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Why Differential State Practices for FMGs' PR Issuance ?

Overview

Reports of significant variation among Indian states in how they handle Permanent Registration (PR) for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs)—particularly those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or the Ukraine war, who often completed only a one-year internship due to exceptional circumstances.

States Allegedly Granting PR After 1-Year Internship

  • Gujarat & Karnataka: Both states have been reported to offer FMG internships and subsequently grant PR even after just one year of internship, including to those impacted by online study or war-induced disruptions.
  • Telangana: FMGs from Andhra Pradesh have opted to complete internships in Telangana due to barriers in their home state, indicating the process there is more accommodating. After completing required internships, FMGs have been able to secure PR in Telangana
  • Rajasthan: Graduates in Rajasthan, while facing some administrative delays, have generally received PRs after completing a one-year internship, according to FMGs’ own testimonies.
  • West Bengal & Assam: Although less detailed information is available, these states are not reported in recent protests or surveys as strict, suggesting more flexibility compared to Andhra Pradesh.

States Enforcing Stricter PR Standards

  • Andhra Pradesh: There are numerous, ongoing complaints and protests regarding demands for more than a one-year internship, long delays in PR issuance, and refusal to recognize compensation certificates for online or disrupted training, despite updated National Medical Commission (NMC) guidance. Andhra Pradesh’s process is significantly more rigid, with many FMGs unable to receive PRs even after fulfilling the requirements recognized by other states.
  • Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Delhi, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab: Multiple reports and surveys highlight significant delays and occasional refusals to grant PR to FMGs with only one-year internships in these states. Strict enforcement of “offline” and “physical mode” requirements is more common, extending or blocking PR for those whose education was disrupted or partly online during the pandemic or war.

Accusations of Discrimination and Interstate Migration

  • FMGs from Andhra Pradesh have publicly accused their state of discrimination, because neighboring states like Telangana and Karnataka have reportedly recognized the standard one-year internship with compensatory physical training, while Andhra Pradesh insists on stricter or unclear requirements.
  • Many FMGs from Andhra Pradesh have migrated to other states (notably Telangana and Karnataka) to finish their internship and pursue timely PR.
  • Ongoing student and professional protests across Andhra Pradesh, and solidarity from junior doctors, have cited these discrepancies as unfair and potentially career-damaging.

In Summary

  •  Some states (Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, Rajasthan, and likely West Bengal/Assam) have granted PRs to FMGs after a one-year internship, especially for those with compensatory physical training following pandemic or war disruptions.
  • Discrimination is alleged in Andhra Pradesh and states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Delhi, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, and Punjab—where stricter or less transparent processes have left many FMGs unable to secure timely PRs. 

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