Study Abroad Content Writer | Updated On - May 8, 2026
Indian students who have completed MBBS abroad and want to practise medicine in India have to clear one licensing exam first. That exam is the FMGE — Foreign Medical Graduate Examination. It is conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) twice a year. Without clearing it, your foreign MBBS degree cannot be used to register as a doctor in India.
Note: The June 2026 session is scheduled for 28 June 2026. The registration window (21 April – 11 May 2026) has closed. If you missed it, the next session is December 2026.
Also Read: MBBS Abroad Countries, Fees and NMC rules
FMGE June 2026- Exam Highlights
The FMGE June 2026 session is confirmed for 28 June 2026. All dates below are from the official NBEMS Information Bulletin published at nbe.edu.in.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application window | 21 April 2026 – 11 May 2026 (closed) |
| Edit window | 16 May 2026 – 18 May 2026 |
| Final image correction window | 21 May 2026 – 10 June 2026 |
| Document deficiency correction deadline | 16 June 2026 |
| Test city intimation | 17 June 2026 |
| Admit card release | 24 June 2026 |
| Exam date | 28 June 2026 |
| Result declaration | By 28 July 2026 |
| Cut-off date for MBBS degree result | 30 April 2026 |
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam name | Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) / Screening Test |
| Conducted by | National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) |
| Frequency | Twice a year — June and December |
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Medium | English only |
| Total questions | 300 MCQs |
| Total marks | 300 |
| Marking scheme | +1 for correct answer; 0 for wrong or unattempted (no negative marking) |
| Qualifying marks | 150 out of 300 (50%) — same for all categories |
| Exam duration | 5 hours total (2 parts of 2.5 hours each) |
| Exam fee | Rs. 6,195 (including 18% GST) -non-refundable |
| Number of attempts | No limit |
| FMGE pass certificate validity | 3 years from date of issue |
| Official website | natboard.edu.in |
What's next if you missed June 2026 registration: The December 2026 session registration is expected to open in October 2026. Based on historical pass rate data, December sessions consistently outperform June sessions. If you are not fully prepared, waiting for December is a better strategy than rushing into June.
FMGE Exam Pattern — How the Paper Is Structured
FMGE is a single-day exam split into two parts. Both parts are held on the same day with a mandatory break in between. You cannot carry forward time from one part to the other.
| Part | Subjects | Number of Questions | Timing | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | Pre-clinical and Para-clinical subjects (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Forensic Medicine) | 100 | 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM | 150 minutes |
| Part B | Clinical subjects (Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, OBG, Community Medicine, Ophthalmology, ENT, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Orthopaedics, Anaesthesia, Radiodiagnosis, Radiotherapy) | 200 | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM | 150 minutes |
Each question has 4 options. You must choose the single best answer. There is no negative marking — so never leave a question blank. An unattempted question gets 0 marks. A wrong answer also gets 0 marks. Attempting every question gives you a chance at 1 mark; leaving it blank gives you nothing.
The exam is conducted only in English. Mobile phones and electronic devices are strictly prohibited inside the exam centre. Possession of a mobile phone (even switched off) is treated as use of unfair means.
FMGE Syllabus — Subject-Wise Marks Distribution
The FMGE syllabus covers 19 subjects across two parts. Part A has 100 marks and Part B has 200 marks. The total is 300. You need 150 to pass — but there is no separate passing requirement for each part. Your combined score across both parts is what counts.
| Part A — Pre and Paraclinical Subjects | Marks |
|---|---|
| Anatomy | 17 |
| Physiology | 17 |
| Biochemistry | 17 |
| Microbiology | 13 |
| Pathology | 13 |
| Pharmacology | 13 |
| Forensic Medicine | 10 |
| Part A Total | 100 |
| Part B — Clinical Subjects | Marks |
|---|---|
| General Medicine | 33 |
| General Surgery | 32 |
| Obstetrics and Gynaecology | 30 |
| Community Medicine | 30 |
| Paediatrics | 15 |
| Ophthalmology | 15 |
| Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) | 15 |
| Psychiatry | 5 |
| Dermatology and STD | 5 |
| Radiotherapy | 5 |
| Anaesthesiology | 5 |
| Orthopaedics | 5 |
| Radiodiagnosis | 5 |
| Part B Total | 20 |
High-weightage subjects to prioritise:
General Medicine (33), General Surgery (32), Obstetrics and Gynaecology (30) and Community Medicine (30) together account for 125 marks — nearly 42% of the total paper. Scoring well in these four subjects alone puts you close to the passing mark. Do not neglect Paediatrics (15), Ophthalmology (15) and ENT (15) either — they add another 45 marks.
FMGE Eligibility- Who Can Apply?
