FAIMA Seeks Action on FMG Internship Delays, Writes to Nadda

The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has sought immediate intervention from Union Health Minister JP Nadda and the National Medical Commission over persistent delays in internship allotments for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs). According to the association, thousands of qualified FMGs continue to wait for internship seats despite completing the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), resulting in uncertainty regarding registration, postgraduate admissions and career progression.

FMG Internship Delay Raises Concerns Across States

FAIMA has highlighted that internship allotment delays have become a recurring issue in several states due to limited seat availability, prolonged document verification and administrative bottlenecks. The association stated that many FMGs have completed all eligibility requirements but are still unable to begin their mandatory internship. The delay has reportedly created a growing backlog of candidates waiting for internship opportunities, affecting the timely completion of their medical training and professional registration.

FAIMA Requests Timely FMG Internship Allotment

The medical association has urged the Centre and the National Medical Commission to establish a transparent and time-bound internship allotment mechanism across states. According to FAIMA, uniform guidelines and coordinated action are necessary to prevent repeated delays every counselling cycle. The association also stressed that internship allotments should not remain pending due to administrative procedures or verification issues, as prolonged waiting periods directly impact the professional growth of FMGs.

Why is the FMG Internship Mandatory for Medical Practice?

Foreign Medical Graduates who qualify the FMGE are required to complete the prescribed Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) before becoming eligible for permanent medical registration in India. The internship provides practical clinical exposure and is an essential requirement under the existing regulatory framework. Without successful completion of the internship, FMGs cannot proceed with permanent registration or participate fully in postgraduate medical admission processes, making timely allotment particularly important.

Delayed Internship Affecting FMG Career Plans

According to FAIMA, delayed internship allotments are disrupting the academic and professional timeline of many FMGs. Candidates who have already cleared the screening examination remain unable to begin clinical training, resulting in uncertainty regarding employment opportunities and higher education. The association has pointed out that prolonged waiting periods may also affect candidates preparing for postgraduate entrance examinations, as many are unable to complete mandatory internship requirements within the expected schedule.

NMC Guidelines and State-Level Internship Allocation

Internship allocation for FMGs is generally managed by state medical councils and designated authorities in accordance with NMC regulations. Different states follow separate counselling schedules and seat allocation processes based on available internship positions. Recent notices and counselling schedules released by various state medical councils indicate that internship allocation continues through online registration, merit preparation, document verification and college allotment stages. However, FMG organisations have called for a more uniform and faster process to reduce waiting periods across states.

FMG Community Seeks Faster Resolution

Medical associations and FMG representatives have expressed hope that the concerns raised before the Union Health Ministry and NMC will lead to policy-level interventions for improving internship allocation. They have requested timely counselling schedules, increased internship capacity and better coordination among state medical councils. A streamlined allotment process, according to stakeholders, would help qualified FMGs begin their clinical training without unnecessary delays and ensure a smoother transition into professional medical practice and postgraduate education.