What is the FMGE?
The FMGE full form is Foreign Medical Graduate Examination, and the FMGE exam is a mandatory screening test for Indian citizens and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) who have obtained medical degrees from recognised institutions outside India and wish to practise medicine in India.
The examination assesses whether foreign-trained medical graduates meet the standards required for medical practice in India. It is conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), while successful candidates can seek registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or the relevant State Medical Council, subject to applicable requirements.
How to apply for FMGE 2026?
- Visit www.fmge.nbe.gov.in and select the FMGE application section.
- Click the FMGE/Screening Test option.
- Select the FMGE June 2026 session.
- Register using your basic personal details.
- Enter your medical qualification and internship details.
- Upload your photograph, signature and thumb impression as specified.
- Select your preferred examination city.
- Pay the Rs. 6,195 application fee online.
- Review and submit the application form.
- Download and save the confirmation page and payment details.
Important notes: Ensure your name and other details match your official documents. Review the form carefully before submission, as corrections may be restricted after the application window closes.
What is the FMGE 2026 application fee?
The FMGE exam application fee is Rs. 6,195, including GST. The fee is the same for all categories and genders, with no category-wise concession.
| FMGE 2026 Category | Fee including GST |
|---|
| General, SC, OBC, ST, EWS | Rs. 6,195 |
FMGE 2026 highlights
| Particulars | Details |
| Full Exam Name | Foreign Medical Graduates Examination |
| Short Name | FMGE |
| Conducting Body | National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) |
| Frequency | Twice a year (June & December/January sessions) |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Language | English only |
| Mode of Application | Online only - natboard.edu.in |
| Application Fee | Rs. 6,195 (all categories) |
| Mode of Exam | Online - Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 300 MCQs (150 per paper) |
| Exam Duration | 5 hours total (2.5 hrs per paper) |
| Passing Marks | 150 out of 300 (50%) |
| Negative Marking | No |
| No. of Attempts | Unlimited |
Who is eligible for the FMGE exam?
The FMGE eligibility criteria require Indian citizens and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) to hold a primary medical qualification from a foreign institution recognised by NBEMS, subject to applicable NMC requirements.
- Nationality: Applicants must be Indian citizens or OCIs.
- Medical qualification: Candidates must hold a primary medical qualification equivalent to an MBBS degree from a recognised foreign institution.
- Qualification verification: The medical qualification must meet applicable recognition and authentication requirements.
- Institution listing: The foreign medical institution should be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS).
- Course completion: Candidates must have completed their medical qualification and received the final result before the prescribed deadline.
- Eligibility Certificate: An NMC Eligibility Certificate may be required, wherever applicable.
- Attempts: There is no upper limit on the number of FMGE attempts.
FMGE 2026 exemption
Certain foreign medical graduates are exempt from appearing for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) and may be eligible to seek registration directly with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or the respective State Medical Council, subject to applicable regulations.
The countries currently covered under this exemption include:
| Exempt country |
|---|
| Australia |
| Canada |
| New Zealand |
| United Kingdom (UK) |
| United States of America (USA) |
Graduates who obtain their primary medical qualification from countries other than those listed above are generally required to qualify for the FMGE before becoming eligible to practise medicine in India. Exemptions are determined based on the country of qualification and applicable regulatory provisions, and not on factors such as academic performance, honours, distinctions, or university rankings.
What is the FMGE 2026 syllabus and marks distribution?
The FMGE syllabus 2026 covers 16 subjects and 300 marks, divided into 100 marks for pre-clinical subjects and 200 marks for clinical subjects. The FMGE passing marks are 150/300.
| Subject | Marks |
|---|
| Pre-clinical subjects | 100 |
| Anatomy | 17 |
| Physiology | 17 |
| Biochemistry | 17 |
| Microbiology | 13 |
| Pathology | 13 |
| Pharmacology | 13 |
| Forensic Medicine | 10 |
| Clinical subjects | 200 |
| Medicine | 33 |
| Surgery | 32 |
| Obstetrics and Gynaecology | 30 |
| Community Medicine | 30 |
| Paediatrics | 15 |
| Ophthalmology | 15 |
| ENT | 15 |
| Psychiatry | 5 |
| Dermatology | 5 |
| Radiotherapy | 5 |
| Anaesthesiology | 5 |
| Orthopaedics | 5 |
| Radiodiagnosis | 5 |
| Total | 300 |
How to prepare for FMGE 2026?
The most effective way to prepare for the FMGE exam is to follow a structured study plan, prioritise high-weightage subjects, practise timed questions and revise consistently.
