MP High Court Issues Notice: The Madhya Pradesh High Court has instructed the State Government and the State Medical Council to provide clarification regarding a petition submitted by Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs). This petition contests the retrospective increase of their internship period from two years to three years. As mandated by the State Medical Council.
The bench, consisting of Justices Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Anuradha Shukla, issued a notice requiring immediate action. The order stated, “Issue notice to the respondents through registered AD mode within three working days, with notices returnable within three weeks. Furthermore, the petitioners are permitted to serve the respondents Hamdast, with necessary documents to be submitted by January 21. The office is instructed to take the required measures. And the petitioners must provide acknowledgment of notice receipt supported by an affidavit.”
This case involves petitioners who completed their MBBS in China after passing the NEET UG examination and receiving the eligibility certificate. They compelled to return due to the COVID-19 pandemic and finished their studies online. Initially, their internship, extended to two years, in contrast to the standard one year for Indian medical graduates. However, on November 4, 2024, they were notified of an additional extension to three years. This applied retrospectively to students who completed their courses from China during or after the pandemic.
The petitioners contended that they were approaching the conclusion of their two-year internship in March 2025. As indicated by the State Medical Council’s communication dated March 23, 2023, which specified a “24 month” internship. They argued that the council’s decision infringed upon the principles of promissory estoppel and legitimate expectation.
Additionally, the petitioners emphasized that they had commenced preparations for the Pre-PG examination scheduled for June 202. This necessitated at least a year of focused study. They asserted that the abrupt announcement of an extended internship jeopardized their eligibility for the Pre-PG exam.
The petition contended that the prolongation of the internship duration in Madhya Pradesh is without precedent and deviates from established practices nationwide. It requested the annulment of the order dated November 4, 2024, and sought an instruction. For the relevant authorities to provide the necessary certificates, allowing the petitioners to finalize their internship by March 2025. Additionally, the petitioners sought acknowledgment of their eligibility for the Pre-PG examinations for the years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.
The MP High Court, upon issues a notice to the State and the MP Medical Council, has set the date for further proceedings on February 10, 2025.
Source: Medical Dialogues
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