On February 22, 2023, the National Medical Commission (NMC) issued a Public Notice containing an updated state- list of recognized and approved Medical Colleges/Institutions, as well as the number of Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) seats for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) in India. However, the Commission has received numerous representations and inquiries regarding the inclusion of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the said list for FMGs’ twelve-month internship in India. After much deliberation, the Commission determined that AIIMS does not fall under its scope and, as a result, should be removed from its list. In light of the foregoing, the State Medical Councils are urged not to assign any FMGs to AIIMS for the conduct of an internship in India.

What is CRMI (Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship)?

The Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) is a one-year internship program required of all medical graduates in India once they earn their MBBS degree. The internship seeks to provide medical graduates with practical experience in a variety of fields such as medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and other specializations.

About NMC

The National Medical Commission is a regulatory organization created by the Indian government in accordance with the National Medical Commission Act of 2019. It took over from the Medical Council of India (MCI) and is in charge of medical education, training, and practice in India. The Commission is also in charge of maintaining medical education standards and ensuring the availability of qualified medical professionals in the country.

About AIIMS

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is a network of autonomous public medical colleges in India that provide undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. AIIMS was founded in 1956 and is widely regarded as the country’s preeminent institute of medical education and research.

Why was AIIMS left off the list of Medical Colleges/Institutions in India that offer FMG Internships?

Following numerous representations and inquiries regarding the inclusion of AIIMS in the updated list of recognised and approved Medical Colleges/Institutions for FMG Internship in India, the National Medical Commission deliberated on the matter and determined that AIIMS does not fall under its purview. As a result, AIIMS should be removed from the Commission’s list. As a result, all State Medical Councils have been asked NOT to assign any FMGs to AIIMS for the purpose of conducting an internship in India.

What are the ramifications of omitting AIIMS from the list of Medical Colleges/Institutions in India for FMG Internship?

Because AIIMS is not on the list of recognised and approved Medical Colleges/Institutes for FMG Internship in India, FMGs will be unable to apply for internships at AIIMS. This may limit the options accessible to FMGs seeking practical medical experience in India. However, there are numerous other recognised and approved Medical Colleges/Institutions in India where FMGs can complete their internship.

How do FMGs apply for internships in India’s recognised and approved Medical Colleges/Institutions?

FMGs interested in applying for internships at recognised and approved Medical Colleges/Institutions in India may visit the National Medical Commission’s website for details on the application procedure and eligibility criteria.