A wave of concern has spread among Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) after the National Medical Commission (NMC) issued a recent clarification regarding mandatory physical training for students who attended online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The notice has sparked strong reactions from thousands of Indian medical students studying abroad, many of whom are planning a protest on March 16, 2026.
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Background of the Controversy
On March 6, 2026, the National Medical Commission released a notice stating that foreign medical students who completed any portion of their medical education through online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic must complete equivalent physical onsite training at their universities.
According to the clarification, the duration of medical education cannot be reduced, and students must ensure that all online learning is compensated through additional physical classes or clinical training.
The responsibility of certifying this compensation training lies with the respective foreign medical universities, which must issue official documentation confirming that students completed the required physical training.
Why FMG Students Are Protesting
The announcement has caused widespread anxiety among Indian students studying medicine in countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, China, and Ukraine.
Many students argue that the rule is retrospective and unfair, as the online classes during the pandemic were implemented due to global lockdowns and government restrictions, not by choice of the students.
FMGs claim that they followed all existing guidelines during the pandemic and that introducing additional requirements now could delay their careers and create uncertainty regarding their eligibility for licensing examinations in India.
Students are also worried that inconsistencies in university documentation or administrative delays could lead to complications during the registration process with State Medical Councils.
Planned Protest on March 16
In response to the notice, several FMG student groups and medical associations have called for a peaceful protest on March 16 in New Delhi. The demonstration aims to draw the attention of policymakers and demand reconsideration of the recent directive.
Students are urging authorities to withdraw or modify the notice, arguing that it could adversely affect thousands of aspiring doctors who pursued medical education abroad during the pandemic.
The protest has also gained momentum on social media platforms, where students are raising awareness using hashtags such as #WithdrawNMCNotice and #JusticeForFMG.
Impact on Thousands of Students
India has tens of thousands of students pursuing medical education abroad. The COVID-19 pandemic forced universities worldwide to adopt hybrid or online teaching models for extended periods.
FMGs believe that enforcing additional training requirements now could create logistical challenges and financial burdens, especially for students who have already completed their academic courses and returned to India to prepare for licensing examinations.
Many students are requesting clear, transparent, and fair guidelines that acknowledge the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic.
The Need for Dialogue
Medical education experts believe that constructive dialogue between regulators and student representatives is essential to resolve the issue.
While maintaining standards in medical education is critical, stakeholders argue that policies should also consider the unprecedented disruptions caused by the global health crisis.
