March 14, 2026
New Delhi: In a significant move aimed at easing the internship shortage faced by Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs), the National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed state authorities and medical colleges to begin the allotment of over 43,000 Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship (CRMI) seats for the academic year 2026-27. The commission has also released a detailed seat matrix outlining the distribution of available internship positions across medical colleges in India.
The directive has been issued through the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of NMC, asking state medical councils and directorates of medical education to coordinate with institutions and start the internship allocation process for eligible FMGs as soon as possible.
Seat Matrix Released for FMG Internship
According to the official notification, more than 43,000 internship positions have been identified in hundreds of medical colleges and affiliated hospitals across the country. The seat matrix provides a state-wise and institution-wise breakdown of the internship capacity available for foreign medical graduates.
State authorities have been instructed to verify the seat availability and ensure that internship allotments are conducted in accordance with NMC guidelines. The commission has also asked states to report any discrepancies in the seat matrix so that corrections can be made before the final allotment process begins.
The move comes as a response to the growing number of FMGs returning to India after completing their medical education abroad.
States Offering Highest Internship Capacity
The seat matrix indicates that several states with a large number of medical colleges will host the highest number of internship seats for FMGs. Among them are Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.
These states have significantly expanded their medical infrastructure in recent years, including the establishment of new medical colleges and the increase in MBBS seats. As a result, additional internship positions have also been created in teaching hospitals and associated healthcare facilities.
The availability of these positions is expected to help accommodate thousands of foreign medical graduates seeking mandatory clinical training in India.
Guidelines for Internship Allocation
The NMC has clarified that the allotment of CRMI seats must follow existing regulatory norms. In established medical colleges, a certain percentage of internship seats can be reserved for FMGs. Additionally, newly established medical colleges may allocate a larger share of their internship positions to foreign-trained medical graduates.
Internship seats created due to the recent increase in MBBS admissions between 2022 and 2025 may also be utilized to accommodate FMGs.
Authorities have been advised to ensure transparency and fairness during the allocation process to avoid delays and ensure that eligible candidates receive placements without unnecessary waiting periods.
Importance of CRMI for FMGs
Foreign medical graduates who complete their MBBS or equivalent medical degree abroad must undergo a 12-month Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship in India before they can obtain permanent registration to practice medicine in the country.
During this internship, candidates receive supervised clinical training across multiple departments, including medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and community medicine.
Relief for Foreign Medical Graduates
The shortage of internship positions has been a long-standing concern for FMGs in India. Many students often face delays after clearing the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) due to limited internship availability.
By directing states to allot over 43,000 internship seats, the NMC aims to streamline the process and ensure that qualified FMGs can begin their clinical training without significant delays.
Education experts believe the move will not only benefit foreign medical graduates but also contribute to strengthening India’s healthcare workforce by enabling more trained doctors to enter the medical system.
