An association representing foreign medical graduates in Kerala, the Association of Doctors and Medical Students (ADAMS), has requested the intervention of the National Medical Commission (NMC) to address the disparity in registration fees between Indian Medical Graduates (IMGs) and Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs). ADAMS has urged the NMC to instruct the Kerala State Medical Council (KSMC) to reconsider the significantly higher fees imposed on FMGs for provisional and permanent registration.

Currently, IMGs are charged Rs 1,000 for provisional registration and Rs 3,000 for permanent registration, while FMGs must pay Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000, respectively. In its letter to the NMC, ADAMS pointed out that these charges are 15 times higher for provisional registration and 6.67 times higher for permanent registration compared to IMGs.

ADAMS explained that the higher charges are attributed to the additional verification processes FMGs must undergo, including verification from the NMC, universities, embassies, and educational boards. However, the association argued that these verifications are conducted via email and should not result in such a steep surcharge. 

ADAMS also highlighted the financial burden on FMGs and their families, pointing out that many FMGs rely on their parents for financial support until they obtain permanent registration and begin working. Many FMG families also face debts, including education loans.

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In light of these challenges, ADAMS urged the NMC to push for a revision of the registration fees to bring them in line with the charges for IMGs, ensuring fairness and equality. The call for change follows similar concerns raised by the Foreign Medical Graduates Wing of the Tamil Nadu Medical Students Association (TNMSA), which had also highlighted the disparity in fees for Indian and foreign medical graduates.