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Kolkata, June 8, 2025 — Hundreds of Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) in West Bengal are facing an uncertain future as they continue to wait for their mandatory internships, a crucial step towards practicing medicine in India. Despite passing the required exams and fulfilling all academic obligations, these young doctors find themselves sidelined, their white coats gathering dust as bureaucratic delays persist.
A Statewide Struggle
The plight of FMGs is not unique to West Bengal. Across India, similar stories are unfolding. In Bihar, FMGs had to stage severe protests before securing internships. Punjab’s FMGs are still on the streets, protesting low stipends and high fees, while in Delhi and Jharkhand, confusion and lack of stipends plague the system.
However, the situation in West Bengal is particularly dire. The West Bengal Medical Council (WBME) has not released the internship list for FMGs since July 2024. Thirty-three students have been waiting for nearly a year due to a shortage of seats, and they were joined by about 230 more in January 2025.
Voices of Frustration
“Every student has spent at least five years abroad for the MBBS degree. After arriving in India, we spent approximately five to six months preparing; our exams were held in January. After that, till date, we haven’t received any notice,” said Dr. Raunak* (name changed), one of the affected graduates.
Another FMG, Shayeque Reza, added, “We protested in January and February and involved the media, but nothing worked. We visited Swasthya Bhawan recently, and the Assistant Director of Medical Education (ADM) said a notice would be released this month. However, they did not specify the date or details about seat availability.”
Despite reaching out to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and filing grievances on the CM’s portal, FMGs say their appeals have gone unanswered.
Career Risks and National Impact
The prolonged wait is not just a personal setback. FMGs worry that this gap could jeopardize their eligibility for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2026, potentially derailing their medical careers. “We are doctors! We are waiting for something we deserve after we’ve passed the necessary exam. We are not doing anything illegal. We are asking for what we deserve!” said another aggrieved FMG.
The group is urging authorities to open all available internship seats for the current batch to prevent a repeat of last year’s backlog. With about 250 students waiting, FMGs fear that releasing fewer seats will only prolong the crisis.
A Call for Urgent Action
Without immediate intervention, the future of hundreds of qualified doctors remains in jeopardy, threatening both their careers and the state’s healthcare system. FMGs are appealing for transparency, timely communication, and fair allocation of internship seats to ensure that their hard-earned qualifications do not go to waste.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information reported by EdexLive on June 7, 2025, and includes direct quotes and paraphrased statements from affected individuals. Names have been changed to protect privacy. The situation is evolving, and readers are encouraged to consult official sources for the latest updates.
