Kolkata, West Bengal: A fresh concern has emerged for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) in West Bengal as 104 eligible candidates remain without internship allotments despite successfully clearing the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE). The affected students have now appealed to the state government for urgent intervention, warning that further delays could severely impact their medical careers and postgraduate aspirations.
Long Wait Continues for FMGs
Internship training is a mandatory requirement for FMGs seeking permanent medical registration in India. However, many candidates in West Bengal have reportedly been waiting for internship placements for several months, with some facing delays of nearly two years.
The issue has drawn attention after the recent internship counselling process conducted on May 21, 2026. While 266 FMGs were allotted internship seats, 104 candidates were left without placements despite meeting all eligibility requirements.
Concerns Over Limited Seat Allocation
According to FMG representatives, West Bengal has a significantly higher number of internship seats approved for foreign medical graduates than those currently being utilized. Students claim that although more than a thousand internship seats have received approval, only a fraction of them were made available during the recent counselling process.
The limited allocation has raised concerns among aspiring doctors, who argue that the existing capacity should be sufficient to accommodate all eligible FMGs awaiting internships.
Delayed Counselling Adds to Backlog
Student groups have also highlighted that regular internship counselling sessions were not conducted for an extended period, leading to a growing backlog of candidates from multiple FMGE batches. As a result, hundreds of qualified graduates have been waiting for opportunities to begin their compulsory internship training.
Medical graduates believe that timely counselling and seat allocation could have prevented the current situation and reduced uncertainty for aspiring doctors.
Impact on NEET PG Aspirants
One of the biggest concerns among the affected FMGs is the potential impact on their eligibility for postgraduate medical entrance examinations. Since completion of internship is a mandatory requirement for participation in postgraduate admissions, delayed internship allotments could prevent many candidates from appearing in future NEET PG counselling processes.
Students fear that prolonged delays may force them to lose an entire academic year, affecting both their professional growth and career planning.
Appeal for Government Action
The affected FMGs have urged the West Bengal government to take immediate steps to resolve the issue by allocating the remaining internship seats and ensuring that all eligible candidates receive placements without further delay.
Student associations have also called for the implementation of a transparent and regular counselling mechanism in line with national guidelines. They argue that conducting counselling sessions at fixed intervals would help prevent future backlogs and ensure smoother internship allocation processes.
Need for a Long-Term Solution
The ongoing situation highlights the broader challenge of internship availability for FMGs across various states. With the number of Indian students pursuing medical education abroad continuing to rise, experts believe that efficient internship management and timely seat allocation are essential to ensure a smooth transition into the healthcare workforce.
For the 104 FMGs still awaiting placements in West Bengal, a prompt resolution remains crucial to safeguarding their careers and enabling them to contribute to the country's healthcare system without further delays.
Conclusion
The exclusion of 104 eligible FMGs from the latest internship allotment process has intensified concerns regarding internship availability and administrative delays in West Bengal. As students await government intervention, the issue underscores the importance of timely counselling, adequate seat utilization, and streamlined internship allocation to support the future of India's medical workforce.
