Introduction:

In the case of Chukka Divya Keerthana Reddy and Others v. The AP Medical Council and Others (Writ Petition No. 229/2025), the Andhra Pradesh High Court addressed the issue of whether foreign medical graduates (FMGs) who completed portions of their medical education online are required to undergo extended periods of Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) before being granted permanent registration.

Arguments:

Petitioners’ Arguments:

The petitioners, FMGs who had completed their MBBS degrees from foreign universities, contended that they had qualified the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), passed the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), and completed a one-year internship as per the allotment orders issued by the AP Medical Council. They argued that they were entitled to permanent registration and that the requirement to undergo additional years of internship was arbitrary and unjustified.

Respondents’ Arguments:

The AP Medical Council, relying on circulars issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC) dated 09.05.2023 and 07.06.2024, argued that FMGS who had attended online classes for any duration during their course were required to undergo a two to three-year CRMI. The Council emphasised that practical training is an essential component of medical education and that online classes could not substitute the hands-on experience gained through in-person training.

Court’s Judgment:

Justice Kiranmayee Mandava, presiding over the case, upheld the AP Medical Council’s decision, emphasising the importance of practical training in medical education. The Court noted that the stages of medical education designed to impart required practical training cannot be overlooked and that the guidelines issued by the NMC were in line with ensuring the competence of medical practitioners. Consequently, the Court dismissed the petitioners’ plea for permanent registration without completing the extended internship period.