The recent clarification issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC) regarding mandatory onsite compensation for online classes taken by Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) during the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered strong opposition from medical bodies across the country. Doctors’ associations have termed the move “unjust” and demanded that the notice be withdrawn immediately.
NMC Clarifies Rules for Foreign Medical Graduates
According to the clarification issued by the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the NMC, students who took admission in foreign medical institutions on or before November 18, 2021—the date when the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations 2021 (FMGL 2021) were notified—will be considered under earlier provisions if they have already compensated for their online classes through additional physical onsite clinical or theory training.
These students must also complete one year of internship at their foreign medical institution and pass an examination equivalent to the Indian MBBS exam as required under the Screening Test Regulations.
However, students admitted after November 18, 2021 will be governed strictly under FMGL 2021 and will be required to complete a one-year mandatory internship in India under the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship Regulations 2021.
The NMC further clarified that compensation for online classes without extending the study period will not be accepted, and foreign medical institutions cannot issue compensation certificates unless students actually undergo additional physical training equivalent to the duration of online study.
Doctors’ Associations Call the Rule Unfair
The move has drawn sharp criticism from several medical organisations, including the Democratic Medical Association (DMA India), which argued that the pandemic created an unprecedented disruption across global education systems.
According to the association, universities worldwide temporarily shifted to online teaching due to lockdowns, international travel restrictions, and safety protocols.
DMA stated that students did not choose online learning voluntarily; rather, it was an unavoidable arrangement during the global health emergency.
The association warned that imposing retrospective requirements years later places an undue burden on students who enrolled under the regulations that existed at the time.
FMGs Already Face Strict Competency Tests
Medical bodies pointed out that Foreign Medical Graduates already undergo stringent regulatory assessments before practising in India. These include clearing the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) or the upcoming National Exit Test (NExT), followed by mandatory internship training.
DMA said these processes already ensure that only competent doctors enter the Indian healthcare system.
“In this context, imposing additional retrospective requirements risks creating unnecessary barriers for students who acted in good faith during a global emergency,” the association said in a statement.
DMA Urges Government Intervention
Dr Amit Vyas, National President of DMA, said the COVID-19 pandemic forced universities across the world to adopt online teaching methods.
“Penalising FMG students years later for circumstances beyond their control is unjust,” he said, urging the Government of India and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to intervene and direct the NMC to withdraw the notice.
Medical Groups and Doctors Raise Concerns
Dr Rohan Krishnan, Chief Patron of the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), said the directive effectively forces FMG students to repeat significant portions of their course in physical mode despite the pandemic being beyond their control.
FAIMA Patron Dr Sandeep Dagar added that even Indian medical colleges had temporarily shifted to online classes during the pandemic, and any policy should focus on ensuring adequate clinical exposure without creating retrospective hurdles.
FMG Associations Cite Court Observations
The All FMGs Association (AFA) also demanded withdrawal of the notice, stating that the Andhra Pradesh High Court had earlier observed that repeated circulars and delayed clarifications by NMC should not create confusion or mental agony for students who have already completed their course, FMGE, and internship.
The court reportedly termed the interpretation requiring students to repeat online study one-to-one in offline mode as an “absurd interpretation” and said it was not sustainable.
IMA-MSN Calls for Transparent Policy
Dr Dhruv Chauhan, National Spokesperson of Indian Medical Association Medical Students Network, said the directive raises serious concerns for thousands of students who pursued online education due to unavoidable pandemic disruptions.
He emphasised that policy decisions in medical education must remain transparent, consistent and compassionate toward students’ legitimate academic journeys.
Growing Frustration Among FMGs
Doctors and students on social media have also expressed frustration, claiming that guidelines for FMGs are frequently changing—ranging from extended internships to compensation requirements for online classes—while internship seats in India remain limited.
Many users argued that studying abroad has become a necessary option for students due to limited and expensive medical seats in India, and returning graduates still clear rigorous exams before practising.
Students Seek Relief From Retrospective Rules
Meanwhile, the All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) has written to the Union Health Minister seeking intervention. The association argued that universities worldwide shifted to online teaching during the pandemic due to circumstances beyond students’ control.
AIMSA said imposing retrospective onsite compensation requirements now places an unfair and disproportionate burden on students who completed their education under the rules prevailing at that time.
Medical organisations have warned that if the issue is not addressed soon, opposition from the medical fraternity across the country may intensify.
