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New Delhi, June 7, 2025 — The Delhi Medical Council (DMC) is in the throes of an unprecedented administrative crisis, leaving hundreds of Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) stranded, unpaid, and unable to move forward in their careers. With the DMC functioning without a registrar for over three months, routine operations have ground to a halt, sparking outrage among affected doctors and students.
Bureaucratic Breakdown Leaves Doctors in Limbo
The absence of a registrar—the only authority empowered to sign off on registrations, certificates, and other essential documents—has paralyzed the DMC. Dr. Ashwini Dalmiya, a prominent voice in the medical community, took to social media to urge Delhi’s Chief Minister to intervene, highlighting the suffering of “hundreds of students, doctors” due to the ongoing vacancy.
Despite repeated notifications from the Health Ministry, no acting registrar has been appointed. This bureaucratic void has left FMGs unable to obtain provisional or permanent registrations, apply for internships, or receive critical documents needed for their professional advancement.
FMGs Speak Out: “Worse Than Slaves”
Behind the headlines are real people facing devastating consequences. One FMG, speaking anonymously to EdexLive, described working for over a year without pay, unable to seek employment elsewhere until permanent registration is granted. “We are unpaid and worse than slaves. At least slaves get the minimum wage,” the doctor lamented.
The situation is compounded by threats from hospitals: FMGs are warned not to demand stipends, or risk losing their internship seats altogether. “We can’t fight for our rights in Delhi,” the FMG added, contrasting the situation with other states where FMGs at least have a chance to negotiate for stipends.
Systemic Failures and Technical Breakdowns
The crisis has spiraled further as basic infrastructure collapses. DMC’s website, critical for processing registrations, went offline after the council failed to pay its service provider. Staff, unpaid for months, have reportedly reduced their workload, and essential services like electricity and internet have been disrupted.
Dr. Ravi, another FMG, explained the “vicious cycle” at play: “Since the registrar is not there, staff are not getting paid. The electricity bill is not being paid. There is no water. The internet is also not working.”
Mental Health Toll and Financial Hardship
The ongoing chaos is taking a severe toll on the mental health and finances of aspiring doctors. “First, mental health is the issue people are suffering. Not only mentally, but financially too. Because in Delhi, we are not getting stipends. Only a few hospitals provide stipends,” Dr. Ravi said.
Repeated delays, daily visits to DMC and NMC for approvals, and the constant uncertainty have left FMGs demoralized and exhausted.
No End in Sight for Future Batches
With over 230 new internship seats recently announced, the crisis threatens to engulf even more students. Without a registrar, new interns cannot obtain the necessary provisional registrations, putting their careers in jeopardy from the outset.
Despite public assurances from the Delhi Health Minister, no official action has been taken to resolve the crisis. “On paper, the minister said that he will appoint the new acting registrar but no official notice has been released. And without official notice, they can’t do anything,” Dr. Ravi explained.
A Simple Solution, Still Out of Reach
The solution, according to those affected, is clear: appoint an acting or permanent registrar to restore normalcy. “If an acting registrar or permanent registrar is appointed, they can sign the necessary documents. The website will start working. Everything will be resolved. Without a registrar, you can’t do anything,” Dr. Ravi emphasized.
Conclusion
As the DMC crisis drags on, qualified doctors remain trapped in a bureaucratic nightmare, their careers and livelihoods on hold. The question remains: how long will the system allow this suffering to continue, and when will decisive action be taken to end the paralysis?
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information reported by EdexLive on June 6, 2025. The views and experiences of the individuals quoted are their own and have been presented to highlight the ongoing administrative crisis at the Delhi Medical Council. For the most current updates and official statements, readers are advised to consult the Delhi Medical Council and the Delhi Health Ministry.