- Review the syllabus: Study the FMGE syllabus 2026 and divide topics into manageable sections.
- Create a study plan: Allocate daily study time to each subject, with additional time for high-weightage areas.
- Prioritise key subjects: Focus on Medicine (33 marks), Surgery (32 marks), Obstetrics & Gynaecology (30 marks) and Community Medicine (30 marks). Together, they carry 125 of 300 marks.
- Use reliable resources: Choose reputable preparation books, notes and online resources.
- Practise questions: Solve previous papers and take mock tests to identify weak areas.
- Practise under time limits: Each 2.5-hour paper has three 50-minute sections of 50 questions each. Practise mocks in this format.
- Revise regularly: Maintain a consistent routine and avoid last-minute cramming.
What can you do after clearing the FMGE exam?
After clearing the FMGE exam, eligible foreign medical graduates can pursue NMC registration, State Medical Council registration, hospital employment, or private practice, subject to applicable requirements.
- NMC registration: Complete the required process to obtain registration for practising medicine in India.
- State Medical Council registration: Register with the relevant State Medical Council as applicable.
- Hospital employment: Work as a registered medical practitioner in eligible government or private hospitals.
- Private practice: Start or join a private medical practice after obtaining the required registration.
- Postgraduate studies: Explore postgraduate medical education pathways, including NExT, subject to prevailing eligibility and admission rules.
What is the FMGE 2026 exam pattern?
The FMGE exam pattern 2026 consists of 300 MCQs across 2 papers, with 150 minutes per paper and no negative marking. Candidates need 150/300 to qualify.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|
| Examination mode | Computer-based |
| Medium | English |
| Number of papers | 2 |
| Questions | 300 MCQs (150 per paper) |
| Duration | 150 minutes per paper |
| Total marks | 300 |
| FMGE passing marks | 150/300 |
| Marking scheme | +1 for correct answer; no negative marking |
FMGE 2026 exam centres
FMGE 2026 will be conducted at various centres across India to accommodate the large number of candidates. Major cities typically host exam centres, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Chandigarh. Candidates can choose their preferred exam centre while filling out the application form, subject to availability.
| State | City |
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad |
| Karnataka | Bangalore |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal |
| Odisha | Bhubaneswar |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai |
| Uttarakhand | Dehradun |
| Delhi | New Delhi |
| Assam | Guwahati |
| Telangana | Hyderabad |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Jammu |
| Srinagar |
| West Bengal | Kolkata |
| Kerala | Kozhikode |
| Thiruvananthapuram |
| Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow |
| Noida |
| Punjab | Mohali |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai city |
| Nagpur |
| Pune |
| Bihar | Patna |
| Jharkhand | Ranchi |
| Meghalaya | Shillong |
| Rajasthan | Jaipur |
| Andhra Pradesh | Visakhapatnam |
| Haryana | Faridabad |
Documents required at FMGE exam
Candidates must bring specific documents to the FMGE exam centre:
- Admit Card: Printouts of the FMGE 2026 admit card.
- Photo ID: Original and photocopy of a government-issued photo ID (passport, Aadhaar card, driving licence, etc.).
- Passport-size photographs: Recent passport-sized photographs as per the specifications mentioned in the admit card instructions.
FMGE 2026 result
The FMGE January 2026 result was declared on 29 January 2026, while individual scorecards were made available for download from 6 February 2026. Candidates can access their results and scorecards through the official NBEMS website.
How to check the FMGE result?
Follow these steps to view your FMGE result:
- Visit the official website: Go to the NBEMS portal.
- Access the FMGE section: Click on the FMGE or Screening Test tab available on the website.
- Locate the result notification: Find the result announcement for the relevant FMGE session in the notice section.
- Open the result PDF: Download and open the officially released result document.
- Search for your roll number: Use the search function to locate your roll number in the PDF.
- View your result: The document will display your qualifying status and examination score.
- Log in to the candidate portal: Access your account using the registered user credentials.
How to download the FMGE scorecard?
Candidates can download their individual scorecards by following these steps:
- Open the scorecard section: Navigate to the scorecard download option available in the dashboard.
- Download the scorecard: Save a copy of the scorecard for future reference and registration purposes.
- Retain the document safely: Candidates should download and preserve the scorecard within the specified availability period announced by NBEMS.
What should you do after qualifying the FMGE exam?
After qualifying the FMGE exam, candidates should complete biometric verification, collect the FMGE Pass Certificate, and apply for registration with the NMC or the relevant State Medical Council.
