Parliament Question: Foreign Medical Graduates in Andhra Pradesh

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO.1016 TO BE ANSWERED ON25THJULY, 2025 FOREIGN MEDICALGRADUATESIN ANDHRAPRADESH

1016.SHRIMADDILAGURUMOORTHY:

Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:

(a) whether the Government is aware that Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) in Andhra Pradesh are being mandated to undergo a three-year course, which is not in alignment with the internship durationsandstipend policiesfollowed inotherStates;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for permitting such disparity in internship conditionsfor FMGs across States,particularly inAndhra Pradesh;

(c) whether the Government acknowledges that this discrepancy creates unequal treatment of qualified FMGs and leads to undue financial and professional hardship and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure uniformity in internship duration for FMGs across allStates incompliance with National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines; and

(e) whether the Government proposes to intervene in the case of Andhra Pradesh in this regardandif so, the detailsthereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL)

(a) to (e): The National Medical Commission (Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate) Regulations, 2021 regulate the process of issuance of license or permanent registration to practice in India in respect of Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) and are uniformly applicable to all the FMGs. Further, National Medical Commission (Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship) Regulations, 2021 regulate all aspects of compulsory rotating medical internship.In view of the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and/or war-like situations, National Medical Commission vide Public Notice dated 07.12.2023 and 19.06.2024 issued following guidelines/clarification:

 FMGs who had a break in their final year, returned to India, and completed their FMG course, including the examination, through online mode are required to undergo one year of Clinical Clerkship(CC) in India. After completion of CC, they may begin the Compulsory Rotating Medical internship(CRMI) for one year at a medicalcollege or anyotherrecognizedinstitution  FMGs who had a break in their penultimate year, returned to India, and completed their course including examinations through online mode must undergo two years of CC in India. After successful completion of CC they may begin the CRMI for one yearat a medical collegeor anyotherrecognizedinstitution.

 FMGs who have sufficiently compensated classes in physical onsite in lieu of the online classes and passes medical course are eligible for permanent registration after one yearCRMI. ****