FMGs have to Complete Internship within 10 Years in India of Joining their MBBS course abroad: NMC

New Delhi: Setting a time limit for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) to get recognized to practice in India, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has clarified that FMGs shall have to complete their internship in India within 10 years from the date of joining their parent institutes abroad.

Issuing a public notice on December 07, 2023, the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of NMC addressed the issues related to the capping of time limit to qualify the FMG Exam and mentioned, "All FMGs shall have to complete their internship within 10 years from date of joining their Foreign Medical Institutions to procure qualification equivalent to MBBS in India."

This comes after the previous clarification issued by NMC last month. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that NMC had issued a clarification on 22.11.2023 while addressing several issues concerning the FMGs.

At that time, NMC had mentioned that there would be a time limit of 10 years for the FMGs to clear their licentiate examination, to be able to get registered and practice in India. Further, the Commission had clarified that medical graduates from abroad will have to clear the licentiate exam- either the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) or the National Exit Test (NExT) whichever will be applicable at the time, within 10 years from completing their medical education.

In this regard, NMC had earlier mentioned, "The time limit for appearing in FMG Examination/ NExT will be 10 years from the completion of their training/ course in Foreign Medical Institution."

Also Read: NMC Relief for FMGs in Philippines: Students Already Enrolled in BS Course before FMGL Regulations get course recognition

Therefore, as per the previous NMC notice, FMGs had a time limit of 10 years to clear their FMG exam after completing their training course at the Foreign Medical Institute.

However, the time duration has now been revised by NMC. Now the medical graduates from abroad will have 10 years of time from the date of joining their course to complete their internship. 

Foreign Medical Graduates must clear the licentiate examination to undergo the mandatory Internship and thereafter get a licence to practice medicine in India.

As per the new NMC notice, "All FMGs shall have to complete their internship within 10 years from date of joining their Foreign Medical Institutions to procure qualification equivalent to MBBS in India."

FMGL Regulations 2021, which were published on 18.11.2021, state that the minimum duration of the MBBS curriculum outside the country has to be 54 months (4.5 years). After completing the study, the students are required to undergo internship in their parent institute as well.

Therefore, taking note of all these factors, the FMGs will hardly have 3-4 years to clear the FMGE screening test and complete the Internship in India to be eligible to practice medicine in the country. The FMGE examination is held twice a year. Previously, there was no time limit for medical graduates from abroad to clear this test.

Also Read: FMGs need to Clear Screening Test within 10 Years of Completing Their Course: NMC