Question : Graduates from Foreign Countries

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether a large number of Indian students graduating from foreign medical institutions appear for mandatory screening examination conducted by National Board of Examinations (NBE)/ Medical Council of India (MCI) for practicing in the country, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether over the past many years the pass percentage of students appearing for this examination is very less;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and

(d) the remedial measures taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government to improve the situation to make use of the services of such students graduated from foreign countries in view of the shortage of doctors/health workers in the country?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)
(a) to (c): As informed by National Board of Examinations (NBE), the total number of candidates who have appeared in Foreign Medical Graduates Exam (FMGE) during the last three session is 17474 out of which 1974 candidates have qualified the Exam.
In view of representations with respect to the difficulty level of FMGE, the Central Government had constituted an Expert Committee under the Chairmanship of Prof. P.K. Julka to look into the issue. The Committee in its report held that the level of FMGE is of appropriate difficulty. Government has since accepted the report.
(d): As per Clause 3 of the Screening Test Regulations 2002, an Indian Citizen or a person who has been granted Overseas Citizenship of India possessing a primary medical qualification awarded by any medical institution outside India who is desirous of getting provisional or permanent registration with the Medical Council of India or any State Medical Council on or after 15.03.2002 shall have to qualify a screening test (FMGE).