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Vijayawada, July 1, 2025 — Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) in Andhra Pradesh have intensified their protest against the Andhra Pradesh Medical Council (APMC) by launching a hunger strike, following months of stalled action on their applications for Permanent Registrations (PRs). The move comes after repeated petitions, legal notices, and assurances from authorities failed to resolve the impasse, leaving dozens of qualified FMGs unable to work, pursue further studies, or repay education loans.
Despite meeting all eligibility requirements and obtaining clearance from the National Medical Commission (NMC), FMGs allege that the APMC Registrar’s personal interpretations of rules have led to administrative delays and what they describe as “mental torture.” Many have paid registration fees and submitted the necessary compensation certificates, only to face silence or demands for resubmission from the council.
“I haven’t seen any real change. In General Body Meetings, the registrar made assurances, but never followed up. He keeps saying he wants clarification from the NMC, but it’s been over a year now. The NMC has already stated that state medical councils are autonomous, and other states have taken action accordingly. But here, he’s dissecting every word of the guideline like it’s a CBI interrogation. Some of us have even paid the registration fee, yet we’re still being made to wait,” said an FMG doctor from Andhra Pradesh, who cleared the exam in 2022, on condition of anonymity.
Background and NMC Guidelines
A key NMC circular dated March 4, 2022, clarified that FMGs who joined or completed their foreign medical degrees before November 18, 2021, are not subject to the stricter Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) 2021 regulations. It also allowed such FMGs to complete internships in India, particularly if their education was disrupted by COVID-19 or the Russia-Ukraine war, provided they cleared the FMGE and submitted compensation certificates. The circular granted state medical councils autonomy to process these applications.
Student Demands
The All India Medical Students’ Association – Foreign Medical Students’ Wing (AIMSA-FMSW) has submitted a joint representation demanding:
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Acceptance of old compensation certificates for PRs
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Reversal of two- and three-year internship extensions not aligned with NMC guidelines
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Withdrawal of APMC’s March 2025 circular imposing the 10-year rule retroactively
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Immediate issuance of PRs for May and November 2023 counselling students
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Recognition of internships completed in India per the NMC’s March 2022 circular
Students have also raised concerns about arbitrary requirements for extended internships, noting that other states have already granted PRs under similar circumstances.
Council’s Response and Ongoing Stalemate
In a letter dated May 29, 2025, the APMC informed the NMC that it would follow NMC rules but insisted on legal undertakings from students, citing a pending court case as a reason for ongoing delays. Although General Body Meetings in May and June 2025 resolved to implement NMC guidelines and exempt eligible FMGs from the 10-year rule, PRs have still not been issued.
Impact on Careers
Without PRs, FMGs are unable to practice medicine, register for postgraduate entrance exams, or secure employment. Many have expressed frustration over the lack of clarity and the risk of losing another academic year, with some considering legal action if the situation remains unresolved.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information available as of July 1, 2025, from media reports and statements by affected parties. Developments may occur as the situation evolves. Readers are advised to consult official sources for the latest updates.
