FMGE: NMC says Georgia medical graduates need licence to practise, ‘junior doctor’ status not enough

Foreign medical graduates must have a licence to practice medicine in their home country to take the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) in India, according to the National Medical Commission (NMC). This requirement, outlined in Regulation 4(b) of the National Medical Commission (Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate) Regulations, 2021, applies to students who complete their medical education abroad before returning to India.

The NMC clarified this rule after a candidate expressed concerns about pursuing a six-year MBBS course in Georgia for the FMGE. The Georgia status of "Junior Doctor" is not sufficient to meet the independent practice standards set by Regulation 4(b). The NMC emphasized that the licensing requirements in Georgia must be considered in determining a candidate's eligibility to take the FMGE.

India's Embassy in Yerevan had previously advised Indian students that working as junior doctors in Georgia after completing their MBBS courses would allow them to take the FMGE. However, the NMC's clarification makes this path insufficient for independent medical practice in India. This issue has created confusion among Indian students and medical consultants, with approximately 30,000 to 40,000 students enrolling in Georgian medical colleges between 2021 and the introduction of the NMC's regulations.