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Chennai/Patna, June 5, 2025 — As Bihar’s Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) continue their protests outside the state medical registration office over delays and administrative hurdles, Tamil Nadu has emerged as a model for efficient and compassionate handling of FMG internship allocations.
A Tale of Two States
The contrast between the two states is stark. In Bihar, hundreds of FMGs are left waiting indefinitely, their careers stalled by bureaucratic inertia. Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu, over 300 FMGs who cleared the July 2024 Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) faced similar delays—until swift intervention by the Tamil Nadu Medical Students’ Association’s FMG Wing brought about a rapid resolution.
From Crisis to Solution
For Tamil Nadu’s FMGs, the journey to securing a Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) was fraught with challenges. The process involved obtaining pass certificates from Delhi, provisional registration from the Tamil Nadu Medical Council, and No Objection Certificates from Dr MGR Medical University—a process that could stretch to four months, causing significant financial and emotional strain.
“Students spend months just navigating paperwork before becoming eligible to apply for CRMI internships, even after the results are out, and then face further delays waiting for the internship notification,” explained Dr S Vasanth Philip, Secretary of the association.
When CRMI seat allocations stalled, the association mobilised quickly. High-level meetings were held with state health officials, including Principal Secretary Dr. P Senthilkumar and Additional Director of Medical Education Dr. E Theranirajan. Within days, the CRMI application notification was released on May 28, 2025, bringing relief to hundreds of waiting graduates.
Calls for Systemic Reform
The association didn’t stop at resolving the immediate crisis. They have advocated for increasing the CRMI seat allocation for FMGs from the current 7.5% to 20%, a move already supported by Chief Minister MK Stalin in a 2022 letter to the Union Health Ministry. With 4,430 CRMI seats available in Tamil Nadu and thousands of qualified FMGs nationwide, the need for reform is pressing.
Additionally, the association proposed expanding internship opportunities to District Headquarters Hospitals, which currently operate without any interns. This would not only benefit FMGs but also strengthen healthcare delivery in underserved areas.
The government has also committed to conducting monthly CRMI allocations based on available vacancies, providing FMGs with predictable timelines—a stark contrast to the indefinite waiting faced by their peers in Bihar.
A Blueprint for the Nation
Tamil Nadu’s collaborative approach—combining student advocacy, bureaucratic engagement, and policy reform—stands as a blueprint for other states grappling with FMG integration. As Bihar’s graduates continue their protests, Tamil Nadu’s experience underscores the importance of proactive governance and inclusive dialogue in addressing systemic challenges.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information reported by Edex Live on June 4, 2025. Details regarding administrative processes and policy proposals are subject to change as per government notifications and future developments. Readers are advised to consult official sources for the most current information.
