Medical Breakthrough in Rajasthan: 500 New Internship Seats Unlock Dreams for FMGs

Jaipur: In response to ongoing protests by Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) in Rajasthan seeking mandatory internship placements, the Rajasthan Medical Education Society (RajMES) has announced the addition of 500 new internship posts across five government medical colleges in the state.

According to an order issued on January 10, 2025, RajMES confirmed that 100 additional internship seats would be allocated to each of the Government Medical Colleges in Baran, Banswara, Sawai Madhopur, Nagaur, and Jhunjhunu. This expansion brings the total increase to 500 seats, providing more opportunities for FMGs to complete the mandatory internship required for permanent medical registration in India.

Under current regulations, FMGs must first pass the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE) and then complete a mandatory internship to obtain a medical license in India. However, despite 979 students clearing the FMGE in Rajasthan, only 578 were initially allocated internship seats, leaving 347 students waiting for further counselling.

Frustrated by the lack of action, FMGs began protesting outside the Department of Medical Education office in Jaipur on January 9, 2025. These students, who cleared the FMGE in June 2024, expressed concerns over delayed counselling processes and the failure to allocate sufficient internship positions.

Previously, the All Rajasthan MBBS Doctors Association (ARMDA) had written to the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) on November 18, 2024, urging prompt action to announce the internship counselling schedule for the June 2024 FMGE session. Although a schedule was eventually released, over 300 students were left without placements after the first round of counselling, prompting further unrest.

In a significant development, the RajMES order on January 10 addressed these concerns by creating additional seats. The news was positively received by the medical community. Dr. Vinod Bagra, the President of the ARMDA, emphasized the organization's efforts in pushing for the increase in internship seats. Sharing the update on social media, he stated, "At last, the demands of FMGE students have been acknowledged and accepted. An agreement has been reached to release 400 internship seats, with an official order issued soon.

The United Doctors Front (UDF) also welcomed the decision. National President Dr. Lakshya Mittal described the initiative as a vital step toward integrating FMGs into the healthcare system. He urged the government to ensure all eligible FMGs secure internships, emphasizing their valuable contribution to the medical sector. Similarly, UDF Rajasthan President Dr. Bharat Pareek called for timely second-round counselling to prevent further delays.

The recent protests are part of a broader pattern of challenges faced by FMGs in Rajasthan. In December 2024, students staged another demonstration, highlighting disparities between Rajasthan and other states in conducting additional rounds of counselling for unplaced candidates. Such delays have led to recurring protests, with earlier demonstrations reported in April 2023, where nearly 1,000 FMGs demanded increased access to internship opportunities.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sai Sindhuja K/MSM)