To appear in FMGE, you must meet all of the following conditions as per the official NBEMS Information Bulletin for FMGE June 2026:
| Eligibility Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Must be a citizen of India or an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) |
| Primary medical qualification | Must hold an MBBS or equivalent degree from a foreign medical institution |
| Degree result declared | Final exam result must have been declared on or before 30 April 2026 (for June 2026 session) |
| Indian Embassy attestation | Foreign medical degree must be attested by the Indian Embassy in the country of study OR apostilled by the appropriate authority of that country (as per Hague Convention 1961) |
| NMC Eligibility Certificate (EC) | Mandatory for students who enrolled in a foreign medical institution on or after 15 March 2002 (with exceptions for the period 15 May 2013 to 3 January 2014) |
| NEET qualifying score | Mandatory for students who enrolled in a foreign medical institution from May 2018 onwards — NEET result is treated as the Eligibility Certificate for such students |
| Country recognition | The degree must be a recognised qualification for enrolment as a medical practitioner in the country where it was awarded |
Who does NOT need to appear in FMGE: Candidates who hold an undergraduate medical degree from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America — AND have also been awarded a postgraduate medical qualification from the same country — are exempt from FMGE. Both conditions must be met. An MBBS from the UK alone does not exempt you.
Pakistan-specific rule: Students who obtained their medical degree from Pakistan are eligible for FMGE only if they received security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India. No student should go to Pakistan for medical study in view of national security considerations, as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare directive dated 26 June 2023.
Also, Check out: How many NEET Score is required for MBBS abroad
FMGE Document Requirements
Missing even one document means your application will be rejected and your fee will be forfeited. NBEMS does not refund fees under any circumstances. Prepare all documents before applying.
| Document | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Primary Medical Qualification Certificate (MBBS degree or provisional pass certificate) | Mandatory — must be apostilled or attested by Indian Embassy |
| NMC Eligibility Certificate (EC) or NEET scorecard | Mandatory — EC for students enrolled before May 2018; NEET result for students enrolled from May 2018 onwards |
| Proof of citizenship (passport or OCI card) | Mandatory |
| Passport-size photograph | As per NBEMS image upload guidelines |
| Signature | As per NBEMS image upload guidelines |
| Thumb impression | As per NBEMS image upload guidelines |
| Aadhaar number | Mandatory — cannot be changed after submission |
Important: Your Aadhaar number CANNOT be modified at any stage after submission. Enter it with extreme care. If you submit an incorrect Aadhaar, there is no provision to correct it.
Unattested certificates submitted after the document correction deadline (16 June 2026 for the June 2026 session) will not be considered for eligibility. Do not wait until the last day to upload documents.
FMGE Pass Rate — Session-Wise Data and What It Means for You
The FMGE pass rate has never crossed 40% in any session. In most recent sessions, 3 out of 4 candidates fail. This is not a reason to panic — it is a reason to prepare differently from the majority.
| Session | Candidates Appeared | Candidates Passed | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2026 (Dec 2025 session) | 43,933 | 11,160 | 25.40% |
| June 2025 | 37,207 | 6,707 | 18.61% |
| December 2024 | 45,552 | 13,149 | 28.86% |
| June 2024 | 34,608 | 7,233 | 20.89% |
| December 2023 | 37,827 | 7,781 | 20.57% |
| June 2023 | 24,250 | 2,474 | 10.20% |
| December 2022 | 30,548 | 12,028 | 39.37% |
| June 2022 | 22,092 | 2,343 | 10.62% |
The most important pattern in this data: December/January sessions consistently outperform June sessions. December 2024 was 28.86% versus June 2025's 18.61%. December 2022 was 39.37% versus June 2022's 10.62%. The gap is not small — it is 8–29 percentage points in every recent year.
The reason is preparation time. Students who sit in December have typically returned from abroad and spent 6–12 months on dedicated FMGE preparation. Students who sit in June often attempt too early — before they are ready — because they want to start practising quickly. That urgency costs them the attempt.
Student insight (Reddit/Quora): A student who cleared FMGE in December 2024 on the first attempt wrote: "I started preparing from Year 3 of my MBBS in Russia. I used Indian standard textbooks alongside my university curriculum. By the time I returned, I had already covered the syllabus twice. Most of my batchmates who failed in June had started preparing only after returning." Starting early is the single most consistent differentiator between first-attempt passers and repeat attempters.
FMGE Country-Wise Pass Rates
The country where you did your MBBS has a direct impact on your FMGE pass rate. The gap between the best and worst-performing countries is over 20 percentage points.
| Country | FMGE Pass Rate (2024 Annual) | Key Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 35.65% | English throughout including clinical rotations; curriculum aligned with India |
| Russia | 29.54% | Strong top-tier universities; clinical years often in Russian |
| Bangladesh | 26.79% | No language barrier; curriculum closely mirrors India |
| Philippines | ~24% | English medium; US-aligned curriculum |
| Kazakhstan | 18.50% | Improving year on year; university selection critical |
| Kyrgyzstan | 15–18% | Weakest clinical infrastructure; highest failure rate |
| National average (2024) | 25.80% |
Country averages hide the most important variable — university-specific pass rates. Within Georgia, Georgian American University recorded an 80.33% FMGE pass rate in 2024. Within Russia, top universities like Kazan Federal University record 35–40% while bottom-tier universities fall below 15%. The university you chose matters more than the country.
