Q.992 Latest information on

foreign doctors allowed to

practice in India

Question: I am a doctor in Canada and want to know if I can practice medicine in India. I have read various reports on the Internet but am still confused and unable to find answers. No response to my email to Indian consulate also. What are the current rules of foreign doctor to practice in India. Can you tell me the latest information on how qualified foreign doctor can practice medicine in India Thanking you in advance G. Sanyal Answer: In December 2016 there was a report in the Indian news media stating that: ‘ The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is all set to give the nod to Medical Council of India (MCI) to begin registration of doctors without any test. The proposal vetted by Ministry of Law and Justice will soon be notified.’ The reasons for the change may be to help overcome the shortage of doctors in India. To read the news article dated December 03, 2016 click HERE Current situation: • Foreign doctors cannot practice in India unless they get Medical Council of India [MCI] registration. To get MCI registration they need to pass the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination. • Foreign doctors who have studied in India can get temporary registration from MCI to practice in Indian hospitals. Apparently there is a severe shortage of doctors in India. According to India’s Health Ministry there is one doctor per 1,674 people but recent reports on news media have stated that the doctor patient ratio may be even higher: "The total number of doctors in India is much smaller than the official figure and we may have one doctor per 2,000 population, if not more." [http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/grim-picture-of-doctor- patient-ratio/1/654589.html] Once something is announced by the appropriate government authorities, I will update the information on this website.