Explained: Why Govt has allowed foreign medical students to complete internships in India, who can apply

The National Medical Commission has allowed foreign medical students who have returned from war-torn Ukraine to complete their internships in India. Who can apply? Is there a quota? Will students have to pay additional fees? Will a stipend be given?

Students who were evacuated from Ukraine arrive at Hindon Air Force Station in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh by an Indian Air Force aircraft. (Express Photo: Praveen Khanna)

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has made a significant relaxation for students who are unable to complete their MBBS internships because of compelling situations like the Ukraine war or the Covid-19 pandemic. It has said foreign medical graduates can apply to complete their internships in India.

The change is likely to provide some relief for final year medical students returning from Ukraine, and several students who are not able to complete their internships in China due to Covid-19 restrictions that continue to be imposed in the country.

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What has changed now?

Currently, Indian regulations do not allow foreign medical graduates to transfer to an Indian medical college for internships or examinations. The regulations strictly state that the MBBS course, training, and internship should be done in the same foreign medical institution.

For instance, the MBBS course in Ukraine is five and half years. The regulation stipulates that students have to complete a 12-month internship in Ukraine.

Now, however, the NMC has made one relaxation related to internships. The regulator has said that foreign medical graduates with incomplete internships due to the war can apply to complete the remaining part of the internship in India.

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Can any foreign medical student apply in India?

No. The NMC has said state medical councils have to ensure the candidates applying for completion of internship in India must have cleared the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE) — a licensure examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations in India.

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This means, state medical councils can process the applications of students who want to complete their internships in India only after they clear the FMGE.

What other guidelines do state medical councils have to follow?

First, state medical councils have to ensure the medical degree can be used to practice medicine in the jurisdiction of the country in which the MBBS degree was awarded, and is at par with the license to practice medicine given to a citizen of that country.

Second, state medical councils should ensure the student has documentary evidence certifying successful completion of physical training or internship during MBBS.

Third, the FMGE conducted by the National Board of Examination should be cleared by the candidate. “If the candidate is found fulfilling all the above-mentioned criteria, provisional registration may be granted by State Medical Councils for 12 month internship or balance period, as the case may be,” the NMC has said.

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Has the NMC fixed a quota for allocation of internships?

Yes. The NMC has said the maximum quota for allocation of internships to foreign medical graduates must be restricted to the additional 7.5 per cent of total permitted seats in a medical college. And, internships will be allowed only in the medical colleges that are permitted by the NMC.

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Will foreign medical graduates have to pay additional fees?

No. The NMC has said the state medical councils should obtain an undertaking from the medical college that no amount or fee is charged from the students for the internships.

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Will a stipend be given to the students?

Yes. The NMC has said a stipend and other facilities, equivalent to what is provided to Indian medical graduates being trained at government colleges, should be extended to foreign medical graduates.

Kaunain Sheriff M

As City Editor ( Delhi) at the Indian Express, Kaunain Sheriff leads city reporting with a sharp focus on accountability journalism, data-driven stories, and ground-level impact. As the National Health Editor he leads the newsroom’s in-depth coverage of pressing health issues. He is the author of Johnson & Johnson Files: The Indian Secrets of a Global Giant, a definitive investigation into the accountability of one of the world’s most powerful pharmaceutical corporations. Areas of Expertise Investigative Reporting: Has deep expertise in investigative reporting spanning public health, regulatory affairs, drug safety, and the criminal justice system. His work sits at the intersection of governance, law, and accountability, with a particular focus on how regulatory failures, institutional lapses, and policy decisions affect citizens’ rights and safety. Data Journalism: Has extensively on big data–driven investigations, including analyses of flagship government schemes and large datasets on criminal trials, uncovering systemic gaps. Global Collaborations Kaunain is a key contributor to major international journalistic projects: The Implant Files: Collaborated with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) to expose global malpractices in the medical device industry. Chinese Big-Data Investigation: Uncovered how a foreign data firm monitored thousands of prominent Indian institutions and individuals in real-time. Awards & Recognition His commitment to "Journalism of Courage" has been recognized with the industry's highest honors: Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism SOPA Award (Society of Publishers in Asia) Red Ink Award (Mumbai Press Club) Indian Express Excellence Awards (Triple recipient for investigations into the NSA abuse in UP, Vyapam scam, and the anti-Sikh riots). Education: Studied Mechanical Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Bangalore, before moving to Delhi to pursue his passion for journalism. His engineering training informs his analytical approach, enabling him to decode technical, legal, and data-heavy systems with precision. Social media LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kaunain-sheriff-3a00ab99 X ( fromerly Twitter): @kaunain_s ... Read More