NMC Clarifies Licensing Rule: Independent Practising License in Georgia Mandatory to Appear for FMGE
NMC issues clarification regarding the eligibility of FMGE candidates from Georgia. Students need medical placticioner licencse equivalent to that of India in order to appear for screening test.
The National Medical Commission has issued a clarification with regard to FMGE candidates. As per the details provided, foreign medical graduates must have a licence to practice medicine in the country where they completed their degree in order to appear for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination in India and become eligible for registration as a doctor.
The clarification from the NMC was made after a candidate filed a grievance on the PM Grievance Portal seeking clarity on the validity of pursuing a six-year MBBS programme in Georgia for appearing in the FMGE exam in India.
The Indian Medical Regulator, in response to the grievance, referred to o Regulation 4(b) of the National Medical Commission (Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate) Regulations, 2021, which mentions a condition on Indian students who completed their medical education in a foreign country and return to India to take the FMGE.
The NMC, in its response, quoted, “As per Regulation 4(b) of the FMGL Regulations, 2021, a foreign medical graduate must possess licence to practise medicine in the country where the medical degree was obtained, at par with the licence granted to citizens of that country.” The NMC further clarified that a ‘Junior Doctor’ status would be sufficient only if it legally permits practice at the required level. If independent medical practice in Georgia is permitted only after completing postgraduate certification, then the Junior Doctor status alone would not satisfy Regulation 4(b), "The matter shall therefore be determined with reference to the applicable law and licensing requirements in Georgia."
Bhawna, the student who filed the grievance, has stated that education consultants in collusion with several Georgian colleges are allegedly misleading students by incorrectly interpreting the rules regarding medical education in the country. She states that consultants are saying that if a student practices as a junior doctor while pursuing or completing their six-year MBBS course, they are eligible to appear for the FMGE in India. The NMC's response, however, makes the position clear, she added.
Indian Embassy in Yerevan, Armenia, which also handled India's diplomatic representations for Georgia, issued an advisory in September 2022 to Indian students seeking admission to Georgian Medical Colleges. As per the advisory, Indian students can work as junior doctors after completing their UG studies; however, to practise as an independent doctor, they must pass the National Post-Diploma Qualification Examination (NPDQE) in the Georgian language, pursue postgraduate studies or residency in their chosen speciality, and obtain a licence to practise independently.
With the introduction of NMC regulations, students have faced considerable difficulty in determining which countries provide a medical licence for independent medical practice after completing their primary medical qualification. Confusion has also been created, with some consultants and colleges allegedly providing students with interpretations of the rule that may not accurately reflect the applicable licensing requirements.
Sherin is an education journalist with over 7 years of experience. Over her tenure of working with top media houses like Careers 360 and then Jagran Josh, Sherin has covered various entrance examinations liek JEE Main, NEET, CUET, GATE, etc. as well as various state board and CBSE results. Her understanding of the education ecosystem coupled with her own experience of teaching as an Assistant Professor of nearly 2 years helps her provide a comprehensive perspective to students. She has a Masters Degree in Communication from Madras Christian College. Apart from covering education news, Sherin also enjoys reading and cooking.
