File photo of foreign medical graduates protesting the issuance of permanent registrations in Vijayawada.
After two years of waiting and numerous protests and court cases, Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) in Andhra Pradesh have started getting Permanent Registrations (PRs).
According to information, about 30 graduates who approached the AP High Court regarding the delay in issuing PRs have received PRs from March 12 till date.
Although the process is lengthy, the move has given new hope to the graduates, numbering around 400, who have been waiting for the PR for the last two years.
A medical graduate after completing an MBBS equivalent course in a foreign country needs a PR to further practice or study in India. The PR is awarded after the graduate passes a national screening exam and completes a one-year mandatory rotational medical internship (CRMI).
Many AP FMGs whose studies were interrupted during the pandemic have been asked by the AP Medical Council (APMC) to undertake an additional year of internship to make up for lost clinical classes.
The FMGs felt that the APMC’s direction was against the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) notification dated June 19, 2024, which stated that those with valid compensation certificates from their parent universities need not complete two years of internship.
Despite the favorable ruling of the AP High Court, where it was directed to grant PR in APMC without insisting on an additional year of seniority, FMGs in the state have not seen any progress.
“We then approached Health Minister Saurabh Gaur, who assured us that all of us will be granted PR as soon as possible,” says Karthik, FMG from Srikakulam district, who completed his internship in May 2024.
On March 2026, a letter signed by Mr. Saurabh Gaur was sent to the APMC Registrar stating that strict compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court is mandatory and that “any delay, deviation or misinterpretation of the said orders may lead to avoidable litigation and administrative complications.”
The NMC in its notification dated 18 March 2026 also clarified that if an FMG has passed the FMG examination and completed a one-year internship and had a compensation certificate, he becomes eligible for registration.
While the health minister’s support and the NMC’s clarification have given much-needed relief to the students, they are still worried as APMC has now sought an apostille from the Indian embassy on the compensation certificates. However, this is not mentioned in the NMC notification dated March 18.
Amidst the uncertainty, students have lost two years that are crucial to their studies. They have remained unemployed for the past two years, even after completing a six-year medical course, passing a screening exam and completing an internship.
“One of the juniors who did an internship in Karnataka got PR, cleared NEET last year and has now started the PG course,” says Karthik, who now hopes to get PR by at least August to take the NEET-PG exam this year.
Published – 21 March 2026 23:12 IST
