12,858 doctors with foreign medical degrees registered with MCI: MOS Health

New Delhi: A total of 12,858 permanent registrations have been granted by MCI in respect of Indian nationals who possess primary medical qualification from various universities outside the country. A confirmation to the same was made by the Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare), Sh Faggan Singh Kulaste through written reply in the Rajya Sabha

As per Section 13(4A) of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and Clause 3 of the Screening Test Regulations, 2002, an Indian National/ Overseas Citizen of India possessing a primary medical qualification awarded by any medical institution outside India and who is desirous of getting provisional/ permanent registration from the State Medical Council (SMC) on or after 15/03/2002 can be registered after he/she qualifies a Screening Test conducted by the National Board of Examinations.

When questioned in the Parliament, the Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare), Sh Faggan Singh Kulaste through written reply in the Rajya Sabha informed as per the information provided by the MCI, there is no specific data on foreign medical graduates who are registered with the MCI/ SMC is available with the Council before 2007.

However, the minister pointed out that since 2007, MCI generated computerized registration certificate and as per the available records from 2007 till mid-2014, a total of 12,858 permanent registrations were granted by MCI in respect of Indian nationals who possess primary medical qualification from various universities outside the country.

As per the information furnished by MCI, a total of 10,22,859 Doctors who possess recognized primary medical qualification, are registered with the MCI/ SMC as on 31^st March, 2017. State-wise data is given below:

The minister also informed that the has taken the following steps to increase the number of doctors in the country:

1. Relaxation in the norms for setting up of a medical college in terms of requirement for land, faculty, staff, bed/ bed strength and other infrastructure.


2. Strengthening/ upgradation of existing State Government/Central Government Medical Colleges to increase MBBS seats with fund sharing between the Central Government and States.


3. Establishment of New Medical Colleges by upgrading district/referral hospitals preferably in underserved districts of the country with fund sharing between the Central Government and State


4. Enhancement of maximum intake capacity at MBBS level from 150 to 250.


5. Enhancement of age limit for appointment/extension/re-employment against posts of teachers/dean/principal/ director in medical colleges from 65-70 years.


6. DNB qualification has been recognized for appointment as faculty to take care of shortage of faculty.