CRMI — Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship

The 1-year internship is a gateway to NEET PG, FMGE, and (when operational) NExT Step 2. Here's what you need to know.

Core Rule: 1-year CRMI must be completed by March 31

For NEET PG counselling eligibility, the 1-year Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship must be completed by March 31 of the admission year. This applies to candidates seeking AIQ and state quota PG seats.

What is the CRMI?

The Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship (CRMI) is a mandatory 1-year hands-on clinical training programme that follows the completion of the MBBS degree. It is not optional — completion is legally required before a candidate receives their degree certificate and can register with NMC or a State Medical Council.

Duration

12 months (continuous)

Format

Rotations across departments

Location

Affiliated teaching hospital

Certificate

Issued by the parent institution

CRMI requirements by context

NEET PG eligibility

Live

Rule: Must complete 1-year CRMI by March 31 of the PG admission year.

This deadline is published in the MCC PG Information Bulletin annually. It has occasionally been relaxed — verify each year.

Source: MCC PG Information Bulletin

FMGE eligibility

Live

Rule: Foreign medical graduates must have completed internship at the same university, same country (FMGL 2021, for students enrolled on/after 18 Nov 2021).

Ukraine-returned students have a special 2-year CRMI provision in India under NMC circular 2022.

Source: NBE FMGE regulations + NMC circular NMC/20659(Legal)/2022/UGMEB

NExT Step 2 (when operational)

Deferred

Rule: NExT Step 2 can only be attempted after completing 12 months of internship.

NExT is currently deferred — CRMI requirement will apply when NExT launches.

Source: NMC NExT draft regulations

Important notes

The March 31 deadline has been relaxed for specific academic years (e.g. due to COVID). Always check the MCC PG Information Bulletin for the relevant year. Do not rely on the deadline from a previous year.

For FMGE (foreign graduates enrolled on/after 18 Nov 2021 under FMGL 2021): the internship must be completed at the same university, in the same country. Internship in India does not count for FMGE eligibility for this cohort, except for Ukraine-returned students under the 2022 NMC circular.

When NExT becomes operational, NExT Step 2 cannot be attempted before completing 12 months of internship. Step 1 (theory) can be given during the final year of MBBS, but Step 2 clinical assessment requires post-internship eligibility.

Confused about internship timelines and PG eligibility?

A counselling session can help you plan your internship, PG exam timeline, and speciality choice together.

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MCC — PG Information Bulletin (annual)

Source: Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) · EduPath verified Jun 2026

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NMC — CRMI regulations

Source: National Medical Commission (NMC) · EduPath verified Jun 2026

Visit official source