In a major set back to the America bound Indian medicine aspirants, the Union Ministry of Health has decided not to issue the “No Obligation To Return To India” (NORI) certificate any more. This latest decision means that the Indian students who pursue medicinal courses in America must compulsorily return to India after the completion of their courses.
Earlier, the NORI certificate allowed Indian students to work in the US even after successfully completing their PG programs. The US immigration laws make it mandatory that the students undergo two years of home residency in India for J-1 visa. The NORI certificate then waives off this 2-year home residency and the students could apply for the H1 B visa.
The latest move by the Indian government is to curb the brain drain and fill in the huge void of 82% shortage of physicians, surgeons, paediatricians etc. Currently, India is at least 40% short of the norm of one doctor for 1000 patients.
Between 2010-2014, around 3,947 Indian students pursued medicine courses in the US. Majority of students prefer to stay back in America since India failed to provide them suitable jobs on their return to their homeland.