National Medical Commission Boosts Internship Opportunities for Foreign Medical Graduates

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has unveiled a significant development for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) seeking to complete their Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship (CRMI) in India. The Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) announced a total of 43,250 FMG internship allocation slots for the Academic Year 2026-27. This decisive move aims to streamline the internship process and resolve the long-standing issue of slot shortages for FMGs across the country.

This initiative follows numerous meetings with State Medical Councils, where concerns regarding the non-allotment of internship slots were extensively discussed. Consequently, the NMC has prepared a comprehensive nationwide matrix of CRMI seats. They have also directed State Medical Councils to promptly begin the allotment process for eligible FMGs.

Key Criteria for FMG Internship Allocation

The NMC has established clear criteria for the FMG internship allocation to ensure fairness and transparency. Firstly, established medical colleges and institutions must allocate 7.5% of their permitted intern intake for FMGs. Additionally, new medical colleges will designate 100% of their CRMI seats specifically for FMGs.

Furthermore, all CRMI seats created due to increased MBBS intake between the Academic Years 2022-23 to 2025-26 in existing medical colleges will also be fully reserved for FMGs. These criteria reflect a concerted effort to provide ample opportunities for foreign medical graduates. This addresses previous challenges they faced in securing internships.

Understanding the CRMI Requirements for FMGs

A Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship (CRMI) is a mandatory 12-month supervised clinical training. It is essential for FMGs to familiarize themselves with Indian medical standards and practices. FMGs must complete this internship within two years of passing the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) or National Exit Test (NExT) to register as medical practitioners in India.

Importantly, colleges and hospitals are not permitted to charge any fees for these internships. Moreover, FMGs are entitled to receive a stipend equivalent to that of Indian medical interns, as determined by the respective state government rules. Therefore, this ensures equitable treatment for all interns.

State-wise Distribution of Internship Slots

The new allocation significantly boosts training opportunities across the country. Uttar Pradesh leads the national tally with 5,034 earmarked slots. This is followed by Telangana with 4,871 positions. Karnataka also contributes substantially with 4,652 available seats.

Other major contributors to the internship pool include Maharashtra with 3,662 slots and Tamil Nadu with 3,126. The extensive state-wise and institution-wise distribution is detailed in Annexure-I and Annexure-II of the NMC circular. This allocation is expected to clear the considerable backlog of eligible FMGs who have awaited internship opportunities.

Ensuring a Smooth Allotment Process

The NMC has mandated all State Medical Councils to coordinate closely with their respective Directorates of Medical Education. They must initiate and undertake the process of allotting available internship slots to eligible Foreign Medical Graduates. The allotment process will strictly adhere to applicable rules, regulations, public notices, and circulars governing FMG internships.

Furthermore, any discrepancies or factual inaccuracies observed in the CRMI slots matrix must be brought to the attention of the UGMEB, NMC, within one week. This proactive approach aims to ensure timely corrections and efficient implementation.

For further information on FMGE internship guidelines and approved hospitals, refer to the detailed resources provided by the National Medical Commission and other medical education platforms. Visit NMC's official website for more details

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only. Refer to the latest local and national guidelines for clinical practice.

References

1. National Medical Commission. (2026, March 10). *Allocation of Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship (CRMI) Slots for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) - reg*. Circular No. U-15024/2/2026-UGMEB (e-8390537).
2. Vertex AI Search. (2025, September 11). *FMGE Internship 2025 – Approved Hospitals, Rules & Stipend Structure*.
3. Vertex AI Search. (2025, January 17). *FMGE Internship: NMC's Comprehensive Overview of Guidelines and Approved Hospitals*.
4. Vertex AI Search. (2026, March 11). *43,250 CRMI slots for FMG internship 2026-27, NMC directs state medical councils to initiate allotment*.