The All India Medical Students’ Association (AIMSA) has approached the central government requesting a review of a National Medical Commission (NMC) policy related to Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs). The association has expressed concern that the directive may affect many Indian students who studied medicine abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In its communication to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, AIMSA highlighted that several medical students completed a part of their academic curriculum through online classes when global travel and campus activities were restricted.
During the pandemic, universities across the world temporarily shifted to digital learning platforms to continue academic programs. Medical schools also relied on online lectures and virtual classes while waiting for restrictions to ease.
According to AIMSA, this situation was common across many countries, and students followed the format arranged by their universities. Once travel restrictions were lifted, many institutions resumed clinical practice and hospital training for students.
The recent NMC notice suggests that some foreign-trained medical graduates may need to complete onsite compensation training to cover the time when classes were conducted online.
Student representatives say that the rule could create confusion for graduates who have already finished their degrees abroad and are preparing to return to India. Many FMGs have already started preparing for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) or the upcoming National Exit Test (NEXT), which are mandatory for medical practice in India.
Thousands of Indian students travel abroad every year to pursue medical degrees due to limited seats in Indian medical colleges. Countries such as Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan have become popular destinations for Indian medical aspirants.
Many of these students experienced online learning in the initial phase of their programs because the pandemic disrupted normal classroom teaching worldwide.
AIMSA has asked the government to carefully review the policy and consider the situation faced by students during the pandemic. The association believes that students should not face additional difficulties due to circumstances that were beyond their control.
The organization has also suggested that authorities should provide clear guidelines so that FMGs returning from overseas universities understand the requirements needed to begin their medical careers in India.
The matter has sparked discussion among Indian students studying abroad as well as recent graduates planning to practice in India. Many FMGs are now waiting for clarity from the government regarding the implementation of the rule.
Education experts say that the final decision could influence thousands of students who chose to pursue medical education overseas during one of the most challenging periods for global education.