If you are currently studying abroad, request your university's specific FMGE pass rate data for the last 3 years from the alumni network. That number is more relevant to your outcome than any country average.
After Clearing FMGE- What Happens Next?
Clearing FMGE does not give you the right to practice medicine in India immediately. There are two more steps after FMGE before you can practice independently.
| Step | What It Is | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1: Provisional Registration | Apply to your State Medical Council (SMC) with your FMGE pass certificate and foreign degree. The SMC grants provisional registration to begin CRMI. | 1–2 months after FMGE result |
| Step 2: CRMI in India | Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship — 12 months at an NMC-recognised Indian hospital. Covers 13 clinical departments. Must be completed within 2 years of clearing FMGE. | 12 months |
| Step 3: Permanent Registration | Apply to SMC after completing CRMI. Permanent registration allows independent medical practice in India. | 1–2 months after CRMI completion |
The CRMI covers rotations in General Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, ENT, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Anaesthesia, Emergency services, Community Medicine and lab services.
Note: FMGE pass certificate validity is 3 years. You must complete your CRMI within 2 years of clearing FMGE. If you delay the CRMI beyond 2 years, you may need to re-appear for FMGE. Plan your CRMI hospital placement before your FMGE result is declared — good hospitals fill up fast.
NExT update: The National Exit Test (NExT) will eventually replace FMGE for all medical graduates — both Indian and foreign. As of May 2026, NExT has not been implemented for foreign graduates. FMGE remains the applicable exam.
FAQs
Ques. What is FMGE and who needs to appear for it?
Ans. FMGE stands for Foreign Medical Graduate Examination. It is a mandatory screening test conducted by NBEMS for Indian citizens and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) who completed their MBBS or equivalent degree from a foreign medical institution and want to practice medicine in India. Without clearing FMGE, a foreign MBBS degree cannot be used for medical registration in India. The exam is conducted twice a year — in June and December — at natboard.edu.in.
Ques. What is the FMGE June 2026 exam date?
Ans. The FMGE June 2026 exam is scheduled for 28 June 2026. The exam is conducted in two parts — Part A from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM and Part B from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM on the same day. Admit cards will be available from 24 June 2026 on natboard.edu.in. Results will be declared by 28 July 2026. The registration window (21 April – 11 May 2026) has closed. The next session is December 2026 with registration expected in October 2026.
Ques. What is the passing mark for FMGE?
Ans. The qualifying mark for FMGE is 150 out of 300 — which is 50%. This is the same for all categories including General, SC, ST and OBC. There is no separate passing requirement for Part A and Part B. Your combined score across both parts determines whether you pass. There is no negative marking — wrong answers get 0 marks, not minus marks.
Ques. How many attempts are allowed for FMGE?
Ans. There is no limit on the number of attempts for FMGE. You can appear as many times as needed until you pass. However, the FMGE pass certificate is valid for only 3 years from the date of issue. You must complete your CRMI in India within 2 years of clearing FMGE. Plan your attempts with these timelines in mind.
Ques. Is NEET required to appear for FMGE?
Ans. Yes, for students who enrolled in a foreign medical institution from May 2018 onwards, a valid NEET qualifying score is mandatory. The NEET result is treated as the Eligibility Certificate (EC) for such students. For students who enrolled before May 2018, a separate NMC Eligibility Certificate is required. Without either the EC or NEET score, you cannot appear for FMGE.
Ques. What is the FMGE pass rate?
Ans. The FMGE pass rate has ranged from 10.20% to 39.37% across recent sessions. January 2026 (December 2025 session) recorded 25.40% — 11,160 out of 43,933 candidates passed. June 2025 recorded 18.61%. December sessions consistently outperform June sessions. The national average for 2024 was 25.80%. Georgia had the highest country-level pass rate at 35.65% in 2024. Source: NBEMS official institute-wise performance reports at natboard.edu.in.
Ques. Which countries are exempt from FMGE?
Ans. Candidates who hold an undergraduate medical degree from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America AND have also been awarded a postgraduate medical qualification from the same country are exempt from FMGE. Both conditions must be met. An MBBS from the UK alone without a UK postgraduate degree does not exempt you from FMGE.
Ques. What happens after clearing FMGE?
Ans. After clearing FMGE, you must apply to your State Medical Council (SMC) for provisional registration. Once registered, you complete a 12-month Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship (CRMI) at an NMC-recognised Indian hospital. The CRMI must be completed within 2 years of clearing FMGE. After completing CRMI, you apply for permanent registration with the SMC. Permanent registration allows you to practice medicine independently in India.
Ques. What is the FMGE exam fee?
Ans. The FMGE exam fee is Rs. 6,195 including 18% GST (base fee Rs. 5,250 plus GST Rs. 945). The fee is non-refundable under any circumstances — including if you are declared ineligible, absent or if your application is rejected. Payment is made online through the NBEMS portal at natboard.edu.in using UPI, credit card or debit card.
Ques. Will NExT replace FMGE?
Ans. Yes, the National Exit Test (NExT) is planned to replace FMGE for foreign medical graduates. However, as of May 2026, NExT has
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