FAQs on FMGL Regulations 2021

Background

Over the years, there has been an increase in the number of Indian students going abroad to pursue medical education. 

Who is a Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG)?

A person who does not have basic graduation or primary qualification (undergraduate medical degree) from any University/medical college/institution in India, seeking license for medical practice in India. [Reg. 2 (c) of FMGL. 2021)

 Foreign Medical Graduates’ Exam (FMGE)

As per the IMC (Indian Medical Council) Act, 1956, all students who acquire a medical qualification from countries outside India are required to clear the  Foreign Medical Graduates’ Exam (FMGE) in order to practice in India.

The FMGE-Screening Test has been introduced through Screening Test Regulations 2002. As per the regulations, An Indian citizen/Overseas citizen of India
possessing a primary medical qualification awarded by any medical institution outside India who is desirous of getting provisional or permanent registration with Medical Council of India or any State Medical Council on or after 15.03.2002 shall have to qualify a screening test conducted by the prescribed authority for that purpose as per the provisions of section 13 of the Act. 

Earlier, all students interested in taking a medical qualification from outside India were required to get an eligibility certificate from the government before leaving for their studies. However, since 2019, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has made mandatory for the students to clear the NEET-UG (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Under Graduate) exam, which is the entry examination for undergraduate medical education in India, as a prerequisite to pursue medical education abroad. Also, only those students who appear for the NEET-UG for admission to Undergraduate medical education in India will be eligible to appear for the screening test, namely, the Foreign Medical Graduates’ Exam (FMGE).

The National Medical Commission (Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate) Regulations, 2021 (FMGL Regulations 2021) outlines the registration and the criteria to recognise foreign medical graduates. The guiding principle for licensing a foreign medical graduate to practice in India is to ensure that the Foreign Medical Graduate fulfils the requirements of education and training equivalent or commensurate with that of an Indian medical graduate.

To access the complete Regulations, click here.

When did the FMGL Regulations, 2021 come into force?

18^th Nov, 2021 [Reg. 1 (2) of FMGL. 2021)

What empowers National Medical Commission (NMC) to regulate Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs)?

Section 5 / read with sub-section (4) of section 15 of National Medical Commission Act, 2019

Who is exempt from provisions of FMGL Regulations, 2021?

• These regulations are not applicable to
  • Foreign medical graduates who have acquired a foreign medical degree or primary qualification, as the case may be, prior to 18th Nov, 2021;
  • Candidates who are pursuing their undergraduate medical education in foreign institutions prior to 18^th Nov, 2021; and
  • Such foreign medical graduates who are specifically exempted by the Commission or the Central Government, as the case may be, by notification
• The foreign medical graduates who have acquired a foreign medical degree or primary qualification, as the case may be, and the candidates who are pursuing their education in foreign institutions, prior to 18^th Nov, 2021, shall be governed by the previously applicable regulations. (Reg. 5 of FMGL, 2021)

What should be the duration of the course leading to foreign medical degree?

Minimum duration of fifty-four months [Reg. 4 (a) (i) of FMGL. 2021)

What should be the medium of instruction during the course?

English [Reg. 4 (a) (iii) of FMGL. 2021]

What are the subjects to be studied during the course?

• A course uf theory, practical and clinical training equivalent to Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) of India; and
• An internship of twelve months in addition to the course, in the same foreign institution where the primary medical qualification has been obtained, along with hands-on training in clinical subjects including but not limited to Community Medicine, General Medicine, Psychiatry, Paediatrics, General Surgery, Anaesthesia, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Otorhinolaryngology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Emergency or Casualty services, lab services and their sub specialties; and
• The course and internship of clinical clerkship shall be commensurate with the MBBS course of India in accordance with the Regulations on Graduate Medical Educaticn, 1997 and subsequent amendments thereto, and shall include the subjects mentioned therein as are duly recognised by the Commission under sub- section (2) of section 61 of the NMC Act, 2019 [Reg. 2 (i), (ii) of Schedule I of FMGL. 2021]

Do FMGs need to appear for the National Exit Test?

FMGs have to clear the National Exit Test or such other mandated test or tests conducted by NMC [Reg. 4 (d) of FMGL. 2021]

Do FMGs need to be registered in the country which awards them the degree?

Yes; FMGs need to be registered with the respective professional regulatory body or otherwise, competent to grant license to practice medicine in their respective jurisdiction of the country in which the medical degree is awarded and at par with the license to practice medicine given to citizen of that country [Reg. 4 (b) of FMGL. 2021]

Is there any time limit for completion of the course?

Yes; the total duration of the foreign medical graduation course shall be completed within ten years from the date of joining the course. [Reg. 2 (iv) of Schedule I of FMGL. 2021]

Are FMGs allowed to take transfer to an Indian medical college for internship and exams?

No. The entire course, training and internship or clerkship shall be done outside India in the same foreign medical institution throughout the course of study and no part of medical training and internship shall be done in India or in any country other than country from where the primary medical qualification is obtained. [Reg. 2 (iii) of Schedule I of FMGL. 2021)

What are the regulations applicable for internship of FMGs?

Internship of FMGs shall be as per provisions of National MeclirnI Commission (Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship) Regulations, 2021.

What should be the duration of the internship?

Minimum duration of twelve months in the same foreign medical institution [Reg.4 (a) (ii) of FMGL. 2021]

Is it mandatory for FMGs to do internships in India?

Yes; In addition to completing and internship for a minimum duration of twelve months in the same foreign medical institution, FMGs are required to undergo a supervised internship in India for a minimum term of twelve months.

Where should FMGs apply for internship?

FMGs should apply for internship with the respective State Medical Council through National Medical Commission.

What are the conditions to be fulfilled by FMGs to be eligible for internship in India?

FMGs must have:

• undergone a course leading to foreign medical degree with minimum duration of fifty-four months;
• undergone an internship for a minimum duration of twelve months in the same foreign medical institution;
• received a foreign medical degree with medium of instructions in English;
• studied the mandatory subjects specified in the Schedule-I;
• registered with the respective professional regulatory body or otherwise, competent to grant license to practice medicine in their respective jurisdiction of the country in which the medical degree is awarded and at par with the license to practice medicine given to citizen of that country;
• passed the screening test or National Exit Test or such other mandated test or tests conducted by NMC;
• obtained provisional registration from the respective State Medical Council.

Is internship/clerkship same as that of clinical posting & training during the 54 months of MBBS course or is it separate?

No; internship/clerkship and clinical posting & training are separate phases of practical learning. While, clinical posting & training is a part of the 54 months MBBS course, internship is done after the completion of MBBS course but is an integral part of undergraduate medical education degree.

What are the provisions regarding online classes?

Foreign Medical Graduates are allowed to undergo online classes of theory subjects only and supplemented by offline practical and clinical training done in the Medical University and its affiliated Hospital during the course of MBBS. They are also required to furnish Certificate of successful completion for the same.

Source : National Medical Council

Related resources

• Clarification on following Regulations of MCI and NMC