explanations for public understanding and are not legally binding. Legal validity should be referred to the relevant gazette notifications.
1. Migration of Students Affected by Russia-Ukraine War:
The FAQs state that students pursuing studies in Ukraine/Russia during the war can migrate to other countries other than India. These students shall fulfill the following terms:
- Candidates who joined the course physically in Ukraine/Russia before the war and returned/ were evacuated to India during the war period are eligible.
- They must fulfill FMGL regulations published on 18.11.2021 (other than migration) and procure a certificate allowing them to practice modern medicine in the chosen country.
- This migration permission is specific to students who returned to India until 31st March 2022.
The permission for migration shall expire on March 7, 2024.
2. Recognition of BS Course:
The old screening test regulation 2002 shall remain applicable to students pursuing BS course at the time of FMGL regulations publication. These students must undergo internship in India as per CRMI regulations 2021.
3. Internship of FMGs in Indian Institutes:
The quota of seats available for FMG internship in India is as mentioned in earlier FAQs; 7.5% in old colleges and 100% in new medical colleges.
Time frames for joining clinical clerkship and internship in India will be as per the recently published notification.
State Medical Councils and State Directorate General of Medical Education will jointly decide the permissions allot internship in India.
Candidates cannot do clerkship and internship in different institutes. They must continue their internship in the same institute where they are doing their clinical clerkship.
4. Capping of Time Limit for FMG Examination:
FMGs must complete their internship in India within 10 years of joining their Foreign Medical Institutions.
5. Documents Required for FMGs:
Documents required to be submitted by FMGs before appearing in FMGL examination and seeking registration in India:
- Passport,
- visa documents,
- passing certificates for each year/semester, and
- license to practice modern medicine/allopathy in the country of graduation
