The National Medical Commission (NMC) has clarified that medical graduates from Georgia must hold a licence to practise medicine independently in Georgia to appear for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) in India. Simply working as a "junior doctor" under supervision in Georgia does not meet the eligibility criteria for the FMGE, which is mandatory for foreign medical graduates seeking registration to practise medicine in India.
- Foreign medical graduates must have a licence to practise medicine independently in the country where they obtained their degree.
- Junior doctor status is insufficient unless it legally permits independent practice.
- In Georgia, independent practice requires passing the National Post-Diploma Qualification Examination (NPDQE) and obtaining a licence.
- Many Indian students studying medicine in Georgia may be unaware of these licensing requirements.
- Consultants and colleges may be providing misleading information about FMGE eligibility.
What does the NMC regulation say about foreign medical graduates?
According to Regulation 4(b) of the National Medical Commission (Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate) Regulations, 2021, candidates who complete their medical degree abroad must be registered or licensed by the medical regulatory authority of that country to practise medicine independently. This licence must be equivalent to the licence granted to that country's own medical graduates.
The NMC stated, "A foreign medical graduate must possess licence to practise medicine in the country where the medical degree was obtained, at par with the licence granted to citizens of that country." Therefore, working as a junior doctor is only acceptable if it legally permits independent medical practice.
Why is junior doctor status not enough in Georgia?
In Georgia, after completing the six-year MBBS course (called MD in Georgia), graduates can work as junior doctors under supervision. However, to practise independently, they must pass the National Post-Diploma Qualification Examination (NPDQE) in the Georgian language, complete postgraduate studies or residency, and obtain a licence.
The NMC explained that if independent medical practice in Georgia is only permitted after postgraduate certification, then junior doctor status alone does not satisfy the licensing requirements for FMGE eligibility.
What confusion exists among Indian students studying in Georgia?
Many Indian students have been misled by education consultants and some Georgian colleges who incorrectly interpret the rules. They have been told that working as a junior doctor during or after the MBBS course qualifies them to appear for the FMGE.
Bhawna, a candidate who filed a grievance, highlighted this misinformation. She noted that India's Embassy in Yerevan issued an advisory in September 2022 stating that while Indian students can work as junior doctors after undergraduate studies, independent practice requires passing the NPDQE and obtaining a licence.
How has the NMC regulation impacted Indian students?
Since the introduction of Regulation 4(b), students face challenges in understanding which countries provide licences for independent medical practice after primary medical qualification. This has led to confusion and misinformation from some consultants and colleges.
An estimated 30,000 to 40,000 Indian students enrolled in Georgian medical colleges after the 2021 FMGE regulations. Many may not realize they cannot take the FMGE upon returning to India after completing their course unless they meet the licensing requirements.
Consultants have urged the NMC and Indian Embassy to issue clear advisories to protect the futures of these students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can Indian students with junior doctor status in Georgia appear for the FMGE?
A: No. Junior doctor status alone is not sufficient unless it legally permits independent medical practice. Students must have a licence equivalent to that granted to Georgian medical graduates.
Q: What must Georgian medical graduates do to practise independently?
A: They must pass the National Post-Diploma Qualification Examination (NPDQE) in Georgian, complete postgraduate studies or residency, and obtain a licence to practise medicine independently.
Q: Why is the FMGE important for foreign medical graduates?
A: The FMGE is mandatory for foreign medical graduates to register and practise medicine legally in India.
