New Delhi: With the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE) October 2026 approaching, representatives of foreign medical graduates have urged the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to provide a one-time relaxation from the Foreign Medical Graduates Licentiate (FMGL) 2021 Regulations for students belonging to the 2021–22 MBBS abroad batch.
The demand has been raised by the All FMGs Association (AFA), which has highlighted the unusual circumstances surrounding the 2021–22 academic cycle. According to the association, delays in the conduct of NEET-UG 2021, declaration of results, counselling and commencement of academic sessions affected the admission timelines of students who subsequently joined foreign medical institutions.
Request for One-Time Exemption From FMGL-2021
AFA has requested NMC and NBEMS to consider a one-time, batch-specific exemption or appropriate relaxation from FMGL-2021 for eligible students from the 2021–22 batch.
The association has pointed out that FMGL-2021 was notified on November 18, 2021, during a period when students from the concerned academic cycle were already affected by delays in the NEET and admission process.
AFA says this transition has resulted in different regulatory requirements being applicable to students from the same broad academic cohort. Some students are reportedly being governed by the earlier Screening Regulations, 2002, while others are subject to FMGL-2021.
Students Seek Clarity Before October FMGE
The approaching October 2026 FMGE has intensified concerns among the affected graduates, with the association seeking an official clarification on eligibility before the application process concludes.
AFA has specifically requested that NMC and NBEMS take into account the exceptional delay in the 2021 NEET-UG cycle and the subsequent transition between regulatory frameworks while considering the eligibility of these students.
The association has also sought a one-time exemption from the mandatory one-year internship abroad requirement for eligible students from the affected batch.
Matter Pending Before Delhi High Court
The issue has also reached the Delhi High Court through W.P.(C) 6035/2026, in which petitioners have sought appropriate relief for students from the 2021–22 batch, including relaxation from FMGL-2021 requirements and the one-year internship abroad condition.
The Delhi High Court issued notice in the matter on May 4, 2026, seeking a response from the NMC. The legal proceedings are therefore ongoing, and any final relief will depend on the court proceedings and decisions of the competent authorities.
Student Associations Had Earlier Raised the Issue
The concerns are not new. Earlier in 2026, representatives of the All FMGs Association and All India Medical Students' Association – Foreign Medical Students' Wing (AIMSA-FMSW) had raised the issue of the implementation of FMGL-2021 with NMC officials.
Following a meeting held on March 17, 2026, AIMSA-FMSW highlighted the difficulties faced by students admitted during the 2021–22 academic cycle.
The association pointed to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 period and the delayed NEET-UG 2021 schedule. NEET-UG was conducted in September 2021 rather than the usual earlier schedule, contributing to delays in counselling and admissions.
According to AIMSA-FMSW, these circumstances meant that some students could begin their foreign medical education earlier while others experienced delays, creating differences in the regulatory requirements subsequently applied to them.
Demand for Uniform Treatment
The central demand from the associations is for clear, consistent and batch-specific consideration of students who entered foreign medical education during the unusual 2021–22 transition period.
AFA has urged the NMC and NBEMS to issue an official clarification at the earliest, particularly in view of the approaching FMGE October 2026 examination.
For the affected students, the outcome of the regulatory clarification could have implications for their examination eligibility and the requirements they must fulfil before pursuing medical practice in India.
As of the latest report, the matter remains under consideration, including through the ongoing Delhi High Court proceedings. Students and stakeholders will therefore need to rely on official notifications and judicial directions for any final determination regarding the applicable requirements.
