Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE) is a licensure examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) in India. The test is one of the mandatory requirements for an Indian citizen who has a medical degree from a college outside India to practice medicine in the country.
An instant Writ Petition has been filed on behalf of the Association of MD Physicians through its president Dr. Rajesh Rajan asking for the postponement of the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination, which is scheduled to be held in mid-June, on account of the dangerous pandemic prevailing in the country.
Kirtiman Singh, the counsel representing the National Board of Examination, stated that the examination is conducted twice a year by Indian authorities to confer a right of licensure on doctors who have a foreign degree and that the examination has been taking place all through the pandemic. He further contended that 18,600 candidates have already registered to take the examination in June and if the petitioners do not want to write the exam right now, they can take it in December as there is no cap on the number of attempts this exam. He informed the Court that the exam is going to be conducted in around 52 cities at around 98 centers all over India and that all necessary precautions are being taken in conducting the examination.
The bench of Justice Amit Bansal listed the matter for further hearing on 11th June 2020 and meanwhile asked the petitioner and the respondents to place on record the relevant documents relied upon them during arguments.
-Report by Anuj Dhar