FMGE: the exam that decides practice in India

What FMGE is

The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) is the licensing exam every Indian who studies medicine abroad must clear to practise in India. It is conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), usually twice a year, in June and December.

Conducted by

NBEMS

Sessions

June and December

Questions

300 multiple-choice

Pass mark

150 of 300

There is no category relaxation in the pass mark. After clearing FMGE, the graduate completes a 12-month internship in India before registration.

How many pass

The pass rate is low. In the June 2026 session about 12–13% of all candidates passed. Students sitting the exam for the first time did much better: the health ministry told Parliament that over 35% of them passed. Choosing a university with good clinical training, and preparing steadily, makes the difference.

NExT

The National Exit Test (NExT) is planned to replace FMGE. As of April 2026 it had not been applied to foreign medical graduates. We will update this page when it is.

How to prepare

• Choose a university with English-medium teaching and real hospital exposure.
• Start revising Indian textbooks from the third year alongside the university course.
• Use the FMGE coaching some universities offer, or an online course, from the fourth year.
• Practise past papers in exam conditions in the final year.

Common questions