In a significant development offering much-needed relief to Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs), the Andhra Pradesh Medical Council (APMC) has announced plans to begin issuing recognition letters in accordance with the National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines. This decision ends a prolonged period of uncertainty for around 1,300 FMGs whose registrations had been stalled for over a year due to the absence of a functioning medical council.
The state government recently reconstituted the APMC, resolving the long-standing issue that had left many FMGs, who completed their MBBS/BDS degrees abroad, waiting for registration after finishing their internships 2–3 years ago.
Many of these students had returned to India during the Covid-19 pandemic and completed their degrees through offline mode. As per regulations, they were required to undergo a one to three-year mandatory internship at local medical colleges designated by the medical council. Only upon completing this internship and obtaining registration from APMC would they be eligible to practice.
Dr. Daggumati Srihari Rao, the newly appointed chairman of APMC, stated to the TOI, “The matter had been pending due to the lack of a governing body. After assuming office, we prioritized the issue and have now moved forward to grant registrations to FMGs.”
He further explained that the NMC has been releasing updated guidelines to help address FMG concerns. Many FMGs, frustrated by the delay, had applied for registration in neighbouring states and even started working there, as state medical councils across India are permitted to register candidates regardless of domicile.
Nonetheless, a significant number of students remained in Andhra Pradesh, hopeful that the matter would be resolved locally. The appointment of Dr. Srihari Rao, as APMC chairman followed a prolonged power-sharing negotiation within the state government.
Dr. Rao also noted that last June, the NMC clarified that compensation certificates submitted by FMGs proving they made up for online learning with sufficient offline coursework should be accepted. Based on this, those with valid compensation certificates from their respective universities are now considered eligible for a one-year internship locally.
Students who could not complete their internships abroad due to the pandemic were given the option to fulfill the requirement in India. The new APMC move will now allow these candidates to finally secure registration and begin their medical practice.