The Madhya Pradesh High Court has sought a response from the Central Government on a petition challenging the requirement under the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021, that foreign medical graduates complete a 12-month internship at the same foreign medical institution where they pursued their medical education.
The case involves a medical student from Bhopal who completed his MBBS education in Ukraine at Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University. The petition raises questions about the applicability of the 2021 FMGL regulations to students whose admission process had begun before the regulations came into force.
Background of the Case
According to the report, the student had qualified NEET 2021, received an invitation from Ukraine's Ministry of Education and Science, paid his university fees on November 3, 2021, and travelled to Ukraine on November 7, 2021.
However, his formal classes began on December 10, 2021. The FMGL Regulations, 2021 came into effect on November 18, 2021.
The student has argued that since he had already paid his fees and reached Ukraine before November 18, 2021, he should be considered under the regulations applicable to students who had commenced their medical education before the new regulations came into effect.
Dispute Over Applicability of FMGL Regulations
The petitioner reportedly approached the National Medical Commission (NMC) through an RTI application in March 2023 to clarify which regulations applied to his case.
According to the report, the NMC stated that the 2021 regulations were applicable because his classes formally commenced on December 10, 2021, after the regulations came into force.
The issue has become particularly significant because the Russia-Ukraine war disrupted the student's education and made returning to Ukraine for the required internship difficult. The student continued his education online from Bhopal after leaving Ukraine.
What the FMGL Regulations, 2021 Require
The FMGL Regulations, 2021 prescribe several requirements for foreign medical graduates seeking registration in India. Among them are:
At least 54 months of medical education at a recognised foreign medical institution.
A minimum 12-month internship at the same foreign medical institution.
Medical education with English as the medium of instruction.
Completion of the required 12-month supervised internship in India, subject to the applicable requirements.
The regulations also generally require the medical education, training and internship to be completed through the prescribed foreign medical institution without transferring portions of the course or internship to another country.
Court Seeks Centre's Response
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Alpesh Yashwant Kogje and Justice Vivek Rushia has granted time to the Central Government to file its response to the petition.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 29, 2026.
At this stage, the court has only sought the Centre's response. The proceedings do not represent a cancellation or relaxation of the existing 12-month same-institution internship requirement.
NMC Clarification on War-Affected Students
The report also refers to an NMC clarification dated March 18, 2026, concerning foreign medical graduates whose education was affected by circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic or war.
The clarification addressed situations involving online education and compensation through physical training at the students' parent foreign medical institution. Where the prescribed compensation had already been completed and supported by a valid certificate, additional clerkship requirements in India were reportedly not required in certain cases.
What This Means for MBBS Abroad Students
The case highlights the importance of understanding the NMC's applicable regulations before choosing an MBBS programme abroad. Students should carefully verify the duration and structure of medical education, internship requirements, the institution where clinical training will be completed, and the rules applicable to their admission year.
For Indian students considering MBBS abroad, compliance with the latest NMC requirements remains an important part of evaluating a foreign medical university and its programme structure. Students should also check the latest official NMC and university notifications before making admission or financial decisions.
