NEET PG Registration Woes: Foreign Medical Graduates in Andhra Pradesh Face Uncertainty
As the deadline for NEET PG registration draws near, Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) in Andhra Pradesh find themselves grappling with growing uncertainty over the issuance of their Permanent Registrations (PRs). Under the NEET PG eligibility criteria, applicants must possess either a permanent or temporary registration from the National Medical Commission (NMC) or a state medical council. Without this registration, candidates cannot submit their application for the postgraduate entrance examination.
Registration Crisis Among FMGs
A significant number of FMGs in Andhra Pradesh are pandemic-affected students who completed their medical education abroad and returned to India during or after the COVID-19 pandemic. While they have fulfilled academic and internship requirements, they are stuck in limbo due to administrative delays in the issuance of PRs. The delays have persisted despite the formation of an interim medical council in the state, raising concerns among FMGs who fear they may lose yet another opportunity to pursue postgraduate medical studies in India.
One of the primary reasons for the hold-up appears to be the prolonged absence of an official medical council in the state. Without a functioning council body, PRs could not be processed or approved, leaving FMGs waiting indefinitely. The situation offered a glimmer of hope on April 1, when new interim council members were appointed. This was expected to expedite the long-pending registration processes.
Missed Meetings, Missed Opportunities
However, this optimism quickly gave way to disappointment. According to The Hindu, the interim council has postponed its meetings twice since taking office. These delays have further stalled the already slow registration process, leaving many FMGs in distress. With the NEET PG registration deadline approaching rapidly, candidates are now running out of time.
Temporary Registrations (TRs), which had allowed some FMGs to temporarily bridge the gap while awaiting PRs, have already expired for many. Without renewed TRs or newly issued PRs, these candidates stand to be disqualified from this year’s NEET PG exam—scheduled to begin the admission process for the academic year 2025.
Eligibility Criteria and the Consequences of Delay
As per the guidelines laid out by the National Board of Examinations (NBE), it is mandatory for candidates applying to NEET PG to hold valid registration—temporary or permanent—with either the NMC or a state medical council at the time of application. For FMGs who are still awaiting their PRs, this requirement has become a major roadblock.
Particularly vulnerable are those who completed their mandatory one-year internships in May 2023. This group of candidates was already unable to appear for NEET PG in 2024 due to similar delays in registration. They were informed that they must undergo another year of internship under the updated guidelines set by the NMC in order to be eligible for a PR. As a result, these students are now on the verge of missing their second consecutive NEET PG attempt.
Growing Anxiety Among FMGs
With the NEET PG application window expected to close on May 7, anxiety levels are at an all-time high among FMGs in Andhra Pradesh. Many have invested years of time, effort, and financial resources into their education, only to be held back by bureaucratic delays. The uncertainty around the issuance of PRs not only jeopardizes their academic future but also affects their career prospects and mental well-being.
The affected students are urging state and national authorities to intervene and expedite the registration process. Many believe that a one-time relief or fast-track solution could prevent another year of academic loss and help them move forward in their medical careers.