- Complete biometric verification: Follow the identity verification process specified by NBEMS for qualified candidates.
- Collect the Pass Certificate: After successful verification, collect the FMGE Pass Certificate. It is typically issued 2–3 months after the result declaration and must be collected in person from the designated NBE office.
- Apply for registration: Use the Pass Certificate to apply for registration with the NMC or respective State Medical Council, as applicable.
FMGE 2026 cutoff
The FMGE follows a fixed qualifying standard that remains the same for all candidates, irrespective of category or examination session. To qualify, candidates must achieve the minimum score prescribed by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).
| Category | Qualifying marks | Total marks | Minimum percentage required |
|---|
| All candidates (General/OBC/SC/ST/EWS) | 150 | 300 | 50% |
Key highlights of the FMGE cutoff
- Uniform qualifying criteria: The qualifying score is the same for all candidates, with no category-based relaxation in the minimum marks requirement.
- Consistent across examination sessions: The prescribed qualifying mark remains unchanged across different FMGE examination sessions.
- Qualifying examination format: FMGE is a screening examination in which candidates are declared either qualified or not qualified based on their score.
- No rank allocation: The examination does not generate a merit list or rank-based admissions process.
- Final result declaration: Re-evaluation or re-totalling of answer sheets is generally not permitted after the declaration of results as per the applicable examination guidelines.
FMGE Pass Certificates
The FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduates Examination) pass certificate is a crucial document for medical graduates who have completed their education abroad and wish to practice in India. This certificate is awarded to candidates who successfully clear the FMGE, a mandatory screening test. Conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE), the exam ensures that foreign graduates meet the necessary standards to practice medicine in India. Once the results are announced, eligible candidates can collect their pass certificates from the NBE office or other designated locations, affirming their qualification to practice within the country.
Official websites and contact numbers for FMGE 2026
| Particulars | Details |
| Website | www.nbe.edu.in |
| www.natboard.edu.in |
| www.mciindia.org |
| Email | nbeexamhelpdesk@gmail.com |
| Address | Secretary, Medical Council of India |
| Sector-8 Pocket-14 |
| Dwarka, New Delhi |
| Phone | 18002664320/ 1800111700 (Toll-free) |
| 011- 25367033/ 25367035 (MCI) |
| Fax | 25367024 (MCI) |
Differences between FMGE, NEET-PG, and NExT
| Aspect | FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) | NEET PG (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Postgraduate) | NExT (National Exit Test) |
| Status | A screening test for foreign medical graduates; set to be replaced by the NExT exam. | An entrance exam for postgraduate medical courses; will be phased out with the introduction of NExT. | A unified exam that will replace both FMGE and NEET PG. |
| Purpose | Enables Indian citizens and OCIs with foreign medical degrees to practice in India. | Determines admission to postgraduate medical programs (MD, MS, PG Diploma). | Serves a dual role: licensing exam for medical practice and admission test for PG courses. |
| Applicable to | Indian citizens and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) who earned their MBBS abroad. | MBBS graduates from Indian medical colleges who have completed internships. Foreign graduates may appear after clearing FMGE. | All final-year MBBS students, whether trained in India or abroad. |
| Exam Format | Computer-based, multiple-choice questions (MCQs) only. | Computer-based, multiple-choice questions (MCQs) only. | Two stages:
• Step 1 – Computer-based theory exam
• Step 2 – Practical/clinical exam after internship |
| Assessment Focus | Tests mainly theoretical knowledge. | Focuses on theoretical knowledge with strong emphasis on clinical application for PG studies. | Comprehensive evaluation of both theory and hands-on clinical skills. |
| Exam Frequency | Held twice a year. | Conducted once annually. | Expected to be held twice a year (tentatively in May and November). |
Conclusion
Preparing for the FMGE is a rigorous process that requires thorough understanding and structured preparation. With dedication and the right resources, candidates can successfully navigate this essential step towards practising medicine in India. For financial support during your preparation journey, consider exploring a doctor loan by Bajaj Finance to manage expenses related to study materials, coaching classes, and exam fees. This support can ease the financial burden and allow you to focus on achieving your goal of becoming a licensed medical professional in India. However, it's important to understand the specific doctor loan eligibility criteria, before you apply. These may vary depending on your qualifications and years of practice. Also, knowing the applicable doctor loan interest rate can help you plan your finances better, ensuring your EMIs are manageable and repayment tenure suits your financial goals.
