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Mumbai, May 6, 2025: Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) in Maharashtra are grappling with severe delays in their career progression as the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) has yet to issue internship notices nearly four months after the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) results were announced in January 2025. This unprecedented delay has left hundreds of qualified doctors in professional limbo, unable to begin their mandatory internships and move forward in their medical careers.
Months of Waiting and Growing Frustration
Dr. Prassana, an FMG affected by the delay, expressed deep frustration:
“It’s been nearly four months since the FMGE results were declared, and we are still waiting for the Maharashtra Medical Council to release internship notifications for Maharashtra domicile candidates. Despite repeated calls, emails, office visits, and written pleas, there has been no progress.”
The delay is especially disheartening as FMGs in other states have already started their internships, gaining practical experience and advancing their careers.
Communication Breakdown and Bureaucratic Hurdles
According to numerous FMGs, the MMC has been largely unresponsive to emails, phone calls, and in-person visits. Dr. Ismail, another FMG awaiting his internship notice, explained the compounding delays:
“Even if the internship notice is released soon, the allotment process takes about 50 days. This means by June, six months will have passed since our exam in January, and we will have wasted valuable time sitting idle.”
The All India FMG Association (AFA) has formally approached the MMC, submitting letters demanding immediate action. Dr. Kaushal, AFA’s Social Media Coordinator, shared with EdexLive that despite persistent efforts, the council has only provided vague assurances without clear timelines.
Provisional Registration Certificates Also Delayed
The crisis extends beyond internship notices. Many FMGs who have already started internships have yet to receive provisional registration certificates, which are legally required for practicing during internships. Dr. Ismail highlighted the consequences:
“Several friends have completed 9-10 months of internship but still lack provisional registration, making them ineligible for the upcoming NEET-PG 2025 exam. This essentially wastes their attempt.”
Medical activist Dr. Dhruv Chauhan noted that bureaucratic hurdles for FMGs across India often delay their careers by over a year, but Maharashtra’s situation is particularly acute.
Financial and Career Impact on FMGs
The delays carry significant financial and emotional burdens. FMGs spend six years studying abroad and then prepare extensively for the FMGE, often relying on family support. Dr. Ismail explained:
“We depend on our parents financially during our studies abroad and again while preparing for the exam. Sitting idle without internships adds to this strain.”
Although the Maharashtra government has announced an Rs 18,000 stipend for interns, equal to that of Indian medical graduates, many FMGs report not receiving this payment despite working long hours.
Calls for Transparent Action
The AFA’s recent letter to the MMC Registrar demands:
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Immediate issuance of internship notices for FMGs who cleared the FMGE
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Prompt provision of provisional registration certificates for those already interning
The letter requests a written response within three days detailing the council’s plan to resolve these issues.
Meanwhile, FMGs like Dr. Prassana remain in limbo:
“We have invested years-six abroad, one preparing for the exam-and now face indefinite waiting. It’s mentally very tough.”
Conclusion
As this crisis unfolds, hundreds of qualified FMGs in Maharashtra remain stuck, unable to progress professionally despite clearing all required examinations. The MMC’s delayed response threatens to derail the careers of many young doctors who are eager to serve and contribute to healthcare.
Disclaimer
This article is based on information available as of May 6, 2025, sourced from EdexLive and statements from affected FMGs and associations. The Maharashtra Medical Council has not yet provided an official public statement on this matter. Readers are advised to follow official MMC communications for the latest updates.
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